In Beijing today BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Ltd. celebrated the opening of its new manufacturing facility, an event that was attended by government officials, executives, community officials and more than 1,000 employees of the joint venture and its two shareholders, DaimlerChrysler AG and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.  The hour-long ceremony included presentations of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Chrysler 300C, both of which will be produced at the new plant.

According to Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management for DaimlerChrysler AG: "Almost a quarter of a century after DaimlerChrysler co-founded the first international automobile joint venture in China, the opening of the BBDC’s new manufacturing facility is another milestone in our long tradition in China.  This brand new facility is tangible example of our continued growth in Northeast Asia and a major step towards realizing our ambitious goals in the fastest growing market in the world..."

Keep Reading "DaimlerChrysler Celebrates New Plant Opening Beijing"

Taking a moment to reflect on their pre-owned sales for this year, Mercedes has announced today that from January to July 2006, a total of 327,600 pre-owned Mercedes have been registered in Germany, an increase of five percent over 2005.  The news comes despite falling sales in both the overall and premium car markets currently plaguing the German market, a fact that has allowed Mercedes with the aforementioned sales success to increase market share in its home country from eight to ten percent...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Notes Record Demand For 'Young Pre-Owned' Vehicles"

For those of you with a vested monetary interest in DaimlerChrysler, the company has released today an updated financial performance and outlook outlook for the full-year of 2006.

In their revised financial outlook, the company lowered its operating forecast for full-year 2006 to the sum of $6.4 billion, based on an expected full-year operating loss of approximately $1.2 billion for its Chrysler Group.  The Chrysler Group, which originally anticipated a loss of $0.6 billion for the third quarter, now estimates a $1.5 billion loss.

Reasons specified for the added loss include a difficult market environment, i.e., excess inventory, high fuel costs and a shift in consumer demand for smaller vehicles; pressure from their competitors; and increased interest rates resulting in higher sales and marketing expenses...

Keep Reading "DaimlerChrysler Updates Financial Performance and Outlook For Full-Year 2006"

Soon, the advent of the Mercedes CL-Class will be upon us, and with it, the joys that being one of the first to own the new luxury coupe will bring.  Onlookers gazing at you, wondering what that subtly handsome automobile they've never before witnessed is; your best friend and current BMW 6 Series owner openly cursing his own vehicle, a vehicle he once thought was "The Ultimate Driving Machine"; and of course, the ability to purchase a wealth of CL-branded merchandise, proclaiming to the world that indeed, your selection in personal transport is second to none...

Keep Reading "CL-Class Collection Presented By Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH"

Believe it or not, it's been ten years since the lovable little Mercedes SLK hit showrooms around the world, redefining the public's perception of the brand with a bold and undeniably youthful new look. 

Now, after a decade and some 460,000 units sold, the SLK-Class continues to remain a leader in its segment, evolving to contain the highest levels of technology, driving comfort and safety while still maintaining the spry spirit that's made it successful for so long...

Keep Reading "Reminiscing Over Ten Years Of The Mercedes SLK"

The Federal government announced today that ESP stability control, a technology pioneered by Mercedes-Benz, will be mandatory on all future cars.  The news came as a result of an extensive National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) analysis found that cars equipped with stability control were 35% less likely to be involved in a collision, and even more striking, SUV's equipped with ESP were 67% less likely to be involved in a collision when compared to sport utility vehicles not equipped with the same technology...

Keep Reading "Federal Government Mandates ESP Stability Control On All Future Cars"

To kick things off this bright mid-September morning, our good friend Jinx directed us to a Forbes article which takes a look at the forthcoming 2007 CLS-Class model lineup.

The article isn't a review mind you, it simply touches on the changes the new models will receive when compared to the previous year, making it in essence a list of the new CLS' features converted into paragraph form.

Thankfully, despite his inability to review the model in question, the sagacious Forbes author was kind enough to end the article with these somber words of advice...

Keep Reading "Forbes' Look At The 2007 CLS-Class"

If you're a regular reader of our site, you undoubtedly remember the tale of smart and his remarkable journey to the great state of Alabama, a journey that stemmed from the young smart following his ambitions and ultimately achieving his dream - his dream of being big.

It was a moving tale, and one that lives in the hearts of little smarts around the world.   But what's more, the smart has inspired others to follow in its footsteps, others like the smart mentioned in this story - the smart forfun2...

