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WHAT: Mercedes-Benz USA hosted the first ever Mercedes-Benz Concours via video conferencing through Zoom on Friday, May 1st. Appropriately named the "Concours de Zoom," this virtual event featured iconic Mercedes-Benz vehicles alongside their high profile owners during this time of social distancing. Each prominent participant showcased their prized Mercedes-Benz and shared a few things they love about their vehicle. At the end, a donation was made to the American Red Cross on behalf of the participants.

HOW TO RE-WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHJF8cga4q8&feature=youtu.be

PARTICIPANTS: Notable participants included Jay Leno, Ludacris, Martha Stewart, Rickie Fowler, Madelaine Petsch, Bloomberg's Hannah Elliott, Cole Walliser and more.

HIGHLIGHTS & QUOTES:

  • Jay Leno gave viewers a tour of the impressive Mercedes-Benz section of his garage, showing off some of his favorite vehicles of all-time including his 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 that he called a "factory hot rod" and his 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600. Leno referred to the 600 as the "ultimate luxury car" and noted that John Lennon, Elvis & Jack Nicholson also owned one in that era as it was "the car to have". Leno also talked about being in high school and college working at a Mercedes-Benz dealership, admitting that it was a great feeling to own a car like the 6.3 now because when he was younger it seemed unattainable and it was a thrill for him to just be around the cars and drive them when delivering a new car to a customer.
  • Ludacris brought the energy and starpower to the "Concours de Zoom" while he showed off his Mercedes-AMG GT C Coupe saying, "This car is my savior during times like this because it's so therapeutic to get into something like it...I am the true, fast and furious….that's why I am on this call and blessed to be a part of this family." He also talked about giving back in his hometown saying, "Man, I have literally been trying to help as many people as I possibly can...we're giving groceries to 50 different families in the Atlanta area."
  • Martha Stewart highlighted her 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS 550 saying, "This Mercedes is such a safe, practical and comfortable way to drive. It's so important to find comfort in your car; sometimes I'm in mine seven days a week!" Martha has a long commute to the office and relies on that time to be productive, catching up on calls and emails.
  • Rickie Fowler was excited to show off his Mercedes-Benz S 63 and said, "It's mine and my wife's favorite to drive." He shared he always feels safe in a Mercedes-Benz and loves the speed and performance. Rickie also spoke about some of his experiences from the Mercedes-Benz AMG Driving Academy. He shared, "For me to get behind the wheel and to be able to get that adrenaline pumping like I used to on a dirt bike….something I definitely needed. To be able to go into corners hard, get on the brakes, it's been a great time. Whenever I get on the track, it's a good way to let loose."
  • Madelaine Petsch boasted about the fact that her Mercedes-Benz A220 Sedan parallel parks for her at the touch of a button. "LA is very hard to navigate...this car parallel parks for me! The fact that I can press a button and my car will parallel park for me is still exciting a year into having this car." Madelaine also commented on the red interior saying, "On Riverdale, I'm a character who wears a lot of red. I thought it would be fun to have a little hint of Cheryl in my car."
  • Hannah Elliot showed off her 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL. Hannah said she loves her vintage car because of the personality and character. Hannah shared, "The thing that I really like about this car is the fact that it has so much style. You can arrive anywhere in the world...a fancy restaurant, a coffee shop, a hotel lounge, a club and you will always look cool pulling up in this car...it's almost a 40 year old car, but it just has a real sense of style and class."
  • Mike Kunz from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center highlighted his favorite car, the Mercedes- Benz 300 SL Gullwing, while sharing some of the unique features and interesting historical aspects of the vehicle. He shared, "This is a 1956 car. This car could go 160 miles an hour….This car is a 300 SL coupe, but it's named for its doors...this stems back to the fact that this is a derivative of a race car...so it had a frame underneath that didn't allow a conventional door…like many race cars, they often don't have doors. You jump in the car, so they created a Gullwing type door."
  • Cole Walliser showed his 1991 two-door Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and shared stories about his trip where he went off-roading on the rocks and cliffs in Moab, Utah. "Scariest, yet most exhilarating thing I've ever done," said Walliser.

VEHICLES: Classic vehicles that were showcased included a 1908 chain-drive Mercedes with a Benz Aero engine (nicknamed Rabbit-the-First), a 1956 300 SL Gullwing, a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor, a 1988 560 SL and a 1991 G 300 D. In addition, dynamic new models that were highlighted included the A 220, the GLS 550, the AMG S 63 Coupe, the AMG G 63 and the AMG GT C Coupe.

About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model lines ranging from the sporty A-Class Sedan to the flagship S-Class and the Mercedes-AMG GT R. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com.

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