Showing posts with label april. Show all posts

Mercedes-Benz Starts Successfully into the Second Quarter of 2012: Sales up 3.6 Percent in April

By | Published Friday, 4 May 2012

Mercedes-Benz has had a successful start of the second quarter, with sales up 3.6%. Last month, the company sold 104,344 vehicles of its core brand. Year-to-date shipments are thus at a record level of 418,246 units (+9.7%).

The Mercedes-Benz Cars division has also registered a new sales record since the beginning of the year. Between January and April, 454,778 vehicles (+9.4%) of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach have been sold; 113,901 units (+3.5%) of these were in April.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We are continuing on the road to success as the second quarter begins, and have again increased our sales compared to last year. This is mainly due to the ongoing high demand for our new products. Sales of the new B-Class and the new M-Class are already performing excellently and will continue to develop dynamically due to the gradual introduction to other markets. In the months to come, the next generation GLK, the new G-Class and the E300 BlueTec Hybrid, the most efficient sedan in the premium segment, are celebrating their market launch. This will provide additional sales momentum.”

Demand for the brand with the star remains especially high throughout the NAFTA region. In the USA, Canada, and Mexico, sales have been at a record high since the start of the year. In April alone, 22,336 vehicles (+23.8%) have been handed over to customers in the United States. From January to April, 83,849 Mercedes-Benz cars (+17.5%) were sold. This makes Mercedes-Benz in April and year-to-date the best-selling premium brand in the U.S. In Canada, sales were up15.8% year-on-year in the same period. In Mexico sales even rose by 29.9% compared to the previous year.

Mercedes-Benz sales also developed very dynamically in Russia. New sales records were reached in April and year-to-date. Sales growth was 25.9% in April.

Sales were also robust in the Middle East region in April, growing by 20.3%.

Mercedes-Benz also continued to perform very well in Germany. Since January, 78,957 vehicles have been sold in the home market, which corresponds to a growth of 10.2%. Deliveries increased slightly year-on-year to 22,405 units (+0.6%). Thus, Mercedes-Benz had the strongest sales of any premium brands in Germany, not just in April but also year-to-date. Regarding registrations, Mercedes-Benz in April once again outperformed the total market and gained market shares. In addition, the S-Class followed by the CLS, the B-Class, and the SLK followed by the E-Class coupe, lead the registration figures of their respective segments of Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).

Unlike the total Western European market, Mercedes-Benz sales in Western Europe (without Germany) continued to develop well since the start of the year growing by 3.8%. Particularly in the UK and Switzerland Mercedes-Benz generated strong sales figures in April and the year-to-date. In the UK April deliveries were up 13.9% year-on-year; in Switzerland Mercedes-Benz even generated a 35.8% sales growth.

Due to the run-out of the high-volume B-Class, as well as the recent launch of the M-Class and the start of the locally manufactured GLK, these very popular models only had a limited availability in China (incl. Hong Kong) last month. Overall, sales amounted to 14,677 units (-11.2%). Since the beginning of the year, 66,005 cars have been delivered to customers in China – more than ever before during this period. Thus, Mercedes-Benz is well on track to achieve its goal of record double-digit growth in China in 2012.

Japan also developed very well, where the company delivered 12,392 vehicles between January and April, increasing sales by 38.5%.

In terms of products, the B-Class continues to enjoy strong demand. Since its market introduction far more than 45,000 units of the new model have been sold.

The other Mercedes-Benz series are also very popular among customers. Since the start of the year, the C-Class segment has grown by 22.5%; in April the growth rate was 10.5%. The sedan and estate of the E-Class passed significant sales milestones last month. Since market launch 2009, 500,000 sedans and 100,000 estates of the current generation have been delivered to customers.
The S-Class sedan generated 14.1% sales growth between January and April. Thus, the brand’s flagship remains the leader in its segment. In addition to this outstanding sales development S-Class made additional good news in April. The S250 CDI BlueEfficiency won the award “World Green Car of the Year 2012.” Besides the S-Class sedan, numerous other models of the Mercedes-Benz brand took top honors in their category.

Demand for SUVs remains particularly high. In April and year-to-date, sales records were achieved once again. In April, 21,437 models (+9.1%) were sold in the SUV segment; in the first four months of 2012 sales accounted to 80,553 units (+8.0%). Especially the new M‑Class is developing very dynamically. In April, one third more vehicles (32.3%) of this series were sold than in April 2011. The sales of the GL and the G-Class also performed very well, increasing in April by 54.6% and 20.4% respectively.

The smart fortwo continued its positive development in the month of its facelift. With 9,557 vehicles sold, sales grew by 2.3%. Since the start of the year, sales totaled by 6.4% (36,532 units). In April, the demand for the innovative two-seater was particularly strong in the U.S. with growth of 63.6% as well as in China (incl. Hong Kong) at 41.5%, and Germany at 14.6%.

