Mercedes-Benz at the 2006 Paris Motor Show / Premium brand on course for success

Paris (ots) -

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Top-class new products and technical innovations are predominant
on the Mercedes-Benz stand at this year's Paris Motor Show.
Highlights include the new-generation CL-Class and the new,
high-performance models CL 63 AMG and S 63 AMG, as well as the new
SLR McLaren 722 Edition, which celebrate their world debut in the
French capital. During the press conference Dr. Dieter Zetsche,
Chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of Mercedes Car Group since
one year ago, expressed his satisfaction with the development of the
globally successful premium brand.

"We have worked hard and achieved a great deal - and now we are
reaping the benefits", Dr. Zetsche told the international media
representatives. "Both efficiency and quality have improved in equal
measure, as our customers are acknowledging. From January to August
2006 our worldwide unit sales increased by around eleven percent
compared to the same period last year. Mercedes Car Group generated
an operating profit of more than 800 million Euro during the first
half of the year." All in all, an increase over the 2005 unit sales
level was to be expected for 2006.

Major contributors to this success include the new S-Class
introduced one year ago, more than 77,000 examples of which have been
sold since its market launch in September 2005. As the bestselling
series in the worldwide luxury segment, the S-Class is well ahead of
its competitors in all regions of the world. In Paris the S-Class
celebrates its debut with the newly developed 4MATIC permanent
four-wheel drive system. With the S 320 CDI 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz is
offering a combination of diesel power and four-wheel drive for the
first time in the S-Class.

The other Mercedes-Benz model series are also producing
outstanding results. The SUV family comprising the R-, M-, GL- and
G-Class was able to double its sales to more than 103,000 units in
the first eight months of this year, and since June the E-Class has
regained its worldwide market leadership in the luxury business
segment. Dr. Zetsche: "The new-generation E-Class represents the
pinnacle in every respect. We will shortly be demonstrating this with
an extraordinary long-distance rally which starts here in Paris on
October 21 and ends in Peking, covering a distance of almost 14,000
kilometres." This feat will be performed by 33 E-Class models
featuring the latest diesel technology, including standard examples
equipped with our ultra-clean BLUETEC technology, which will be
introduced in the USA in the E 320 BLUETEC on October 15. The rally
cars will reach Peking on November 17, after just 28 days, in time
for the most important Chinese motor show - "AutoChina 2006".

CL-Class: public debut of the masterpiece among luxury coupés

With the new CL-Class, which is celebrating its public debut at
the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is re-emphasising its leading
position in the luxury coupé segment. With more than 47,000 units
sold worldwide, the preceding model has been the bestselling car in
its class. The new luxury coupé is equipped with the most powerful
engines in the Mercedes lineup: the V8 unit of the CL 500 has an
output of 285 kW/388 hp, while the state-of-the-art biturbo V12 of
the new CL 600 develops 380 kW/517 hp.

World debut of the SLR McLaren 722 Edition, CL 63 AMG and S 63 AMG

The new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition displays
thoroughbred motor-racing attributes. With this new model variant,
Mercedes-Benz evokes memories of the unforgettable victory achieved
by Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the
start number 722 (indicating a starting time of 07.22 hours ) in the
classic Mille Miglia endurance race of 1955. At the heart of this
super-sportscar, a limited edition of only 150 examples is a
supercharged 5.5-litre V8-engine developing 478 kW/650 hp. With a top
speed of 337 km/h the "722 Edition" even betters the SLR, which
remains in the model range. With the CL 63 AMG, Mercedes-AMG is
presenting the flagship model of the new CL-Class in Paris. Its
wholly independently developed AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine develops an
output of 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Nm of torque. The high-tech
appointments of this luxury coupé include an AMG sports suspension
based on Active Body Control. The CL 63 AMG is the current highlight
of the 2006 strategic model initiative by Mercedes-AMG - with ten
brand-new cars to date. The S-Class is now also represented by the S
63 AMG and equipped with the 386 kW/525 hp high-tech engine. Both AMG
models accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, and the
maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

SLK "Edition 10": Showcar to mark the tenth anniversary of the
Roadster

Ten years of the SLK-Class - a cause for celebration at
Mercedes-Benz. At the "Mondial de l'automobile" fair in Paris, the
company is presenting the "Edition 10" showcar, which has numerous
distinguishing design features and gives the roadster a sporty and
exclusive aura.

With its matt-grey metallic paint finish, the anniversary showcar
is immediately distinguishable from a standard SLK sports car and
illustrates a trend in the future colour styling of automobiles. The
exterior also features dark-grey painted, high-sheen light-alloy
wheels in a ten-spoke design, shod with wide-base tyres in size
225/45 R 17 (front) and 245/40 R 17 (rear). The wheels are also
embellished with black-and-silver emblems bearing the Mercedes star.
Dark-tinted rear light clusters also contribute to the exclusive
appearance of the "Edition 10" showcar.

In the interior the driver and passenger are treated to a
selection of fine materials. The seats and the armrest in the centre
console are covered with black leather. Silver-coloured underlays
beneath the centre panels of the seat cushions and backrests
discreetly yet effectively accentuate the perforations in the
leather. This sporty and elegant black-silver contrast is heightened
further by the silver thread used for the decorative seams of the SLK
sports seats. The liner of the vario-roof and the rear window
surround are painted in black.

Originaltext: DaimlerChryslerAG
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ISIN: DE0007100000

Contact
Johannes Reifenrath, Tel.: +49 711 17-75834
johannes.reifenrath@daimlerchrysler.com

Internet site
More news from DaimlerChrysler is available at:
www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

With the E-Class from Paris to Peking
More about the extraordinary long-distance journey from Paris to
Peking is available at: http://www.e-class-experience.com

For journalistic research please go to:
http://www.paris-beijing2006.com
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