| Governor Sonny has recently congratulated | | | | our top priority, the new VPC is an important |
| Mercedes-Benz USA the US subsidiary and | | | | step toward consistently delivering the best |
| distributor of quality Mercedes products such as | | | | vehicles to our dealerships and ultimately our |
| Mercedes 300E parts for choosing Brunswick as | | | | customers." |
| its site for its new vehicle preparation center | | | | The recent announcement will either create or |
| (VPC) for vehicles being imported into the US. | | | | transfer 41 Mercedes-Benz USA jobs in Brunswick |
| According to Governor Sonny Perdue, "We have | | | | that is in addition to the other jobs that will be |
| made wise investments in replacing the Sidney | | | | generated in the rail, shipping, and trucking |
| Lanier Bridge, deepening the Brunswick Harbor, | | | | industries. The present vehicle preparation center |
| completing the overpass on Highway 17 and | | | | of the US subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz is located |
| constructing the North/South connector road on | | | | in Jacksonville. |
| Colonel's Island. Mercedes-Benz USA is the first of | | | | Mercedes-Benz USA is expecting for the |
| what I hope will be many of our state's | | | | completion of the ongoing facility by the first |
| customers to benefit from our increased | | | | quarter of 2009. The Vehicle Preparation Center is |
| accessibility for automobile manufacturers." | | | | going to be the first stop for new vehicles |
| In addition Mercedes-Benz USA has also | | | | bounded for Mercedes-Benz dealerships through |
| announced that there would be an additional of | | | | out the United States after it pass through the |
| 50,000 imports through Brunswick which will be | | | | US Customs. The Vehicle Preparation Center is |
| consolidated with the more than 75,000 | | | | the final quality inspection point and it is equipped |
| Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are currently being | | | | with advanced computerized control systems and |
| exported through the Port of Brunswick each | | | | inspection facilities designed to ensure the high |
| year. This consolidation was likened to what | | | | quality condition of each vehicle. After the rigid |
| Hyundai/Kia has done in recent years to combine | | | | inspection process that is only the time the |
| its import operations in Brunswick. | | | | vehicles are released. |
| Ernst Lieb, president & CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA | | | | According to Georgia Ports Authority Chairman of |
| said, "The move to Brunswick represents a | | | | the Board Mack Mattingly, "The harbor deepening |
| tremendous opportunity for Mercedes-Benz in | | | | and new access to the south side of Colonel's |
| terms of further improving efficiencies for our | | | | Island means the Brunswick Port can meet the |
| southeast Vehicle Preparation Center - one of the | | | | needs of any automaker in the world. |
| critical steps in the process of bringing new | | | | Mercedes-Benz USA has achieved 13 consecutive |
| vehicles to market. The proximity to the port, | | | | years of sales growth, and we are proud that |
| combined with better railroad and highway access | | | | they will continue to grow and thrive because of |
| and room for expansion, make Brunswick an | | | | increased efficiencies provided by this new facility. |
| excellent location for this facility. With quality being | | | | |