Although the International Auto Show doesn't start until next month, a team of 650 employees have been working on creating the show's largest exhibit.  According to the press release, "Approximately 700 tons of steel and 150,000 meters of cable will be used to bring the show's largest stand to life."  At its opening on September 12, the stand will have taken 56 days to complete, and is expected to receive an estimated 150,000 visitors per day.

Unfortunately we're not going to make it to the IAA this year, but we'll make sure to bring you plenty of photos from the show.  If you're going to be there, takes some pictures and send them to us - we'll make sure to give you the credit.  For more info about Mercedes' exhibit, read below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Kick-Off For The Largest Stand At Frankfurt



When the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class celebrates its world premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt on September 12, 2005, the Mercedes-Benz auto show team will have already accomplished a spectacular feat. Over the preceding 56 days, the 650 employees on the team will have turned the Festival Hall at the Frankfurt Exhibition Center into a fascinating brand environment. Approximately 700 tons of steel and 150,000 meters of cable will be used to bring the motor show’s largest stand to life, on more than 10,000 square meters of exhibition space.

“The IAA is the world’s largest mobility exhibition, and it points the way for the entire industry,” says Michael Bock, responsible for shows and exhibitions at Mercedes Benz. “Our goal of offering IAA visitors a fascinating experience is determined by the nature of the brand. In 2005, Mercedes-Benz plans to set itself apart from the competition by staging a comprehensive, genuine and emotionally appealing presentation in line with its slogan of ‘Thinking ahead. Mercedes-Benz.’

It will take about eight weeks to construct the stand in the Frankfurt Festival Hall, where the premium brand has presented its passenger cars at IAA motor shows since 1991. Clever planning and design is required for the stand, which is housed in an impressive domed building from 1909. The logistics and construction work is being performed in accordance with an incredibly detailed schedule, which also regulates the interactions between the 650 team members from various departments who are involved in the planning and assembly of the stand. Architects, stand constructors, lighting and sound technicians, graphic artists and car mechanics will be working non-stop to meet the high standards required for the stand. The end result will be a fascinating brand experience for up to 150,000 visitors a day.

A defining new feature at this year’s motor show will be the joint presentation of the entire Mercedes Car Group in the Festival Hall. The brands Maybach and smart will be exhibited on the ground floor. From there, visitors can take an escalator to a specially installed mezzanine that divides the hall’s vast interior and houses various conference and multipurpose rooms. Once they have reached the top of the escalator, visitors will enter the Mercedes-Benz brand world.

Underneath the Festival Hall’s spectacular dome, the brand environment will provide visitors with a spectacular overview of the entire Mercedes-Benz auto show lineup. People’s attention will be particularly drawn to the new products: the new M-Class and the new B-Class and R-Class sports tourers. The highlight of the auto show presentation will be the world premiere of the new S Class. In addition, there will be separate areas for drive and safety systems, with which Mercedes-Benz is underscoring its technological leadership and distinguishing itself from the competition.

Copryight © 2005, Daimler Chrysler AG