Mercedes-Benz Highlights Million-Mile Car At NAIAS
DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2005 -- Mercedes-Benz underscored its renowned vehicle quality and durability at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by displaying a 1970 280SE sedan model that it recently acquired for the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection in Stuttgart, Germany. The car's original owners, George and Luzstella Koschel of Orange County, CA, bought the car new 35 years ago and drove it for more than one million miles - 1,019,000 miles, to be exact.
"We believe the Koschels and their car personify customer satisfaction and vehicle quality, which are fundamental values and high priority goals for Mercedes-Benz," said Paul Halata, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "We invited them to join us with their car at one of the world's most important auto shows to help us convey this message."
The Koschels join a growing group of Mercedes-Benz owners whose cars have reached more than one million miles. However, even they are still far behind high-mile champ Gregorios Sachinidis, a Greek taxi driver who holds the known record of 2,852,000 miles in his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D.
"While not every Mercedes owner will keep a car for one million miles, our goal is to ensure the levels of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction that make such a milestone a possibility for any Mercedes with proper maintenance and care," said Paul Halata.
Mercedes-Benz USA learned about the Koschels and their 280SE while contacting owners for its early-2004 advertising campaign called "Faithful." The campaign highlighted proud owners and their cars from around the world. The Koschels were among the many to write letters to Mercedes-Benz describing their cars and experiences with them, and the final TV spots featured the couple with their car.
The Koschels picked up their 1970 Mercedes 280SE in Germany as a European Delivery vehicle. Although the car holds more than a million miles of memories for the couple, they are "considering" a 2005 CLK320 Cabriolet in exchange for putting their beloved car in the museum.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA
Created along the lines of the renowned Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA (http://www.mbusa.com/classic) is the first to be established in the United States by an automotive manufacturer. Via its toll free number - 1-866-MBCLASSIC (622-5277) - the Classic Center provides a complete, specialized service for Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles (models twenty years out of production), including parts availability and pricing assistance and technical information. The Classic Collection, a boutique featuring Mercedes-Benz classic accessories and automobilia, can be reached through the web site or by using the toll free number.
With a move to a California location planned for 2005, Classic Center operations will expand to include the purchase and sale of classic vehicles as well as appraisal and repair services. An inventory of vintage vehicles will be on hand and available for use in recreating the unique Mercedes driving experiences from past years.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
In 2004, MBUSA achieved its eleventh consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 221,610 new vehicle sales. With the upcoming introductions of new products in new segments, MBUSA will further expand its product portfolio in the luxury car market.
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. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.
.