* Sports Tourer impresses customers with its unique combination of design and generous dimensions
* The Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI is awarded the Öko-Trend institute’s Car Environment Certificate
* Mercedes-Benz B-Class named “Company vehicle of the year 2007” in the “Vans” category

More than 250,000 Mercedes-Benz B Class units have already been sold since the model’s market launch in June 2005. “The innovative Mercedes-Benz B-Class product concept impresses our customers with its fascinating design and unique blend of spaciousness and high degree of utility. The strong demand for the Sports Tourer is yet another confirmation of our role as the market leader in the premium compact car segment,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group, responsible for Sales and Marketing.

The most important market for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is Germany, which accounts for about one third of the model’s sales worldwide, followed by Italy, France, Japan and Spain. The vehicle is produced in three-shift operations at the Rastatt plant. The majority of Mercedes-Benz B-Class customers chose one of the diesel models: one third has purchased the Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI, and 20 percent have selected the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI.

In March of this year, the Öko-Trend environmental institute awarded its Car Environmental Certificate to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The Sports Tourer was recognized by the institute in particular for its impressive versatility, spaciousness as well as convincing environmental credentials. The independent institute determined that in addition to its exemplary fuel efficiency and low noise and emissions, the B-Class also stands out with its environmentally friendly production processes, materials and logistics. The Öko-Trend institute had especially high praise for the Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI’s engine, with an average fuel consumption of less than six liters per 100 kilometers.

In May of this year, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class also was named “Company vehicle of the year 2007” in the “Vans” category in Germany. This honor is awarded to vehicles in nine categories, which are evaluated by fleet managers from medium-size and large companies. The fleet experts conduct more than 1,500 test drives to rank the vehicles on the basis of their handling properties, costs, comfort, functionality and design.


Source: DaimlerChrysler