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.