Overview of Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales
Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Highest April on Record with Sales of 22,336 Units

By | Published Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported April sales of 22,336 for its Mercedes-Benz models, a 23.8 % improvement over April 2011, delivering a year-to-date total of 83,849 new vehicles to customers, up 17.5%. Combined sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, smart and Sprinter for the month totaled 25,066, up 30.8% bringing a year-to-date total of 91,972, up 22.4%, making this the company's highest April on record.

Sales for the month of April were led by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - took the lead with sales of 6,424 and the 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,328. MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,057, up 53.6% compared to April 2011. Other strong performers were the company's popular new CLS four-door coupe which saw a 522.1% growth and the all-new SLK roadster which increased 215.5% over April 2011. The SLS AMG supercar retailed 104 for the month, up 92.6% over the same period last year.

On a year-to-date basis, top performers again were the C-Class with 24,531 (up 20.1%) the E-Class with 19,201 and the M-Class with 14,537 (up 58.2%).

Monthly sales of the high-performance AMG models were 529, up 55.1% versus April 2011 (341) and up 60.6% year to date. Additionally, despite fluctuating gas prices, diesel sales increased to 2,300 up 142.4% over the same period last year (949) and up 85.8% for the year.

The company's smart brand continued six consecutive months of sales increases with April sales of 764 vehicles, a 63% jump for the month (compared to the 467 vehicles sold in April 2011) and brings the year-to-date volume to 3,028, up 74.6%.

On the van side, sales of Sprinter Vans also saw strong momentum in April with sales of 1,966 - up 76.3% over last year and up 35.4% on a year-to-date basis.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,368 vehicles in April; a -10.2% decrease when compared to April 2011 (sales of 7,091 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 26,292 vehicles, a decrease of -1.3% over the comparable period (with sales of 26,629).

Mercedes-Benz April 2012 Sales Chart
Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz previews new CLC with the Concept Style Coupé

By | Published Tuesday, 20 March 2012


The new portfolio of compact-sized vehicles from Mercedes-Benz gathers the new A-Class and B-Class at the moment, but the Stuttgart-based carmaker will further expand the lineup with more attractive niche variants. Among those is the future CLC-Class (C 117), which looks to be a more affordable alternative for the CLS 4-door coupe in this segment. While the official launch of the production model could take place towards the end of 2012, Mercedes-Benz is set to offer an insight into the new model by revealing the Concept Style Coupé showcar at Los Angeles on 20th April, during the "Transmission LA: AV CLUB" multi-disciplinary festival. Read more about this event after you press the jump button!


Avant/Garde Diaries Festival in Los Angeles - Mike D curates the Los Angeles debut of Transmission LA: AV CLUB in affiliation with The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)

The Avant/Garde Diaries, a global online interview magazine, is hosting “Transmission LA: AV CLUB curated by Mike D,” from 20th April to 6th May, at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles. The multi-disciplinary festival is scheduled to be the meeting point for the Los Angeles art and music community, and is the sequel to the series of festivals that premiered in Berlin last year with curator and fashion designer Raf Simons. Mike D will be joined by Roy Choi, Benjamin Jones, Mike Mills, Tom Sachs, Public Fiction from Los Angeles, Still House Group from New York, and additional artists and musicians, for the 17-day collaborative festival in Los Angeles.

"I'm psyched to be presenting a group of visual artists, musicians, DJs, food masters, and top notch baristas. I'm honoured to be a part of a truly memorable sensory experience,” said Mike D.

With exhibitions, concerts, DJ nights, performances and installations, the festival will illustrate how audio and visual art forms can inspire each another and unleash unimagined synergies. This artistic concept is also symbolised by the event’s logo, which depicts the letters A (for audio) and V (for visual), merging inextricably and appearing to fuse with one another. The festival will be open daily from 20th April to 6th May. Entry is free.

Opening hours:
Sunday: 11am to 6pm
Monday: noon to 6pm
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: noon to 10pm
Saturday: 11am to 10pm

The Avant/Garde Diaries

Mercedes-Benz started the Avant/Garde Diaries in 2011 as a creative platform for topics including art, fashion, music, and the innovations, trends, and culture that are shaping social discourse. The festival itself provides a platform for international artists and trendsetters, under the direction of a visionary mind, to present their perspective on the world of today and tomorrow, as well as enter into dialogue with experts and the general public. A digital interview magazine at www.theavantgardediaries.com captures innovators with extraordinary ideas who are influencing culture and future trends.

