Press Release

Mercedes-Benz Announces Auction of Roadsters for Aids Benefit

10/16/96

A Pair of Mercedes-Benz Roadsters Highlight Saks Holiday
Catalogue Silent Auction Proceeds to Benefit the Pediatric AIDS
Foundation

MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 14 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America
and Saks Fifth Avenue have teamed up to offer the ultimate holiday
gift which will help bring hope to children with HIV/AIDS. A pair of
Mercedes-Benz roadsters will be one of the most unique gifts offered
in the 1996 Saks Holiday Catalogue through a special silent auction
benefiting the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the only national non-profit
foundation identifying, funding, and conducting critically needed
pediatric AIDS research internationally.

The two cars, a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL and the soon-to-be-available
1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230, will be auctioned together as one gift with
bidding beginning at $50,000. The person with the highest bid gets
both cars, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the
Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The dynamic SLK has been designed as a sports car for all seasons
highlighted by its most unique feature -- a fully automatic retracting
hardtop that transforms the roadster into a coupe in about 25
seconds. This eagerly- awaited Mercedes-Benz SLK sports car offers a
truly unique combination of performance, safety, and luxury.  The
Mercedes SLK offered in the Saks catalogue is Brilliant Silver with
two-toned black and salsa (red) leather interior.

The classic 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL was restored over a period of
three years by its engineer owner, resulting in a spectacular blend of
authenticity and utility. The 190SL comes in dark red with tan leather
interior, equipped with an authentic Becker radio, correct rubber mats
and square-weave carpet overlays, German Happich top, optional third
seat and leather boot.

People interested in bidding for the cars can call the Saks Holiday
Catalogue number, 800-347-9177 between October 15 and November 25,
1996 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5
p.m. on Saturday, and noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. is headquartered in Montvale,
NJ. Its vehicles are sold and serviced through 340 authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country.

Saks Fifth Avenue, a division of Saks Holdings, Inc., was founded in
1924 by Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel.  Today the company comprises
40 full line stores, six resort stores, and one Main Street store, led
by its landmark flagship on New York's Fifth Avenue. In addition, the
company has 27 Off 5th outlet stores, and Folio, a separate direct
mail business. Saks Holdings' common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol SKS.