Supreme sportiness, style and comfort define the new SL Roadster from Mercedes-Benz, which is available from Mercedes-Benz sales partners from 31 March 2012. Its body and body-in-white have been produced as all-aluminium constructions for the first time. At the market launch, there is a choice of two new powerful 6- and 8-cylinder engines featuring cutting-edge injection technology, with ECO start/stop function as standard. These engines are up to 29 percent more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. Two world-firsts are also being premiered in the new SL – the Frontbass system for the ultimate in listening pleasure even with the roof open and the MAGIC VISION CONTROL wiper/washer system, which applies the water to the windscreen directly from the wiper blade.The new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL takes the meaning of the famous abbreviation "SL" – super-light – quite literally.Systematic weight reduction is one of the outstanding structural design features of the new SL. Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing, elaborates: "It was around 60 years ago that we celebrated the successful launch of our first super-light sports car. Since then, every generation of the SL has set new standards. And with the new model we are continuing this tradition."
The new SL sees Mercedes-Benz introducing an all-aluminium body-in-white into volume production for the first time. Together with a host of other intelligent improvements to points of detail, this leads to an overall weight reduction of up to 140 kilograms in comparison to the predecessor model. The aluminium structure is also superior to the predecessor's steel design in terms of rigidity, safety and comfort. "The new SL is the safest roadster in the world!" says Schmidt.
Environmental Certificate for the new Mercedes-Benz SL
The neutral inspectors from the TÜV Süd technical inspection authority have confirmed the high environmental compatibility of the new Mercedes-Benz SL in good time for the market launch, duly awarding the sporty and stylish Roadster the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062. This certification is based on an exemplary life-cycle assessment for the SL, which entailed a comprehensive analysis of the Roadster's environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle – from production through extensive service to recycling at the end of its life.The results make good reading: the new SL-Class reveals advantages over the previous model in all impact categories. Primary energy requirements have been reduced by 23% and NOx emissions by 16% over the entire life cycle, for example. In addition, the new SL incorporates a higher percentage of high-quality recyclates and renewable raw materials. For the first time in automotive engineering, a secondary alloy has been qualified for aluminium inner panels in the body-in-white, in order to minimise the environmental impact in the manufacturing process. This goes far beyond the legal requirements. The Environmental Certificate and supplementary information are made available to the public in the "Life Cycle" documentation series, which is retrievable at http://www.mercedes-benz.com . In addition to the SL, the models of the A-, B-, C-, E-, M- and S-Class, the GLK, the SLK and the CLS have also received the Environmental Certificate from TÜV Süd.
Prices in Germany for the new Mercedes-Benz SL incl.19 % VAT:
- SL 350 93,534 euros
- SL 500 117,096 euros
Credits: Daimler AG Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Under the slogan "The new SL. Athlete. Esthete.", Mercedes-Benz starts on 12th March 2012 the media campaign for the sixth generation of its legendary luxury sports car. Various print ads in elegant monochrome look and an unusual TV ad in black and white starring Boris Becker put the key message in the spotlight: the SL is the perfect epitome of cultivated sportiness. Check out the new SL-Class advertisement >> HERE
"The new campaign focuses on what the new SL is: the perfect fusion between a luxury coupe and a dynamic sports roadster," says Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "No other vehicle has reached a cult status as the SL and the new generation is even more convincing as a synthesis of exquisite comfort, refined sportiness and fascinating open-air driving pleasure."
The 44-second TV spot "Voice-over" is a humorous approach to the extraordinary performance of the new SL. The focus is on the all-aluminum body, which gives the premium roadster unparalleled dynamism and a significant decrease in the overall weight compared to its predecessor. As a passenger, Boris Becker enjoys the ride on a winding coastal road. Full of enthusiasm, he counts out loud the technical highlights of the SL: "V8 Biturbo, ..., from 0 to 100 in just 4.6 seconds, ..., full-aluminum body, 125 kilograms lighter than its predecessor" Annoyed, the driver slams on the brakes and invites the tennis legend to get out of the car. Surprised, Becker looks after the roaring SL and notes enviously: "And now, another 90 kilograms lighter...".
