Restaurants Add the New 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class To Their Menus With the 'Tonight's First Course' Events

13 December 2000
Restaurants Add the New 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class To Their Menus With the 'Tonight's First Course' Events
    MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 13 Mercedes-Benz launches "Tonight's
First Course" and adds an exciting appetizer to the menus of restaurants
throughout the country -- a test drive in an all new 2001 C-Class!  Guests
will have the opportunity to drive the spirited new C-Class and then enjoy a
fabulous appetizer as the first course of their meal, compliments of
Mercedes-Benz.
    In nineteen cities throughout the country, Mercedes-Benz will partner with
some of the hottest restaurants to offer an exclusive dining experience as
part of  "Tonight's First Course."  The events are being held at a handful of
popular bistros in each city, (at one location at a time), and feature a new
Mercedes C320 on display in addition to the C240 and C320 sedans available for
test drives.  Invited guests and all patrons will have an opportunity to test
drive before dining.  Product specialists will be on-site to offer
demonstrations and assist in the individual test drives.
    Special invitations are being mailed to guests who have visited the
"TheNewC.MBUSA.com" website as well as to subscribers of Bon Appetit, Conde
Nast Traveler, and Vanity Fair magazines.  Guests may make a reservation for
dinner and a test drive either by calling a special toll-free number or by
visiting the SavvyDiner.com Internet website, which features a special
Mercedes-Benz microsite for the "Tonight's First Course" events.  Participants
who register via SavvyDiner.com will receive a unique "New C" signature
appetizer prepared by the restaurant, following their test drives.
    The "Tonight's First Course" events are scheduled to run throughout 2001.
The first series of events will take place as follows:

          Dallas 11/27-12/17/2000
          Houston 1/21-2/4/2001
          Phoenix 2/5-2/18/2001
          San Diego 2/19-3/4/2001
          Los Angeles 3/5-3/25/2001

    According to Ken Enders, vice president of marketing for MBUSA, "Tonight's
First Course is a unique way to give drivers a 'taste' of a great car.  This
series of events support our C-Class philosophy 'Live.  A lot,' which
encourages people to find the time to savor the things they enjoy -- like fine
dining and great driving experiences."
    The all new 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sports an eye-catching design with
a unique interpretation of the Mercedes elliptical headlight design, which
resembles overlapping ovals.  Inspired by the award-winning S-Class, the sleek
vehicle is jam-packed with useful, innovative technology including such
industry-leading standard safety features as dual-force front airbags, head
protection curtain airbags and door-mounted side airbags, ESP stability
control, Brake Assist and the Tele Aid emergency call system.