Aside from announcing a record breaking 2017 in terms of sales, service and finance matters, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia was also proud to announce that Datuk Nicol David is now their brand ambassador. Datuk Nicol (those who are not Malaysians, note that 'Datuk' is a title bestowed upon her) is one outstanding individual and Malaysian. She is one of Malaysia's most outstanding atheletes out there today and she represents the values upheld by the Mercedes-Benz brand and all it stands for.
Datuk Nicol is a world record holder for women's squash titles. She has won 8 World Opens and is currently holding the world record for the longest time spent at the number one rank in any sport - 112 months. She is also the best female athelete in Malaysian history and one of the greatest squash players of all time. Heck, she could be the best athelete in the whole of Malaysian history going by the success she has achieved. It is very fitting that she is now brand ambassador for a brand whose motto is 'the best or nothing'.
She now joins the Mercedes-Benz family as one of the ambassadors of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. This is a Mercedes-Benz Corporate Social Responsibility initiative where she will participate in projects that will affect positive change in disadvantaged communities through her passion for sport and healthy living.
Datuk Nicol is also a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador for Malaysia. As the product of a multi-racial family who lives in a multi-racial country (Ed.- I also hope that most Malaysians remember that this country is multi-racial and live their lives as such), she believes that young adults can be a positive force for development and peace. It has to be stated that she has previously spoken out on matters relating to the values of understanding, solidarity, respect and communication across all cultures and backgrounds.
From the bit of news I have read and heard, as well as from the picture above, you may eventually see her driving a Mercedes-Benz GLA 45. This crossover vehicle should suit her demeanor and her youthful presence.
I believe that with this little bit of news and having been to a few of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's CSR initiatives over the past year, 2018 is going to be interesting in terms of what they have in store in terms of giving back to the people and to the country where they actually do business in.
MEDIA RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia announces Datuk Nicol David as brand ambassador
Datuk Nicol David is the record-holder for women’s squash titles, taking the crown at no fewer than 8 World Opens and holding the world record for longest time spend at No. 1 in any sport at 112 months, is the best female athelete in Malaysian history and one of the greatest squash players of all time. In addition, David has won two Gold medals in consecutive Commonwealth Games alongside winning the Asian Individual Squash Championships nine times.
As one of the ambassadors of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a Mercedes-Benz CSR initiative, David participates in projects which affect positive change in disadvantaged communities through her passion for sport and healthy living.
Datuk Nicol David joins the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia family as a passionate enthusiast of Mercedes-Benz cars and lifestyle. With her sporting success, excellence in her field, commendable social engagement, charismatic personality and unassailable determination, David perfectly represents the values upheld by Mercedes-Benz, indeed the foundation of the brand and all it stands for.
“On behalf of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, we are thrilled to have Datuk Nicol David on board with us as a friend to the brand and our newest brand ambassador. David is more than just an exceptional athelete, she is an exemplary role model to all Malaysians and a fitting embodiment of values we hold dear at Mercedes-Benz – passion, discipline, integrity, and an uncompromising determination to be absolutely the best at her game. This is made clear by her accolades: eight World titles, an astonishing 112 months at No. 1 and countless other achievements,” said Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
“I am excited to be collaborating with Mercedes-Benz as a brand ambassador. The values of the brand mirror my own, I accept nothing but the best of myself and always strive for excellence without compromise. Besides this of course, Mercedes-Benz is rich in history and makes amazing automobiles, in particular the Compact Cars of which I am an unapologetically huge fan! The Mercedes-Benz GLA has to be my favourite, being the perfect combination of practical, dynamic and great to look at. It’s perfect for my active lifestyle and can take all my squash gear with ease, not to mention convenient for zipping through the city,” said Datuk Nicol David.
Eight-time World Champion
David holds the women’s record for the most World Open crowns; a staggering 8 titles achieved between 2005 and 2012. In terms of ranking, the squash queen has held on to her No. 1 spot for 112 months in a professional career that spans just 17 years. In the early days of David’s presence in the sport, she holds the honour of being the first player ever to win the World Junior title twice.
Ambassadorships for non-governmental organisations
David’s incredible presence as such a decorated athlete has seen her turn her attention to commendable community and charity work as a global citizen. As an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, David harnesses her passion for squash, sport and healthy living as a means to reach out to disadvantaged communities and affect positive change. The foundation’s ethos that sport represents humanity at its finest along with such principles as determination, fellowship, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence rings strongly with David’s own beliefs. In addition to this, David is also a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador for Malaysia. As the product of a multi-racial family and indeed, a multi-racial country, David believes that young adults can be a positive force for development and peace. She has previously spoken out on such topics as the values of understanding, solidarity, respect and communication across all cultures and backgrounds.
Olympics and Commonwealth presence and achievements
In the build-up to the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics, David was invited to carry the Olympic torch for Malaysia despite squash not being an Olympic sport. As far as the Commonwealth Games is concerned, David has taken home two consecutive Gold medals in New Delhi and Glasgow in 2010 and 2014 respectively, leading the Asian contingent as flag-bearer in the latter.
Most accomplished female Malaysian athlete ever
David is undoubtedly a household name in Malaysia, for sports in general let alone squash. The statistics paint the picture of an illustrious career and an unwavering pursuit of excellence: eight-time World Champion, seven-time Women’s Squash Association Player of the Year, winner of 80 professional titles, five-time British Open Champion, ten-time Hong Kong Open Champion, four-time Asian Games Champion, nine-time Asian Champion, four-time World Team Bronze, one-time World Team Silver, two-time World Junior Champion, two-time Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner and 112 months as World No. 1. As a result of these achievements, David has been inducted into the World Squash Federation Hall of Fame and been declared a legend of the sport.
Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri and Datuk honorific
As a result of her tremendous efforts both on and off the courts, David was honoured with the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri in 2008 which carries the title Dato’ – the youngest person in Penang’s history to receive this. In the same year, David was also bestowed with Darjah Bakti or the Order of Merit. The Darjah Bakti is an award limited to 10 recipients who have significant contribution to the arts, sciences or humanities in Malaysia of which David is the first since the establishment of the award in 1975. David was recently conferred the Federal title of Datuk by His Royal Highness, the king, on 9th September 2017 for all her contributions to the nation’s sports achievements.
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