Mercedes-Benz has started 2012 with record sales for the month of January. The brand sold a total of 86,921 units worldwide, thus exceeding the previous year’s record by another 5.1%. Sales in the Mercedes-Benz Cars division also reached a new high in January by handing over 94,526 passenger cars of the Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach brands to customers (+5.8%).
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We continued the positive development from the record year 2011 in January and started successfully into the new year. We intend to maintain this pace over the coming months and are expecting substantial sales growth in the first quarter. The new B-Class in particular is getting an excellent response from customers. The imminent production start-up in Kecskemét means that we will have even more vehicles at our disposal, which will allow us to even better accommodate the high demand.”
In addition to the B-Class, in 2012, the company is expecting further tailwind among others from the sustained high demand in the C-Class segment, continued growth in SUV sales and the launch of the new A-Class and the CLS Shooting Brake. Dr. Schmidt continued, “This year, we want to exceed our record sales from 2011 and once again plan to achieve the best year in the company’s history.”
In the USA Mercedes-Benz achieved a very strong start into the year with record sales in January. With 20,306 units sold, sales increased by 23.8%. Thus, Mercedes-Benz was the most successful premium brand in January in the U.S. The brand also enjoyed a very positive performance in Canada, where it was the market leader in the premium segment in January. After record sales in the full year 2011, deliveries in January reached a new monthly high with1,773 units (+26.5%). Mercedes-Benz repeated this success in Mexico (+22.4%) and the entire NAFTA region, where the brand increased its sales by 24.0% in January to 22,660 units.
Mercedes-Benz also started with an excellent performance into the new year in its home market. With brand sales of 12,627 vehicles, corresponding a growth of 14.0%, Mercedes-Benz underlined its position as the strongest premium brand in Germany as it did in 2011 as a whole. This development was driven in particular by the high demand for the new B-Class, which led its segment in the new vehicle registration statistics of Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in January. At 21,578 units, Mercedes-Benz’ sales in Western Europe (excluding Germany) were over previous year’s level (+1.4%).
Due to the excellent sales performance in December 2011 as well as the capacity expansion at BBAC and the associated production downtime, in China some models were just partially available in January. Overall sales (incl. Hong Kong) totaled 14,463 units (-7.0%). As in full-year 2011, Mercedes-Benz generated record sales in the growth markets Russia (+41.7%) and India (+17.0%).
The S-Class sedan was the best-selling vehicle in its segment in 2011. In January, the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz brand developed excellently, too. A total of 5,302 units (+0.4%) were delivered to customers. Also a very positive start to the year saw the C-Class sedan. With 18,235 units sold, deliveries were up 4.3% compared to the first month of the previous year. On the road to success is also the C-Class estate, whose sales in January rose by 10.8%.
The new B-Class also enjoyed a strong January with sales rising by 7.8%. The company expects to see a further sales boost over the coming months with the first of a total of five new compact models. From the second quarter, the B-Class will be fully available in other markets as a result of the additional production in Kecskemét.
Among the SUVs, the new M-Class (+15.2%), the G-Class (+17.1%), and the GL-Class (+9.6%) enjoyed especially positive development. There was even more reason for the new M-Class to celebrate at the start of the year: It was chosen best in its category within the “Best Cars of 2012” awards voted by readers of the German car magazine “auto, motor und sport”. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class took second place.
The smart fortwo started the year with a brilliant increase in its January sales by 13.7% to a total of 7,605 vehicles. Once again, the two-seater was particularly successful in China (incl. Hong Kong), where 1,464 vehicles were handed over to customers. Sales in the U.S. also developed very positively, rising by 38.5% compared to the same period of the previous year. The smart fortwo also enjoyed increased demand in the UK (+52.8%), Spain (+47.4%), and Mexico (+9.0%). In 2012, the smart will get further positive momentum from two highlights: the smart ebike and the third generation of the smart fortwo electric drive.
