Clean Diesel Comes Out on Top: Mercedes-Benz Named 2012 World Green Car of the Year

Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY comes out on top of field of 22 hybrids and electric vehicles

WASHINGTON--April 6, 2012: Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued the following statement today regarding the announcement of the 2012 World Green Car of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show:

"Congratulations to Mercedes-Benz on winning this prestigious and highly competitive award. This award is made all the more important this year since this clean diesel CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Mercedes beat out an incredible field of 22 contenders of gasoline hybrids and even several all-electric vehicles.

"Not only is this is a great acknowledgment of Mercedes' long-standing leadership in diesel technology, but it is an important symbolic victory and signal to policymakers and consumers that clean diesel technology is among the very best in advanced fuel efficient technology vehicles for our future, and a key part of any 'all of the above' energy strategy for fuel savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions."

Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Board of Management, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development said that, "€ŚWith fuel consumption of only 5.7 l per 100 km, (41.3 mpg US) the S250 CDI is the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world."

Mercedes' win this year is a repeat performance for their clean diesel technology following the 2007 World Green Car Award to the Mercedes BlueTEC E320. The World Green Car competition factored in tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility.

The World Car of the Year experts commented that, "This is the first 4-cylinder S-Class in the 60-year history of the legendary model. Powered by a 204hp diesel turbo producing 500Nm, this S-Class develops ample power from the world's cleanest diesel, while the incorporation of a start-stop system means that this car produces an outstanding 149g/km of CO2."

To be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates had to have been available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012. Vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of sixty-four top-level automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence, and each typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit Diesel Forum .