The focus of the print ads is the combination of luxury and feeling roadster, which is highlighted by the monochrome-look campaign in a particular way. Various motifs direct the SL in an urban environment, mediated by the photographic perspective which denotes vastness and pleasure to drive. Both the vehicle and the environment are uniformly decorated in fine silver gray, broken only by the red tail lights, black-tinted windows and a yellow element in the urban architecture.
Another component of the communication campaign is the SL Bodywork app, which will be available for download starting end of March, after the market launch of the luxury roadster, on www.mercedes-benz.com/sl, in the App Store and Android Market. The app offers the user, independent of time and place, a personalized fitness training programme in the areas of strength, endurance and stability.
The campaign was developed by the creative agency Jung von Matt / Alster and Jung von Matt / Spree. The TV spot was produced by Radical Media and directed by Christian Alby. Igor Panitz was the photographer of the print ads.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Daimler Buses achieved its second-best sales result ever in 2011, selling a total of 39,740 vehicles or 2% more than in the previous year. The division achieved this result despite difficult sales conditions for complete buses. The only time that sales were even higher was in 2008, when almost 40,600 units were delivered. As a result, Daimler Buses continues to be the world’s leading supplier of buses weighing more than 8 tons GVW.
311,000 buses were sold worldwide, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year. Whereas business was booming particularly in Latin America, the bus market in Western Europe remained in a slump because of the financial and debt crisis. Market development was similarly negative in North America, which, like its Western European counterparts, suffered from public sector budget constraints and therefore from substantially fewer calls for bids.
Strong sales increase in growth markets
The main reason for the rise in sales at Daimler Buses was the increased demand in Latin America, where the division boosted sales of Mercedes-Benz brand chassis by 8% to 25,000 units. Sales were also buoyed by purchases made earlier than planned due to the introduction of the Euro V emissions standard in Brazil in 2012. The market share of Daimler Buses in Latin America remained at a high level of around 43% in 2011. Substantial increases were posted in Mexico as well. Business was also good in Turkey, where sales rose by 55% to the record figure of 1,100 buses.
By contrast, Daimler Buses was unable to buck the downward trend in Western Europe and North America. As a result, sales dropped in Western Europe by 17% to 5,900 vehicles and chassis. Sales of city buses once again declined steeply, as the public sector continued to be negatively influenced by budget restraints. The division sold 600 buses in North America, or almost one third less than in 2010. Budgetary constraints were also the defining factor in this market.
“In 2011 we kept pace with the global market as a whole,” says Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses. “We captured an impressive 12% of the global market, which makes us the world’s Number One bus supplier. More specifically, we clearly maintained our leading position in the core markets.”
Daimler Buses’ revenues and earnings both declined in 2011. At €4.4 billion (2010: €4.6 billion), revenues were slightly lower than in the prior year. These figures are the result of two contrary developments. Whereas the demand for chassis rose substantially, it dropped considerably for complete buses, which generate significantly more revenue per bus. This development therefore had an even bigger impact on earnings than on revenues, and EBIT declined from €215 million to €162 million. “2011 was clearly a chassis year, while the business with complete buses was very sluggish, particularly in Europe,” comments Schick.
"We've got the right strategy"
Even though Daimler Buses’ return on sales dropped to 3.7% in 2011 (2010: 4.7%), the division’s target for 2013 remains at 6%. “We have the right strategy, and we will systematically pursue it,” says Schick. A key element of this strategy is the GLOBE 2013 growth and efficiency offensive. This “fitness program” will be rolled out at all locations and along the entire value chain. “We will leave no stone unturned and make sure that nothing is omitted,” states Schick.
One of the aims of this strategy is to more strongly interlink the European production network, which has locations in Germany, Turkey, and the Czech Republic. The two German bus plants in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm will remain an integral part of this network, which is why the division invested extensively there in recent years as well as in Hosdere, Turkey.
