2012 Spanish Grand Prix: Qualifying – Maldonardo on Pole
by Philipp Deppe | 12.Mai 2012
Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher will start the Spanish Grand Prix from ninth and seventh positions respectively following today’s qualifying hour at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Today’s qualifying was dominated by a strategic use of tyre sets with a view to tomorrow’s race. Just three teams got both their cars into the top ten shoot-out this afternoon, including MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. Tomorrow’s grid will see four different teams starting from the top four positions. P2 to P6 on the grid were covered by less than two and a half tenths of a second.
Nico Rosberg
“That was a tricky Qualifying session this afternoon, and seventh position was about the most that we could have achieved. It was a challenge to find the right set-up for the tyres and some of the others did that better than we did today. However with a good strategy tomorrow, we can hopefully gain some places. This has been a mixed up season so far and it’s interesting to see that there are some new guys on the front row tomorrow.”
Michael Schumacher
“We wanted to save tyres this afternoon, which dictated how we managed Q3. I did not complete a timed lap, and now I still have the choice of what tyres to start on tomorrow. Equally, I thought it was better to start from ninth on the grid than eighth, and be on the clean side. It’s clear that some teams have taken a step forward after the three-week break. And I would also say that the field is now even closer together. It’s going to be a tight race tomorrow, although the forecast says it should be cooler, and it will be interesting to see if our choices today pay off at the end of the race.” MORE »
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FleetBoard won Frost & Sullivan Award
by Philipp Deppe | 12.Mai 2012
Daimler FleetBoard GmbH has won Frost & Sullivan’s “2012 Growth Leadership Award” in the category of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle telematics.
The coveted award was presented to FleetBoard Managing Director Markus Lipinsky at the GIL 2012: European conference for Growth, Innovation & Leadership, in London. The provider of smart telematics solutions was honoured for its innovations and for recording the industry’s highest annual growth rates during the past three years.
The International business consultancy firm, Frost & Sullivan, had evaluated and compared leading suppliers of telematics services in Europe on the basis of four different criteria. In doing so it used a proprietary, certified research method and analyzed the range of standard equipment in the truck, the increase in modular product components, the expansion in new regions, and the establishment of growing partnerships. FleetBoard was the undisputed winner in this study, which guaranteed it the “2012 Growth Leadership Award”.
One of the reasons why Frost & Sullivan chose FleetBoard for the award is because the company is pursuing a new strategy of introducing telematics as standard equipment for trucks across Europe in order to strike out in new directions in a consolidating market. Frost & Sullivan also noted that FleetBoard provides a wide product range for all commercial vehicle segments, brands, and markets. Our company also offers expanded back office integration and vehicle-related logistics management solutions that greatly help boost the efficiency of commercial fleets. In addition, Frost & Sullivan pointed out that FleetBoard had penetrated markets outside Germany in order to increase its global presence in places such as Europe, Brazil, South Africa, and the Middle East. The study came to the conclusion that FleetBoard’s extensive experience, proximity to truck development units, use of Mercedes-Benz’ European sales network, and long-term partnerships with hardware and software suppliers are creating the basis for ergonomic growth in the years ahead. MORE »
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smart continues its mobility concept further: market launch for the smart escooter in 2014
by Philipp Deppe | 11.Mai 2012
smart will launch the escooter on the market in 2014. For smart, this is the next logical step in implementing its comprehensive concept for future urban mobility.
“The decision in favor of the escooter has been made,” announced Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, on the sidelines of the international dealer meeting in Davos, Switzerland. “With this step, we are adding a further important component to our smart mobility concept for urban mobility in the future,” he added. MORE »
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MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS and STARWOOD agree partnership
by Philipp Deppe | 11.Mai 2012
The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is delighted to confirm a new relationship with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, who become an official Team Partner with effect from the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
Announced by Nick Fry and Michael Schumacher at the W Hotel in Barcelona this morning, the new partnership will allow Starwood to build business relationships within the sport and see the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS team stay in Starwood hotels as they travel to various Grand Prix venues on the Formula One calendar.