The brand with the star shines: A new major order for 221 Mercedes-Benz Conecto articulated buses has been placed by the public transportation provider IETT to update its fleet of city buses in the metropolis on the Bosphorus. The new order allows Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk to strengthen its partnership of over forty years with IETT, more than 50 percent of whose vehicles are Mercedes-Benz products. With its fleet of around 3,000 city buses, IETT is dedicated to providing reliable and environ-mentally friendly passenger transport in the metropolis, Istanbul. IETT, which was established in 1871, operates light rail systems, subways, regular-service buses, and utilizes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mobility concept.
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, underscores the importance of the three-figured order for the Daimler subsidiary in Turkey, “This latest major order is further testimony to Daimler Buses' dynamic growth in Turkey and thereby contributes to the strengthening of our global presence.” Schick also reiterates Daimler Buses’ claim to leadership, “Every day, we are working diligently to expand our leadership position in the bus sector, and we are delighted by what we have achieved to date.”
At the ceremony for the signing of the contract by Wolf-Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Türk, and Hayri Baracli, Managing Director of IETT, the long-standing Daimler customer commented about the follow-up order, “With a tradition of more than 140 years, IETT is generating new momentum for the creation of a modern Istanbul. We are investing in an updated fleet consisting primarily of Mercedes-Benz city buses for public passenger transport in Istanbul. This way, we are making a significant contribution to comfortable transportation in Istanbul.” IETT operates Mercedes-Benz Conecto city buses for regular service operations. For the urban mobility concept Bus Rapid Transit, IETT uses the high-capacity articulated bus Mercedes-Benz CapaCity. By utilizing lanes separate from private transport, BRT is noticeably assisting the relief of city traffic.
The 221 Mercedes-Benz Conecto articulated buses are being produced at the Mercedes-Benz bus plant in Hosdere and will be delivered to the customer until September 2012. The 18-meter low-floor bus can carry up to 160 passengers. The low height of the entrances ensures that passengers can get on and off the bus quickly. The Mercedes-Benz Conecto meets the EU’s environmental standard Euro V with its BlueTec diesel technology, which reduces pollutant and particulate emissions.
Mercedes-Benz Türk
The Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk was established in Istanbul in 1967. It began producing buses for the Turkish market in 1968. The Aksaray plant launched truck production in 1986. The facilities in Aksaray and Hosdere are key elements of Daimler’s global production network.
A million kilometres, accumulated in short-radius distribution work on Austria's Alpine roads – no problem at all for the Mercedes-Benz Atego 917, as our example from the company BS Transport in the Austrian village of Tristach shows. Still with its original engine and never having needed repairs other than as required during regular servicing and maintenance, this truck offers a fine example of the model's economy and longevity.
Its journeys have taken BS Transport's Atego over mountain passes at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level and along narrow and very steep country roads into the valleys. The company uses the Atego 917 on two daily shifts, five days a week, to deliver goods and parcels for the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Two shifts means 16 hours of driving on high mountain and pass roads and rough gravel tracks to reach sometimes remote communities, covering distances of up to 600 kilometres a day.
The OM 904 LA has proved its mettle in the mountains
The never less than perfectly functioning OM 904 LA engine, with charge air cooling, 4.2-litre displacement and an output of 125 kW (170 hp), has proved its worth over the years. "To this day, it has never suffered an engine failure or needed any major repairs at all", company proprietor Hannes Bundschuh tells us, while his wife Christa, who as managing director looks after the company's finances, confirms this. She is extremely satisfied with the low lifecycle costs of the Atego. "Regular engine oil and air filter changes every 60,000 kilometres – and I'm a real stickler about seeing that these are done - are our very simple secret" confirms company boss Bundschuh.
Over the course of his not inconsiderable experience with many different makes of vehicle, Hannes Bundschuh, who himself trained as a motor vehicle technician at the authorised Mercedes-Benz workshop of Dipl.-Ing. Hans Teissl & Sohn in Lienz, has developed a firm preference for the Atego. He and his brother have been running their freight forwarding company for 25 years now. In his expert opinion: "I can't imagine using any other truck than the Atego for this sort of work. For a comparatively small forwarding agent like us, with just 11 vehicles in total, a vehicle breakdown involving major engine damage could decide over the company's continuing existence." This no-nonsense attitude derives from the fact that the previous vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz LN 817, similarly covered well over a million kilometres, while an Atego 815 from 2004, which is also in daily operation, is already approaching the one million kilometre milestone as well.
