Mercedes-Benz B-Class Delivers Outstanding First-Year Sales Performance

STUTTGART - July 18, 2006: The Mercedes-Benz B-Class, the new vehicle concept brought to market in June 2005, has achieved outstanding sales in the first year following launch. Around 120,000 customers have opted for the Compact Sports Tourer during this period.

A large portion of this sales success can be attributed to the attractive equipment packages that are designed to fulfil specific customer requirements, the latest example being the new Active package. Comprising a selection of the most popular optional extras, the new Active package for the B-Class represents added appeal for the customer. It includes a generously sized panoramic glass roof with a manually operated roller-type sunblind, cruise control, fog lamps, stowage boxes beneath the driver and frontpassenger seats and an Aux-In socket (Audio 20 upwards) for connecting external devices such as an Apple iPodŽ or MP3 player.

Further features available as part of the Active package include the Light and Sight package with rain sensor and automatically activated headlamps. Prices for the Active package start at € 933.80 (incl. 16 % VAT), saving B-Class customers around 30 percent on the cost of ordering the optional extras individually.

The B-Class Compact Sports Tourer takes the acknowledged strengths of several vehicle concepts and combines them to create its own distinctive profile. Designed as a touring, family and recreational vehicle, the B-Class meets the needs of customers who desire a vehicle offering generous spaciousness, exemplary comfort, high practicality, exciting design and lots of driving enjoyment.