Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Runs A Business Built On Heritage

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California retails Mercedes-Benz vehicles aged 20 years and older in addition to offering genuine factory parts and restoration services for these models.  Further, it serves as a brand center that commemorates the enduring style and technological prowess of the world's first automobile manufacturer, thus adding to the aspirational value of the brand and its products both classic and new. 

This is the only such enterprise to be established by an automobile manufacturer in the United States and the world, with the notable exception of the first (and only other) Mercedes-Benz Classic Center located in Fellbach, Germany, which opened in 1993. 

Mercedes-Benz is uniquely able to operate the Classic Center due to the brand's lengthy history, its prized status among collectors and aficionados, and the sheer volume of its classic vehicles that are still on the road.  Seventy-four percent of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in the United States remain in service today, and there are over 500,000 classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles registered on American roads.  Therefore, there is a clear market to provide parts and restorative services for these vehicles, and with values appreciating for many classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, demand to purchase these vehicles is growing.  Even prior to its opening, the Classic Center was fielding well over 2,000 calls per month through its Classic Support Center (1-866-MBCLASSIC) at Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters, with its consumer web site (www.mbclassiccenter.com) generating about 500 inquiries per month. 

"Whereas most companies view their older models as a burden, at Mercedes-Benz we see our classics as a business opportunity as well as a chance to talk about the achievements in design and engineering that built the brand," says Mike Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center at Irvine.  "The quality of these vehicles has resulted in their tremendous longevity and enduring popularity, and the Classic Center provides services for current owners of classic Mercedes-Benz and also draws new customers into the fold."  

The 28,000-square-foot Classic Center is a stand-alone, two-story facility includes a paint and restoration shop, service bays, a parts department, a showroom for vehicles available for purchase and the exhibition of vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Museum and a Classic Center Collection boutique offering everything from scale models to classic-themed apparel.  Projected annual volume is less than 50 vehicles, with the bulk of revenue to be derived from parts sales and restoration services.  Prices for vehicles retailed by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will range from approximately $25,000 reaching upwards to the millions of dollars.   

The Classic Center at Irvine assists customers in finding their dream vintage Mercedes-Benz for purchase using its vast database of these vehicles in the United States and worldwide.  For those who already own a classic Mercedes-Benz, the Center can provide the history of their vehicles by utilizing both its domestically held records and those held by the Daimler Archives in Stuttgart, whose historical industrial archives are among the largest in Europe. 

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center's website (www.mbclassiccenter.com) includes an online inventory of vehicles available and their history, a vehicle search function and a virtual showroom of the new facility at Irvine.  The site features a powerful search tool to help customers find any available literature for a particular vehicle such as out-of-print owner's manuals, service manuals, and technical data books.  After parts, the most common Classic Center customer request is for such literature.  Customers can also e-mail parts inquiries to classicparts@mbusa.com and purchase them directly from the Center. 

MBUSA took the first step toward opening a U.S. Classic Center in October 2000 when it launched the Classic Support Center.  Customers can call the toll-free number, 1-866-MBCLASSIC (1-866-622-5277) and speak to classic car specialists.  With the customer's car chassis number or VIN, the classic car specialist can help identify correct parts and part numbers and order them directly through the Classic Center in Irvine, CA. 

About The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is located in a 28,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at 9 Whatney in Irvine, California, adjacent to Interstates 5 and 405.  Providing complete, specialized services for Mercedes-Benz classic cars Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Classic Center staff can be reached by phone at 1-866-MBCLASSIC (1-866-622-5277).  More information about the Classic Center can be found at www.mbusa.com/classiccenter.

About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States.  For more than forty years, MBUSA has taken pride in its commitment to the customer by providing superior quality luxury vehicles coupled with outstanding customer support.  More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

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