Economically speaking, especially in terms of transit traffic through Austria, the East Tyrol region is not exactly blessed with locational advantages. The Felbertauern route, which takes less than one percent of the total goods traffic in the Alpine region, plays only a marginal role and can in no way be compared with major routes such as the Brenner (22 % of total goods traffic), Fréjus (15 %) and Gotthard (14 %). This makes the collaboration with the Austrian Federal Railways all the more important for Hannes Bundschuh. Any general goods arriving at Lienz railway station will be taken over for delivery throughout the surrounding area by BS Transport. Two other major customers who contract out their long-distance transport requirements to BS Transport are Liebherr, which produces its range of cooling appliances in Lienz, and the Karlsruhe-based electrical appliance manufacturer E.G.O., which has a subsidiary at Sillian, a village located in the upper reaches of the River Drau, close to the border with Italy.
No other Mercedes-Benz coach has achieved sales figures approaching those of the permanently best-selling O303 and certainly none has been as successful in the medium price segment. Its name says it all: we're talking here of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. Some 17,500 vehicles have been sold since the start of the O350 series in 1994. The introduction of the second generation in 2006 ushered in a new era for this economical coach. Since then, exactly 5,000 of these best-selling vehicles have been delivered. The milestone vehicle, a Tourismo M, formally left the Mannheim plant on 2 February 2012. At a press conference held to mark the event, Roman Biondi, brand spokesman for Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at EvoBus GmbH, presented the symbolic key to the Keller family. "This vehicle makes it clear why the Tourismo design is so successful", said Roman Biondi at the presentation. "It gains top marks with its attractive price-performance ratio without looking like an anonymous mass-produced vehicle. Thanks to the wide range of equipment options available, it remains genuinely individual and full of character."
An economical all-rounder
The Tourismo owes its success to a consistent focus on producing a particularly economical and safe coach. Its contemporary styling, typical of the brand, and especially the Mercedes-Benz quality is appreciated by customers such as Hauser-Reisen. For Hauser, the Tourismo fully reflects the typical Mercedes-Benz brand values. "We can fit out the Tourismo to suit our individual requirements and operating needs. Whether it's as an all-round coach for excursions and short trips or as a luxuriously equipped 5-star coach for demanding long-distance travel, our Tourismo is always professionally and smartly turned out. Drivers, tour guides and passengers are all of the same opinion", said Hans Keller, touching on Hauser's own concept for the interior equipment of its Tourismo fleet.
Fittings to satisfy sophisticated demands
Hauser has adapted the Tourismo M bearing the serial number 5,000 to suit the range of tours it offers. The vehicle's interior is dominated by the high-quality seating with 5-star space between seats. 42 Travel Star Xtra (TSX), Luxline upholstered seats create a luxurious and generously-proportioned ambience, re-affirmed by the fully-integrated, high-grade galley occupying the entire rear area. In addition to overhead and floor-level cupboards and two refrigerators, each of 120 litre capacity, the galley also contains a fan oven for ready meals, pretzels and rolls, a microwave, a hot water boiler, a sink, an instant hot water geyser, a hotplate and an espresso and large coffee machine. Velour carpeting covers the entire floor area including below the passenger seats.
On-board entertainment is provided by a radio and video system, including CD/DVD player, plus a selectable navigation display and iPod interface. This allows passengers to receive up-to-date news from faraway Germany on two 19-inch TFT screens. A powerful 39 kW roof-mounted air-conditioning system plus additional driver's station air-conditioning make the Tourismo the ideal vehicle for travel in southern climes. The on-board toilet is optionally available as either a water-flushed or chemically-flushed version proving that Hauser's Tourismo can even operate in minus temperatures when the summer season is over.
Powerful, environmentally-friendly drive system
Hauser-Reisen has opted for the powerful OM 457 LA series 12 litre six-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engine capable of generating 315 kW (428 bhp). Producing maximum torque of 2,100 Nm, the engine meets the environmentally-friendly EEV exhaust emissions standard without particulate filter.
