Laureus Sport for Good Foundation - Exclusive sale: Mercedes-Benz auctions AMG Mercedes DTM C-Class for social projects

For the first time ever, Mercedes-Benz is set to auction one of its original racing cars from the DTM (German Touring Car Championships), in aid of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The exclusive auction is to be handled by the renowned auction house Christie’s, and the proceeds will help fund social sports projects for children and young people. The move sees Daimler AG, a founding partner of the Laureus World Sports Awards, reinforce its social commitment to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The auction will close on Friday, April 4, 2008.

“Bid for Good” is the motto of a unique auction in which, for the first time ever, interested parties are being invited to bid for a Mercedes-Benz racing car used in the DTM series. Gary Paffett won the DTM race in Oschersleben last year in this “Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class”. The bonnet of the unique race car is also adorned with the signatures of various celebrities - including Boris Becker, Franziska van Almsick and Niki Lauda. Proceeds from the auction, which is being run by Christie’s in London, will go to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, co-founded by Daimler AG.

“We are delighted that we will be able to reinforce our activities for socially disadvantaged children and youngsters with this auction,” stated Dr Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation helps them to discover a new and more positive outlook on life through sport.” Laureus is involved in over 50 projects worldwide, particularly in projects aimed at tackling poverty, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS.

Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented: “All of us at Mercedes-Benz Motorsport are delighted to be able to make a significant contribution to the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation with the auction of the Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class. It means that our involvement in motor racing is helping disadvantaged children and youngsters. The proceeds from the auction will go towards funding important sports projects around the world. Since the establishment of the Foundation, it has helped over 130,000 children and young people. Of course we are hoping that the auction will bring in a total far in excess of the minimum bid of 300,000 euros – every euro will help the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to set up additional projects and to provide further support for existing projects.”

The exclusive auction is being promoted at top-class events - including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlinand the Laureus World Sports Awards in St Petersburg. Anyone interested in taking part in this exceptional auction should email laureus-dtm@daimler.com to request a bidder card, which should be completed and returned to Daimler AG. The minimum bid is 300,000 euros - the sentimental value of this vehicle is, of course, far higher. The auction will close on Friday, April 4, 2008.

Nine years ago Daimler AG and Richemont, with their brands Mercedes-Benz and IWC Schaffhausen as main partners, launched the Laureus World Sports Awards, an annual event which honours the achievements of top sports personalities in all disciplines. The Laureus World Sports Awards have since come to be seen as the “Sports Oscars”.

The charitable arm of the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, is supported by sporting legends such as Boris Becker, Katarina Witt, Edwin Moses, Martina Navratilova and Alberto Tomba.