Video: 2012 Mercedes SLK Spy Video

The future Mercedes Benz SLK has been caught on video. Set to be revealed in 2012, the new SLK will feature the usual naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines, but also a turbo diesel engine. The AMG version will get a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 470hp.

Mercedes-Benz to offer 58 BlueEfficiency models by end of 2009

Green isn't always green - sometimes it's blue. Or at least that's what Mercedes-Benz wants us to think when we think of efficient, environment-friendlier motoring. And to help back up Mercedes' claim to being one of the cleanest luxury carmakers, it has announced it will have 58 BlueEfficiency models on the market by the end of the year, including the new additions to the E-Class range revealed yesterday.

Like BMW's EfficientDynamics tag, the BlueEfficiency name is used to demarcate cars that combine a range of efficiency-enhancing design features and materials to yield a completely conventional car that's nonetheless up to 23% more efficient than a typical vehicle.

"The success of this concept is clearly demonstrated by the new E-Class, which combines state-of-the-art engines and the world's best cd value in this vehicle class with further targeted vehicle optimization measures, including lightweight design and intelligent energy management," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler board member for group research and development for Mercedes-Benz cars.

BlueEfficiency shouldn't be confused with the emissions-enhancing diesel BlueTEC technology, though more of those will be joining the ranks as well. Already the GL, M and R-Class vehicles are on the U.S. market, and will soon be joining the European Mercedes fleet.

The next step forward is the hybrid, however, and the S400 Hybrid claims the title of the most fuel efficient luxury sedan with a gasoline engine at 29.8mpg US (7.9L/100km) in the combined European cycle. Joining it in the lineup is the ML450 Hybrid, itself rated at 21mpg city and 24mpg highway (11.2 and 9.8L/100km, respectively.

These three elements highlight the core aspects of Mercedes' strategy for efficiency: applying technology to the problems of fuel consumption and pollution.

Looking to the future, Mercedes has plans to make advances in electric vehicles and fuel cell technology that promise to completely offload the emissions generation process to electrical energy or hydrogen storage plants, which by their design nature can more efficiently process and treat the harmful by-products of the energy generation process. An early preview of what an electric Mercedes will look like can be found in the shape of the recently announced SLS AMG Electric.

Six Truths To Get You Cheap Car Insurance

All drivers want cheap car insurance. After all, who wants to pay more for a product that is being sold cheaper somewhere else? While it certainly would be optimal to call one insurer and expect them to offer the least expensive rates, it is unlikely for such a random occurrence. Not every company is dedicated to giving out low rates, and so the great search begins. When looking to buy really cheap auto insurance, all consumers should know there isn’t one flat out cheapest insurer out there. Breaking down all the ways a driver can attain inexpensive rates makes sense and shows just how any driver can get cheap rates.

Scenario: Your friend just told you how excited she is to finally be getting her auto insurance at a cheap rate, but doesn’t tell you how much she’s paying. You grimace and wish it was you getting the deal. You quickly change the subject to avoid anger.

Truth #1: This friend hasn’t come clean with everything she has put into finding this cheap rate, and there are many possible explanations as to why. The first aspect to focus on is, did she compare her new found rate with what other companies offer? If not, there’s a good chance she’s not getting the lowest rate possible. Completing a thorough comparison of local companies will ensure you aren’t missing out on cheaper auto insurance. Using our comparison tool, you can compare at least four local companies’ prices to each other.

Truth #2: What is your friend’s driving record like? It is possible that she has been given a low rate as a reward due to good driving. Even receiving just one traffic violation ticket will cause a driver’s insurance rate to go up, and causing an accident will cause an even higher rate. Perhaps her record has fewer errors than your record. How many tickets and accidents have you had in the past year or two? A spotless (or close to it) driving history indicates to the insurer the driver is a safe one and has a low risk of ever needing to file a claim. The insurer will give this safe driver a cheaper insurance rate.

