Just recently, Mercedes-Benz  announced the price value improvements that will be done on the improved GL550 and ML550 SUVs in Idaho earlier this month. According to Mercedes, price value improvement means certain optional features in previous vehicles will now become standard equipments.
This year, car enthusiasts may want to watch out for the GL, the first seven-passenger, full-size SUV with a unibody chassis and distinctive styling. Noticeable, the GL features sweeping front fenders, dramatic shoulder lines and a sharply angled windshield. Other features in the vehicle include four-wheel independent suspension and height-adjustable Airmatic suspension.

The GL has standard 21-inch AMG styled wheels fitted with all-season tires, a three-bar front grille with the famous star logo, running boards, four cool looking rectangular exhaust pipes, and chrome roof rails, side molding and load sill.

Style and comfort are extended inside with real wood trim, 8-way power front seats, award winning cup-holders and a stationary rear sunroof over the third-row seats.

Cargo capacity is not a problem in the GL with its two third-row seats that can easily stowed with a push of a button.

Meanwhile, style and functionality is merged in the new ML. According to Mercedes, it is an AMG styling. Whatever angle the ML is looked at, it remains to be a nice view. Performance is not sacrificed since it is equipped with all-season tires, running boards, seven-speed automatic transmission, full time four-wheel drive and traction control.

The ML 550 and the GL 550 comes with a new V8, 5.5-liter power plant that has 382 horsepower and can offer 391 pounds of torque, giving both vehicles ample power.

Both SUVs are manufactured the Mercedes-Benz factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Reports say that the ML class costs about $44,425 and GL class starts at $53,775.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz may join forces, but not in a new project. For both companies are considering to take legal actions against a Chinese car manufacturer for allegedly copying some of the two Germany-based automakers’ model vehicles. Mercedes is thinking about suing China Automobile Deutschland for creating a car that looks a little too much like the Smart ForTwo.

On the other hand, BMW is considering legal action against China Automobile Deutschland, because the latter’s CEO sport utility vehicle looks almost the same as the last-generation BMW X5. The resemblance is particularly striking from the rear and from the profile. The CEO has not yet been officially launched, but they were planning showing the car at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Engineering, safety features, design and luxury amenities is what Mercedes-Benz 2008 C-Class is all about.

By focusing on performance, Mercedes aims to show potential buyers that its entry-level offering, at a starting price of $31,975, is as solid and dependable as its most expensive models, according to Steve Cannon, V, marketing at Mercedes Benz USA. “It all comes back to product,” said Cannon. “This isn’t a shared platform. This is a Mercedes-Benz.”

One version of the new C-Class has been redesigned to look more “sporty,” with, for example, the Mercedes mark incorporated into the face of the front end but no hood ornament. And that version—which Mercedes hopes will appeal in particular to first-time buyers—appears in most of the new ads.

Besides two TV executions, which break Sept. 10, the campaign includes radio, print, outdoor, direct mail, Internet banners, a microsite, test-drive events and product placement in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures’ film, National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

Cannon declined to provide a budget for the effort, the first phase of which will extend into early 2008. But he described the campaign as the “biggest launch ever,” with spots running on network TV for the first time in years.

Last year, Mercedes spent more than $200 million in major measured media on all models, including more than $33 million on the C-Class alone, according to Nielsen-Monitor Plus. Mercedes spending in the first half of 2007 totaled $75 million, per Nielsen.

Mercedes’ core target for the C-Class is 35 to 45 years old, equally male and female, educated and with a household income of about $100,000, according to Cannon.

A successful smart division of Mercedes-Benz Canada recently delivered its 10,000th Smart ForTwo to Mr. Bryan Moul of Vancouver, British Columbia. This important milestone happened two months before Smart’s 3rd anniversary in Canada.

He said, “This is the first new car I have ever bought. I wasn’t expecting the smart fortwo to attract this much attention - everywhere I go, people want to look inside and ask all kinds of questions. Earlier today, two ladies stopped me outside a coffee shop; they wanted to look in the back to see if their golf clubs would fit, one of the women actually climbed into the driver’s seat!”

President and CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt said, “A three-fold volume increase versus our original objective is a tribute to the power of the car and what it stands for. While the Canadian launch of smart was timely, it was the Canadian car buyer who was receptive to the concept and had an open mind towards a revolutionary 2.5 meter car that made a difference. Not coincidentally, the smart car’s slogan is “Open your mind.” We knew that the smart would dramatically change the landscape of intelligent mobility in our country and less than three years after the launch, there is no doubt that it
has.”

A new generation of smart ForTwo is scheduled to arrive in Canadian showrooms in November. The vehicle will offer additional comfort and agility and will again set new standards in safety and ecology. It will feature a host of advances that complement a dynamic and more aggressive look designed to enhance the lifestyle, practical needs and personal style of the customer.