Starwood will also use the opportunity presented by the global audience of Formula One to promote their Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme and increase consumer awareness of the benefits available to frequent travellers.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS commented: “We are very pleased to have agreed a new team partnership with Starwood, and to welcome the brand to Formula One for the first time. As regular travellers will tell you, a good hotel can make a real difference to your trip, and I am delighted that our team will have the opportunity to experience some of the Starwood hotel portfolio as we travel around the world. We are very much looking forward to working with Starwood and helping to promote their Starwood Preferred Guest programme to a new audience.” MORE »
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The new Mercedes-Benz Antos – the heavy-duty short-radius distribution truck
by Philipp Deppe | 10.Mai 2012
Mercedes-Benz will soon be extending its family of trucks by a new member, the new Mercedes-Benz Antos – a model series designed specifically for heavy-duty short-radius distribution transport use.
The vehicles are currently demonstrating their capability in camouflaged guise, but the covers will come off for the Commercial Vehicle IAA in September and the start of sales. With the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Antos, Mercedes-Benz becomes the first manufacturer to have a truck series that has been specially developed for the very varied requirements of the short-radius distribution transport industry.
The Mercedes-Benz Antos promises both transport operators and drivers the benefits of easy and well thought-out handling as well as outstanding efficiency. The general styling and the design idiom of the Mercedes-Benz Antos reveal its relationship with the Mercedes-Benz Actros, but the very different requirements for the cab give it an unmistakable character of its own.
The 2.30-metre-wide cabs, designed specifically for the short-radius distribution transport market, are available in either short ‘S’ or medium-size ‘M’ versions. Both offer a convincing combination of easy access, optimised ergonomics and intuitive controls. MORE »
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Former DTM driver becomes AMG brand ambassador: Maro Engel becomes a new instructor at the AMG Driving Academy
by Philipp Deppe | 9.Mai 2012
The former DTM driver Maro Engel has become a new AMG brand ambassador with immediate effect. Additional duties performed by the 26-year-old driver will include acting as an instructor for the AMG Driving Academy, as well as providing support to selected SLS AMG GT3 customer teams.
SLS AMG GT3 customer teams can book Maro Engel for test or racing sessions
as part of the driver support programme from AMG Customer Sports and can therefore draw on his great know-how as a racing driver. Maro Engel will be supporting his colleagues Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger, who have accompanied the SLS AMG GT3 throughout its entire development and testing programme and are also available for customer team bookings.
In his new role for Mercedes-AMG, Engel will be on hand as a point of contact at press and customer events. As a new member of the AMG Driving Academy’s team of instructors, he will also be actively involved on location at race tracks. Here too, he will join forces with Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger, who belong to the AMG Driving Academy’s core team, along with Bernd Mayländer (driver of the official F1 Safety Car), Karl Wendlinger and Susie Wolff (DTM driver for Mercedes-Benz).
According to Maro Engel: “I am looking forward to some new and exciting roles with AMG. As a brand ambassador and instructor, I will pass on my motorsports know-how to customers of the AMG Driving Academy. And as part of the driver support team at AMG customer sports events in particular, I am also looking forward to passing on my four years of experience as a Mercedes-Benz DTM driver to AMG customer teams, as well as being able to climb into the cockpit of the SLS AMG GT3 myself.” MORE »
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Mercedes AMG Petronas teams up with IWC Schaffhausen
by Philipp Deppe | 8.Mai 2012
The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team is pleased to announce a new partnership with IWC Schaffhausen, with the Swiss watch manufacturer becoming the Official Engineering Partner of the team from January 2013.
The link between IWC Schaffhausen and AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, dates back to 2004, when they reached a partnership agreement. The new relationship with Mercedes AMG Petronas continues this shared passion for pushing the boundaries of precision engineering.
IWC Schaffhausen have been producing luxury watches since 1868, and are renowned for their pursuit of perfection and technical innovation in the design and engineering of their timepieces, a perfect match for the principles of the team.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal of Mercedes AMG Petronas said: “It is widely recognised that motorsport serves as a testing ground for technologies that ultimately benefit us all. As the pinnacle of global motorsport, Formula One is at the forefront of such development, and that leading role is set to continue in the years ahead. It is a privilege to find another company that espouses the same principles as our own, with the same insistence on absolute perfection. We firmly believe that the partnership with IWC Schaffhausen will be enormously beneficial to us both.” MORE »
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Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Diamond: The luxury van as a chauffeured vehicle
by Philipp Deppe | 7.Mai 2012
Mercedes-Benz presented its Viano VISION DIAMOND superlative show car at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. This chauffeured vehicle makes a big impression right from the start with its black radiator grille, chromed grille louvers, and two-tone exterior paint job.
A fine, shimmering gold line painted by hand separates the two body colors of black and diamond white, and a painted diamond adorns the B-pillar. The two-tone effect is repeated in the rims of the five-spoke wheels, and the brakes feature the words “Mercedes-Benz” in gold.
