In entertainment news, everyone's favorite Baywatch babe/Playboy Playmate/PETA activist Pamela Anderson has requested that DaimlerChrysler provide her with a leather-free Mercedes G55 AMG.

In a letter released by PETA, Pamela states: "Animals used for their skin suffer from confinement, fear, painful mutilations, deprivation of all that is natural and important to them, and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter... I want no part of that, but I would like a Mercedes."

Anderson's request comes after an earlier promise made by DaimlerChrysler that all future Mercedes car models will be available with an entirely leather-free option in all markets either directly at the dealership or via special order.  However, according to Pamela, after recently inquiring about purchasing a new G55, she was told the model was not yet available without the dreaded cow carcass...

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Our friends over at Jalopnik are reporting today that ZAP has filed a $500 million plus lawsuit against DaimlerChrysler and affiliated companies and individuals.

If you're unfamiliar with ZAP, they're a self-titled "transportation pioneer" that planned on converting smart cars to meet U.S. standards and then distributing the smart cars here in the United States.

However, according to ZAP's press release, rather than sharing or promoting ZAP's success in converting and marketing the smart car, "Daimler sought to destroy ZAP; to capture its market share; and to discredit ZAP in the eyes of investors, regulators, journalists, suppliers, buyers, other third-parties, and the American public generally..."

Keep Reading "Zap Files Legal Action Against DaimlerChrysler"

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA), the largest Mercedes-Benz club in the world with more than 20,000 members.

To celebrate the event, the MBCA will feature a number of events, including what they're calling the June Jamboree in New Jersey, the birthplace of the world famous club.  In addition, the MBCA is planning a tour of Route 66, which will begin in Chicago on September 16 and end in California two weeks later.

As if the events mentioned above weren't enough, the Mercedes-Benz Club of America is also publishing a hardcover commemorative book to memorialize the anniversary, which will feature 50 years of photographs, historical records and member stories...

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Mercedes-Benz has announced today that they will remain the main ATP (Association of Tennis Professional) sponsor until the end of 2008.

Mercedes began sponsoring the event in 1996, and since that time they have received over 60,000 hours of viewing.  During last season alone, Mercedes received 14,000 hours of viewing time, as well as an additional 27 million spectators at the tournaments themselves.  According to Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President of the Mercedes Car Group, "These are very impressive figures which encourage us to continue our long term tennis engagement..."

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Forbes published a rather brief look at the Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4 today.

If you don't want to know the findings of the article, then don't read any further. According to the author, "Neither the SLK nor the Z4 is inherently better than the other."

In other words, the article really doesn't compare the two vehicles at all, other than lightly touching on sales figures, horsepower, and pricing - all of which Mercedes has the higher numbers...

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Everybody's favorite roadster has added yet another award to its prestigious repertoire - the SL65 AMG was recently voted "The Fantasty Convertible" by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA).

The award was given after NEMPA members, consisting of New England-based automotive journalists, tested the SL during the annual Ragtop Ramble convertible driving event from Boston to Kennebunkport.   When asked why the SL65 was chosen as the "Fantasy Convertible," Gerry Miles, NEMPA President and automotive editor for New Hampshire’s Portsmouth Herald responed:  “Because it would be a fantasy to own one, never mind be lucky enough to secure seat time behind the wheel of one.”

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As we told you earlier, Mercedes-Benz USA reported today sales of 18,349 vehicles for the month of October, up slightly from October of 2004.

The increase in sales can be largely attributed to strong performance from the M-Class, which rose 13.9% with 2,641 units being sold.  An additional push came from the newly-introduced CLS and R-Class models, with 1,007 and 930 units being sold, respectively.

The volume leaders in sales for Mercedes-Benz USA were once again the C-Class and E-Class models, with 4,625 and 4,670 units being sold; however, sales for both models were down from 2004...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA Sales Rise Slightly In October"

DaimlerChrysler AG has announced today total group sales of 183,163 passenger vehicles in the U.S. for October of 2005, a decrease of 3% compared to October of 2004.

Individually, the Chrysler Group, which includes the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands, posted sales of 164,814 units in the U.S., a decrease of 3%. However, when the figures are adjusted to take into account one less selling day this year, sales of the Chrysler Group actually rose 1%.

Mercedes-Benz USA posted sales of 18,349 units this month, up .01% from last year. October marked the first full month of sales for the newly introduced R-Class, which sold 930 units....

Keep Reading " DaimlerChrysler Sales Decrease 3% In The U.S."