Truth #3: The personal status of your friend could also play a factor. Is she under 25 years of age or older? Are you male or female? Is she married? As random as these may seem, they play a large role in paying a low price to insure a vehicle. Young drivers will always pay a high price for insurance, because they typically file more claims than older drivers. Around the age of 25 years is when the insurance companies start to lighten up on pricing. And, it’s true that males will pay more for their insurance than females. Males, especially younger males, statistically are involved in more reckless behavior than their female peers. Finally, married drivers pay less for insurance than single people do. They’re more cautious with or without their spouse in the vehicle as they drive.

Truth #4: Are you and your friend neighbors? If so, then you will have that same thing going for you. If you are not neighbors and live in another town, there is a good chance that this will affect your ability to find a cheap rate. Insurance companies use your residential dwellings as part of their process to determine your rate. Living in a town or city with high crime will only get you high rates, and if your friend lives in a low crime area, then you can be sure that this attributed to her low rate.

Truth #5: What kind of car does your friend drive in comparison to you? And how often does she drive it? Your vehicle information plays another role in the ability to get cheap insurance. An expensive car will be more expensive to insure, while a modest car may not be quite so much. This is because a luxury car also costs more for the insurance company to repair or replace. Cars with safety features will be qualified for discounts, compared to cars that are too old and weren’t equipped with the latest safety features.

The second part to this truth is the number of miles put on the car during the calendar year. Think about the relationship between traveling a high number of miles and accidents. The more a driver is on the road, the higher the chances of being involved in traffic incidents. Therefore, it costs the driver less to insure a vehicle that doesn’t drive very often.

Truth #6: How much coverage did she purchase? Purchasing only the state minimum requirements will definitely get you the cheapest rates, but it may not be the coverage you desire. Your friend may have only purchased this minimal amount while you are carrying full coverage. Cheaper insurance in terms of how much coverage is purchased may backfire if there is ever a major accident. Usually minimal coverage will not cover the expenses involved in a major accident, especially if you are at fault. There are medical bills and property repairs (possibly of both parties) that would need to be taken care of. Some states only require drivers to purchase $10,000 of property damage, but the total cash value of some of the cars on the road today are far more than that amount. However, the final decision of coverage purchased is decided by the policyholder, usually according to their budget.

Don’t get in the habit of comparing your car insurance policy to someone else’s policy, especially when all of these factors between the two policyholders are different. The only comparing that should be done is by insurer to insurer for the policy you want to purchase. Who offers the lowest price for the coverage YOU want? Check out our comparison tool on our homepage or at the top of almost any page on our site by entering in your local zip code. We pride ourselves on our ability to get any driver the cheapest car insurance in town.

Source: Car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com

Review:2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which debuted in 2003 and is wrapping up production this year, was a car as convoluted as its name. The unhappy child of bickering parents, the SLR came out too heavy, too big, and too unprofitable. Now that the Mercedes-Benz/McLaren marriage has dissolved, both sides are coming to their senses. For McLaren, that means developing a lightweight, mid-engine supercar codenamed P11, a car you'll be reading about here soon. For Mercedes-Benz, it means going back to its sports car roots with another Gullwing, the SLS AMG.

Inspired by the 300SL coupe of the 1950s, this new SLS also has the bobbed tail, football-shaped grille, and bottom-mounted door handles of the original. Where it differs is, well, pretty much everywhere else. Indeed, AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg says the SLS is no simple homage. “We did not build a retro car at all,” he says. “It is the most advanced supercar you can find today!” The SLS is 182.7 inches long and rides on a 105.5-inch wheelbase, figures roughly equivalent to those of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. The entire car is constructed out of aluminum; the space frame weighs just 530 pounds.

