Pirelli official tire partner of Mercedes-Benz Canada's driving programs

TORONTO, June 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and Pirelli are pleased to announce that they have reached a partnership agreement that entails the outfitting of Pirelli Ultra high-performance P Zero tires on several fleets of Mercedes-Benz, AMG cars and SUVs that are used in Mercedes-Benz Canada's various customer and press driving programs. These programs will take place throughout the year and in locations from coast to coast.    

Through a long list of well-promoted customer programs such as the winter and summer Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy, the highly-sought AMG BASIC and ADVANCED Driving Academy and by-invitation press events, Mercedes-Benz Canada prides itself on offering its customers, prospects as well as journalists, numerous opportunities to drive its large portfolio of cars and SUVs in various climatic conditions and in many different types of on-road, racetracks and controlled high-speed environments.   

It goes without saying that tires play a crucial role in all of these programs and events which are designed to highlight the exhilarating performance, superb driving control and highly impressive handling of all Mercedes-Benz and AMG vehicles.  

Pirelli is providing its renowned P Zero tires which are particularly well-suited to meet the requirements of these decidedly demanding curricula.

This partnership represents an unprecedented opportunity for consumers, experienced track drivers and journalists to assess and witness first hand the high quality, performance and handling capabilities of the P Zero range of tires.

"We are proud to be partnering with an organization that has a strong lineage and proven commitment to high performance and quality – principles that we ourselves have held in high value since our founding in 1886", said JoAnne Caza, Director of Public Relations and Communications for Mercedes-Benz Canada. "During the course of these dynamic driving programs, we deliberately put our cars through extremely demanding driving situations such as high speed emergency braking, cornering and lapping. We therefore need a highly reliable tire that can repeatedly handle the significant levels of strain and forces we will inflict on it.  In our own extensive "real world testing", we have found that Pirelli P Zero tires certainly perform extremely well in order to maximize the thrilling experiential quotient of these programs." 

"We are excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz Canada for the first time by supplying our well-proven P Zero in the context of their various programs and events. It is also our goal to further develop this collaboration and mutual focus by providing customers and journalists an exciting performance driving experience. This partnership will allow Pirelli to further increase its visibility amongst this particular group of discerning drivers.  In addition, this gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with the Aftersales teams in the Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country to further develop the Pirelli Mercedes-Benz tire business, which has seen double-digit growth over the last several years", said Roberto Prieto, President of Pirelli Tire Canada, LLC. 

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the Mercedes-Benz and AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,500 people in 23 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 44 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 40,555 vehicles in 2014. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada.

About Pirelli
Founded in 1872, Pirelli & C. SpA is the fifth largest tire manufacturer in the world in terms of sales.  Present in over 160 countries, Pirelli has 22 manufacturing sites and employs approximately 38,000 people around the world. Pirelli is a leading producer of premium tires due to its commitment to R&D. Successfully competing in motorsport since 1907, Pirelli is currently the exclusive supplier of the Formula 1 championship, the Superbike world championship, and many single marquee championships around the world.

The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX).

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "Pirelli official tire partner of Mercedes-Benz Canada’s driving programs (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150630_C4390_PHOTO_EN_431022.jpg

For further information: JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [e-mail]; Nathalie Gravel, 416-847-7509, [e-mail]; Pirelli (NAFTA Region), 212-497-8820, [e-mail]