MARTIN Luthi became the ninth and final winner of the South China Morning Post's Mercedes-Benz competition yesterday - and promptly gave the gleaming C180 Elegance model to his wife. Mr Luthi, a businessman who has lived in Hong Kong for five years, was given news of his win while holidaying in his homeland, Switzerland. The time difference meant he was woken at 7 am after flying in the day before. ''As it was I was angry. Who was calling me so early? But it was a good cause - a Mercedes! I just couldn't believe it,'' he said. He regretted he was not able to join seven other winners who gathered yesterday for an end-of-contest celebration. Another winner, Sam Chung Kwok-wai, was away in Mongolia on business. There were smiles all round as the seven eyed their new luxury cars. Trader Peter Luk Wai-mong, like Mr Luthi, will give the C180 to his wife. Two other winners, Raymond Chan Kin-shek and Anthony Tang Wai-kit, plan to ditch their old cars, while Floyd Hui Kin-chung is going to sell his Mercedes. Ng Tak-wah and Paul Ambrose are still weighing up their options, while secretary Lo Ho Ching-yiu plans to improve her driving skills. The Post gave away the nine Mercedes as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations, and extends congratulations to the winners.
