Three Mercedes-Benz Models Earn Awards for Highest Ranked Initial Product Quality

MONTVALE, N.J., June 6 -- With three awards for the highest ranked in segment vehicle quality, Mercedes-Benz was one of the most successful car brands in this year's J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS). The brand also demonstrated one of the most dramatic increases in ranking of any manufacturer in the study, ranking fifth. J.D. Power and Associates indicated that all Mercedes-Benz models in the study improved substantially, and the breadth and speed of these improvements demonstrates the Mercedes-Benz commitment to quality.

This year, the E-, S- and SL-Classes were recipients of the J.D. Power and Associates Award for highest ranked initial quality. These Mercedes models ranked highest for initial quality in their competitive segments, Midsize Premium Car, Large Premium Car (in a tie) and Premium Sporty Car, respectively.

In particular, the most important factors for Mercedes-Benz's excellent overall performance were the launches of the new S-Class, the M-Class, and the new generations of the E-Class and SL-Class.

"We are delighted to have J.D. Power and Associates recognize Mercedes- Benz with these awards," said Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Ernst Lieb. "This recognition is a result of the intense efforts we have made to return product quality perception and customer satisfaction to the levels we have historically enjoyed. In every aspect of our business, our focus is on meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations. At Mercedes-Benz it's about delivering the customer's dream," he added.

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 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at http://jdpower.com/. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.