Power is transmitted to the familiar, well-proven Mercedes Benz HO6 hypoid drive axle via the Mercedes GO 240-8 PowerShift automated eight-speed transmission. It is the only specially designed coach transmission in its power category and contributes significantly to reducing fuel consumption. The transmission's eight graduated gears easily cope with different load requirements, from the varied topography experienced on intercity routes to even-surfaced, long-distance motorway journeys. The transmission ensures consistently precise, smooth and rapid gearshifting.
Hauser-Reisen
Based in the South German town of Rottweil, Hauser-Reisen is focused entirely on travel and transport. What began as a bus company pure and simple in 1948 has now grown into a group of companies including a travel agency, an advertising agency and a classic local public transport company. However, the coach side of the business remains particularly important. Hauser-Reisen operates 29 Mercedes-Benz coaches: 13 Tourismos and 16 Citaros. Quality, more than anything else, underpins the coach operation's business strategy. Passengers are looked after by escorts who accompany every coach tour. Drivers receive excellent training and are justifiably referred to as coach chauffeurs. Every season, over 20,000 passengers take up one of the tours on offer. In addition to coach tours to Morocco, Turkey, Greece and northern Spain, Hauser also operates tours to more northerly destinations such as Ireland, England, Scotland, Leningrad and the North Cape. The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo's design has proven to be the ideal match for Hauser-Reisen's varied tour program. As such, this 5,000th coach will be seen on the road throughout the length and breadth of Europe.
Daimler has appointed Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Winfried Hassemer as an independent neutral intermediary (ombudsman) for Germany. He took up this position on February 1, 2012 and will receive information on any serious breaches of rules and regulations. “With the neutral intermediary we are expanding the possibilities for external and internal whistleblowers to contact us confidentially and if desired also anonymously, and to report any breaches of rules and regulations,” stated Dr. Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Integrity and Legal Affairs. “With Winfried Hassemer, we have gained an extremely well-qualified person for this position. His career as an academic, head of an authority of a federal state, judge and lawyer demonstrates his immense experience and personal integrity.”
Winfried Hassemer, born on February 17, 1940 in Gau-Algesheim, is active as a defense lawyer with the law firm HammPartner. From 1996 until 2008, he was a judge of the Federal Constitutional Court; from April 2002, he was Vice President of the Court. From 1991 until 1996, he was Commissioner for Data Protection in the federal state of Hesse.
Daimler has been steadily developing its compliance program since 2006. The appointment of an independent neutral intermediary is an additional measure and a supplement to the existing whistleblower system. Whistleblower systems are a recognized instrument for identifying violations of regulations. Daimler has had a whistleblower system since 2003.
It has already been confirmed that the all new generation A-Class is scheduled for the official debut in March, at the Geneva Motor Show. Right at this time, Mercedes-Benz are busy with doing the neccesary press materials suitable for the launch. One of the favourite locations, frequently used in this situations, is the Lanzarote island, located in the Canary Archipelago near Spain. During a photo shootout, a group of bikers from OGOTT went past the film crew and thanks to the fact one of them had a versatile HD camera mounted on his bicycle that was recording action, he managed to capture the first glimpse of a fully uncovered series A-Class model. Even though no one was expecting, the W 176 visually resembles the Concept A-Class quite a lot. The powerful and stylish front fascia, completed by the LED headlamps, the AMG sports package and the hi-tech radiator grille with perforated effects, will certainly represent the centrepoint of attraction.
In the summer of 2011, Mercedes-Benz presented the new C 63 AMG Coupé, a stand-alone, high-performance car that appeals to all the senses: unmistakable design is teamed up with a high-performance drive system and dynamic handling. The extensively upgraded C 63 AMG Coupé Austria Edition limited series model boasts exclusive equipment features. The first unit - displaying badge number 1 on the gear selector - recently celebrated the world premiere at the Vienna Auto Show 2012.
The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the C 63 AMG Coupé Austria Edition has a maximum output of 336 kW (457 hp) and peak torque of 600 Nm, delivering powerful traction and first-class performance figures: the Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).
