The 2008 International Commercial Vehicle Show (IAA) is shaping up to be a non-stop thrill ride for those of you in the market for a new Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle, as the company is set to debut a host of new models at the event.  Highlights include the world premier of the Mercedes-Benz Axor BlueTec Hybrid, the world premier of the Mercedes-Benz Travego with Active Brake Assist and the world premier of the Mercedes-Benz Econic BlueTec Hybrid.

In addition to the aforementioned vehicles, another key model set to celebrate its world premier at the show is the Mercedes-Benz construction Actros, a model that's already regarded as a leader in the construction segment.  Going forward, the construction Actros will benefit from several dozen new features and improvements, allowing it to even more efficiently meet the needs of a wide range of construction applications...

Keep Reading "New Mercedes-Benz Construction Actros Celebrating World Premier At The 2008 IAA"

On Friday, Daimler AG and RWE AG officially kicked off the world's largest joint project for environmentally friendly electric cars, titled "e-mobility Berlin."    It's an initiative that covers all components required for the efficient use of battery-powered electric vehicles, ranging from innovative drive technology through to customer-friendly infrastructure, with the ultimate goal of making electric, emission-free driving a facet of everyday life.

As part of their support for the initiative, Daimler will provide more than 100 electric cars from Mercedes-Benz and smart, and furthermore, provide service for the vehicles.  RWE, on the other hand, is handling the development, installation and operation of the charging infrastructure and its some 500 charging points, and in addition, will both supply the electricity and maintain central control of the system.  Because of its significance in terms of sustainable mobility in the future, the German federal government is also lending their support to the project...

Keep Reading "Daimler And RWE Launch 'e-mobility Berlin,' The World's Largest Joint Project For Electric Cars"

Although it's only been a little more than two years since the Mercedes-Benz Museum opened its doors to the public, the venue marked a historic milestone on Friday, welcoming its 2,000,000th visitor.  Michael Block, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH, was on hand to welcome the lucky customer – an individual by the name of Christoph Ludwig – who had to traveled to the museum from Munich along with his two children, Timo and Jakob.  In addition to the worldwide fame and notoriety Christoph will now receive as a result of having his photo and story published on eMercedesBenz, Christoph was also presented with a book on the Mercedes-Benz Museum and subsequently invited to dine on a three-course meal in the museum restaurant...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz Museum Welcomes Its 2,000,000th Visitor"

As we continue our efforts to catch up on the backlog of stories we were unable to bring you late last week, another story that bears mention is one of a financial nature. More specifically, Daimler AG released the August sales figures for their Mercedes-Benz Cars division, and unfortunately, things looks disappointingly reminiscent of the August figures posted by Mercedes-Benz USA.  In total, passenger car sales at the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands amounted to 84,400 new units, down exactly 12.3 percent when compared to the prior year (August 2007:  96,200).  Despite the decrease, the trio still holds a year-to-date sales increase of 4.9 percent over 2007's eight-month ytd figure, with a total of 857,600 units sold (January - August 2007:  817,600).

Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz fared even worse, with the luxury brand noting sales of 75,200 new units – a 15.7 percent decline when compared to August 2007.  To date, worldwide sales at Mercedes-Benz now total 767,100 new units, up 1.1 percent over the first eight months of 2007...

Keep Reading "Worldwide Sales At Mercedes-Benz Cars Drop 12.3 Percent In August 2008"

Although on the surface it may look like nothing more than an ordinary, run-of-the-mill 451 horsepower Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (assuming, of course, that it's possible to consider a Mercedes C63 AMG either ordinary or run-of-the-mill), pictured before you is the latest combatant set to do battle in the ever growing ring of tuned AMG C-Class models:  the RENNtech C63 AMG.  Boasting a pavement scorching total output of 548 peak horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque, RENNtech's C63 offers massive amounts of thrust across the low-to-mid rpm range, while top speed comes in at a mighty 187 mph...

Keep Reading "Now With 548 Horsepower:  The RENNtech Tuned Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG"

No ladies and gentlemen, your eyes do not deceive you.  We are indeed kicking off this week's stories on a Sunday, after some server troubles late last week prevented us from publishing all the content we would have liked.  Not to worry, however, because despite being a day or two behind schedule, we're still going to bring you all the stories we had on tap, just a little later than usual.

First up comes a look at a series of Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series advertisements popping up around Germany, made public via the always popular mediums of the billboard, the subway poster and the side of a semi trailer.  Somewhat viral in nature, the billboards all feature distinct marketing messages, including the above pictured "High fiber diets are the key to weight loss," "Whoever said thin was in has not seen these curves," and in the case of the semi trailer advertisement, "Enough torque to make truck drivers jealous..."

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Billboard Advertisements"

It seems like just yesterday the Mercedes GL-Class was unveiled to the world, but actually, it's been nearly three years since the seven-passenger SUV made its world debut.  As those of you familiar with Mercedes know, the three year production mark traditionally heralds a mid-life revision, and it appears the GL-Class is no exception to the rule.  Spy photographers captured shots of the SUV recently bearing an assortment of light camouflage, a sure indicator that a slight re-engineering is on the horizon...

Keep Reading "Spy Photos Of The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Emerge"

Of the many tuning companies that attempt to improve upon the already impeccable genes of Mercedes' various models, few do so with such aptitude as a little company known as BRABUS. That's why when you hear the German tuning firm has finally worked their magic on the consummate Mercedes C63 AMG, you're probably surmising they've taken an incredibly covetable model and made it even more lust worthy.  And you'd be right.

Specifically, they've given you a grand total of 530 reasons to lust after their variant of the C63 AMG – one they call the B63 S – for that is the final horsepower output of the model after completing their tuning handiwork.  How exactly did they do it?  With a host of delicious enhancements, all of which will enable you and your C-Class to rival the performance of many supercars...