“GLOBE 2013 will further increase the competitiveness of the German locations. We are making Mannheim and Neu-Ulm sustainably fit for the future. Daimler Buses is the only major bus manufacturer to remain faithful to Germany as a production location,” says Schick.
As part of GLOBE 2013, Daimler Buses will exploit existing growth potential in its traditional markets and further expand its business operations into new ones. In response to the introduction of the Euro VI emissions standard, the division is launching a product offensive in the city bus segment as well as in the coach market. Daimler Buses’ Travego Edition 1 is the first Euro VI-compliant coach. “Our products precisely meet our customers’ wishes, and we will systematically exploit growth potential,” says Schick.
City buses in India — chassis in China
Big growth opportunities are also offered by new markets such as India and China. After having introduced two travel coach models in India since 2008, Daimler Buses is now launching the first Mercedes-Benz city bus there. India is the world’s second-largest bus market, with a current volume of about 46,000 buses per year. Experts predict that this volume will grow to around 80,000 units in 2020.
By then, the bus market in China is expected to increase from its current level of more than 100,000 units to around 150,000 units. Daimler Buses is taking a multi-track approach in order to exploit the opportunities in China. The division will begin selling chassis in the country this year. In addition, Daimler Buses will talk with the Chinese company Foton about joint projects. Foton and Daimler are already cooperating in the truck sector. The two companies are partners in the joint venture company Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd., which produces Auman brand medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks in China.
Daimler Buses expects sales to be negatively affected by the introduction of the Euro V emissions standard in Brazil this year, whereas business will probably improve slightly in Western Europe.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Excitement is building at the MTC as there’s just a week to go before the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes contender for the 2012 F1 season is unveiled by Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, and you can watch it all happen LIVE right at McLaren.com!
Live coverage of the event will start on the morning of February 1 from 11am GMT, and you can join in the action by logging on to McLaren.com or watching through our Facebook page.
Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh will be among those giving us their thoughts on the new car and the forthcoming season, which starts in Australia on March 16.
So make sure you stay tuned to McLaren.com or facebook.com/vodafonemclarenmercedes for your first glimpse of the MP4-27!
* Official photo and details courtesy of VODAFONE MCLAREN MERCEDES *
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The first vehicles from the new B-Class and new M-Class ranges will be going out to customers from 19 November. It has been possible to order these models since July and September respectively. Even prior to the dealer launch, the customer response has been outstanding. "The introduction of the new B-Class and the new M-Class brings two important models to the market, each of which raises the bar in its segment that little bit further. We have every confidence that they will continue to build on the success of their predecessors and help generate further momentum in terms of sales", emphasised Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
The new B-Class: premium is not a matter of size
Since 2005 more than 700,000 customers have taken delivery of a B-Class. With about a third of worldwide sales since the beginning of the year having been made in Germany, this represents its biggest market, followed by China, where the B-Class was introduced with great success in 2009.
The new M-Class: improved efficiency and an exceptional level of safety
With altogether more than 1.2 million units sold, the M-Class is the most successful SUV in its segment. Since its market launch in 2005, more than half a million customers have opted for the most recent model generation and, in spite of a model change being imminent, sales in October increased by 22.2% percent, making the M-Class leader in its market segment. The biggest sales market is the US, with a share of approx. 40 percent since the start of 2011, followed by China and Germany.
One of the most impressive features of this third generation of the Mercedes-Benz
M-Class is its outstanding energy efficiency. The fuel consumption of the new models lies, on average, 25 percent below that of their predecessors. The fuel-efficiency champion is the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, which gets by with an NEDC consumption of just 6.0 l/100 km (158 g CO2/km).
Further strengths of the premium SUV with permanent all-wheel drive include exceptional safety and well-balanced ride comfort as well as excellent driving dynamics both on and off the road. What is more, the ML features an array of new chassis developments and innovative dynamic handling control systems which further enhance both driving enjoyment and handling safety.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
