Mercedes-Benz celebrated an extraordinary anniversary on Tuesday 14th November, 2006: The brand has delivered 25 million passenger cars to customers worldwide since 1945. Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group, responsible for Sales and Marketing: "The positive sales development at Mercedes-Benz during the last 60 years impressively demonstrates the long-term success of our product strategy. No other premium automaker boasts such an attractive portfolio so geared toward customer demands."

The milestone vehicle – a new generation E-Class – was handed over to the owner of a Munich taxi company at the Mercedes-Benz Customer Centre in Sindelfingen. "The first postwar Mercedes-Benz passenger car rolled off the line here in Sindelfingen more than 60 years ago," said Dr. Eberhard Haller, Vice President and Manager of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen on Tuesday. "That vehicle marked the beginning of the ascent of Mercedes-Benz to become the world's most valuable and successful automobile brand. Today's handing over of the 25-millionth Mercedes-Benz is a special occasion that will further motivate both the staff in Sindelfingen and the entire Mercedes-Benz organisation."

The cornerstone of the successful postwar history of Mercedes-Benz was laid in 1946 with the launch of the Mercedes 170 (W 136 Series). Since that time, more than 11.5 million customers from all over the world have chosen a Mercedes-Benz upper-range model. The current seventh generation of the E Class is also a great success: Some 1.1 million units have been sold since its market launch in 2002, making it the best-selling vehicle in its segment.

The S-Class symbolises automotive luxury since its market launch in 1965. The flagship model from Mercedes-Benz dominates the competitive field in the luxury segment ever since. In particular, the S Class continues to demonstrate its outstanding role as a trendsetter for the entire auto industry when it comes to safety. The S-Class has recorded sales of more than four million sedans, coupes and roadsters since 1965, making it the undisputed top-selling automobile in the luxury segment.

The launch of the 190 Series – the so-called Baby Benz – in 1983 enabled Mercedes to successfully position the first mid-range premium vehicle, while also setting new technological standards in that segment. Today, the C-Class is the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model series and a key factor in guaranteeing the brand's success around the world. Some 6.9 million units of the C-Class family have been sold worldwide since 1983.

With the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which has been built at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (USA), since 1997, Mercedes-Benz was able to successfully establish a premium vehicle in the sport utility segment as well. Demand for the M-Class exceeded all expectations from the very beginning and production capacity in Tuscaloosa has been continually expanded as a result. The Alabama plant also produces the R Class and the GL-Class. Together with the classic G Class off-roader, Mercedes-Benz now offers the most varied product programme in the premium SUV segment. Mercedes-Benz has now sold more than one million SUVs worldwide.