September 15, 2003
MERCEDES-BENZ GEARS UP FOR FASHION WEEK: NEW CLK500 CABRIOLET DEBUTS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WOMEN’S CANCER INITIATIVE

Over $1 Million Expected Through Sale of CLK500 Cabriolets for Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE with the Entertainment Industry Foundation

Mercedes-Benz Sponsors Peter Som Runway Show; Partners with Architectural Digest to Design Fashion Forward Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week introduces the Spring 2004 Collections while raising funds through the sale of specially designed CLK500 Cabriolets for Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE, a women's cancer initiative developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation's (EIF) Women's Cancer Research Fund. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will feature more than 50 shows in three separate runway venues, taking place September 12 - 19, 2003 at Bryant Park in New York City. Now in its sixth consecutive season of title sponsorship for Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz will sponsor the Peter Som Runway Show and will unveil the Mercedes-Benz VIP lounge, created by acclaimed designer Holly Hunt for Architectural Digest.



CLK500 Cabriolet As part of the philanthropic partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, Mercedes-Benz expects to donate over $1 million to KEY TO THE CURE through the sale of 850 specially designed CLK500 Cabriolets. Funds will benefit more than 70 charitable programs dedicated to finding new treatments and a cure for women's cancers nationwide. The elegant, but powerful new CLK500 will be displayed at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park beginning September 12th.

EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund Co-founder Jamie Tisch and Medical Advisory Chair Dr. Larry Platt with Lucy Liu. "The new CLK is all about the good life, enjoying life and living well in every sense of the word," said Michelle Cervantez, vice president, marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. "In that spirit, we designed a special fleet of CLK500 Cabriolets for Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE to help combat one of the biggest threats to women's health in this country. By generating awareness of KEY TO THE CURE during Fashion Week and by donating over one million dollars through the sale of the 850 specially designed cabriolets, we hope to help make a meaningful contribution to that effort."

The specially designed CLK500 Cabriolet will be on display at The Tents at Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and at most Saks Fifth Avenue stores beginning September 17th-20th. The stylish CLK500 is available in designo Mocha Black metallic exterior complemented by Stone Nappa leather interior. Unique features and options include: 17-inch AMG 5-double-spoke wheels with high performance tires, ash wood trim, Alcantara headliner, heated seats, Bi-Xenon headlamps and eight-speaker Bose AudioPilot Digital Sound System with CD changer, just to name a few.

Powered by a 302-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine with driver-adaptive electronic 5-speed automatic transmission with touch shift control, the specially designed CLK500 is a spirited performer. The specially designed 2004 CLK500 Cabriolets, which are beginning to arrive at Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide, carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $67,250.

Peter Som Known not only for its support of philanthropic initiatives, but also for its core commitment to the highest standard of craftsmanship, originality and innovation Mercedes-Benz will sponsor the Peter Som Runway Show at the Josephine Catwalk venue at Bryant Park on September 16th at noon. Described as effortless, clean, and simply luxurious, Som's breakthrough debut collection was presented in the Fall of 1999 and was met with accolades from buyers and press alike. In June 2002, Som was nominated for the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for emerging talent. In addition to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week partnership, Som will also design a limited-edition accessory exclusively for the Fall/Winter Mercedes-Benz Collection Catalogue.

Mercedes-Benz VIPLounge Mercedes-Benz partnered with Architectural Digest, the leading magazine of architecture and design, to create the innovative Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge. Built by acclaimed designer Holly Hunt for Architectural Digest inside the tents at Bryant Park, the Mercedes-Benz Lounge is a respite for VIPs from the frenzy of the fashion shows. The lounge, the only private space in the tents, is a stopping-off point for top executives and celebrity guests attending the fashion shows. Hunt incorporates colors influenced by Spring 2004; the season currently being showcased on the runways. Elements designed to evoke the fun, fast-paced, 'feel-good' energy of the runway, include copper wall-to-wall fabric from Great Plains, Christian Liaigre furnishings and vintage Cuban lounge chairs covered in copper and terracotta.

Holly Hunt is a design entrepreneur who has emerged as a leading force in shaping style for luxury home furnishings of early 21st century America. Based in Chicago, the company operates showrooms in Chicago, Miami, Washington DC, Minneapolis and two locations in New York City. EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund co-founder Jamie Tisch with Lucy Liu.

Mercedes-Benz USA Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, service and marketing of Mercedes-Benz and Maybach vehicles in the United States. The company employs approximately 1,500 people in 20 locations across the U.S. Mercedes-Benz sold 213,225 vehicles in the U.S. during 2002, setting the highest sales volume in its history.

EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund The Women's Cancer Research Fund, a donor-advised program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), was created in 2003 to raise funds and awareness for the millions of women at-risk of, or affected by cancer. The Women's Cancer Research Fund supports innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women's cancers.

Entertainment Industry Foundation Celebrating 60 years of giving, the Entertainment Industry Foundation is the philanthropic heart of the entertainment industry. EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars - and provided countless hours - to support charitable initiatives that address some of the most critical issues facing our society.

Media Contact: Judi Ketcik
818-505-2649