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"MYVAN" is online: Mercedes-Benz launches the world's first Social TV platform for tradesmen and van enthusiasts

By Adji | Published Thursday, 15 December 2011

"MYVAN" goes online as the first international Social-TV website in English and German, which specifically caters to a target group of tradesmen and van enthusiasts. Initiator and operator of the website is the business division of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

"Our goal with MYVAN is not only to establish a high-quality, brand-neutral, international platform providing service and entertainment but also to provide help for day to day life with the right transport oriented solutions. MYVAN will offer tradesmen who come in contact with the subject of transport sustainable benefits ", says Andreas Burkhart, Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans.

The main contact point of "MYVAN" is the website: www.MYVAN.com. In conjunction an active exchange of experiences and opinions with users can take place via the website and the various social media channels. Therefore the content and services of "MYVAN" are also extended in various social web channels - the social media hub. This includes its own Facebook page, which in addition to the website is also used as a platform for dialogue and additional video playback. Video content is also mirrored on a dedicated YouTube channel. A separate twitter feed is used for live coverage of selected events and shoots. A flickr feed is used for visual documentation and rounds off the social media hub.

The main focus of "MYVAN" is to create high quality content that is produced either in the form of films, photo galleries and / or texts. In addition, user generated content is included amongst other commenting possibilities. The user can comment on the different articles either directly on the website or on the other social media channels.

The goal of "MYVAN" is to provide users with news and trends from the world of vans and commercial vehicles. In addition, with the use of best practice examples as well as tips and tricks created especially for professionals an added value service is provided. This assists tradesmen in their professional lives helping them to successfully and sustainably further their business.

For this purpose, a total of five broadcast formats were developed:

- myNEWS: News from the world of vans, innovations from industry trade shows and events.

- myPRODUCT: Presentation of new product highlights, tests and information.

- myBUSINESS: Portraying tradesmen, best practice examples, tips, tricks and trends etc.

- mySPECIAL: Extraordinary stories from the van world and / or the user’s commercial vehicles.

- GET IT done: Entertainment format with special and adventurous transport duties

"With MYVAN and the mix of moving image and social media, we are responding to the paradigm shift in media usage and this will prepare us for the media convergence, the fusion of internet and television," says Nicolai Berger, Senior Manager of Marketing Communication and Product Information at Mercedes-Benz Vans. "We also want MYVAN to be a first mover in its competitive environment."

The global collaboration with partners and local companies is controlled centrally from the Mercedes-Benz Vans business division in Stuttgart. "We see MYVAN as an international format that has relevance beyond national boundaries," says Andreas Burkhart, Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Vans.

For more information: www.MYVAN.com .

Credits: Daimler AG

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

Posted in c-class van, enthusiasts, first, internet, mercedes-benz, myvan, online, platform, social tv, tradesmen, world | Leave a comment

LEAKED: The new R 231 generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class breaks cover

By Adji | Published Wednesday, 14 December 2011

And here we have it, ladies and gentlemen: the new Mercedes-Benz has managed to reinvent itself without losing the powerful heritage it caries. If one had doubts over the design of the roadster, it is now very clear it boasts a powerful and organic styling language highlighted through the aggresive one-slat front grille, the polygonal headlights, the clean profile and the curvaceous rear end - all in all, a very balanced, well proportioned and unmistakable presence. The elegant SL is lighter than the outgoing R 230 series thanks to the extensive use of aluminium, which decreased the overall weight of the car by up to 140 kilograms. The technologycal advances it brings further enlighten the SL's role as a decisive pioneer and leader in its class. At the start of sales, the roadster will be put in motion by two units: the 3.5-litre DI V6 with 306 hp for the SL 350 and the 4.7-litre TT V8 with 435 hp for the SL 500. Later in 2012, the SL 63 AMG with up to 571 hp will follow, whereas in 2013, the high end SL 600 and SL 65 AMG versions equipped with the new biturbo V12 engine with up to 640 hp are tipped for the official unveiling. What a nice way to celebrate 60 years of prestigious for the "Sport Leicht" lineup, isn't it? :)

More exact details and HR images will be available in the official press release to be issued in the morning of 15th December 2011. Stay tuned to Mercedes-Benz-Blog!

Enjoy more leaked press and brochure pictures of the new SL-Class after the break!

