The Mercedes-Benz CLS, the SLS AMG Roadster and the various models in the C-Class are the most attractive vehicles in their respective classes. Furthermore, the legendary 300 SL Gullwing of the 1950s has earned the right to be called a design icon of recent decades. Such were the results of a survey of readers undertaken by leading German motoring magazine "auto motor und sport".


22,916 readers submitted votes in this year's Autonis design awards, which are made each year by "auto motor und sport" to honour the most beautiful new cars. The survey's only criterion is to establish which car readers find the most visually appealing. The clear winners in the medium-size category, with more than two thirds of all readers' votes, were the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the coupé of the same model family. Readers showed themselves impressed by the dynamic design of the new generation C-Class. This was especially true in the case of the C-Class coupé, with its classic coupé proportions.

In the luxury segment, the magazine's very percipient readers voted the Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupé into first place in the beauty contest. Like its predecessor, the new version of the CLS offers a very convincing package of captivating design and refined sportiness.

When it came to the cabriolets, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster was the car that found most favour with readers. The open version of the super sports car features the same technical highlights as the coupé model with gullwing doors that caused such a stir in this same competition back in 2009. With its compact soft top, which opens and closes in just eleven seconds, the new SLS AMG Roadster combines excellent driving dynamics with breathtaking roadster fun.

Even after almost 60 years, eyes light up when one of the legendary 300 SL models appears on the scene – Gullwing or Roadster, the effect is the same. This reaction serves to underline the longevity of the car's stunning design. It also underpins "auto motor und sport" readers' decision to award the title of "Design icon of recent decades" to the 300 SL – a "lifetime achievement award", as it were.

After record sales in the same month last year, Mercedes-Benz even set a new record in September 2011. With last month being the strongest one since the beginning of the year a total of 120,982 vehicles have been delivered to customers worldwide. Since January 2011 sales now total to 919,288 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, an increase of 7.6%. “We continue to grow,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. “After posting a record in the second quarter, we also achieved our highest sales ever in September and for the third quarter as a whole. Positive momentum was generated especially in China, where we also noted record sales this month. We will continue to grow in the fourth quarter as well, so we are on track to make 2011 the most successful year in our company’s history.” The Mercedes-Benz Cars division has delivered 996,855 (+7.3%) Mercedes-Benz and smart fortwo vehicles to customers since the beginning of the year, which is also a new record.


Dr. Schmidt: "According to the latest Interbrand study Mercedes-Benz is already the most valuable brand in Europe. From November the new M-Class as well as the new B-Class will generate additional sales momentum for us and will enhance the brand’s image in public even further."

As in the past few months, Mercedes-Benz was able to rise sales in many of its markets in September. In China (including Hong Kong), the brand with the star increased its sales in September by 12.7% to the record level of 15,272 units. A total of 135,506 vehicles have been delivered to customers in China since January (+32.8%), more than ever before. Last month records were also posted in Taiwan (+57.9%), Russia (+44.6%), South Korea (+37.4%), and India (+14.1%). Sales development was also very dynamic in Brazil (+64,8%), South Africa (+21.7%) and Turkey (+10.5%).

In the U.S., sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles have increased by 6.3% since the beginning of the year (169,862 units, January-September 2010: 159,729 units). September sales were 9.0% (21,649 units)higher than during the same month in 2010 (19,862 units). The market launches of the new-generation C-Class and the new M-Class are expected to generate additional sales momentum in the coming months. A record was achieved in Canada, where 2,343 units were delivered to customers in September.

In Germany, Mercedes-Benz remained the most successful premium brand in September. Following a very strong performance in September 2010 (27,273 units) and shortly before the market launch of the new B- and M-Class a total of 24,514 units have been delivered within Germany. At 190,037 vehicles since the beginning of the year, sales were up slightly (+0.5%) from the high figure recorded during the same period in 2010. A total of 222,926 vehicles (+0.1%) have been delivered to customers in Western Europe (excluding Germany) since the beginning of the year; September sales totaled 32,425 units.

Last month, the new C-Class sedan was the top-selling vehicle in its class for the sixth month in a row. A total of 26,816 units of that model were delivered in September (+8.9%). Outstanding sales also put both the new SLK (+135.8%) and the new C-Class coupe at the top of their comparative segments in September. Total sales in the C-Class segment rose by 19.5%. A vehicle with the star has also remained the best-selling model in the luxury segment since the beginning of the year: Sales of the S-Class sedan increased by 8.4% to 51,665 units from January through September. During that same period, Mercedes-Benz delivered 253,020 vehicles from the E-Class segment to customers, an increase of 4.7%. Sales of the new CLS performed particularly well once again in September, being the best-selling vehicle in its segment (+187%). SUVs with the star have also been on the road to success since the beginning of the year, with deliveries totaling 174,612 units, around one-fourth (+25.5%) more than during the same period in 2010. Worth mentioning are the sales of the M-Class, as they have risen by more than ten percent since January, despite the upcoming model changeover. The other SUVs are also developing very dynamically. Deliveries of the R-Class are up 67.9%, those of the GLK rose 29.8%, and G-Class sales increased by 43.8%.

