Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

* Toll increase compensation for all existing freight forwarding contracts beginning March 1, 2009

* Two models for toll compensation based on European emission standards

* Realistic emission class distribution for vehicle fleets will be taken into account

Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 18, 2009 – Beginning March 1, 2009, Daimler AG will assume for all existing freight forwarding contracts the additional costs accrued by hauliers as a result of the truck toll increase that went into effect at the beginning of the year in Germany. The compensation will apply to companies that handle either procurement logistics or the distribution of completed vehicles and service parts. Daimler will continue to compensate for the additional costs generated by the increased toll until contracts will be adapted following negotiations or new tender offers.


“The toll increase represents a huge additional burden for all shipping and logistics companies in the current difficult economic environment – and we as a customer need to provide support,” says Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks. “Ultimately, we’re all in the same boat because the trucking and transportation business is our common livelihood.”

Daimler is the only manufacturer to date that will assume for all existing contracts the additional costs generated by the toll increse for an unlimited period of time on the basis of two models – and that not only for Euro 5 vehicles but also for Euro 3 and Euro 4 trucks. Like all other manufacturers, Daimler will of course further optimize the routes in the future and directly incorporate the toll increase into follow-up contracts.

The calculation of the amount of compensation will take into account a realistic emission class distribution assessment for vehicle fleets and will utilize one of two models. The decision which model for the compensation payments will be used is related to the date the contract was concluded. The first model defines the toll increase compensation on the basis of existing Euro 3/4 agreements, while the second model bases on existing Euro 5 agreements.

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