Keep Reading "The Smart ForFun's Little Brother: The Smart ForFun2"

DaimlerChrysler has announced today that in addition to the already-available black and silver single-tone paint finishes currently obtainable on the Maybach 57 S model, a new shining "Antiqua White" finish will be added to available single-tone paint finish options in an effort to further meet customer's desires for more individuality.

The white paint finish, applied by specialists in multiple layers, will use two base colors to form the foundation of the coloring, as opposed to the typical single base color found on traditional automobiles.  As a result, the Maybach's exterior will contain nearly twice as many layers of paint when compared to other luxury vehicles, and in addition will feature an incomparable mother-of-pearl-like sheen...

Keep Reading "Maybach 57 S With Mother Of Pearl Finish To Be Presented In Paris"

We've talked about it on numerous occasions; we brought you the first photo; and yes, we have spent many a night lusting after its sensuous and ultimately gorgeous lines.   Today, it's finally official - the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG will be making its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, finally revealing to the world what could quite possibly be the pinnacle of automotive engineering looks like.

But enough of my gratuitous praises, you want the CL63's performance numbers, so performance numbers you shall receive.  Powered by Mercedes' exceptional 6.3 liter AMG V8, the CL63 AMG boasts of 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Newton metres of peak torque, resulting in a 0-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.  Add to that its sexy AMG body styling and its delectably-dark interior, and you have what I consider to be a sheer work of art...

Keep Reading "Mercedes CL63 AMG To Make Its Debut At The Paris Motor Show"

Visitors to the Automechanika 2006 trade fair in Frankfurt will be in for what's being called "a new and unusual presentation" this year when Mercedes and smart transform the show's Forum into a transparent automobile sales and service outlet, the result of which will highlight the two companies' state-of-the-art workshop processes, new workshop systems and service expertise.

The exhibit, fully staffed by employees from the Mercedes-Benz service organization and headquarters, will allow visitors attending the event to witness firsthand a number of diagnostic tests and repair work on various models, providing a small glimpse into the outstanding service and support that accompanies every vehicle sold...

Keep Reading "Transparent Mercedes And Smart Sales And Service Outlet On Display At Automechanika 2006"

With fall quickly approaching, those of you keeping track of Mercedes' 2007 model lineup know that means the launch of the lovable-despite-its-somewhat-questionable-styling CL-Class will soon be upon us.

To provide you with constant motivation that indeed, the new CL-Class is vastly superior to the outgoing model, Mercedes continues to publish press releases describing at length the 2007 CL's attributes and features, hopefully swaying you as well as the legions of other CL owners into believing that yes, yes it is time to make the switch.

And I have to say, their tomfoolery is working...

Keep Reading "Another Look At The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class"

With the advent of Mercedes S-Class 4MATIC press releases today, you may be wondering what exactly the 4MATIC system is, where it came from, its advantages, the technology behind it, etc.

To answer these as well as any other questions you may have, Mercedes has published a press release today that aims to educate you in all that is 4MATIC.  Topics ranging from the four-wheel drive system's power split, handling characteristics, effects on fuel consumption and safety benefits are just some of the issues covered, while several diagrams depicting the 4MATIC's various components help provide a visual aid as to what's encapsulated within the new S-Class models...

Keep Reading "The Technology Behind Mercedes' New 4MATIC System"

Next in our series of Mercedes S-Class 4MATIC articles comes an even more in-depth look at the latest models to don the 4MATIC badge. This time, the press release goes to even greater lengths describing each S-Class 4MATIC's features and nuances, making it a must read for anyone interested in learning more about any of the new models...

Keep Reading "Overview Of The Mercedes S-Class 4MATIC Model Range"

It's been a busy day in the land of Mercedes news, with DaimlerChrysler today publishing a number of press kits outlining multiple Mercedes model lineups.  Due to the sheer number of the aforementioned press releases, I will abstain from my usual banter in an effort to publish the information as quickly as possible; hopefully you'll find it interesting and insightful.

First up we have a comprehensive look at the Mercedes S-Class 4MATIC lineup, which includes the all-new S320 CDI, S450 and S500 4MATIC models. Yes, you heard right - there will indeed be a diesel 4MATIC S-Class model, at least for the European market. The models, all of which feature Mercedes' permanent four wheel drive technology,
are perfect for those looking to achieve the absolute highest levels of comfort and luxury while doing battle with a varied assortment of weather and driving conditions...

Keep Reading "Details Of Mercedes' 2007 S-Class 4MATIC Lineup Announced"