“The aim of Avant/Garde Diaries is to offer a platform for creativity. Curiosity and the joy of breaking through existing barriers are drivers for innovation and progress, and not just at Mercedes-Benz,” said Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. A special highlight of the festival in Los Angeles will be the artistic staging of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé, which will be unveiled to the world for the first time.

About the artists and musicians participating in Transmission LA: AV CLUB

The artists participating in the Transmission LA: AV CLUB festival were selected by curator Mike D.

Roy Choi, chief chef of the iconic Kogi Korean BBQ Food Truck in Los Angeles. He is considered as a post-abstract expressionist food artist >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogi_Korean_BBQ_note-lat-1

Mike D: “This LA native represents the truly global vision and tastes that can be LA at least in a culinary sense. Roy truly amazes me with his ability to reinvent radically different cuisines presenting them with respect for what they are but completely remixed or reinvented. His work is really analogous to what a hip hop producer or DJ does, chopping up a sample, re-contextualising it, adding beets, maybe a little vocal and on and on. And he makes a hell of a mixed tape.”

Peter Coffin, an artist who resides and works in New York City. Often using art history as a departure point for his surreal reinventions, Peter Coffin’s work engages with pre-conceptions about cultural ideals to challenge established perception and interpretation.

Mike D: “Peter is a mad man, genius, and physicist/prankster and keeps a sly wit in cold storage for special occasions.”

Will Fowler is a painter who lives and works in Los Angeles. He makes abstract paintings that reference early Modernism. His paintings can sometimes take years to complete and often contain the same patterns and shapes quoted from his previous work.

Mike D: “I first saw Will’s work at David Kordansky’s booth at the armoury show in New York City. Even amongst this chaos, his methodical yet witty abstract canvases stayed tight, focused and galvanising. I was sucked in immediately. One can keep coming back to his work which, filled with enough depth that repeat views are a must and rewarded.”

Benjamin Jones is a cartoonist, painter and multimedia artist who resides and works in Los Angeles. Besides exhibiting sculptures, paintings and drawings at galleries internationally. Jones has designed giant blimps, sneakers and board shorts, animated music videos for M.I.A and Beck, and produced a plethora of computer-animated cartoons. He has defined an aesthetic both handmade and mass-produced, combining cartoon characters, high energy techno music, meta-graffiti, fantasy worlds and sublime colour fields.

Mike D: “Ben’s work can be silent, in that there can be moving animated images without a sound track, but it can be the loudest thing on the planet. I can truly say that his installation will leave visitors stoked or perhaps nauseous or both.”

Mike Mills, a filmmaker, graphic designer and artist who works and resides in Los Angeles. Among other things, he has created music videos for Moby, Yoko
Ono and Air, as graphic designer he has worked on album covers for such acts as Beastie Boys, Beck and Sonic Youth, and on promotional material for X-Girl and Marc Jacobs.

Mike D: “Mike is a true Renaissance man: a visual artist, a film maker, a graphic designer, a musician and a personal collaborator even. What am I forgetting Mike? And he does it all with such great flare but a lot of heart.”

Public Fiction, an Art Space and a publication from the East side of Los Angeles, created by Lauren Mackler.

Mike D: “Lauren Mackler is an energetic magnet for artistic talent on the East side of LA. I became aware of her from her publication: Public Fiction. What will go down at the show will go way beyond the publication and will really explore the audio visual realms and realities.”

Tom Sachs, a sculptor who resides and works in New York City. Probably he is best known for his elaborate recreations of various modern icons, all of them masterpieces of engineering and design of one kind or another. For example, he made Knoll office furniture out of phone books and duct tape or recreated Le Corbusier's 1952 Unité d'Habitation using only foamcore and a glue gun.

Mike D: “It is with great pleasure that AV CLUB presents Tom Sachs. It is kind of a full circle thing for me because over a decade ago during a hot summer in NYC a small group of us including myself and Tom kept gathering in the evenings at a friend’s shaved ice stand in lower Manhattan trying to cool off from the savage heat. We wanted to listen to music, so Tom started building different boxes so we could listen to dub while we enjoyed the shaved ice, good company and scenery. These contraptions became bigger and more elaborate as the summer went on and eventually Tom built the behemoth that you all will see, feel and hear in the show.”

Still House Group, an emerging arts organization based in Brooklyn, New York. It supports a unit of young artists, aged 22-26, providing them with an environment to conceptualise, produce and exhibit their work.

Mike D: “Still House are an interesting call to me. Younger for sure, but wise beyond their years: this Brooklyn NY based artist collective can pretty much
do it all so we are looking forward to what they will bring on 19th April.”

Sage Vaughn, an artist who works and resides in Los Angeles. Wildlife and Wildlives make up his world. Swarming brightly coloured butterflies along with strangely dressed kids makes for some interesting subject matter, and there is definitely a feeling of tension between the natural and unnatural elements in these paintings.

