In the newest round of corporate executive shuffling news, DaimlerChrysler has announced today that they have appointed Klaus Maier, current director of development for the company's worldwide sales organization, the new president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd.

Maier will begin his new role January 1st of next year, where his duties will include the sales, marketing, network development, after-sales and service of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Replaced by Maier is Peter Honegg, who recently became president and chief executive of DaimlerChrysler Malaysia...

[Update:  When originally posting this story, we stated in error that Klaus Maier, current vice president of the Mercedes Car Group, would be taking over the role as president of Mercedes-Benz China. While it's true Klaus Maier has been named president of Mercedes-Benz China, it is a different individual by the name of Klaus Maier also working within the company that will be taking over the role. We apologize for the confusion.]

Keep Reading "DaimlerChrysler Names Klaus Maier President Of Mercedes-Benz China"

Mercedes has announced today that in an ongoing effort to boost company safety and efficiency, they, in cooperation with Pilz, are developing a highly flexible video system to further improve production-facility working environments.  The technology, formally known as SafetyEYE, will make it possible to replace numerous required safety systems that are both complex and costly.

"The new system will enable us to better protect workers from unintentional contact with production equipment," says Günter Walz, head of Production Planning at Mercedes Car Group.  "This system benefits employees and the company alike because it completely secures sensitive areas and thus ensures greater safety for workers..."

Keep Reading "Making Mercedes Production Safer And More Efficient: The New SafetyEYE Video System"

In keeping with the previous story's AMG video theme, our main man Vincent over at Autoblog.nl directed us to an article his site ran recently which aims to showcase their time behind the wheel of the impeccably-styled ML63 AMG.

Although the article is in Dutch, there's plenty of pretty pictures for all you AMG aficionados to lust after; but even better, there's a short video which manages to capture the super-powered SUV in a number of various stationary and driving poses.

Oh the sweet, sweet sound of an AMG-built 6.2-Liter V8...

Keep Reading "More AMG Video Goodness:  Autoblog.nl Gets Behind The Wheel Of The ML63"

To kick things off this morning our good friend Shiv directed us to an episode of Australia's "The Car Show"... an episode that just so happens to showcase Mercedes' 6.3-Liter AMG Lineup.  Although MB's two newest 63 models - the S63 and CL63 - aren't covered, the ML, E, CLK and CLS 63 variants are all showcased for your viewing pleasure...

Keep Reading "Video Lovers, Rejoice:  The Car Show Looks At Mercedes' AMG Lineup"

Mercedes has announced today that they have just achieved a record sales milestone: the brand has delivered 25 million passenger cars to customers worldwide since 1945.  The vehicle that marked the historic number - a new generation Mercedes E-Class - was delivered to the owner of a Munich taxi company at the Mercedes-Benz Customer Center in Sindelfingen.

According to Dr. Eberhard Haller, vice president and manager of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen: "The first postwar Mercedes-Benz passenger car rolled off the line here in Sindelfingen more than 60 years ago.  That vehicle marked the beginning of the ascent of Mercedes-Benz to become the world's most valuable and successful automobile brand. Today's handing over of the 25-millionth Mercedes-Benz is a special occasion that will further motivate both the staff in Sindelfingen and the entire Mercedes-Benz organization..."

Keep Reading "Record Milestone: 25 Million Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Delivered"

After the first photos depicting the 2008 Mercedes C-Class' naked back end began circulating the internet last week, AutoWeek today has published another look at what to expect from the upcoming model, further elaborating on the vehicle's front-end styling elements.

According to the publication, expect to see "two distinctly different front-end appearances: standard versions will retain the company’s classic chromed grille and three-pointed star mounted atop the leading edge of the hood; alternatively, Mercedes will offer a special Sports model carrying a treatment similar to that used on the CLK, with an oversized three-pointed star integrated into a racier grille..."

Keep Reading "AutoWeek Takes Another Look At The 2008 Mercedes C-Class"

Yes, yes, I already know what you're thinking - nobody in the market for a Mercedes S600 Guard cares how the new model drives, because nine times out of ten it will be the chauffeur that is forced to endure the painstaking task of piloting the vehicle as assassins maniacally try to end their passenger's life with a single, well-placed rifle round.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop Channel 4 from testing the S600 Guard, publishing for your reading enjoyment their impressions of driving the armored four-door luxury sedan. So what did they think?  An excerpt from their review...

Keep Reading "Bombs Away: Channel 4 Drives The Impenetrable Mercedes S600 Guard"

As you may remember, a couple weeks back we told you about the grand opening of the U.K.'s Mercedes-Benz World, a complex dedicated to all things MB-related.  A museum, on and off-road test tracks, restaurants, boutiques - these are just some of areas visitors to the Mercedes-Benz World are able to partake in.

