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Mercedes-Benz Starmark Pre-Owned Vehicle Program

3 May 1999

Mercedes-Benz Starmark Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Now Available Across the U.S.

    MONTAVALE, N.J., April 30 -- Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA),
a pioneer in pre-owned vehicle programs for the past decade, today announced
that its new comprehensive factory-backed certified vehicle program called
Starmark -- which covers previously owned vehicles with a warranty of up to
100,000 miles -- is now available in all 50 states.
    "The pre-owned vehicle market is the fastest-growing segment in the
automotive industry and provides us with the opportunity to bring people into
the Mercedes family at an earlier point in time," said Ken Enders, general
manager, marketing/product management, passenger cars and light trucks at
MBUSA.  "What makes Starmark unique is that it combines a decade of experience
in luxury car re-marketing, a model line renowned for its quality and terms
that are flexible, comprehensive and hassle-free for the consumer."
    Starmark offers previously owned Mercedes-Benz models for both lease and
purchase.  While the typical Starmark model is a three- or four-year old
vehicle, cars up to eight years old are available and can be covered until
they reach up to 11 years or 100,000 miles.  All Starmark vehicles are
carefully selected to ensure that only the best cars are designated
"Starmark."  These vehicles must pass a 130-plus point inspection performed by
factory trained technicians and are then reconditioned to bring them as close
as possible to like-new condition.
    The standard Starmark warranty coverage carries no deductible and covers
the vehicle for 12 months to a mileage cap of 100,000 miles.  It is
factory-backed as opposed to being administered by third parties (common among
other programs).  Coverage, which includes most major componentry, does not
begin until any existing new car coverage expires.  At the time of sale,
customers may purchase additional coverage -- which is added to any existing
new vehicle warranty -- to extend the warranty to four years or 100,000 miles.
    Regardless of which coverage option they choose, customers receive many of
the added customer-care benefits of the company's new-car warranty: Sign and
Drive service (for flat tire repair, jump starts and out-of-fuel service),
free trip routing and even trip interruption coverage (reimbursement for
meals, accommodations and travel expenses if the car must remain overnight for
repairs on a trip).  And, like every other Mercedes, regardless of age,
mileage or whether purchased new or used, MBUSA's 24-hour-a-day Roadside
Assistance system is only a toll-free phone call away.
    Starmark has been supported by an extensive training and marketing
initiative.  In order to sell Starmark vehicles, all Mercedes-Benz dealer
management, sales consultants, technicians,  and related personnel had to
undergo extensive in-depth training  (provided by MBUSA) to become certified.

    Additional Starmark features include:
    -- A nationwide vehicle locator system which enables dealers to search
       other markets in order to find a Starmark vehicle that matches a
       customer's specifications;
    -- All Starmark vehicles come with individual AMonroney-style@ window
       labels that call out standard, optional and aftermarket equipment
       unique to the vehicle.  The price and mileage of the vehicle are also
       stated;
    -- The Starmark vehicle=s background is documented via Carfax, a vehicle
       history service;
    -- The vehicle may be exchanged within seven days or 500 miles if the
       customer so desires;
    -- Special financing and lease rates are available from Mercedes-Benz
       Credit Corporation.

    According to Gregg Goolsby, department manager, pre-owned vehicles, "We've
had a decade of experience since we pioneered pre-owned vehicle warranty
programs back in 1988.  Our objective is to provide customers with
high-quality vehicles in top condition backed by a warranty and also extend
the same outstanding after-sales care that our new car owners enjoy.
Starmark is an enhancement of this in that it reflects input from customers
and dealers as to how to best meet the needs of the marketplace.  What we=ve
done with Starmark is to give our customers flexibility in deciding what their
coverage needs are rather than take a 'one-size-fits-all' approach."
    Since MBUSA began rolling out the program on a market by market basis last
year,  Goolsby says sales of certified pre-owned Mercedes models have
quadrupled.