Mercedes-Benz Features New C-Class at Detroit Preview Party - VIDEO ENHANCED

Colbie Caillat on left

DETROIT - January 9, 2011: At a Sunday night preview party before the start of the 2011 North American Auto Show Mercedes-Benz displayed the new C-Class as Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat entertained the crowd.

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Beginning tomorrow, January 10, orders will be taken for the vehicle in Europe, where sedan and estate will hit showrooms in spring 2011.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The C-Class is a highly successful model that has been attracting more and more customers from all over the world since its launch: The demand for the current model range even exceeds the success of its predecessor after the same period since its market launch.”

The C-Class facelift is one of the most comprehensive in the brand’s history. “Regarding on its drive and safety systems, our bestseller now matches our luxury vehicles,” adds Schmidt. “And with the many high-quality interior features, which are reminiscent of those in the new CLS, the car sets new standards in its segment for perceived value and sense of quality. We are therefore confident that it will continue the success story of its predecessor.”

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz’ best-selling model range. Well above one million units of the current C-Class have been sold since the model was introduced in 2007. The most important sales market for the C-Class sedan is the U.S. (25 percent of total sales), followed by Germany and China. Mercedes-Benz has sold around 8.5 million vehicles in the C-Class segment since the first vehicle was introduced back in 1982 (known as the 190 series at the time).

New C-Class thoroughly modernized; now with more than 2,000 new parts

More than 2,000 new parts distinguish the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz

C-Class from its predecessor. The car’s front and rear are now more striking than even before. In addition to featuring a dynamic design, the vehicle particularly impresses with its many new assistance systems. Thanks to features ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, the C-Class reaches a new level of safety. In addition, new engines, the enhanced 7G TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, and the ECO start-stop function help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 31 percent compared to the predecessor model. The

C-Class is also a pioneering automobile with its new generation of telematics systems, which consist of a new instrument cluster with an integrated display, offering services such as Internet access and three-dimensional city models.