Sales of the smart fortwo continue to rise as well since the beginning of the year: A total of 77,567 units of the model were sold from January through September 2011 (January-September 2010: 74,885). The innovative two-seater has been particularly successful on the Chinese market, where a record of 8,445 units (+217%) have been delivered to customers since the beginning of the year. smart fortwo sales were also very high in Germany during the same period. At 22, 335 units, deliveries were up by 8.7%. This makes the smart fortwo the best-selling vehicle in its segment during the year to date in Germany. A total of 8,494 units of the model were sold worldwide in September (January – September 2010: 10,066 units). The sales figure for September 2010 was exceptionally high due to the first deliveries of the facelifted model in that month. The smart fortwo will significantly surpass its sales target of more than 90,000 units for full-year 2011 and is therefore looking to sell approximately 100,000 vehicles.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars continue to rise. In August, the brand’s sales were up 7.9 percent compared to the high volume achieved in the same month last year. The brand delivered a total of 87,384 vehicles (August 2010: 81,010) to customers worldwide. Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 798,306 units (January-August 2010: 735,428), representing an increase of 8.5 percent and the highest sales figure ever attained in this eight months period.


Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Our sales continued to develop very well in August. Germany, as our largest market, was an important growth driver, as well as many other markets in which we increased our sales considerably. All in all, we expect strong sales in the second half of the year and want to grow compared to last year. Record sales over the past eight months have created a very good basis for us to meet our full-year target of selling over 1.35 million Mercedes-Benz cars and smart fortwo- that’s more than ever before.”

New products such as the M-Class and B-Class will generate additional momentum in the coming months. The new M-Class will be introduced to Europe in November, while sales of the new B-Class will start on September 15. “One of the many highlights we’ll present at the IAA will be the world premiere of the new B-Class,” adds Dr. Schmidt. “Together with three other models of our upcoming premium compact car generation, it will set new standards in this segment allowing us to capture new customers and markets.”

Mercedes-Benz grew rapidly in many markets in August. In Germany, the brand increased deliveries by more than one-fifth. Sales increased by a total of 23.2 percent to 19,412 units (August 2010: 15,754). Mercedes-Benz thus remained the strongest premium brand in Germany. The SLK and the E-Class coupe were the leading vehicles in their class. The new generation C-Class achieved the highest sales volume among the premium competitors in the mid-size segment. Since January, deliveries totaled 165,523 units (January–August 2010: 161,768), 2.3 percent more than in the same period of 2010. In Western Europe, Mercedes-Benz surpassed last year’s August figure by 13.8 percent (32,940 units; August 2010: 28,951). Besides Germany, sales were up in the UK (plus 3.4 percent), France (plus 16.6 percent), the Netherlands (plus 10.1 percent), and Sweden (plus 31.0 percent).

Mercedes-Benz has boosted sales in China (incl. Hong Kong) by 35.8 percent since the start of the year, expanding at a much faster pace than the total market. Deliveries rose to the record level of 120,234 units (January–August 2010: 88,509). A new record was also posted in August with 13,812 vehicles (August 2010: 13,382) being sold. Sales thus increased by 3.2 percent compared to the high volume achieved in August 2010. The company expects sales to get a further boost in the coming months due to the greater availability of single model ranges, the ramp-up of local production for the new generation C-Class as well as the market launch of new products such as the new SLK, the C-Class coupe and the CLS.

Record sales and remarkable growth in August and during the year to date were also achieved in Taiwan (August: plus 6.7 percent, January-August: plus 40.1 percent), South Korea (August: plus 10.1 percent, January-August: plus 16.1 percent), Russia (August: plus 52.8 percent, January-August: plus 62,3 percent) and India (August: plus 20.0 percent, January-August: plus 31.1 percent). Deliveries also rose sharply in Brazil in August (plus 40.3 percent) and for the year to date (plus 38.4 percent). In South Africa, last month was also a very strong one (plus 40.0 percent).

In the U.S., sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles increased by 6.1 percent since January (148,409 units; January–August 2010: 139,867). Due to model year changeovers particularly among the high volume C-Class, sales totaled 18,477 units in August (August 2010: 18,826), nearly reaching last year’s level. Beginning in September, the company expects further positive impact from the market launch of the new M-Class and the new-generation C-Class.

In August, in particular the SUVs saw sales pick up and reach new records. The M-Class continued to be in great demand even shortly before the introduction of its successor, with sales rising by 8.1 percent in August and 13.6 percent since the beginning of the year. Sales of the other SUV models also increased substantially, with those of the GLK reaching a new record. The brand sold a total of 16,852 SUVs in August (plus 16.2 percent); since January, sales have risen by 28.4 percent.

