Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported September sales of 23,897 vehicles, a 15.6% improvement over September 2010 (20,666) and the company's highest September volume on record. On a year-to-date basis, the 182,314 vehicles sold represent a 10.3% increase over the 165,355 vehicles sold during the same period last year.


The highest volume performers for the month were the C-Class and E-Class model lines. The all-new 2012 sporty C-Class - and gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - led the pack with sales of 6,865, up 32.1% from September 2010. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,122 and the full-sized SUV, the GL-Class, finished third in volume with monthly sales of 2,541. Additionally, sales of the newly launched 2012 CLS-Class posted a 399.3% increase for the month and sales of the new SLK roadster were up 50.8% over September 2010.

At the high end, the company sold 25 of its supercar -- the SLS AMG -- bringing its year-to-date sales to 454. Sales of Sprinter Vans also increased by 121.3% for September with sales of 1,779 - bringing a year-to-date total of 12,452 (up 121.3 %).

Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 469 vehicles for the month (compared to the 422 vehicles sold in September 2010).

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 5,707 vehicles in September 2011, a decrease of -8.6%. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 57,359 vehicles, a decrease of -5.9% over the comparable period last year.

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

This week the very first Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupes are hitting the road. Complete with bold AMG styling and a standard panorama sunroof, the new two-door coupe marks the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered a traditional coupe in this market segment. Also arriving is the popular four-door C-Class sedan which has undergone a major restyling involving 2,000 new parts, including new bumpers, headlights, front grille, an aluminum hood, LED taillights and a redesigned interior that incorporates color gauges, a new 5.8-inch display and new-generation telematics.


More Convenience, More Safety

In addition, there are 13 new standard equipment features on the 2012 C-Class sedan and coupe line, as well as five new safety systems. Standard-equipment Attention Assist warns drivers when they get drowsy, and a new HOLD feature for the Adaptive Brake system allows the driver to remove their foot from the brake pedal at a stop. Optional Blind Spot Assist provides a warning whenever a turn signal is activated with a car in a blind spot, while Lane Keeping Assist alerts drivers if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on. PARKTRONIC now incorporates a parking guidance system that can identify right-size parking spaces and provide helpful steering guidance in the instrument cluster.

Two Body Styles, Seven Models

Both the C-Class coupe and sedan are available in three different versions: the C250, powered by a new direct-injection, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (201 horsepower, 229 lb.-ft. of torque); the C350 Sport, with a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.); and the high-performance C63 AMG with a normally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443 lb.- ft.) and AMG's MCT multi-clutch transmission. With an optional AMG Development Package, the C63 AMG jumps to 481 hp.

In addition, the C-Class sedan is available as a C300, with standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the familiar 3.0-liter V6 engine (228 hp, 221 lb.-ft.). The C250 and C300 sedans are available in a choice of Luxury or Sport trim. Sport models feature staggered-width, fivespoke 17-inch wheels; sport shocks; springs and stabilizer bars that provide a crisper ride and more than a half-inch lower ride height; and standard AMG styling, including deeper front and rear aprons as well as sculpted rocker panels. Inside, Sport models are equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel and metallic trim, while Luxury models come with a fourspoke steering wheel and burl walnut trim. In addition to the standard body styling, Luxury models have equal-width tires, front and rear.

New Transmission

All 2012 C-Class models (except the C63 AMG with its high-performance MCT transmission) feature a new seven-speed automatic transmission with a more advanced torque converter lock-up clutch that provides even better fuel mileage, more responsive driving, quieter operation and increased durability. The new transmission is also designed to work best with a new type of low-viscosity ATF transmission fluid - colored blue instead of the usual red. Together with new planetary gears, bearings and internal seals, the "FE-ATF" fluid provides less friction and improved fuel mileage.

New-Generation Telematics

All C-Class models for 2012 are equipped with a new 5.8-inch color display that's located at the top of the console. The new head unit includes a Bluetooth interface for wireless audio streaming and hands-free phone operation, an FM phase-diversity twin tuner, HD/AM/ weatherband radio, an MP3-compatible CD drive and a USB port in the center console.

ATTENTION ASSIST Cautions "Time For A Rest?"