The tridion safety cell, esp(R), brake assist, active safety systems, advanced seats with integral seat belts, full-size driver and passenger airbags, side airbags and head/thorax side airbags are some of the key safety features offered on the second generation models.

The smart has been redesigned with a new, more powerful gasoline engine and better acceleration and higher maximum speed without compromising a top notch fuel economy. Its longer wheelbase and wider track and stance make for a more comfortable ride.

Its lower emissions and fantastic fuel consumption combined with 100% recyclable body panels make it the ideal choice for consumers who are conscious about making a difference. The smart will continue to be manufactured in Hambach, France — an energy-saving, eco-friendly production environment.

Marcus Breitschwerdt further comments, “The 10,000th unit sold in Canada symbolically represents the transitional point between the end of the first generation of the smart ForTwo and the beginning of the next generation. With consistent monthly sales volumes, the first three years have been nothing short of amazing. While the smart is still causing a lot of excitement three years after its launch, we’re convinced that the best is yet to come.”

He adds, “The smart ForTwo is fun to drive, functional, safe, affordable and socially responsible. For many years now, the smart brand has been the quintessential expression of urban mobility in most markets around the world.”

Residents of India can now own luxury cars in the years to come as an affordable car finance has been made available for the high-priced cars as well.

Car loan assistance was only made for mass market cars, but things turned for the better ever since the establishment of the equated monthly installments or simply EMI. Luxury lines such as the DaimlerChrysler-produced Mercedes Benz and the Germany-established BMW and Audi have started to offer the EMI in India. The EMI amount is considered to be close to those premium cars like Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Accord.

The manufacturers of luxury vehicles have finally offered the EMI as a step taken to alleviate the sales of luxury vehicles. With the availability of finance options, even the middle-class can now afford to buy the likes of a Mercedes Benz vehicle, which is equipped with top-caliber parts like the engine. In the volume car market, approximately 75 percent of all sales are financed, while about 60 percent of luxury cars are financed.

One of the car loans that will help these automobile companies is the ICICI Bank. The Germany-established BMW has only started to assemble its vehicle in India this year, but the company already has the BMW Financial Services courtesy of the said bank. Meanwhile, the Mercedes Benz line also has financial assistance of its own called the Star Choice finance scheme with the same bank.

“There is a large untapped market for our luxury cars, which needs intelligent finance options to rope in customers. With a Rs 30,000 EMI, Mercedes-Benz is now available to a larger segment of customers,” said DaimlerChrysler India CEO Wilfried Aulbur.

Mercedes Benz owners and enthusiasts are surely looking forward for the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show as 19 of the manufacturer’s cars, which are mix concept and updated cars, will grace the event this September 12.

According to Geoff Day, who is the director of corporate communications for Mercedes Benz, the luxury automobile manufacturer will showcase 19 new finds in only 15 minutes. This long list of cars will consist of concept cars and upgraded models. Hyrbrid cars will also grace the said auto show.

Most of the cars in the upcoming auto show will be likely from the F-class line of the luxury automobile company. The Mercedes Benz F700 concept car, which is a big luxury car, will be part of the show. The F700 may have drawn its name and some of the Benz parts from the Mercedes Benz F500 concept car, which was introduced in the Tokyo auto show four years ago.

A hybrid diesel powertrain and a night vision system will be the latest features that will keep the F500 above the ranks. Aside from the additional upgrades, the F500 is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. What makes this engine superb is that it works like a diesel, but burns gasoline. Thanks to the spark plugs, the burn cycle of the gasoline is fired up. These abilities of the Mercedes Benz F500 engine makes it more fuel efficient. This powerful big-built luxury car is more than just the power because it also a pro-environment vehicle as it guarantees lower Nitrogen oxide emissions.

These model upgrades are just some of the things that will surely draw a lot of people in the Frankfurt auto show.

Luxury cars may not be the favorite automobile choice of many Malaysians as these automobiles shrank 28 percent in sales, but the DaimlerChrsyler-produced Mercedes Benz still managed to sell more units that it did last year.

Over 1,700 Mercedes Benz units was sold in this non-lucrative market of Malaysia during the first six months or 14 percent more compared with the 2006 first half sales. Out of the total number of vehicles sold, the Mercedes Benz C-class line was hailed as the most improved with over 550 units. These C-class vehicle sales statistic was only during the first half of this year and had remarkably exceeded the 2006’s record. On the other hand, the upgraded Mercedes Benz E-class took the driver’s seat as it has the highest sales among the Benz models with over 650 units. Sales of the flagship S-Class more than doubled from last year with over 200 units sold, the B-Class, a compact sports tourer, saw sales close to 200 units, and almost 100 units of the A-Class were sold in the first six months of this year.

“In this less than lucrative marketing scenario, we are pleased to have met or exceeded our target for the first half of this year and by bringing in new variants of products, we are confident to be able to continuously raise the sales performance in the local automotive premium segment,” said DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd president and CEO, Peter Honegg.

