Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz Debuts iPod-Compatible Audio Books
Thursday March 31, 3:47 pm ET
- Narrations Provide Digital 'Walk-arounds' at Auto Shows and
Dealerships

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050331/nyth187.html?.v=2

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is testing
their first iPod-compatible Audio Books at the New York Auto Show, open
to the public March 25 - April 2, 2005 at the Jacob Javits Convention
Center in Manhattan. Designed to brief potential Mercedes buyers about
new car features, Audio Books provide in-depth digital "walk-around"
narrations through the familiar, easy-to-use iPod unit. Interested
consumers at the show can download Mercedes-Benz Audio Books to their
own iPod for $2.95 each, or they can experience the walk-around
narrations without charge on loaner iPods. Downloads of the
Mercedes-Benz Audio Books will also be available for purchase at
http://www.apple.com/itunes/.

The Audio Books project was developed by the MBUSA Training & Education
Department, which will be donating all proceeds from their Audio Book
sales during the New York International Auto Show to Automotive High
School in Brooklyn, New York -- one of the only schools in the U.S. to
offer a comprehensive automotive curriculum at the high school level.
In addition to a range of ongoing support, MBUSA offers scholarships to
graduating high school students from Automotive High School through
DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program. Students
who are the first in their families to pursue a college education are
eligible to win one-time $2,000 scholarships.

MBUSA has developed four Audio Books that cover the following models
from engine to trunk:

* the new-generation M-Class sport utility vehicle that goes on sale
this month

* the CLS -- the world's first four-door coupe - that became available
in January

* the popular SLK, the second generation of the roadster that started
the retractable hardtop trend

* the exotic SLR McLaren, the Formula-One-inspired 200+ mph super
sports GT car

  About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz
and Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an
all-time sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest
sales volume ever in its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of
sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found
on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com and http://www.maybachusa.com.