Mercedes-Benz USA Offers $1 Million in Scholarship Support

First Generation College-Bound Students Invited to Apply For Drive Your Future Scholarships

MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 16 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today that it will make $1 million in scholarship funding available to students who are the first in their families to attend college. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program will grant $2,000, one-time scholarships to 500 high school seniors across the country who demonstrate financial need and exceptional achievement in the areas of academic performance, leadership and school and community activities. Students can visit http://www.mbusa.com/drivefuture to learn more about the program and access application materials through the March 31, 2005 deadline. Scholarship winners will be announced in May 2005.

"DRIVE YOUR FUTURE draws on a quintessential part of Mercedes-Benz' history -- the extraordinary accomplishments that can result when personal vision is matched with opportunity," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "In just this way, over one hundred years ago, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler collaborated on a project that would become synonymous with excellence in the automotive arena. It is this same drive for excellence that we hope to inspire among these students who will go on to shape our world through new inventions, the arts, technology, business and maybe even the automotive world."

Now in its second year, the DRIVE YOUR FUTURE program was developed to respond to a critical need for scholarships to help students offset the costs of postsecondary education. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE was created in collaboration with Scholarship America and is part of a broader philanthropic initiative aimed at educating and empowering future generations by helping young people reach their full potential and become the leaders of their generation. Through support from MBUSA and the fundraising activities of Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide, DRIVE YOUR FUTURE scholarship awards have doubled for 2005.

"For first generation college-bound students, particularly those from underserved communities, the availability of financial assistance for their first year of college may be a deciding factor in whether or not to continue their education," said Marilyn Rundell, vice president of Scholarship America. "Scholarships, such as the ones being offered by Mercedes-Benz USA, help ease the financial burden placed on aspiring collegians and put a postsecondary degree closer within their reach."

An average of six students in each state will receive scholarships in addition to students from various youth organizations such as Automotive High School, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, FIRST Robotics, Girls Inc., The Mal Washington Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Teach For America, Virtual Enterprises and Young Women's Leadership School. Scholarship winners will be requested to serve as "ambassadors of Mercedes- Benz USA philanthropy" by giving back to their communities through activities such as mentoring/tutoring younger students.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. Through its philanthropic program, MBUSA focuses on educating and empowering future generations, particularly those who are underserved. The company views education as an opportunity to ensure that as many of today's youth as possible are given the tools, guidance and support they need to reach their full potential. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.

About Scholarship America

Scholarship America is a national nonprofit organization that expands access to educational opportunities by involving and assisting the private sector in the support of students and the encouragement of educational achievement. More information is available at http://www.scholarshipamerica.org/.