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Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa has announced that Olympic gold medallist and swimming sensation Tatjana Schoenmaker, is joining the Friend of the Brand (FOTB) programme as its newest brand ambassador and will spend 12 months behind the wheel of an equally impressive performer, the Mercedes-EQB 350 4MATIC.
“Tatjana is a tour de force on the global swimming stage. She personifies what it means to pursue your passion until you perfect it,” says Mark Raine, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director: Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa. “We’re especially excited that Tatjana is our first Friend of the Brand to drive one of our Mercedes-EQ products. The EQB is perfectly suited to Tatjana – it’s quick and agile, leaving its competitors in its wake.”
According to Tatjana, “Driving an electric vehicle is a completely new experience for me – you won’t hear me coming because it is so quiet but you won’t see me either because it is so fast!
“It is such a privilege to be associated with an internationally renowned brand such as Mercedes-Benz. It’s a dream car and I can’t wait to give South Africa a sneak peek of the Mercedes-EQ range and specifically the EQB. Here’s to many happy kilometres with an awesome vehicle!” she concludes.
The exciting Mercedes-EQB 350 4MATIC.
In South Africa, this all-electric compact SUV is available as the 350 4MATIC with 215 kW and a generous driving range according to WLTP of up to 423 km.
The EQB enriches the successful Mercedes compact car family and is closely related to two models in particular: the EQA, whose advanced drive technology it shares; and to the GLB compact SUV. This is where the long wheelbase (2,829 millimetres), the spacious and variable interior and the optional third row of seats with two additional individual seats come from.
Friends of the Brand programme
The long-running Friends of the Brand program connects Mercedes-Benz South Africa with brand ambassadors who are motivating pioneers, explorers and go-getters, much like the brand itself. Often, they’ve overcome barriers and in the process have set new standards in their field. The Friends of the Brand use their abilities to achieve enduring success in diverse projects.
Alongside Tatjana, as well as Eben, Siya, Makazole and Lukhanyo, some of the Mercedes-Benz South Africa Friends of the Brand include businesswoman Rachel Kolisi; MC and singer Anlia Etzebeth; renowned chefs David Higgs and Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen; entrepreneur and musician Nandi Madida; and global music phenomenon Nasty C.
