Magdalena Dietz, 29, entrepreneur and PR consultant, today received the key to her new Mercedes-Benz GLK from Bremen plant manager Peter Schabert. Ms. Dietz is the first customer to take delivery of a vehicle of the entirely new GLK-Class following its market launch. The handover - of a GLK 320 CDI 4MATIC in metallic tenorite gray with numerous optional equipment features - took place in the Customer Center of the Bremen plant.

"The GLK is our most important new model this year," said plant manager Peter Schabert. "It is the first compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Mercedes-Benz and the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ‘Made in Bremen', so I am particularly delighted to personally hand over the first GLK to its owner. I am sure she will be impressed by its unmistakable look, outstanding performance - on and off the road - and its safety and comfort."

Mercedes-Benz GLK 320 CDI 4MATIC

Ms. Dietz and her husband Christian live in the city of Düren near Aachen and are the owners of the public relations agency "wortsuchttext." "The GLK is simply a perfect match for our agency: it has a modern character and stands out clearly from its competitors," said Ms. Dietz. "As the first GLK customer following the market launch, I am very pleased to get our GLK handed over personally in its birthplace by the plant manager himself - and now, after weeks of anticipation, I can't wait to take the vehicle out for a spin for the first time."

Ms. Dietz' family also have been loyal Mercedes-Benz customers for many years: family members have been E-Class and C-Class drivers in the past and currently drive an M-Class. "Combining a visit to the Customer Center with a tour of the adjacent Mercedes-Benz plant is certainly the most enjoyable way to accept delivery of a new Mercedes-Benz. In the past we have picked up our vehicles at the Sindelfingen and Bremen plants," said Ms. Dietz.

The new GLK-Class

The GLK is the fifth production series of the successful Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs, which also includes the G-Class, GL-Class, M-Class, and R-Class. With the addition of the GLK, the premium segment's most diverse line-up of SUVs is now enhanced by a compact vehicle.

Even before its official market launch the GLK-Class had generated a lot of interest among customers: worldwide, 25,000 orders were placed for the GLK between its official release for sale on June 30th and the end of September.

Mercedes-Benz offers four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines for the GLK that are powerful as well as economical. The brand will also begin offering a BlueEFFICIENCY model in the spring of 2009 - the GLK 220 CDI featuring a new four-cylinder diesel engine. The GLK-Class features pioneering passive safety systems, excellent interior comfort and a low noise level, and excellent value retention. For the first time in this market segment, Mercedes-Benz is also making available state-of-the-art systems such as the PRE-SAFE® safety package and the ILS intelligent light system.