Reengineered Engine, All-New Gearbox

Climbing into the driver’s seat of the new SLS AMG is surprisingly straightforward—the sill is easier to clamber over than the old 300SL’s—but you’ll need every inch of your left arm to reach the strap you tug to close the gullwing doors. The view out the front is dominated by the loooong hood, which provides shelter to the heart of the reborn Gullwing: a 6.2-liter, AMG-built V-8. Known internally as the M159 engine, the SLS’s V-8 is a reengineered version of the M156 V-8 found in the C63, E63, and S63, among others. The M159 has an all-new magnesium intake with individual velocity stacks, a reworked valvetrain, and revised camshafts. The tubular steel headers are further optimized for flow, and the exhaust system is similarly changed. Output stands at 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The engineers also switched to dry-sump lubrication in order to mount the engine very low in the chassis, which imparts a lower center of gravity, and the entire mill sits behind the front-axle line.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $175,000

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 379 cu in, 6208cc
Power (SAE net): 563 bhp @ 6800 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 479 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 105.5 in Length: 182.7 in Width: NA Height: NA Curb weight (C/D est): 3600 lb

PERFORMANCE (MFR’S EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top speed (governed): 196 mph

The V-8 hooks to an all-new, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox integrated into a rear-mounted transaxle. The connection is made via a carbon-fiber driveshaft housed within a torque tube, which ensures a very rigid link between engine and transmission. There are four driving modes: Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus, and Manual. The Race Start launch-control mode guarantees neck-snapping starts, and the stability control is selectable to on, off, or Sport.

It’s as Incredible to Drive as You Imagine

Once the engine is ignited—via a button on the dash, naturally—it idles with a deep thrum. Toe the throttle a bit, and the revs gather quickly, as in a race engine, and the aural accompaniment becomes more metallic in tone. Lift the throttle, and engine speed drops as quickly as it rises. Floored from a stop, the acceleration is nothing less than explosive: Mercedes claims a 0-to-62-mph time of an astonishing 3.8 seconds. (Mercedes estimates are notoriously conservative.) The engine note under load is a throaty war cry that changes into a sort of zinging buzzsaw above 4500 rpm. The engine response above 6000 rpm is as direct as any we’ve ever felt—and that includes the Ferrari F430’s masterful V-8. Top speed is governed at 196 mph.

The SLS understeers slightly on corner entry, but the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, immediate throttle response, and talkative steering—perhaps the sharpest rack ever to be fitted to a Mercedes road car—make repositioning the car a snap. Give it mid-corner throttle, and car gently transitions to easily controllable oversteer. The SLS is wonderfully neutral (helped by the near-ideal 48/52-percent front-to-rear weight distribution), and sitting so close to the rear axle means you can easily determine what the car’s doing and take immediate action. It is mind-blowingly simple to drive the SLS quickly.

High exit speeds are aided by a mechanical limited-slip differential that offers 30 percent lock under load; it provides 60 percent lock under deceleration. Grip is high, to say the least, thanks in part to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires developed especially for the SLS. They measure a beefy, 295/30-19 in the back and 265/35-19 up front. Suspension is by forged aluminum wishbones all around, and a wide track (66.1 inches in the front and 64.9 inches in back) imparts stability. The coupe will eventually spawn an SLS roadster and the SLS eDrive, which is a fully electric version that replaces the raucous V-8 with lithium-ion batteries and four individual electric motors.

The new Gullwing is incredible; even in this prototype form, it is clearly every bit the driver’s car the SLR wasn’t. We won’t be able to afford an SLS when it goes on sale next spring—unless it’s a ’95 Cadillac SLS that pops up on eBay—but those with the means will be able to nab one for $175,000 or so. We’re already green with envy.

Source: Caranddriver.com

Spy Photos:Mercedes Benz SLK caught at the Nurburgring

The SLK roadster has served Mercedes Benz well over its life since introduction in 2004, and like all cars its once-cutting-edge design has become somewhat tired, despite a mid-cycle facelift. An all-new SLK is in the works, however, and it's been spotted testing in the still-wintry German weather.

Aside from the car's general proportions not much is clear thanks to generous slabs of camouflage cladding. Nevertheless, the car's LED daytime running lights, common to all of Mercedes' most recent models, are obvious. The door-mounted side mirrors stand out further on thinner stalks than the outgoing model, while the general proportions of the car with the top up seem to reflect a longer hood and more rearward seating position.

