Mercedes drums up excitement before tapping into rich vein

It appears that not all automakers are in the red.

German import Mercedes-Benz engineered a massive bash at the Convention and Exhibition Centre's Grand Hall on Tuesday to unveil its newest E-class models.

In addition to the cost of decorations, a DJ, booze and snacks, organisers also tried to excite the crowd of Mercedes owners and fans with additional entertainment in the form of Taiwan taiko drumming group U-Theatre - featured in the 2007 movie The Drummer - as well as clog dance troupe All That, which finished in third place on the first season of the television show America's Got Talent.

During the entertainment portion of the evening, the two groups even performed together in a percussion-and-tap-dancing jam session.

When the slick new coupe and saloon models were rolled out, more than a few people were apparently ready to splash out at least HK$500,000 for the car, excluding extras.

For those in the crowd living on tighter budgets, there was also an elaborate concession stand outside the hall offering every conceivable Mercedes-Benz souvenir, from baseball caps to key chains. We were in this category.