Keep Reading "Now With More Power:  BRABUS Tunes The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG"

As the PANGAEA Expedition gets set to kick off later this month, Mike Horn and his PANGAEA sailing boat made made their U.S. debut today, docking in New York City's Battery Park where they'll remain through Saturday.  Following their stop in the Big Apple, Horn will then set sail towards Punta Arenas in Chile in the first stage of his epic journey to Antarctica, where he will eventually trek to the South Pole.

For those of you unfamiliar with the PANGEA Expedition, as we've noted in the past, it's an epic journey that will last a total of four years and span a total of five continents, including both the North and South Poles. Along the way, Mike and a diverse team of 144 young people will sail the PANGAEA - the largest polar exploration sail boat ever built - to various destinations, partaking in a myriad of projects aimed at improving environmental conditions both locally and globally...

Keep Reading "Mike Horn And The PANGAEA Expedition Sail Into New York City"

In awards news, it's been announced today that Daimler AG will be the beneficiary of the red dot design award for both their SLR. CLUB. Magazine and Maybach Manufaktur’s GOING PLACES yearbook.  The verdict came after a jury of renowned international designers and design experts evaluated the publications based on their innovation, functionality and formal quality, after which each scored favorably with the panelists, most notably for their "emotive expression."

For those of you unfamiliar with the red dot design award, it ranks among the largest and most renowned design competitions in the world.  Each year, more than 10,000 submissions from 60 countries are submitted in one of three categories – "product design," "communication design" and "design concept" – after which winners are chosen based on the aforementioned criteria.  The award-winning products are then presented to the international public in the red dot design museum...

Keep Reading "Maybach's Yearbook And Mercedes' SLR. CLUB. Magazine Receive Red Dot Design Awards"

Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting today that sales at the division dropped sharply in August, decreasing 11.8 percent to 18,507 new units.  Despite the decrease, year-to-date sales are up slightly at MBUSA, with the division still holding a 0.5 percent advantage over 2007's eight month ytd total with 158,519 units sold.

As for the models making headlines, the lone Mercedes to note a sales increase in the month of August was the volume-leading C-Class, with sales of the sedan increasing 53.1 percent to 6,990 new units (August 2007:  4,565).  This figure brings year-to-date sales of the C-Class to 50,593 new units, up 39.8 percent over 2007's eight month ytd total of 36,184 units.  A second bright spot on an otherwise dismal August sales chart came courtesy of the M-Class, with year-to-date sales of the SUV remaining in the black with 22,517 units sold, a 7.2 percent increase over 2007's ytd total of 21,012 new units...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 11.8 Percent In August 2008"

As you may remember, this July Mercedes took the wraps off their new generation Travego coach, one that features an industry first:  Active Brake Assist.  Today, as the model's premier at the International Commercial Vehicle Show (IAA) on September 25th draws ever closer, Mercedes has published an even lengthier look at the new Travego, highlighting the various safety systems, changes and features the coach will boast when it makes its world debut.

Because we've already detailed the model on one occassion, I will instead let the three part press kit take it from here.  You can find the complete details of the new Mercedes-Benz Travego in all its official press release glory immediately after the jump...

Keep Reading "World Premier Of The New Generation Mercedes-Benz Travego With Active Brake Assist"

In Hambach, France today, the lovable smart fortwo celebrated a historic achievement, as the one millionth unit of the compact model rolled off the assembly line.  The milestone model was of the passion equipment line, clad in a silver metallic paint scheme, and featured both a 52 kW/71 bhp engine and a micro hybrid drive (mhd).  As for its final destination, the one millionth smart fortwo is set to be donated to charity.

At a ceremony in Hambach, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars noted that "the smart electric drive makes zero emission driving in an urban environment a reality." He then went on to congratulate the team at the Hambach plant and speak about the smart's ongoing sales success, stating:  "the continuing rising demand shows the success and the potential of the smart fortwo from Hambach. This year we have already sold 90,000 cars, more than 16,000 of them in the USA. From mid 2009 the smart will also become a familiar sight on Chinese roads..."

Keep Reading "One Millionth Smart ForTwo Rolls Off Production Line In Hambach"

Continuing the exemplary performance it noted in crash test ratings here in the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz M-Class has once again proved its safety prowess, receiving the top mark of five stars in the European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests. The results are yet another confirmation that in addition to the M-Class' safety concept of excelling in real-life accident scenarios, the model performs equally as well in standardized testing.

As for what make the Mercedes M-Class such an outstanding performer in the event of an accident, standard equipment includes seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints. The M-Class is also the first vehicle in its market segment anywhere in the world to be fitted as standard with the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE.  By using the valuable seconds that elapse between a critical situation being identified and a possible ensuing impact, PRE-SAFE initiates a series of protective measures, thus reducing the forces acting on the occupants in the impact by up to 40 percent...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz M-Class Awarded Five Stars In Euro NCAP Test"

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you're all enjoying your extended Labor Day weekend. Kicking things off this early afternoon comes news that Daimler Buses has officially entered the luxury bus segment in India, launching the new Mercedes-Benz Intercity Luxury Coach. The new coach is built on the versatile O 500 R / RF chassis from Mercedes-Benz, while its body is built by Jalandhar based Sutlej Motors.

At the launch event in Pune, Mr. Harald Landmann, Head of Daimler Buses, as well as Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, CEO and Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India, presented the keys of the new Mercedes Intercity Luxury Coach to the first customers:  Sharma Transports from Bangalore, Neeta Tours and Travels from Mumbai and Konduskar Travels from Kolhapur...

Keep Reading "Daimler Buses Launches New Mercedes-Benz Intercity Luxury Coach In India"