Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is offering the Tele Aid telematics system as a standard feature on all model-year 2001 Mercedes Benz vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive manufacturer to offer in-vehicle telematics systems as standard equipment across an entire vehicle line.

The Tele Aid system, which provides MBUSA with the ability to offer automatic emergency response, roadside assistance and product information (such as answering vehicle questions and providing retailer information), is being provided free of charge for the first year, according to MBUSA officials.

This decision by Mercedes represents an agreement valued at more than $225 million in Motorola's telematics hardware over the next four years, according to Marios Zenios, corporae vice president and general manager of Motorola's Telematics Communications Group.

The Tele Aid system incorporates Motorola's Telematics Communications Unit (TCU), a Motorla GPS receiver and wireless communications technology, combined with cellular voice and data transmission capabilities.