The sharper angle between the rear of the hard top and the rear deck area also mimics the 2010 SLC to a degree, though the real design cues shared with that car are expected to be located around the front fascia. At any rate, it's clear that Mercedes has dumped the controversial front end of the current models for something new.

Powertrains expected for the next-generation SLK include the 2.2L four-cylinder diesel found in the current C250 CDI. Rated at 204hp (152kW) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) in its C-Class application, the engine would be sporty, but whether Americans would find it palatable is an open question. Mercedes has discussed bringing diesels to the U.S., but in the GLK and C-Class, not a sporty model like the SLK.

Petrol engines featuring evolutionary developments on the current range are expected, though there is also talk of a possible twin-turbo 3.5L V6 generating over 470hp (350kW) for an AMG version. More details and specifics will emerge as the car moves forward in its development cycle.

The next-generation SLK is expected to make its debut in late 2010. Pricing for the current model starts just under $46,000 in the U.S., and the next model is expected to stay near that mark.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

The new Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG fulfils its role as the powerful, top-of-the-line E-Class model with effortless superiority. The exterior design conveys presence, precision and typical Mercedes dynamism. Functional sportiness, top quality and consummate business class comfort combine in the interior. In short: it comes across as sporty without being showy.

Dominant, masculine, dynamic – take a look at the new E 63 AMG and you instantly get a sense of these three attributes. The distinctive wings immediately catch the eye in the front section of the high-performance saloon. They are 17 millimetres wider on each side to accommodate the new front axle with its larger track width and the 255/40 front tyres.

The striking AMG front apron is an integral part of the characteristic AMG bodystyling. A central air intake and two side apertures provide an efficient supply of fresh air to the cooling module placed behind. The side air vents in the front apron serve to expel the hot air from the oil coolers. The AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights are another eye-catching detail. In conjunction with the optional Intelligent Light System, the E 63 AMG is equipped with tinted bi-xenon main headlamps.

From the side, the eye is drawn to the 18 or 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels as well as the "6.3 AMG" lettering integrated stylishly into the wings; this lettering is testimony to the powerful eight-cylinder powerpack under the bonnet. The side sill panels pick up the sweeping line of the spoiler edges on the front apron, extending it through to the AMG rear apron – the same line also emphasises the saloon's width: the two newly designed chrome-plated twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system, the characteristically black insert and the overlying light-catching contour provide further visual highlights on the muscular rear section.

Sporty and high-grade interior ambience

Luxurious quality, high-grade materials, consummate business class comfort combined with a noticeable degree of dynamism and sportiness – the interior of the E 63 AMG in a nutshell. Dedicated, newly developed electrically adjustable, heated AMG sports seats and AMG badges await the driver and front passenger. All the seats, armrests and door centre panels are trimmed in exquisite leather, the seat centre panels with perforated leather. Three different appointment colours are available: black, mocha brown/almond beige and reef grey/alpaca grey. The perfect finishing touch comes courtesy of the black ashwood trim.

The AMG sports steering wheel in a four-spoke design with a 385-millimetre rim is trimmed with perforated leather in the specially moulded grip areas. Gear selection can be performed manually by means of the AMG aluminium shift paddles with "up" and "down".

AMG main menu and AMG DRIVE UNIT

Behind the steering wheel lies the equally new AMG instrument cluster with a 320 km/h speedometer scale and silver-coloured backplate. The five classic dial instruments come with a new look, red needles and all-new lettering. AMG lettering adorns the speedometer while "6.3 V8" lettering adds a special touch to the rev counter. The AMG main menu is integrated into the central display of the speedometer, which can be operated conveniently using the multifunction buttons on the AMG sports steering wheel. The three modes "Warm Up", "Set Up" and "RACE" keep the driver well informed: "Warm Up" indicates the engine oil and coolant temperature, "Set Up" indicates the current ESP® mode, the suspension setting "Comfort", "Sport" or "Sport Plus" and the transmission mode "C", "S", "S+" or "M". In "RACE" the RACETIMER is ready; this allows the driver to record lap times on private racing circuits.

