*Courtesy of Autoblog
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mercedes-Benz taps Valmet to build new A-Class
Monday, July 30, 2012
Mercedes-Benz S/S 2013: Form follows perfection
This season’s fashion collaboration for Spring/Summer 2013 is here, hot from the studio for your viewing pleasure.
Created by legendary fashion photographer Mario Testino – ‘Form follows perfection’ stars supermodel Joan Smalls, sporting a Mohawk and tight vintage catsuit, alongside the object of her desire, the CLS Shooting Brake, in a visual that is both futuristic and arresting.
Testino described the inspiration behind his campaign saying: “I decided to create a picture that tells a story of the most sought after objects and design that stay in history and are preserved forever; with Joan Smalls – for this campaign made up to be like some character from the future – taking the CLS Shooting Brake with her into the unknown and leaving everything else behind.”
In addition to captivating photographic images, Testino has also created a fashion film in which Smalls unveils the car, a modern masterpiece hidden among the world’s most precious gems, and drives away, laughing audaciously.
Watch the Behind The Scenes film below:
The S/S 13 ‘Form follows perfection’ campaign is the latest in a dazzling series of exceptional visuals celebrating the inimitable combination of design and style that is Mercedes-Benz. It follows the likes of Julia Stegner with the SLS AMG shot by Nick Knight; Milla Jovovich in the Mercedes E-Class Convertible by Miles Aldridge; Terry Richardson’s images of Jessica Stam poised on the roof of the Concept A-Class, and last season’s Lara Stone with the SL Roadster presented by Alex Prager.
Heralding a new era in Mercedes-Benz design language, the radical CLS Shooting Brake is renowned for its elegant masculinity and sportiness. Together with the lithe, athletic stance of Joan Smalls, this avant-garde visual represents the essence of perfection.
*Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Newsroom
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Mercedes aims to oust BMW as top luxury brand
It’s one of the most bitter battles in the American automotive marketplace, and it pits two of Germany’s luxury automakers in a grab for the brass ring. But this year, Mercedes-Benz is betting it can topple rival BMW to become the best-selling luxury automotive brand in the world’s largest high-end market.
But volume alone isn’t the measure of success, said Mercedes’ top American executive. The maker is looking at significant future growth that it hopes will also position it as the industry leader in terms of gross margins.
And key to that growth, said Mercedes-Benz U.S. Chief Executive Steve Cannon, is a wave of new products that will not only cover existing market segments but also some “white space” areas where the luxury maker currently doesn’t participate.
“The breadth and depth of our lineup is one of our strategic advantages,” Cannon explained.
The executive has been spending much of the week in Santa Fe, where Mercedes is giving automotive journalists their first drive in the second-generation GL sport-utility vehicle. It joins an array of newly upgraded models such as the bigger G-Wagen, smaller GLK and the brand’s top-selling truck, the ML.
When the latter model was introduced a little more than a decade ago, skeptics scoffed. But it wasn’t the first time Mercedes had defied conventional wisdom when entering a new segment. It took a several-year-long debate before it launched the compact C-Class back in the 1980s. That model is now one of the German maker’s strongest offerings.
Meanwhile, the ML, GL and the rest of the SUV lineup now account for nearly 45 percent of Mercedes’ total U.S. sales. And sales would be even higher, contended Cannon, were it not for capacity constraints at the automaker’s assembly plant near Tuscaloosa, Ala. Dealers currently have a 26-day supply of the ML on hand — less than half the industry average of 60 to 65 days.
The strong demand for Mercedes’ crossover/SUV models might take some people by surprise considering the run-up in fuel prices earlier this year. As the numbers on the pump pushed past $4 a gallon in some markets — with some analysts forecasting the figures would eventually nudge $5 and even $6 — overall light truck sales briefly tumbled. But since prices peaked in early April, demand has largely bounced back.
That’s not to say Mercedes is ignoring the potential disruption another petroleum spike might have. Nor can it dismiss the impact of the tough new emissions and mileage standards being enacted in major markets such as the U.S., Europe, Japan and China.
“They will require smaller cars,” says Cannon, a West Point graduate and former Army artillery officer.
The automaker recently gave a hint of what is in store at the low end of the market where it is completely updating its smallest model, the A-Class. And, significantly, at least one version — the coupelike CLA sedan — will be earmarked for the U.S. market, the first time one of the A-Class models will come to the U.S.