The interior underscores the extravagant nature of the model as well. Luxurious appointments in the rear include a special innovative multimedia unit that allows passengers to choose between a business setting or a comfortable ambience for relaxing.
Regulation of sunlight intensity in the interior
The windows of the passenger compartment, as well as the rear window and the glass partition between the chauffeur and the passenger compartment, are all equipped with the Magic Sky Control system, which enables passengers to change the interior lighting conditions with just the push of a button.
This changes the color of the windows, an effect that is made possible by a liquid in the window glass that reacts to differences in electric current. The chauffeur’s area is completely black in color, the seats and door paneling are covered in the finest nappa leather, and leather also covers the instrument panel, the steering wheel, the gearshift, and the A- and B-pillars. The passenger compartment is entirely in porcelain white, from the carpet and the seats to the safety belts and the ceiling. MORE »
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DTM Lausitzring: Gary Paffett second
by Philipp Deppe | 6.Mai 2012
Gary Paffett (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé), managed to get on the podium again a week after his win in the opening race of the new DTM Era in Hockenheim.
The British driver came 2nd in the second race of the 2012 DTM season at the Lausitzring. Bruno Spengler (BMW) won the race. After the first two races of the season, Paffett leads the drivers’ standings with 43 points from Jamie Green (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 30 points). The team standings are headed by the Team THOMAS SABO / Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG. Mercedes AMG are in second place with 37 points. Mercedes-Benz also leads in the DTM manufacturer championship with 96 points to BMW’s 54 points and Audi, 52 points.
Jamie Green, 2nd in the opening race of the season Hockenheim a week ago, came 4th. Green posted a time of 1:19.025 minutes, the fastest lap of the race at the Lausitzring. This is the second time he has done it at this track. In total, Mercedes has clocked eight out of thirteen fastest laps in DTM races at this track since 2001. It was also the 164th quickest lap for Mercedes-Benz since 1988.
In his 45th DTM race, Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) moved up the field from 16th place to P10 and so finished in the points. Christian Vietoris (Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Coupé) and David Coulthard (DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) finished in P11 and P12. In his second DTM race, Roberto Merhi (Junge Sterne Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) came home in 16th place. Susie Wolff (TV Spielfilm Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) was 21st, Robert Wickens (stern Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) did not finish. A total of 72,000 spectators attended the DTM race weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) at the Lausitzring. MORE »
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Gary Paffett to start from second row, Jamie Green on third row
by Philipp Deppe | 5.Mai 2012
Gary Paffett (THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) will start 3rd on the grid at the second DTM race of the 2012 season Sunday at the Lausitzring.
The winner of the opening race of the season drove a time of 1:18.820 at the end of individual qualifying. Bruno Spengler (BMW / 1:18.777) will start from Pole Position. The first three drivers in qualifying were separated by only 0.043 seconds. Last weekend at the Hockenheimring, Paffett took the THOMAS SABO Mercedes AMG C-Coupé to victory from sixth place on the grid at the first race of the new season.
Jamie Green (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé) will start the second race of the 2012 season from sixth place on the grid. Placed second at the season opener in Hockenheim, he secured a time of 1:18.461 in Q3. Qualifying Part 1: Christian Vietoris secured the third best time of 1:18.977 minutes in the first qualifying session. Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:19.506), Roberto Merhi (Junge Sterne Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:19.557), Susie Wolff (TV Spielfilm Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:19.584) and David Coulthard (DHL Paket Mercedes AMG C-Coupé / 1:19.672) finished in positions 17 to 20 respectively. A mere seven and a half tenths of a second covered P1-P20. MORE »
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Deliveries to commence at the end of April/beginning of May: smart ebike wins prestigious design award
by Philipp Deppe | 5.Mai 2012
Outstanding recognition and the highest praise for the design: the smart ebike is one of the winners of this year’s “Red Dot Design Award”. The first models are being successively delivered from the end of April/beginning of May 2012. The first owners will be the numerous customers who have taken advantage of the possibility to reserve an ebike since November 2011.
The 30-man jury of the prestigious “Red Dot Design Award” judged more than 4500 products from 58 countries and awarded the smart ebike the “red dot: best of the best” prize for top design quality. The award ceremony will be held on 2 July 2012 in Essen. “We are delighted that the consistent and innovative design of the ebike with its unmistakable smart signature has received this prestigious award”, says smart boss Dr. Annette Winkler. “In just a few weeks time our unique smart on two wheels will start conquering cities and cycle paths around the world.”