The AMG DRIVE UNIT, which is familiar from the SL 63 AMG, is angled towards the driver and enables individual settings to be selected for the MCT sports transmission, the ESP functions, the suspension set-up and the AMG drive modes. A completely new feature for the DRIVE UNIT comes in the shape of the AMG E-SELECT selector lever in the centre console. The driver can shift directly between R, N and D simply by nudging the lever, all thanks to drive-by-wire, Briefly pressing the P button is sufficient to activate the parking lock.

The wide range of standard equipment includes (selection):

• Adaptive brake lights
  
  
• AMG door entry sills in brushed stainless steel
  
  
• AMG sports pedal cluster in brushed stainless steel
  
  
• Child Safety package
  
  
• THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
  
  

The wide range of optional extras includes (selection):

• COMAND APS
  
  
• DAB – digital radio
  
  
• Driving Assistance package
  
  
• Rear-seat entertainment system
  
  
• Speed Limit Assist
  
  
• Intelligent Light System
  
  
• KEYLESS-GO package
  
  
• Heated steering wheel
  
  
• Media interface
  
  
• Memory package
  
  
• Night View Assist Plus
  
  
• PARKTRONIC incl. Parking Guidance
  
  
• Tyrepressure monitoring system
  
  
• Reversing camera for PARKTRONIC
  
  
• Heated/climatised seats
  
  
• Sun Protection package
  
  
• Lane Tracking package
  
  
• Surround-sound system
  
  
• TV tuner
  
  

Even more individuality with tailor-made AMG extras

Customers requiring even more sporty individuality are catered for by the AMG Performance Studio: the E 63 AMG can be dynamically enhanced even further ex factory, with the Performance package. This includes the following:

• Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
  
  
• AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension with a stiffer set-up
  
  
• AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
  
  
• AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid
  
  
• AMG Performance steering wheel (365 mm) in a three-spoke design
  
  
• Roller blind for rear window
  
  

The high-quality interior ambience of the E 63 AMG can also be substantially enhanced with the AMG Exclusive package. It includes:

• Nappa leather appointments for the AMG sports seats, top section of the dashboard, the beltlines, the door armrests, the centre console and door centre panels
  
  
• Roof liner, A, B and C-pillars and sun visors in Alcantara®
  
  
• AMG floor mats
  
  

Optional extras from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are also individually available ex factory:

• Lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with size 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear
  
  
• AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
  
  
• Brake callipers, painted red (scheduled to be available from 4th quarter of 2009)
  
  
• AMG Exterior Carbon package
  
  
• AMG Performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design with Alcantara® inserts in the grip areas
  
  
• AMG carbon trim elements
  
  
• Illuminated AMG door entry sills
  
  
• AMG Driver's Package (restriction of top speed to 300 km/h, attendance at driver training at the AMG Driving Academy, AMG spoiler lip and roller blind for rear window)
  
  
• AMG floor mats
  
  

New designo range for the E 63 AMG

The new designo range for the E 63 AMG, which will be available from the end of the year, offers further individualisation options. The designo colour chart includes a total of ten eye-catching colours, including three new matt finishes: designo magno platinum, designo magno allanite grey and designo magno cashmere white. Nine different single-tone designo leather upholstery options and three designo trim elements are available in the interior.


Safety: "Intelligent" partner thanks to unique combination of assistance and protection systems

For more than 50 years, the E-Class Saloons and their predecessors have been the acknowledged trendsetters in the field of automotive safety. The new top-of-the-line E 63 AMG model continues this tradition with an unrivalled combination of the very latest assistance and protection systems whose concept and development are based on what actually happens during accidents.

The systems turn the E-Class into an "intelligent" partner that is able to see, feel, respond reflexively in dangerous situations and act autonomously to prevent accidents or mitigate their effects. With this concept the new E 63 AMG not only protects its own occupants, but also contributes greatly to the safety of other road users.