Last month, the new C-Class sedan was the top-selling vehicle in its class for the fifth month in a row. Sales in the C-Class segment rose by 9.7 percent in total. The new SLK continued to increase deliveries as well (plus 144.6 percent), ensuring its position as the best-selling vehicle in its segment. The S-Class was the world’s best-selling luxury sedan during the year to date. Since the beginning of the year, sales have increased by 11.4 percent to 45,703 units. In the E-Class segment, 5.6 percent more vehicles have been chosen by customers from January to August (221.682 units). The E-Class convertible did especially well, with sales jumping by 50.2 percent. Last month, very high growth rates were again posted by the A-Class, sales of which climbed 66.3 percent to 8,774 vehicles. The B-Class continued to perform well in the year in which its successor will be introduced, with sales rising by 7.6 percent during the year to date (73,046 units) compared to the same period in 2010.

The presentation of the third generation smart fortwo electric drive will be another highlight at the IAA. It is available beginning in spring 2012 in more than 30 markets and provides zero-emission motoring with even more driving fun. The current generation of the smart fortwo continued to develop positively in August. At 5,778 units, deliveries of the two-seater were above last year’s level (August 2010: 5,748). Deliveries rose by 6.6 percent since the beginning of the year (January–August 2011: 69,073 units; January–August 2010: 64,819). In Europe, smart sales developed especially well in Germany and France. In the vehicle’s home market, sales increased by 13.0 percent to 20,286 units since the beginning of the year. As a result, the smart is the best-selling vehicle in its segment during the year to date. In France, it attracted 7.1 percent more customers during the same period. In China, the innovative two-seater continues to post record results, selling nearly four times as many vehicles in the year to date than in the period from January to August 2010. In August, sales jumped another 141.5 percent.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

The European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) and the European New Car Assessment Programme (EuroNCAP) have joined forces and created "Roads that Cars can Read", a leading document that could change forever the current perspective on automobiles and traffic. With so many innovative systems, such as lane and speed limit assistants, being continuously released with almost every new car, there's a stringent necessity they reach that desired level of proper functioning to keep the driver and passengers away from suffering physical injuries if the event of an accident. Through firm cooperation and a substantial labour, as well as a solid interaction with the decision factors in the automotive industry, the primary targets of "Roads that Cars can Read" could one day be fully met: raising public awareness on the importance of the debated issues, reducing the number of fatalities, improving the future generation of vehicle safety and assistance technologies and safeguarding for the health and integrity of all the human beings that actively take part in the transportation process - pedestrians, drivers, occupants.

Read the entire analysis report after hitting the jump button!


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Motor Industry and Highways Sector Must Unite to Save Lives, report claims

The two heavyweights in road and car safety, EuroRAP and Euro NCAP, have joined forces to call on the motor industry and the highways sector to work together to ensure that technologies now available in the showroom reach their potential of saving thousands of lives.

In a consultation document issued jointly by the safety organisations, Roads that Cars can Read, EuroRAP and Euro NCAP assert that the condition of road signs and markings could be the greatest hurdle in reaping the benefits of new in-car safety technology.

According to the report, technologies now arriving in new car showrooms are forecast to save thousands of European lives as they trickle down into universal use. Increasingly cameras and sensors are used to read the road ahead and help the vehicle react early if drivers are heading into danger. Though, obscured signs or faded road markings are hard to read whether using the naked eye or an in-car camera. The new report includes a survey of six countries to probe how signing and marking practice still varies around Europe after more than half a century of international conventions.

John Dawson, Chairman of the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) says: “Huge sums have been spent developing technology that is revolutionising the safety of our vehicles. Little attention has been given to the quality of basic signing and marking with which drivers currently have to cope. We’ve found no country which systematically measures the quality of signing and marking being achieved. A century after the cat’s eye was invented, technology is again driving this rethink of how the road ahead can be read safely. The key lesson is that what is good for humans is good for machines.”

Roads that Cars can Read recommends that the roads and motor industries should learn to work on new designs together by focusing on helping drivers with two early technologies now offered in new cars, “Lane Support” and “Speed Alert”. Lane Support reads lane markings to work out the position of the vehicle within the lane and steers drifting vehicles back on path, a common origin of crashes. “Speed Alert” allows drivers to choose warnings when exceeding posted roadside speed limits.

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) says: “the roadsides of Europe are littered with flowers and shrines. More than a quarter of road deaths involve running off the road. ‘Lane Support’ gives the driver a warning that’s as physical as hitting a rumble strip on the road. It is estimated more than 2,000 European deaths annually can be prevented with this technology.”

“The consequences of missing a change of speed limit have become more serious as more nations have adopted a points system and enforce limits rigorously. The ‘Speed Alert’ system protects the drivers from missing a speed sign, not least when limits chop and change.”

Roads that Cars can Read recommends that both the roads and motor industries this decade should target improved signing and marking on the ten per cent of Europe’s roads where the majority of travel and the majority of deaths are concentrated involving higher speed crashes. “The majority of European deaths are on national roads and busy regional roads outside towns. The single carriageways are Europe’s killing fields. We should focus this decade on ensuring the quality of the signing and marking on these busy open roads whether or not the technology needs it,” says John Dawson.

“We now need a full survey of the quality of road signs and markings to measure the real-world variation in signing and marking across borders and define the working tolerances that are acceptable.”

Source: EuroNCAP

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.