Mercedes-Benz today announced its significant presence at the 2008 British International Motor Show, to be held at London ExCeL from 23 July – 3 August.

Coming 105 years after Mercedes-Benz UK’s first appearance at an official Motor Show (held in 1903 at The Crystal Palace), the company will display a range of its latest models and services.

Mercedes-Benz World, the innovative Brand Experience Centre at Brooklands, Surrey, will feature on the stand.  Dubbed by many as a “motor show every day of the year”, Mercedes-Benz World has welcomed well over 440,000 guests through its doors since the site opened in October 2006.

And over 15,000 children have enjoyed their first taste of life behind the wheel at Brooklands, thanks to Kids’ Driving Experiences.  If they’re tall enough to reach the pedals, children can drive in a brand new Mercedes-Benz on the original surface of the hallowed Brooklands Circuit.

Among the new metal at the show will be the ground-breaking Smart ed – a zero emissions electric vehicle currently on test with customers around the country.  Indeed, all current non-Brabus Smart models fall under the October 2008 London Congestion Charge CO2 limits – meaning Capital city motoring is toll-free for new Smart fortwo drivers.

Show goers can also expect to find the current holder of the London Land Speed Record on display in ExCeL’s Halls – the awesome Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.  On Saturday 15 July 2006, the SLR McLaren recorded a speed of 175.7 mph on the runway of London City Airport.

Commenting on the announcement, Gordon Freshwater, Corporate Events Manager Mercedes-Benz UK said: “This year is an important one for Mercedes-Benz, as we’ve a wide range of new and improved models coming to market – and the Motor Show gives us an excellent platform to exhibit our latest cars.

“Motor Show is still relevant to us and to our customers, and it remains the only place where over 400,000 visitors can see our stand in two weeks.  Mercedes-Benz has always used its presence at the Show in a different way to many exhibitors – our stand won’t just feature polished cars parked on carpet – and this year we’ll once again do things differently.”

Mercedes-Benz and its companies have a long history with the British Motor Show.  Indeed, following an initial 1891 business agreement between Gottlieb Daimler and Frederick R Simms, (founder of Motor Show organisers SMMT), the Daimler Motor Company was present at the first official Motor Show, held at the Crystal Palace in 1903.

In 2006 the company used its stand to launch Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, its innovative Brand Experience Centre.  In 2004, both the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and Maybach luxury limousine made their public British show debuts at the Motor Show Live whilst in 2002 the company celebrated 35 years of high-performance AMG models.

Gordon Freshwater concluded:  “We’d like to see as many people as possible at ExCeL, but if they can’t make it to London, people can see our latest models and services at their local retailer.  As well as Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands we’ve over 150 state-of-the-art facilities all over the country, and of course they’re open year-round.”

Mercedes-Benz will reveal its Motor Show exhibits later this spring.