The Board of Management of Daimler AG has extended the contract of Dr. Joachim Schmidt as Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars until 09/30/2015.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Dr. Joachim Schmidt has realigned sales and marketing and thus set the course for sustainable growth in sales. He represents the Mercedes-Benz brand like no one else. We are delighted that he joins our management team for another three years."
Dr. Joachim Schmidt has been a member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing, since October 2009. In this function, he is also responsible for the management of global and national affiliates as well as of the "Sales & Marketing Executive Committee", which consists of sales and marketing heads of all automotive businesses.
Dr. Joachim Schmidt was born in Sindelfingen, Germany, on September 7, 1948. He studied mathematics at the University of Stuttgart, where he earned a doctorate in 1976. Dr. Schmidt began his career at Daimler-Benz AG in 1979, where he served as main team leader in car development.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The expansion of the model portfolio is an integral and crucial part of the Mercedes-Benz 2020 Growth Strategy, which aims to settle the German carmaker as world's no. 1 premium constructor. In the first part, the plan includes the addition of at least 10 new models to the range by 2015 in all classes: compact, mid-size, full-size, large and SUV. Most of these future vehicles are niche variants that help Mercedes-Benz explore the clients' desires and offer attractive automotive choices that meet all the demands and fill every possible market gap.
In the compact class, Mercedes-Benz will soon launch the all new A-Class hatchback (W 176). Following closely after, we'll see the advent of a niche model: the CLC-Class 4-door coupe (C 117), which will spawn a CLC Shooting Brake version in 2013 (X 117). Towards 2014, the Stuttgart-based carmaker will launch the GLC crossover (W 156) in both FWD and 4MATIC variants. Also possible for addition are an A-Class 2-door Coupe (C 176??) and an A-Class Cabriolet (A 176??), that, if approved for series production, could hit streets by 2015 and 2016.
In the medium class, Mercedes-Benz plans to add two new models to the popular C-Class W 205 generation, scheduled for 2014. So, apart from the Limousine, T-Modell and Coupe version, the lineup will also comprise a C-Class Cabriolet (A 205??) and a C-Class Sports Tourer (V 205??) that are to be unveiled during 2015.
In the full-size segment, the German automotive manufacturer will premiere the CLS Shooting Brake (X 218), but another possibility is a new E-Class Sports Tourer (V 213??) to replace the current R-Class, but only after 2015.
The large-size class will gather a new range of high-luxury models based on the forthcoming S-Class (W 222) arriving late this year. During 2013 and 2014, Mercedes-Benz will start launching the S-Class Coupe (C 222??), the new S-Class with long-wheelbase dubbed XL (V 222??), the high-end S-Class Pullman (X 222??) and the future S-Class 4-door Cabriolet (A 222??). Previously emerged hints also suggested the 2015 reveal of a large S-Class 4-door Coupe version, but that rumor sounds fairly unlikely to come true one day.
Last, but not least, the Mercedes-Benz SUV class will grow with an SUV Coupe model entitled MLC (C 292) prone to be release by the end of 2014 and assembled at the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA facility, where the Stuttgart-based constructor is already producing the GL-, the ML- and the R-Class.
Note from editors: The details contained in this article are partly real and partly speculative, as they are based on reports that appeared in the last two-three years. The image you see above is part of an official and public document of Daimler AG (see HERE). The notes for each new model were made by ourself. As we can not entirely ensure the accuracy of the information we have, we used the "??" mark to signal this fact.
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Strange enough, Mercedes-Benz is currently testing two different generations of the same model: the GLK facelift of the X 204 model series and the future GLK, codenamed X 205. The second generation, scheduled for release sometime in 2015, is already having the first outing in Northern Scandinavia, where snow and ice dominate the picturesque landscapes.
In this early stage of development, a test mule is being used, as the real car is yet to be finished design-wise: hidden under the body of the current GLK are the new chassis and components that make the X 205 series. You can easily depict the vehicle as having a modified radiator grille, a humpier engine bonnet, some revised protection shields underneath, as well as a longer wheelbase and a wider track, with all four wheels visibly moved towards the extremities of the car.
Having seen this initial scoops, one has to take into consideration the future GLK will grow in size and be repositioned in the lineup as to make room for the anticipated GLC crossover, which is based on the new A-Class/B-Class models. Most probably, the styling will undergo a serious rehaul so that the car would look more dynamic and appealing to young customers. The powertrain, coming courtesy of the 2014 C-Class (W 205 generation), is expected to deliver better capabilities both on-road and off-road, whereas the engine lineup will certainly be enriched with more efficient, yet powerful units, and probably some alternative drives such as hybrid or electric. We should some design hints on the 2015 GLK as we approach 2014, when the test prototypes will lose most of the outer and inner camouflage and, possibly, Mercedes-Benz will launch a concept showcar to give us a better preview.
Image Credits: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
It is believed the second decade of the 21st century will rewrite all the basic principles of automotive engineering. Nowadays, car companies are rushing to launch new and innovative technologies in order to save the planet and contribute to making driver's tasks much easier to accomplish - if driving is perhaps seen as a risky challenge rather than sheer pleasure and automotive passion. Systems that make the engine run cleaner improve efficiency targets - but the overall weight of a car is one crucial aspect engineers must take into consideration if they ever want to meet the stringent targets they've set themselves. Using light mass materials to develop the chassis and main components is the path Mercedes-Benz will supposedly follow with the advent of the new generation E-Class by 2015.
Early this year, Daimler AG has put a solid foundation after it signed an official cooperation agreement with Toray Industries, a Japan-based professional multinational company centered around technologies in chemistry, electronics and advanced composite materials. The two giants have already developed an innovative molding process for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) which shall be used in the new models Mercedes-Benz will premiere beginning with 2012. Lightweight construction is another goal of the partnership and hereby one of the decisive statements in the German carmaker's plan for sustainability.
It has been recently reported Mercedes-Benz could be planning a special version of the future E-Class. The 'Superlight' limousine, as it might be called, will feature a lightweight chassis made up of CFRP and composite materials, which help to decrease the total mass of the car by 350 kilograms - reaching a final 1300 kilograms. Strengthness and body rigidity won't give any headaches to engineers, as it is well known that carbon fiber performs superbly in these two categories. Together with the constant breakthroughs in safety achieved by Mercedes-Benz, we could be in for one impressive automobile if the Superlight E-Class comes true in approximately four years from now.
The innovations don't end just here. The use of carbon fiber will create more interior space and it is highly possible the athletic sedan will adopt a different exterior styling compared to the standard model. Moreover, the Superlight E-Class is expected to feature alternative, efficient powertrains - fuel-cell, electric and hybrid versions are said to be on the decision table. If the project goes well, chances are more bespoke lightweight models from Mercedes-Benz will be revealed towards 2016-2017, including a sensational supercar, dubbed SCS.
Photo: Autobild
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
