Weiss & Lurie Announces Smart Key Lawsuit Upheld Against Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Market Wire, June, 2008

The law firm of Weiss & Lurie announces that the United States District Court for the Central District of California has upheld claims in a nationwide class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("Mercedes") for failure to make adequate disclosures regarding replacement smart keys or electronic ignition keys. In denying, in part, defendant's motion to dismiss the action, the Court sustained plaintiff's allegations that Mercedes committed one or more acts of unfair or fraudulent business practices in violation of California Business & Professions Code 17200, et seq. and concealed material information from consumers. The Court has not made any finding as to Mercedes' liability. The parties are now conducting discovery.

Since at least 2001, Mercedes has manufactured vehicles under its brand names with sophisticated electronic "transponder keys" or "smart keys." These keys contain a computer chip or transponder that is programmed with a PIN code that matches the code in the vehicle's ignition. Without this code, a replacement key will not start the ignition.

If you owned or leased any model Mercedes Benz vehicle between 2002 and 2006 and paid for replacement smart keys or replacement transponder keys, contact Jordan L. Lurie in the Los Angeles office of Weiss & Lurie to discuss your rights.

Contact: Jordan L. Lurie, Esq. Weiss & Lurie - Los Angeles, CA Telephone: (310) 208-2800 Telephone: (800) 437-7918 email: Email Contact internet: www.weisslurie.com