Such models are intended to not just satisfy the demands of regulators but to meet the needs of a new generation of buyers who are looking for smaller — and decidedly more high-tech products. Mercedes has traditionally positioned itself as a leader in technology, and it is investing billions to maintain that brand image. The new GL, for example, introduces such features as Collision Avoidance and Crosswind stabilization. The former can alert a driver to a potential crash, the latter helps to keep the big crossover in its lane even in the harshest wind storm.
But what may appeal even more to first-time Gen-X and Millennial luxury buyers is the mBrace2 infotainment system that can pair up with a motorist’s smartphone to play apps like Pandora through the car’s sound system — and even use voice commands for texting.
While new products and technology will be critical to Mercedes’ growth plans, Cannon admitted that the maker must also improve the way it treats customers in the showroom and service bay. “If we look in the mirror and be honest we have to admit we’re not doing well enough,” he said.
The maker has been staging a series of meetings with dealers across the country aimed at improving customer handling. Dealers, in turn, have spent about $1.5 billion to upgrade more than 90 percent of U.S. showrooms. The results appear to be paying off.
“Mercedes sets the benchmark,” said Fran O’Hagan, whose Pied Piper Prospective survey uses thousands of so-called “mystery shoppers” to measure how manufacturers are handling the sales and service process. Mercedes bested such stalwart competitors as BMW, Lexus and Audi in results released earlier this month.
And that’s apparently helped it gain a leg up on BMW. It held a 2,000-unit lead over the Bavarian automaker for the first half of 2012 after narrowly losing the U.S. luxury sales crown in 2011. Anything can happen, especially if rivals BMW or Lexus ramp up incentives spending, Mercedes officials admit. But it’s clear they are ready to pull out the big guns to grab the ring this time.
Ironically, Cannon admitted that being No.1 likely “won’t sell one more car” for the brand, even though Americans do like to associate with winners. The more important goal, the executive said, is to ensure maximum margins by protecting the image of the vaunted Mercedes tri-star logo.
“Profitability is definitely more important,” agreed analyst Aaron Bragman, of IHS Consulting, though he believes Mercedes “probably” will land on the top of the luxury hill this year.
And the key to maintaining that, he said, is ensuring that new products like the CLA — and updated offering like the next-generation S-Class and refreshed E-Class due next year — beat customers expectations.
*Courtesy of MSNBC.com
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Come Taste the Difference of Reata Winery's Unique Craftsmanship
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I cordially invite you to join us on Friday, July 27, 2012 for an exclusive, invitation-only tasting of fine varietal wines from the Reata Winery. Since this is an invitation-only event and attendance will be limited, we ask that you please make your reservations as early as possible and prior to Thursday, July 26. Reservations can be made by email to Receptionist@MercedesFairfield.com or by phone at (707) 430-0101.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, July 27
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield
Host Vineyard: Reata Winery
We will be pouring Reata's wonderful 2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir which is intensely aromatic with notes of dark cherries and spice and their 2009 Napa Valley Estate Viognier which displays classic cool weather characteristics of honeydew and melon flavors and light citrus aromas, which all combine elegantly for a graceful finish. Hors d'oeuvres will also be provided by Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, as well as music performed by Amanda Long.
And every one of our guests has a chance to win either a long weekend (3 days) use of a new Mercedes-Benz or a bottle of one of Reata's fabulous vintages, just by attending!
During the wine tasting, find out how to get the Mercedes-Benz of your dreams for less than you ever thought possible. Bring in your current vehicle, and we'll tell you how much your trade-in is worth and make you an offer on the spot. You may be surprised at how much your car is worth. We're also your Official Mercedes-Benz Lease Turn-in Center. So if your lease is coming due, we can conduct a pre-inspection and evaluate your vehicle's condition, regardless of what dealership your lease is with. We'll also suggest how to maximize your vehicle's value prior to turn-in.
Attendees of our prior events consistently comment on how much they enjoy both the wine served at our tastings and the information shared during the event. We look forward to you being a part of this highly enjoyable experience!
Very best regards,
David Long
General Manager
Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield
Mercedes-Benz Fairfield: Visit us at www.mercedesfairfield.com
2950 Auto Mall Parkway, Fairfield, CA 94533; Mon-Friday 9 AM-8 PM Sat. 9 AM-7 PM Sun. 11 AM-6 PM
Sales: 888-417-0199 |Service: 888-840-4243 | Parts: 888-308-0734
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