Aachen, May 16th, 2006

Horsepower by Mercedes-Benz at the Aachen Soers
CHIO Aachen 2006: 30 cars for the tournament chauffeur service

The photo shows Matthias Hindemith (left) and Klaus Pavel in front of the new GL Class. Photo: Holger Schupp

"It is almost like New Year's Eve," laughed Matthias Hindemith, Director of the Mercedes-Benz subsidiary in Aachen. Once again this year his company is placing 30 cars at the disposal of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) for the chauffeur service during the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen 2006 (May 17th- 21st). From cars to horse trailers. So it really is "the same procedure as every year?" Except that the keys were officially handed over to the ALRV President, Klaus Pavel. Every year the vehicles are the newest models, including this time the S Class and the Sprinter that was presented to the public for the first time just three weeks ago. A particular highlight: The presentation of the new GL. The official launch isn't actually planned until September, "but there is hardly a better occasion than the CHIO", Matthias Hindemith commented.

"We are very grateful for the support Mercedes-Benz has shown us over the decades - the reliable and friendly cooperation," Pavel said. The CHIO Aachen and Mercedes Benz have been closely linked since the fifties. The brand with the star is currently one of the three general tournament sponsors and title sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Nations' Cup team competition, which the show-jumpers will be fighting out on Friday, May 19th (starting 1.15 p.m.). "We were very pleased to extend our sponsorship contract in April until 2008," reported Hindemith. Mercedes-Benz is furthermore one of eight world partners at the World Equestrian Games Aachen 2006 in seven equestrian disciplines (August 20th to September 3rd).

However, this year there will be even more on view at the Soers than the newest Mercedes models: At the CHIO Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, May 17th (starting 6 p.m.), equestrian legends such as Hans Günter Winkler, Nelson Pessoa or the d´Inzeos brothers will be driving into the show-jumping arena in Mercedes old-timers.

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