Mercedes-Benz started the year right on track. Providing the right momentum for the company’s new fiscal year is its Mercedes-Benz Cars division that posted a 16 percent increase last month.

Last January, Mercedes-Benz’ worldwide sales went up a few notches and sold a total number of 90, 400 vehicles compared to only 77, 000 units in January of 2007. The Mercedes-Benz AG alone sold a total of 82, 300 cars last month from only 73, 500 units last year.

Among its best-sellers, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class bagged the top spot for January’s sales. It amassed 26, 800 cars from its station wagon and modified sedan vehicles. The units sold last month was doubled from the previous record of only 13, 400 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz’ compact cars A-Class and B-Class, on the other hand, had a decent first month for 2008 as the combined units sold equaled to a three percent increase or 17, 000 vehicles worldwide from the previous record of 16, 500.

In the company’s homeland, the luxury brand went up to 13 percent or 15, 500 cars from 13, 700 of January 2007.Outside Germany, which includes Italy and U.K., pocketed a decent 12 percent or 27, 900 from 24, 900 units last year.

Mercedes-Benz’ micro-car Smart ForTwo was not left behind as its sales jumped to 8, 000 across the globe. From only 3, 400 units in January 2007, the diminutive car, which has a capacity of only two adult passengers, received a good reception from motorists as the total units sold actually doubled. Complementing such feat in the Smart ForTwo line is the launch of this model into the U.S. market last month.

The Daimler-produced automaker has truly established its momentum with its more than successful first month for this year.

Source: Market Watch.

Fear not, the Smart Car has reached Stateside.

The small, fuel-efficient and very practical car made by Mercedes Benz is about to make its US debut this 2008, and its site will be constructed at Orlando, making Central Florida the first Smart Car dealer. As of now, there is progress as the site will soon be erected near the Mall at Millenia on Central Florida.

The Orlando dealership will not stand alone however. It will be joined by another name that is familiar in the automotive industry, the Infiniti dealership. Both dealers were scheduled to open by May, while James Bond’s Aston Martin brand will be opening a showroom when fall comes. According to bizjournals.com, “the $14 million project is being developed by TT of I-4 Inc., an entity formed by Terry Taylor, owner of the behemoth Central Florida Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealership in south Orlando, and his business partners.” All of a sudden, Central Florida seemed to be the hub of America’s automotive industry.

Together with Smart Watch Co., Mercedes Benz was able to develop the Smart Car which gained popularity in Europe. The cars are now being manufactured in a division of Mercedes Benz, and it will be distributed in America by Bloomfield Hills, a Michigan-based Smart USA Distributor, an arm of Penske Automotive Group.

An official announcement will be made next week by Smart USA, to spread the word about their 74-store dealer network across the States, spokesman Ken Kettenbeil said in an interview. One will be located in Orlando, while eight will be in Florida.

Source: bizjournals.com

Nothing can stop the Smart ForTwo, which is a relatively small two-seater car from the Mercedes-Benz group, as it invades the state of Dallas for four days.

To entice car owners and enthusiasts, Smart ForTwo has been going around states and countries for test drives. Moreover, visiting various places helps establish its name in the market. Included in the long list of top locations is Dallas, Texas. Curious residents canview and test drive the car tomorrow until Sunday at the Oak Lawn. The unique finds of the Mercedes-Benz Group are currently housed at the Park Place Motorcars, which is the future home of these Smart cars in Dallas.

The two-wheel-drive car, which has a ceiling speed of 90 miles per hour, has a decent one-liter engine that can generate up to 71 ponies. To better suit different drivers, it is available in both automatic and manual five-speed gear boxes. The American version is also a little bigger compared to its European counterpart.

Although the car is deprived of size, it does not mean that it is not safe to drive. Made of tough but lightweight plastic and steel materials, ForTwo can actually go away with a decent safety rating. Similar to a mobile phone, this car’s body kit can also be replaced easily. There are actually some owners who meet in functions and exchange body kits. In this case, customizing the car will not cost that much compared to the regular automobiles.

Smart ForTwo may look all that futuristic but almost a million of these have already traverse roads for the last 10 years in almost 40 countries.

“To date, we’ve had three million visits to the Smart Web site,” said Dave Schembri, who is the President of Smart USA. “Right now, we see this being a segment no one else is in.”

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.”

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.