August 17, 2006
A BOLD BEAUTY: MERCEDES-BENZ SPECIAL EDITION 2007 E350 SEDAN
MAKES ITS DEBUT
FOR SAKS FIFTH AVENUE'S KEY TO THE CURE
Sales of 1,000 Exclusively-Appointed Vehicles to Generate
$1 Million for EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund
MONTVIALE, NJ - The stunning Sienna Black 2007 E350 sedan appointed with luxurious Sahara Beige interior and Black Birdseye Maple Wood Trim makes its debut this fall at Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide to help raise funds for women's cancer research. This bold beauty offers auto enthusiasts superior design combined with unparalleled performance as well as the chance to make a difference in the fight against cancer. For the fourth consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz will donate $1 million through the sales of a special edition vehicle to help support Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE. This year, only 1,000 exclusively-appointed Special Edition E350 sedans will be offered. Developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and its Women's Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), KEY TO THE CURE is a national women's cancer initiative dedicated to finding new detection methods, treatments and cures for women's cancers.
"We've produced this special-edition of our most popular model to help combat one of the biggest threats to women's health in this country and help bring women's cancer treatment options and prevention one step closer," said Carol Goll, General Manager, Brand Experience Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. "Mercedes' partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue and EIF offers us a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a cause that affects us all."
A star in its class, the Special Edition E350 is powered by a new-generation 3.5-liter V6 engine, one of the most powerful engines for its size, producing 268-horsepower and reaching 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The sedan features the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission, lowered, independent multilink Sport Suspension and 18" 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels. It also features sport extras like AMG-design front air dam with mesh air intakes, AMG-design rear bumper, dual, exposed stainless steel exhausts and a leather-trimmed Sport Steering wheel - not to mention additions like DVD navigation, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and Bi-Xenon Headlamps with Active Curve Illumination System. The Special Edition E350 sedan will be available at Mercedes-Benz dealerships in October.
Funds raised for KEY TO THE CURE will benefit multiple organizations and programs including: EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund, the Cleveland Clinic, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Nevada Cancer Institute, among others. During Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE nationwide shopping weekend (Oct. 12-15, 2006), the Special Edition E-Class will be displayed at Saks Fifth Avenue stores. A percentage of Saks' shopping weekend sales will be donated to national and local breast and women's reproductive cancer research centers, benefiting more than 50 charitable programs. Since joining the KEY TO THE CURE campaign four years ago, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has donated over $3 million towards women's cancer research.
The 2006 celebrity ambassador for the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund, actress Glenn Close, has also joined the KEY TO THE CURE campaign. Ms. Close will appear in a national public service announcement (PSA) wearing a limited edition T-shirt specially designed by Oscar de la Renta, exclusively to benefit Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE. The PSA will appear in major fashion and lifestyle magazines this fall.
In addition to its commitment to Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE campaign, MBUSA supports select charitable organizations focused on educating and empowering future generations, particularly those who are underserved. Through DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program, MBUSA and its dealers nationwide will provide $1.5 million in scholarship awards this year, offering students who are the first generation in their families to attend college, the opportunity of a lifetime. For more information, please visit: www.mbusa.com/drivefuture.
Mercedes-Benz USA
In 2005, MBUSA achieved its twelfth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 224,421 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com.
EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund
The Women's Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, was established by Chairs Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, along with Founders Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie and Jamie Tisch. WCRF 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
As a philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, the Entertainment Industry Foundation has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars - and provided countless volunteer hours - to support charitable initiatives addressing some of the most critical issues facing society today.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, a member of the Saks Incorporated group of stores, comprises 58 stores throughout the United States, 52 Off 5th outlet stores, and saks.com, the company's e-commerce site.
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Lesia Koropey
201-573-4709
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