With an unconventional design in line with the style of the brand, functions appropriate for city use and high technology standards that are demonstrated by the extremely efficient and high-performance drive package among other features, the smart ebike has an exceptional position. It will initially be available in two colour variants: in crystal white with electric green accents and in dark grey matt with flame orange accents. Prices in Germany will start at 2,849 euros (including 19% VAT).
High-quality components guarantee dynamic, safe and fun cycling. For example, hydraulic disc brakes from Magura are fitted at the front and rear. Standard features also include LED light with a daytime running light function and 26″ wheels – both in the smart ebike design. The ebike is fitted with Continental EcoContact Plus tyres. Thanks to additional strengthening they are particularly puncture-resistant. The drive is also of a very high quality with a completely maintenance- and oil-free carbon toothed belt instead of a conventional bicycle chain. MORE »
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Mercedes-Benz Starts Successfully into the Second Quarter, Sales up 3.6 Percent
by Philipp Deppe | 4.Mai 2012
Mercedes-Benz has had a successful start of the second quarter, with sales up 3.6%. Last month, the company sold 104,344 vehicles of its core brand. Year-to-date shipments are thus at a record level of 418,246 units (+9.7%).
The Mercedes-Benz Cars division has also registered a new sales record since the beginning of the year. Between January and April, 454,778 vehicles (+9.4%) of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach have been sold; 113,901 units (+3.5%) of these were in April.
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We are continuing on the road to success as the second quarter begins, and have again increased our sales compared to last year. This is mainly due to the ongoing high demand for our new products. Sales of the new B-Class and the new M-Class are already performing excellently and will continue to develop dynamically due to the gradual introduction to other markets. In the months to come, the next generation GLK, the new G-Class and the E300 BlueTec Hybrid, the most efficient sedan in the premium segment, are celebrating their market launch. This will provide additional sales momentum.”
Demand for the brand with the star remains especially high throughout the NAFTA region. In the USA, Canada, and Mexico, sales have been at a record high since the start of the year. In April alone, 22,336 vehicles (+23.8%) have been handed over to customers in the United States. From January to April, 83,849 Mercedes-Benz cars (+17.5%) were sold. This makes Mercedes-Benz in April and year-to-date the best-selling premium brand in the U.S. In Canada, sales were up15.8% year-on-year in the same period. In Mexico sales even rose by 29.9% compared to the previous year.
Mercedes-Benz sales also developed very dynamically in Russia. New sales records were reached in April and year-to-date. Sales growth was 25.9% in April. Sales were also robust in the Middle East region in April, growing by 20.3%. MORE »
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Original accessories for the new Mercedes-Benz SL: Stylish accessories for an iconic sports car
by Philipp Deppe | 4.Mai 2012
Thanks to an extensive range of accessories, it is now possible to enhance the individual flair of the new Mercedes-Benz SL that little bit further. All products are manufactured to Mercedes-Benz’s usual high quality standards.
From all-weather mats to ten-spoke alloy wheels, the Mercedes-Benz original accessories for the new SL offer a multitude of ways for owners to tailor the roadster even more closely to their own needs. The stars of the extensive initial range are eleven stylish alloy wheels – perfect for giving the SL that additional individual touch – and a total of 16 charging cradles and docks for various smartphones. Other upgrade options include the COMAND Online multimedia system, boasting a DVD changer, and the media interface, which can be integrated via cable with a host of mobile end devices.
The high quality is also apparent in the elegant door sill made from brushed stainless steel and featuring illuminated lettering, or the key ring, a replica of the SL symbol on the boot lid.
The SL can be made to look even more sporty thanks to genuine accessories from AMG. One option is the AMG bodystyling package, comprising front and rear aprons and side skirts, and a choice of three 19″ five-spoke wheels.
Source: Daimler AG
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Big award for a clever idea: smart eball wins gold ADC award 2012
by Philipp Deppe | 3.Mai 2012
At this year’s international Art Directors Club (ADC) awards, smart won “gold” in the category of “Interactive/ Physical Innovations” with its interactive eball game event. The 91st ADC Awards ceremony will be held at a large gala in New York on 8th May.
