Mercedes-AMG and La Martina Team Up to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

MIAMI, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, and La Martina, the maker of fine polo equipment and apparel, are joining forces to create a limited-edition polo shirt to support Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Miami.  The shirts are being sold in conjunction with the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup with 100 percent of the proceeds going to BBBS, and a goal of raising a total of $15,000 in support of the cause.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100901/NY58315LOGO )

AMG returns for the second season as title sponsor of the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world's largest polo tournament to take place on a beach. The exclusive polo shirt is a unique design by Mercedes-AMG and La Martina and includes a special "I [heart] Horsepower" patch and AMG logo, a reference to the stable of high performance AMG vehicles on display including the SLS AMG supersports car and the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG featuring a peak output of up to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft. of torque.  

This year's tournament benefits BBBS and the separate men's and women's polo events take place on Miami Beach between 20th and 22nd streets behind The Setai Hotel on April 20th – 24th, 2011. "It's a privilege to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and raise funds for a cause that is so important to Miami residents and all of us," said Greg Clark, Manager Exclusive Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz USA.  "The limited-edition shirt is aimed at car and polo enthusiasts, who love the AMG brand and also want to support a local charity that has opened a world of possibilities for thousands of children each year."

The shirts are on sale at the La Martina boutique on-site at the tournament and at La Martina stores including the Aventura Mall (305-935-0401) and the Forum Shops of Las Vegas (702-735-9763). The shirts will be on sale for $175.00 and available in both men's and women's sizes.

"We are so grateful that Mercedes-AMG and La Martina recognize the value of our life-changing work with youth and are honored to be a part of this initiative," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami President and CEO Lydia Muniz.  "There are hundreds of children in South Florida waiting for a mentor to guide them, and funds raised enable us to extend our help to more of them."

About Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is the high-performance subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Car Group and is headquartered in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG engineers lend the benefit of more than 40 years racing experience to the development of new Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

Transmissions, brakes, aerodynamics, exhaust systems and, most importantly, the hand-crafted engine built and signed by one of only fifty AMG Master Mechanics reflect AMG's holistic approach to performance.

By blending AMG genes with Mercedes DNA, AMG has delivered thrilling performance and exclusive refinement to discerning customers since the brand's introduction to the U.S. in 1995. Since then, U.S. sales of AMG vehicles have grown to account for as much as 40% of worldwide Mercedes-AMG sales.

While all Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers offer AMG products, 26 dealerships across the U.S. have attained 'AMG Performance Center' status where more personalized expert service for these high-performance vehicles is offered. www.mercedes-amg.com

ABOUT Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami.  Mercedes-Benz is also the title sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. For more than 40 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 at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

ABOUT La Martina

La Martina was founded 25 years ago by Lando Simonetti and is currently the brand leader in clothing and technical equipment for the sport of polo and is constantly investing in the development of new materials and designs, maintaining itself always in the forefront of the industry.

La Martina has established its presence in Punta del Este, Milan, Dubai, Palm Beach, Mykonos, Puerto Banus, Madrid, Porto Cervo, Capri, Saint Tropez, Sylt, Kuwait and Santiago, Chile amongst other cities.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest donor-supported youth mentoring organization in the United States.  BBBS of Greater Miami, founded in 1958, is one of the largest local agencies in the country serving more than 7,000 local children, volunteers and families through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with caring adult volunteers.  For further information, visit www.wementor.org. If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please call the agency at (305) 644-0066.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA