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Mercedes-Benz of North America Renamed Mercedes-Benz USA

4 January 1999

Mercedes-Benz of North America Renamed Mercedes-Benz USA; Reaffirms Commitment of Being Premier Marketing Organization in the U.S.

    MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4 -- In order to more accurately reflect
its mission to be the leader in the luxury segment within the U.S. market,
Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. (MBNA) will be officially renamed
Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA).  The new name will take effect in the Spring
of 1999.
    Since its inception in 1965, Mercedes-Benz of North America has been the
sole importer and distributor of Mercedes-Benz cars and light trucks in the
U.S.  Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 170,245 vehicles in the U.S. in 1998, an
all-time sales record for the company.
    According to Mike Jackson, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz of North
America:  "With the creation of the new global enterprise DaimlerChrysler
Aktiengesellschaft, the time is right to more specifically align our corporate
designation with our true area of responsibility.  Mercedes-Benz USA is also
consistent with our vision to be the world's premier marketing organization in
the United States."
    MBNA is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, and employs approximately
1,500 people in 20 locations across the U.S.