The Art Directors Club (ADC) is a professional association of art directors from the advertising sector, founded in New York in 1920 with the aim of promoting the highest standards in advertising and mentoring the next generation. As a big international prize the ADC Award is one of the most important awards in the advertising industry.
smart eball is an interactive game event that shows off the dynamism and agility of the electrically driven smart fortwo. Ping pong-like, digital bats that knock the ball to-and-fro on the LED screen are driven by two actual smart fortwo electric drives with the aid of sophisticated laser measuring and transmission technology. The players engage in a gripping duel demanding quick reactions by driving the cars forwards and back.
“We wanted participants to experience the incredible driving fun of the electric smart and smart eball achieved that perfectly,” says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “The aim of the game was understood immediately and anyone can just dive straight in – it’s just as intuitive and straightforward as our smart electric drive.”
The game event that was used on the occasion of the world premiere of the smart fortwo electric drive at the 2011 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt was received enthusiastically by visitors. More than 1,500 games and wide press reporting in all types of media documented the great success of the promotion.
smart eball is an idea by BBDO Proximity Berlin. BBDO Live handled the implementation at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt.
Source: Daimler AG
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Mercedes-Benz Collection miniatures in 1:87, 1:43 and 1:18: The new SL: the legendary sports car now in miniature for collectors’ display cabinets
by Philipp Deppe | 2.Mai 2012
Car enthusiasts have been dreaming of owning their own Mercedes-Benz SL for 60 years. But it is not just the genuine article in the garage that provokes covetous looks.
High-grade miniatures of this luxury sports car have also long been sought after. Following the market launch of the new SL, the Mercedes-Benz Collection now includes the roadster – faithfully reproduced in every detail, down to the original paintwork – as 1:87, 1:43 and 1:18 scale models.
The miniatures boast the classic SL proportions and an incredible attention to detail covering everything from the air outlets to the lovingly recreated interior. Developed using the original CAD data, the hand-assembled precision models are extraordinarily faithful to the original and comprise up to 104 component parts. The roadster roof is enclosed separately.
These collectors’ models, produced in partnership with the well-known manufacturers Herpa and Norev, are available from Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets, Mercedes-Benz dealerships, the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the online shop (shop.mercedes-benz.com).
All model cars in the Mercedes-Benz Collection come in Mercedes-Benz designer packaging. A screwdriver is enclosed with the 1:18 scale models, allowing the model to be removed from its screw-fastened packaging with the minimum of fuss. The cars also come with a glove to protect the miniature from fingerprints.
Source: Daimler AG
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Strong first quarter: Daimler increases Group EBIT to €2.1 billion
by Philipp Deppe | 1.Mai 2012
Daimler AG (stock-market symbol DAI) achieved EBIT of €2,130 million in the first quarter of 2012, which is slightly higher than the high prior-year level (Q1 2011: €2,031 million). Net profit increased by 20% to €1,416 million (Q1 2011: €1,180 million) and earnings per share rose to €1.25 from €0.99 in the first quarter of 2011.
“We have started the year with a strong first quarter. Despite higher investment in future growth and a challenging market environment, we succeeded in surpassing the very good prior-year results in terms of unit sales, revenue, EBIT and net profit,” stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are on schedule to meet our targets for this year as well as our medium-term targets.”
The development of earnings is primarily a reflection of the ongoing growth of unit sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Trucks. There were opposing, negative effects on earnings mainly in connection with the expansion of the product portfolio, including the current product offensive at Daimler Trucks. Exchange-rate movements had a positive effect on earnings.
The decision to reposition the European business of Daimler Buses resulted in charges of €36 million.
First-quarter unit sales up by 9%
In the first quarter of 2012, the Daimler Group sold a total of 502,100 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide, surpassing the prior-year number by 9%.
Daimler’s first-quarter revenue increased by 9% to €27.0 billion. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, revenue grew by 7%.
The free cash flow of the industrial business decreased compared with the first quarter of 2011 to minus €2.0 billion, due to the normal seasonal development of working capital and in particular to increased inventories. Higher levels of stocks are related to the start of the peak selling season in spring at Mercedes-Benz Cars and the market launch of new products such as the B-Class, the SL and the SUVs. At Daimler Trucks, inventories increased towards the end of the first quarter in anticipation of stronger demand in the NAFTA region and in Asia. Additional factors reducing the free cash flow were the higher level of investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as well as capital contributions in connection with the transfer of the Bergen business to Engine Holding (a joint venture of Daimler and Rolls-Royce relating to Tognum) and the joint venture between Daimler Trucks and Foton in China. MORE »
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