The exclusive features of the C 63 AMG Coupé Austria Edition in detail:
· AMG light-alloy wheels in matt black with high gloss finish · Fire Opal, Diamond White or Black designo magno night exterior paint finish · designo leather in solid black colour with red contrasting stitching · Front seat head restraints with embossed AMG "apple logo" · Steering wheel in black Alcantara® and red leather with red contrasting stitching · Gear lever in black Alcantara® with numbered plaque Austria Edition · Instrument panel and door sill trim in black leather with red contrasting topstitching · Austria Edition badge on the dashboard · Entry strips illuminated in red · Aluminium trim
The new C 63 AMG Coupé Austria Edition can also be equipped with AMG Performance Package, thus emphasizing the great level of individual customization. Available as an option, this package offers a maximum output of 358 kW (487 hp) and improves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h to 4.4 seconds, with technology transferred from the SLS AMG responsible for the 22 kW (30 hp) increase in output. The forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight crankshaft adopted from the gull-wing model's high-tech drive system save three kilograms in weight. This reduces inertia and enhances the agility and responsiveness of the high-revving, eight-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine. Visually, the AMG Performance package can be identified by the variable intake manifold in titanium grey under the bonnet, the AMG high-performance braking system with composite front discs and red painted brake callipers all round, the carbon-fibre spoiler lip on the boot lid and the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather with an Alcantara® grip area.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission as standard
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission provides direct and dynamic power delivery. Rather than using a torque converter, it has a compact, wet start-off clutch which reduces the losses associated with conventional automatic transmission and thereby significantly lowers fuel consumption. The Controlled Efficiency "C" mode also plays a significant part in this. By providing earlier and more comfortable upshifts while maintaining the lowest possible engine speed and "soft" accelerator characteristics, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission helps the driver achieve better fuel economy figures.
At the same time, the power transmission, which is exclusive to Mercedes-AMG, excites with its high level of variability and scintillating dynamism: the “S”, “S+” and “M” transmission modes make the vehicle even more responsive and can be selected using the new rotary transmission switch familiar to many from the SLS AMG. Shorter gear shift intervals and higher engine revs assure the ultimate in emotional appeal. The double-declutching function is also activated in the “S”, “S+” and “M” modes, thereby further increasing driving enjoyment. The gear shifts take just 100 milliseconds in “S+” and “M” transmission modes. Using the RACE START function the driver can explore the vehicle's full acceleration capability.
Specific AMG sports suspension for great dynamism and ride comfort
It is not just the engine and power transmission which characterise the C 63 AMG Coupé's dynamic quality – the AMG sports suspension and AMG high-performance braking system are also key here. In contrast to the series production suspension system, the top-of-the-range AMG model has a specially designed three-link front suspension, reinforced multi-link independent rear suspension and a wider track all round. The stiffer elastokinematics, the autonomous axle kinematics with more negative all-round camber and stabilisers with a larger cross-section all give greater responsiveness and greater lateral acceleration. Selective damping with specially modified spring and damper rates optimises both the response characteristics of the springs as well as the ride comfort.
The AMG sports speed-sensitive power steering with direct steering ratio (13.5 : 1) gives excellent road surface contact and makes a significant contribution to the vehicle’s direct, responsive handling. This is complemented perfectly by 3-stage ESP Ò : the Electronic Stability Program gives three individual control strategies at the touch of a button: the ESP Ò button in the centre console allows the driver to choose between “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT HANDLING MODE” and “ESP OFF”. The AMG high-performance brake system has internally ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels: it is characterised by outstanding responsiveness, short stopping distances and excellent fatigue strength.
High level of safety and new assistance systems
With seven airbags as standard, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats, the C 63 AMG Coupé has extensive safety features. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver's side, sidebags, pelvisbags and windowbags for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers. The side protection system – comprising headbag and sidebag – optimises the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body.
With numerous driving assistance systems ranging from ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, the C 63 AMG Coupé provides a comprehensive level of driver support and protection. The assistance systems are familiar from the flagship S-Class and the trendsetting CLS, and are based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology. They cover frequent accident causes such as driving too closely, fatigue and darkness.