Photos: GermanCarForum

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

Posted in generation, leaked, mercedes-benz, new, R 231, sl-class | Leave a comment

SPY: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W 176) hatchback in fresh scoops

By Adji

The new A-Class hatchback comes in spring 2012, with an official premiere bound for Geneva Motor Show in March. Final design will take inspiration from the youthful Concept A-Class showcar introduced at Auto Shanghai 2011. Don't expect an extravagant look, but more of a tamed, yet attractive styling exercise. Sitting on the new modular front-driven platform means the new A-Class will boast a dynamic ride, without compromising the genuine Mercedes-Benz comfort. Equipped with clean and efficient petrol and diesel units sporting low fuel consumption and CO2 emission, the car targets to attract new, younger customers towards the Stuttgart-based constructor. Many intelligent devices and assistance systems, once available on high-end cars only, will be offered either as standard or optional equipment in the new A-Class - the ATTENTION ASSIST, the Comand Online and the radar-based Collision Prevention Assist are just a few of them. Following the market launch in Europe during the summer of next year, the W 176 generation will also arrive in Stateside showrooms.

Check out more photos after pressing the jump button!

Posted in 2012, a-class, mercedes-benz, spy, spyshots | Leave a comment

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz to replace dying Maybach with new S 600 Pullman in 2014

By Adji

An official is yet to be issued by Daimler AG, but we already learnt about the outcome of Maybach, which is set to be put to sleep forever beginning with early 2013. High development costs for a second generation doubled by the incertitude generated by the lack of sales of the current luxury limousines have contributed to this tough decision. In order to fill the gap left by the disappearance of Maybach, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch in 2014 a more upscale version of the future S-Class W 222: the S 600 Pullman, destined to fight with Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Although premature, some details were dropped on the internet. The extended wheelbase limousine will boast almost 6.5 meters in length and a unique, distinctive design to set it apart from the usual S-Class and hark back to the Grand Mercedes 600 of the 1960s. Passengers will travel in complete style and comfort in the exclusively pampered, top quality interior. Moreover, alongside the Pullman and other new variants, the new luxury range of Mercedes-Benz will reportedly receive a special 4-door coupe based on the S-Class towards 2015, even though this information is still to be confirmed by company executives.

Photo: Autobild

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

Posted in 2014, maybach, mercedes-benz, new, replace, report, s 600 pullman, s-class | Leave a comment

International award-winner: C-Class triumphs in Japan and Australia

By Adji

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is among the most popular cars – worldwide. This is confirmed by two recent awards: in Japan the C-Class leads the field as the best imported car for the second time in succession. Down under, the C 250 CDI and the C 63 AMG Coupé scooped the "2011 Australia’s Best Car Award" in their respective segments.

The title "The Imported Car of the Year Japan" is traditionally awarded at the Tokyo Motor Show for the automobile with the best concept and the most innovative technology. As in the previous year, the title for 2011/2012 went to the C-Class Saloon and Estate. C-Class models also claimed Australia's most important independent automobile award. The Australian Automobile Association presented the C 250 CDI as the best of the best premium mid-size cars. The C 63 AMG Coupé won its award category as best sports car.

Mercedes-Benz carried out a comprehensive upgrade of the C-Class in the spring of 2011. The new generation boasts a dynamic design and numerous new assistance systems: from the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system to proximity control with DISTRONIC PLUS, it offers a new standard of safety in this segment. In addition, fuel consumption has been cut by up to 31 percent in comparison to the previous generation.

Source: Daimler AG

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

Posted in australia, awards, c-class, international, japan, mercedes-benz | Leave a comment

SPY: Have a look inside the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Facelift

By Adji

It was about time Mercedes-Benz moved its fleet of test cars to Northern Scandinavia, where snow and low temperature dominate the landscape and make it ideal for the cold weather development programme. It's also good to see the upcoming 2013 GLK Facelift in action after almost three months of absence. Due for a mid-cycle revamp, the compact SUV from Stuttgart will boast a mildly revised front fascia, an improved dashboard and new tail lamps when revealed during the summer of next year. Apart from the exterior shots, photographers have managed to get a picture of the interior, which is enhanced with the latest styling influences of the Stuttgart design house. Controls on the center console will be rearranged or replaced with new ones, such as the HVAC panel, the multimedia interface and the elegant air vents mimicking the ones on the B-Class. The 4x4 will also feature a new steering wheel à la CLS and the most recent generation of the COMAND infotainment system emphasizing internet access and upgraded functions. The rehauled GLK will continue to be sold in LHD configuration, but according to a recent report, the second generation model tipped for 2015 is expected to debut a right-hand-drive version for the first time.

See more pictures after the break!