The new E-Class is the first car in the world to be equipped with headlamps which adapt to the traffic situation and respond automatically to provide the best possible road illumination in a given situation and avoid dazzling other road users. The optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to recognise oncoming traffic and vehicles in front and to control the headlamps so their beams do not reach the other vehicle. The range of the dipped headlamp beams can be extended from the current 65 to as much as 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam. Mercedes-Benz offers this new system in a Light package that includes bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights.

The Lane Tracking package for the E 63 AMG includes Blind Spot Assist familiar from the S-Class, and as a new development, Lane Keeping Assist which seeks to prevent the vehicle from leaving the road unintentionally. When the system recognises that the car is drifting from its lane, the driver is prompted to take countersteering action by three brief but unmistakable vibrations of the steering wheel. The images from the windscreen camera are also used by the new, optionally available Speed Limit Assist, which recognises speed limit signs as the car passes them, then displays the relevant speed limit in the speedometer.

Night View Assist Plus is now also available as an optional extra for the E 63 AMG. Mercedes-Benz has improved this system with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as Night View Assist Plus recognises pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted in the onboard display to provide a greatly enhanced warning effect.

Detection of drowsiness based on 70 parameters as standard

Thanks to an innovative technology, the new E 63 AMG is very sensitive to its driver's attention level, and warns him or her of drowsiness in good time. This new ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, which is standard equipment, is equipped with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than 70 different parameters. Observing the driver's steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors which they often correct very rapidly in characteristic ways. These corrections are recognised by a highly sensitive steering angle sensor.

Automatic emergency braking when a collision is imminent

The well-proven, radar-based assistance systems from the S-Class are now also optionally available to E-Class customers. An enhanced long-range radar sensor now has a range of 200 metres (previously 150 metres), and is able to monitor the mid-distance so that dynamic events such as a vehicle ahead suddenly pulling out to overtake can be detected even more effectively. The two wide-angle short-range radar sensors, which have a range of around 30 metres, continue to be included in the system.

The radar-supported systems are able to assist the driver with emergency braking. Their sensors are linked to the BAS PLUS system, which automatically calculates the braking pressure to prevent a collision in critical situations. The driver is given an audible and visual warning at the same time. When the brake pedal is pressed, the system immediately provides the calculated level of braking assistance.

If the driver fails to respond to the warnings, the radar system first initiates partial braking action. As a second stage, if there is still no driver response and a collision is unavoidable, emergency braking is initiated. This can reduce the severity of an impact considerably as the system can be regarded as a kind of "electronic crumple zone".

Seven airbags and PRE-SAFE® as standard

During the course of its development, the new E-Class was subjected to more than 150 high-speed crash tests. The crumple zone principle invented by Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi has been continuously honed by the engineers in Sindelfingen. The front-end deformation zone of the E-Class acts on four independent levels, and is even more effective than before. The increased use of extra-high-strength steel alloys also helps to ensure that the bodyshell is able to withstand high impact forces. Around 72 percent of all the body panels are made from these high-tech steels – yet another unrivalled figure in passenger car development.

With seven airbags as standard, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, crash-responsive head restraints and ISOFIX child seat attachments, the E 63 AMG has even more extensive safety features than the preceding model. Another standard feature is the unrivalled anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®. In potentially hazardous situations this reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an impact

Mercedes Benz Cars Worldwide Sales Drop 6.7 Percent In June 2009

Daimler AG is reporting that in the month of June 2009, sales at their Mercedes-Benz Cars division dropped to 111,300 new units, a decrease of 6.7 percent when compared to last year's June figure of 119,300 new units. As a result, worldwide sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands now total 544,400 new units through the first six months of the year, a decrease over last year's six-month YTD total of 18.5 percent.

Individually, sales at Mercedes-Benz dropped 5.4 percent to 100,300 units in June – this compared to 106,000 units last year. At smart, the brand noted a more substantial decline, with sales of the compact fortwo totaling 11,000 new units – down 17.1 percent when compared to the prior year.

