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Halata Named President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA

24 September 1999

    MONTVALE, N.J. -- Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA)
today announced the appointment of Paul Halata to President and CEO of MBUSA.
Halata succeeds Mike Jackson.

    Halata, currently CEO of Mercedes-Benz UK, will have responsibility for
Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S. as well as providing
leadership and direction for MBUSA's 1,500 employees and its 312 retailers
throughout the U.S.

    In the 27 years he has been with the Mercedes-Benz organization, Halata
has been involved in virtually all aspects of the organization's operations.

    His career with the company began in 1972 when he joined Mercedes-Benz
Canada.  In 1987 he was promoted to vice president and from 1989 to 1995 he
was president of the company.

    During his tenure at Mercedes-Benz Canada, Halata also served in an
advisory capacity to MBUSA as vice president of North American affairs from
1989 to 1995.

    In 1995 he became senior vice president of van sales and marketing in
Europe, based in Stuttgart and in 1997 he took up his most recent position
heading Mercedes-Benz UK.