DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program

First National Program of Its Kind Awards $500,000 to College-Bound Seniors

MONTVALE, N.J., May 11 -- In conjunction with National Scholarship Month, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today that it has launched a national scholarship program to provide educational assistance to students who will be the first in their families to attend college. The program, called DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program, will make $500,000 in funding available to students through support from MBUSA and fundraising activities of its dealers.

"When Mercedes-Benz invented the motor car over 100 years ago, it was because of the efforts of talented, dedicated people committed to excellence; committed to driving the future," said Paul Halata, president & CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "Through the dynamic spirit and creative vision of our founders, one of the greatest inventions of our time was born. We want to help nurture and encourage that spirit of excellence and innovation in students across the country. We would like to inspire them to drive their futures, reach their full potential and become the leaders and the success stories of their generation."

Graduating high school seniors who will be the first in their families to attend college or vocational school are being invited to apply for scholarships through a nationwide mailing to high schools across the country. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE will invite students to apply for $2,000, one-time scholarships. Three students in each state will receive scholarships in addition to students from various youth organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, FIRST, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Virtual Enterprises, the Mal Washington Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Young Women's Leadership School and Automotive High School. Over 250 scholarships will be awarded in 2004.

DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement (a grade point average of 3.0 or higher), financial need, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities. Honors, work experience, goals and aspirations and unusual personal or family circumstances will also be considered.

"There is a critical need for scholarships to help students offset the costs of postsecondary education," said Marilyn Rundell, vice president of Scholarship America, the nation's largest private sector scholarship and educational support organization, and administrator of the program. "This is particularly true for students from families who themselves have never had the opportunity for a college education. When companies like Mercedes-Benz reach out to students such as these, extending not only financial support but also encouragement; a very compelling and inspirational message is sent."

MBUSA's corporate funding of the program will be augmented by monies raised through the 2004 Mercedes Dealer Championships, regional golf tournaments currently underway. Through the Mercedes Dealer Championships, the fundraising goal for the program is over $1 million in 2004. Funds collected in the third and fourth quarters will be applied to the 2005 DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship program.

DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program is part of MBUSA's philanthropic program which is primarily aimed at educating and empowering future generations. As part of its commitment to the communities in which employees live and work, MBUSA has also built alliances with a number of youth organizations across the country. The company also supports many of these efforts through employee activities and volunteer activities. Philanthropic initiatives are reviewed and implemented through MBUSA corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J. and through its six regional offices around the country.

Applications and detailed information regarding DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program may be downloaded by visiting www.mbusa.com/drivefuture. Completed applications must be submitted to Scholarship America by June 11, 2004. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship recipients will be selected in July, and scholarships for the Fall semester will be awarded in August.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2003, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 218,717 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving ten consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.