DaimlerChrysler’s commercial vehicle arm, Mitsubishi FUSO, also reported better sales for the first half of 2007.

Maple, which is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities in northern Toronto, now houses to the 14th and latest addition in the Mercedes Benz dealerships across Canada – the Mercedes Benz Maple.

Strategically located on the 3.4 acres in the Maple Auto Mall, the new 30-employee run Mercedes Benz Maple facility is selling the luxury sedans, sports cars, and the Mercedes Benz auto parts. Moreover, the German automaker’s smart car will also be sold in this dealership that is situated between Vaughan Mills Mall and Canada’s Wonderland.

The very first vehicle bought in the Maple dealership was a striking Mercedes Benz SL550 sedan, which was geared with in an 18-inch AMG double-spoke alloy wheels with front air dam, grille and tail lights. Cathy Zanchin, who bought the Mercedes Benz SL model coupe, was delighted to have been tagged as the the first official customer at the Benz Maple branch.

“This new facility is absolutely gorgeous; totally what I expected from Mercedes-Benz but above all, it is very conveniently located for me,” said Zanchin. ”I live close to this booming part of Toronto and it made great sense for Mercedes-Benz Canada to build a dealership here.”

This Maple-based dealership, which is a total of 37,000 sq ft., is one of the seven of the brand’s operating in the Greater Toronto Area. Maple has 14 service bays, three wash bays, a fully stoked Benz parts department, and a drive-in reception area. To date, over 14 Mercedes Benz dealerships, which are either retail owned or operated, are made available for the Canadian market. The establishment of these branches, which are four in Toronto, four in Vancouver, two in Montreal, and one in London, provided more than 900 of jobs across Canada.

Mercedes Benz Canada opened the Maple branch last August 20 and has been running for business since then.

DaimlerChysler, which is the producer of a number of automobile brand, has disclosed that Mercedes Benz Viano and Vito are now equipped with the electronic stability programme trailer stabilization feature or simply ESP trailer stabilization.

According to the original equipment manufacturer, the ESP features of the Mercedes Benz Viano and Vito will help stabilize the the van and trailer fusion by minimizing the so-called dangerous sinusoidal oscillations. Due to the automatic brake actuation, the Viano and Vito may experience the occurrence of the sinusoidal oscillations. The ESP trailer stabilization function, which is an added feature, helps detect unnecessary movements about the Mercedes Benz Viano or Vito’s vertical axis. When the ESP was able to detect that extra motion, it immediately make the necessary adjustments through the active braking interventions. This action is made possible because of the yaw rate sensor installed in the ESP trailer stabilization technology. Moreover, it is important to note that neither the trailer nor the trailer coupling require any additional sensor system.

For now, DaimlerChrysler only sees one flaw in the upgraded ESP technology which is dealing with the smaller movements. The ESP trailer stabilization cannot always cancel out the smaller bouncer motions of a small Mercedes Benz trailer being towed at a speed which is too high. Aside from that, the original equipment manufacturer of Mercedes Benz Viano and Vito said that the ESP trailer stabilization feature cannot hinder the trailer from rolling over if it has been loaded too high or its load is badly distributed.

The upgraded ESP is already a standard Mercedes Benz parts for all Viano and Vito vehicles, which are also manufactured with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. These models, which are a combination of van and trailer, have been geared with the trailer coupling with fittings.

The Mercedes Car Group will be releasing the Smart car, which is a vehicle that is under nine feet long, in the first quarter of next year, but as preparation for its rollout, this remarkably diminutive vehicle is already doing rounds in the Bay Area of San Francisco today.

With the Smart Car’s mileage, which is 40 mpg, and petite parking profile, the Mercedes Car Group is hoping that it will be a big hit in the San Francisco area as well as throughout California. Under nine feet from its tip to taillight, the Smart car is available for drive tests at the San Francisco Mercedes Benz branch from lunchtime until 7 p.m. These drive tests, however, are only intended for dealers and invitation-holder. In Walnut Creek, drive tests of the Mercedes-made Smart car, which are intended for the general public, is also available at the Whole Foods this Sunday.

“This is the first time the cars are coming to the United States,” said Ken Kettenbeil, spokesman for distributor Smart USA, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group Inc. (PAG). “The Bay Area is a large market for us. Californians are very trendsetting. Fuel economy is important here.”

The parking woes-answer Smart cars will be available in 36 countries. The United States will have a nationwide total of 50 to 75 dealerships of Smart Cars. In the San Francisco’s Bay Area, about three to five stores will be placed.

The exactly eight feet and 9.6 inches long Smart car has been seen as the answer for parking woes of San Franciscans.

“Parking in North Beach is consideration No. 1,” said Yana Ronin, who test-drove a Smart car.