This morning, our good friend Jinx directed us to a short video that higlights the Mercedes-Benz World, offering an even better look at what to expect should you decide to visit the venue in person...

Keep Reading "Video Tour Of The UK's New Mercedes-Benz World"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Although it's been a relatively slow morning for Mercedes news, the company did put out a press release today outlining their Blue-Tec commercial vehicle range.

While there's really nothing new for those of you already familiar with the company's foray into clean diesel technology, if you're not up to speed on Mercedes' Euro 4 compliance, there's plenty of info outlining the benefits and specifications of the system...

Keep Reading "A Look At Mercedes' Blue-Tec Commercial Vehicle Range"

As you may remember, back in September Mercedes debuted a never before seen SLK model, titled the SLK Special "Edition 10", in celebration of the sport roadster's ten year anniversary.  Some highlights of the model included  a matte-grey metallic paint finish, dark-grey high-sheen light-alloy wheels in a ten-spoke design, a black leather interior accented by silver-colored underlays and the wealth of technical features already found on the standard SLK lineup.

Fast forward to now.  On what is the exact ten year anniversary of the original SLK, Mercedes today has announced that beginning in January 2007, the SLK Special "Edition 10" will be making its way to European dealerships. Although only the first 350 customers will have the option of the same matte-grey metallic finish, a color Mercedes is calling "allanite grey Magno", the other options, including dark-grey "chrome shadow" light alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear lights and black leather interior, are all available...

Keep Reading "Mercedes SLK Special "Edition 10" Hitting European Dealerships This January"

With all new model introductions, one of the most interesting parts of witnessing the final product is seeing the process involved in creating it, and the latest smart fortwo is no exception.

From the designers' and developers' original list of objectives through to the artists' illustration of these goals, all that was instrumental in helping create the final smart forwo is revealed in the renderings and press release after the jump...

Keep Reading "Smart Design:  The New ForTwo's Concept And Philosophy"

It's official ladies and gentlemen - just four days after the first photos of the next smart fortwo began their trek across the internet, DaimlerChrysler today has officially taken the wraps off their new model, finally revealing to the world what to expect from the stylish, incredibly fuel-efficient micro-car.

What's the best way to describe the new smart fortwo?  "The new smart fortwo can do everything that the current model can do - but better" says DaimlerChrysler, and looking at the specs, I'd have to agree...

Keep Reading "World Premier: The New Smart ForTwo Makes Its Official Debut"

While taking a moment to browse Jalopnik this sunny afternoon our attention was drawn to a Mercedes that despite debuting back in September, we somehow managed to overlook.

That vehicle is the Kicherer SL Evo, the two-toned Brabus-enhanced Mercedes pictured before you.  Based on the SL600, the Kicherer SL Evo features, among other things, a carbon fiber hood, numerous carbon fiber accents, 20" RS1 aluminum rims, a sport steering wheel, and most importantly, 605 horses of pure, unadulterated driving bliss.  The result is a carbon clad luxury roadster capable of achieving a delimited top speed of 217 miles per hour, fast enough to meet the needs of even the most demanding speed devotees...

Keep Reading "Your Daily Dose Of Carbon Fiber:  Kicherer Debuts New Mercedes SL Evo"

Valentino Rossi, seven time motorcycle World Champion/part time male model (see photo after the jump), recently took a turn behind the wheel of the Mika Hakkinen's 2006 AMG-Mercedes C-Class.  The drive came after the 27 year-old Italian superstar and self-proclaimed DTM fan requested the test; after which Mercedes, being the kind-hearted souls they are, graciously obliged.

Here's what Rossi had to say about piloting the AMG-Mercedes C-Class: "The test was great fun. The AMG-Mercedes C-Class is an impressive race car which can almost be driven like a formula car. I don't know yet if I will ever race on four wheels; however, it is good to know that I wouldn't look so bad doing so, and I thank Mercedes-Benz for this opportunity..."

Keep Reading "Valentino Rossi Gets Behind The Wheel Of The AMG-Mercedes C-Class"

Finally, after battling my on-again off-again internet connection yesterday - a fight I won for approximately half an hour before ultimately succumbing to defeat - it appears full internet connectivity has been restored, which means regular posting will now commence.  (That is assuming my $@#%!&* service provider can handle the one task I pay them to do.)

Are you listening Sprint?

Anyway, to kick things off this morning, Mercedes has announced the newly-introduced CL-Class has received the first of what's sure to be many accolades, earning the prestigious "Golden Steering Wheel Award 2006" after readers of German newspaper "Bild am Sonntag" named it the best new arrival in the "coupe" category.  In total, almost a third of the readers of Germany's largest Sunday paper voted for the CL, easily putting it in first place among its other competitors...

Keep Reading "Mercedes CL-Class Wins Golden Steering Wheel Award 2006"