Among the many standard life-saving features on the C-Class is the innovative ATTENTION ASSIST system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.

The software receives signals from the steering sensor and monitors 70 different parameters that have proven to be strong contributors to fatigue and drowsiness. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning, and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon appears in the instrument cluster.

More Safety Systems Assist the Driver

Other examples of trailblazing C-Class innovations include: Lane Keeping Assist, which alerts the driver by simulating rumble strip vibration in the steering wheel if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on. It operates at speeds above 37 mph via a system that recognizes lane markings, thanks to a small camera in the windshield and a computer that analyzes the video images.

Also available is Blind Spot Assist, which monitors both blind spots behind and to the side of the vehicle. Whenever a turn signal is activated with a vehicle in the blind spot, the driver gets visual and audible warnings.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a small video camera to sense both headlights and taillights, then softly and automatically transitions between high and low beam operation to avoid dazzling other drivers. With this system, the range of the headlights can be varied infinitely from their current 220 feet to up to 1,000 feet.

An Agile C-Class

All C-Class models boast Agility Control, which provides the benefits of both soft and stiff shock absorbers. Each twin-tube shock absorber is fitted with a hydraulic by-pass piston that acts like a very soft shock absorber to effectively dampen road noise and tire vibration. However, over bumpy or uneven roads, the by-pass piston is out of the picture, which preserves the outstanding steering and handling response of a stiffer shock absorber.

Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

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

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Anniversary Event Marked by 125 Scholarship Donations for Children to Attend SF Rec and Park's Summer Camp

Montvale (NJ), USA, Jun 16, 2011 - The Gull Wing Group reaches its golden anniversary and is marking the 50 year milestone with Mercedes-Benz USA by recreating one of the group's most famous photos taken in 1961 at Fort Point Park overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.


In honor of the Gull Wing Group's milestone, Mercedes-Benz USA is donating 125 scholarships to provide children with the opportunity to participate in the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's unique summer educational programs designed to accentuate personal responsibility and initiative, and encourage children to pursue preservation in the future of America's national parks.

"The Gull Wing vehicle represents Mercedes-Benz leadership in style, design and performance and this anniversary allows us a moment to celebrate the history of that legacy created over fifty years ago." said Steve Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. "As we look back, we also have to look to the future and that was our intention with the donation to provide San Francisco kids with the opportunity to attend summer camp through the Recreation and Parks Department program."

Founded in San Francisco, California on June 16, 1961 The Gull Wing Group, led by Ernie Spitzer, was comprised of eighteen 300 SL Coupe owners. Currently over 600 driving enthusiasts dedicated to sharing their knowledge and enjoyment of the 300 SL belong to the Group. On June 10, 2011 - almost 50 years after an original photo was taken to mark the beginning of the Gull Wing Group's existence - close to 100 members comprised of 24 Gull Wings and 14 Roadsters, are recreating the image by revisiting the very same spot in Fort Point Park, a National Historic Site run by the U.S. National Park Service.

"Donation such as this one helps San Francisco Recreation and Parks to fulfill its mission of providing enriching recreational activities to all San Franciscans." said Phil Ginsburg, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's General Manager. "Our scholarships serve more than 2, 000 San Francisco children and families every year."

With only 1400 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gull Wings" produced from 1954-1957, it is one of the most sought after collectible vehicles around the world. Known for its iconic "Gull Wing" doors and fascinating design, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was technologically years ahead of its time with components such as a direction injection system. In 2011, Mercedes-Benz introduced the SLS AMG, a car inspired by the 1954 300 SL and in the same vein as the orginal, ushered in a new era of supercar leadership.

The history of Mercedes-Benz stretches beyond the Gull Wing Group and this year it is celebrating 125 years of innovation and the anniversary of Carl Benz 1886 patent three-wheel motorwagen with rear-mounted engine, which laid the foundation for motorized transportation that changed the world as we know it today.

Editor's Note:

Fort Point was built by U.S. Army Engineers during the peak of the Gold Rush between 1853 and 1861, as a defense system to protect San Francisco against naval attack. The fort stands at the base of the 4,200 foot long Golden Gate Bridge, towering 746 feet high. Though Fort Point never faced battle, the structure signifies close to 150 years of military history and architecture.

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