To learn more about the worldwide sale of Mercedes-Benz Cars in June 2009, keep reading for the official press release.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz Sells 100,300 Passenger Vehicles in June, Continuing Positive Momentum of Previous Month

• Sales decline cut by more than half compared to May
  
  
• Vehicle inventories at the end of the second quarter below original target level
  
  
• Mercedes-Benz once again sets new record for sales in China
  
  

Stuttgart – In June, Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 111,300 Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach brand vehicles (June 2008: 119,300) worldwide (minus seven percent). Despite ongoing market difficulties, a total of 100,300 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide in June (June 2008: 106,000; minus five percent). Mercedes-Benz thus continued the positive trend from the prior month, and succeeded in cutting its sales decline by more than half compared to May. This development was in part due to the successful launch of the new E-Class, which remained the global market leader in its segment in June. In addition, sales of Mercedes-Benz models recovered noticeably in many Western European markets, while also continuing to develop positively in China.

“The development of sales in June exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “By the end of the second quarter of the year we had reduced our inventory and the inventory at the dealerships to the lowest levels in years. As a result, our inventories at the end of June were even lower than our original targets. We expect to see our sales stabilize in the second half of 2009.” The contributing factors will include the introduction of the new E-Class sedan and the E-Class coupe in important markets such as the U.S. and China, the new generation of the S-Class, the launch of the E-Class station wagon, and efficient, high-volume engine variants in models like the C-Class.

Mercedes-Benz remained the market leader in Germany in the premium segment in June, with 30,100 vehicles sold, a result that matches last year´s level of sales (June 2008: 30,500). In addition to the new E-Class, positive sales development on the brand’s home market was recorded in the A-Class and B-Class segment in June, with sales increasing by 14 percent to 11,300 units (June 2008: 9,900). Worldwide deliveries in the compact segment rose eight percent to 22,900 A-Class and B-Class models (June 2008: 21,300). Sales of the smart fortwo on the German home market were also up, having increased by seven percent to 16,700 units since the beginning of the year (January – June 2008: 15,600). A total of 61,100 customers worldwide purchased the innovative two-seater since the beginning of the year (January – June 2008: 68,900; minus 11 percent).

Mercedes-Benz outperformed the market as a whole in Spain, France, and the UK in June, while boosting market shares. Deliveries in the difficult market environment in the UK were at the same level as in June 2008, totaling 7,400 vehicles. Also at the same level compared to last year were sales in Italy, where Mercedes-Benz delivered 5,000 units in June. In France, the brand posted a sales increase of two percent to 6,100 units (June 2008: 6,000).

Mercedes-Benz continued its dynamic growth in the emerging markets of China and Brazil in June. Sales in China once again reached record levels last month, increasing by 34 percent to 4,900 vehicles (June 2008: 3,700). Mercedes-Benz is the fastest-growing premium brand in China since the beginning of the year. The B-Class, which has been available in China since January, and the smart fortwo, which was launched in the country in April, are both a big hit with Chinese customers. In Brazil, sales of Mercedes-Benz models have increased by 44 percent since the beginning of the year, to 2,300 units (same period last year: 1,600 units).


Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

	June 2009	% change	January - June 2009	% change
Mercedes-Benz	100,300	-5.4	483,300	-19.3
smart*	11,000	-17.1	61,100	-11.3
Mercedes-Benz Cars	111,300	-6.7	544,400	-18.5
Western Europe	69,300	-3.8	323,000	-18.8
- of which Germany	33,100	-1.3	147,700	-12.5
NAFTA	19,500	-22.4	109,500	-25.1
- of which U.S.	16,300	-26.5	93,700	-28.3
Asia/Pacific	14,200	-1.8	73.900	-4.7
- of which Japan	2,700	-31.3	13,600	-33.1
- of which China	5,300	+45.0	28,200	+40.4

*smart brand sales include the smart roadster and the smart forfour