Cars

Mercedes launches its largest charity fund

By Han Tianyang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-01 13:08

'Green Legacy'

Its CSR efforts intensified in 2007 with the launch of Green Legacy Program, a long-term partnership with the UNESCO to protect World Natural Heritage Sites in China.

To date Mercedes-Benz has donated 14 million yuan for protection of giant panda sanctuaries in Sichuan and karst formations in south China's Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng, as well as Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi province.

Since 2008 Mercedes-Benz has been the strategic partner of the National Centre for the Performing Arts for weekend concerts.

Other efforts include the company's "Swing for Stars" tennis training program begun two years ago and a series on road safety education that stared in 2003.

"As a leading automaker, we believe in leading by example. Besides bringing the best-in-class products and technologies to the market, sustainable growth with the community in China is also important to us," said Klaus Maier, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd.

With the support from more than 140 dealer partners in China, the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund sets a good example for the industry, he added.

Tu Meng, secretary-general of the CYDF, noted the Star Fund will mean "we can cooperate closely to make good use of our resources and maximize social benefits".

Music classrooms

The first project sponsored by new charity is a Mercedes-Benz "Inspiring the Future" Project Hope Happy Music Classroom Program, for which the carmaker will donate about 4.3 million yuan to improve music education in 125 schools across rural China.

It is estimated that about 40,000 children will benefit from the program, the company said.

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During the ceremony on Wednesday, the pop duo and ambassador for the music program Yu Quan led a group of students in singing the theme song of the program.

"With the launch of the Mercedes-Benz Happy Music Classroom program as our first joint program, we are sure that we can bring more joy of music, smiles and motivation to the underprivileged children in Hope Schools," said Tu from the CYDF.

The number of school beneficiaries mirrors next year's 125th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz. As one of the world's oldest automobile brands still operating today, the company has not only brought high-quality products to customers but also contributed to the well being of society during its long history.