Mike D: “Sage is a painter that I am a fan of. I am always excited to see new work of his. He has the chops, imagination and the humour.”

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Delivery of the first models in May: The smart ebike can be ordered from April

By | Published Tuesday, 6 March 2012

smart will be presenting the production version of the trendy and environmentally friendly smart ebike at the Geneva Motor Show. Just a few weeks later, from the end of April, it will be possible to order the electric two-wheeler from smart contractual partners in 16 European countries and in Canada. The first models will be delivered in May 2012. The smart ebike will initially be available in two colour variants at an attractive price – in Germany it will cost from €2849 (including VAT).


With an unconventional design in line with the style of the brand, functions appropriate for city use and high technology standards that are demonstrated by the extremely efficient and high-performance drive package among other features, the smart ebike has an exceptional position. It will initially be available in two colour variants: in crystal white with electric green accents and in dark grey matt with flame orange accents.

High-quality components guarantee dynamic, safe and fun cycling. For example, hydraulic disc brakes from Magura are fitted at the front and rear. Standard features also include LED light with a daytime running light function and 26" wheels – both in the smart ebike design. The ebike is fitted with Continental EcoContact Plus tyres. Thanks to additional strengthening they are particularly puncture-resistant. The drive is also of a very high quality with a completely maintenance- and oil-free carbon toothed belt instead of a conventional bicycle chain.

The smart ebike also features state-of-the-art infotainment: a USB port comes as standard and enables various accessories and add-on devices to be supplied with electricity. Among other things the smart ebike can be individualised with a versatile smartphone holder for mobile end devices, a comfort bar and a luggage rack with integrated net pockets. With the help of an iPhone app specially developed for the smart ebike the smartphone becomes an information centre. A trendy smart ebike collection is also available: developed in cooperation with Mercedes Benz Accessories GmbH it includes a helmet and bags featuring the smart design. The smart ebike collection is also available from smart contractual partners.

Efficient and powerful electric drive

smart's high technological standards are also manifested in the efficient and high-performance drive package. As a pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) the smart ebike is strictly speaking a hybrid: the electric motor – a maintenance-free rear-wheel hub motor from BionX – switches on as soon as the rider starts pedalling, as with a normal bicycle. Muscle power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a lubricant-free, durable and quiet belt drive. An integrated three-speed gear hub enables simple gear changing.

The rider of the smart ebike decides how much power he wants the electric motor to deliver to support his muscle power by pressing a button on the handlebar. There is a choice of four power levels with the fourth level providing maximum pushing power. Depending on the power level selected and the manner of cycling a battery charge can last for up to 100 kilometres.

With 423 Wh the lithium-ion battery is one of the most powerful batteries in the competitive environment. It has been attractively integrated in the frame of the smart ebike. The portable battery can be charged either at a normal socket or whilst riding, with the latter offering advantages in terms of cost and the environment. The wheel hub motor becomes as a generator when the rider brakes. The braking energy is recuperated, i.e. it is converted into electrical energy and stored in the smart ebike's lithium-ion battery.

Simple operation and highly functional

Straightforward operation, a low weight, excellent ergonomics and a practical stowage space concept all contribute to making the smart ebike fun to ride. As a pedelec the smart ebike combines the comfort of a motorised two-wheeler with the easy handling of a bicycle. In EU countries neither a driving licence nor a licence plate are required as the electric motor of a pedelec only assists propulsion up to a speed of 25 km/h.

Expert partner from the two-wheeler industry

The smart ebike was designed and developed by smart and it is being produced in close cooperation with the e-bike manufacturer GRACE based near Berlin. This ensures that the smart ebike is produced in premium quality. The smart ebike will be sold by smart dealers in the respective markets. The ebike can then also be serviced by any smart dealer or bicycle specialist.
Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REPORT: New G-Class 2012 and GLK facelift models arrive this April

By | Published Monday, 20 February 2012

Everyone was expecting Mercedes-Benz to launch the new GLK facelift at next month's Geneva Motor Show, but it was lately discovered that the German constructor opted for the New York Auto Salon (NYIAS) instead, probably for the public attention to focus solely on the new A-Class. And even though the restyled G-Class 2012, which you can partially see in the (leaked) detail shot on the left, was also on the verge of the official premiere, the moment is postponed till April for the Beijing Motor Show. We do not know anything certain regarding the reveal of the new generation GL-Class, but New York was intensively rumored lately. So, there are busy SUV times coming at Mercedes-Benz, which is highly pleasant news for us.

Image Credits: Spyspots


Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Posted in , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Swedish Greys - a WordPress theme from Nordic Themepark. Converted by LiteThemes.com.