Category Archives: Awards

Mercedes-Benz awards

Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Dependability Is Up

Posted on by

Mercedes-Benz is pleased to share with you the results from the new 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). We moved from 8th to 6th with an improvement of 16 points.

A large part of this improvement came from our volume model lines. The E-Class was our best performing model, ranking 2nd in the midsized premium segment and improving 34 points to a score of 83 PP100 (where lower is better and the average for “premium vehicles” was 120). The C-Class also contributed to the brand’s performance, with a 29 point improvement and a score of 101.

In addition, smart held its rank position at 15th with a 4-point improvement to 148 PP100, but within the sub-compact car segment, smart dropped two rank positions to 8th.

Over the past four years, Mercedes-Benz has lowered its PP100 at a faster rate than both the Industry and Premium averages. Mercedes-Benz has improved 39% since 2009, compared to 22% for the Industry average and 26% for the Premium average. Mercedes-Benz also leads Lexus and BMW, who had improvements of 32% and 7% respectively.

MERCEDES-BENZ RECORDS THE HIGHEST YEAR ON RECORD

Posted on by

MERCEDES-BENZ RECORDS THE HIGHEST YEAR ON RECORD WITH SALES OF 264,460

MONTVALE, N.J. – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported 264,460 vehicles sold in 2011, representing the highest annual volume on record with a 17.5% increase over the 225,007 vehicles sold during the same period in 2010. On a month-to-date basis, 28,006 vehicles were sold in December, a 30.4% improvement over December 2010 (21,469).

The all-new sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and firsttime Mercedes-Benz buyers – was the volume leader for the year with sales of 69,314, up 17.9% over its year-to-date volume in 2010. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 62,736, and the all-new versatile M-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 35,835. Total diesel units sold in 2011 numbered 14,358, an 85.2% increase over the same period last year.

For December, sales at the high-end continued strong as the 2012 CLS-Class posted an increase of 155.2% for the month. The company also sold 86 of its supercar — the SLS AMG — up 79.2% from December 2010, bringing its year-to-date sales to 722.

Separately, sales of Sprinter Vans also increased by 15.7% in December with sales of 1,595 – bringing a year-to-date total of 16,577 (up 93.7 % for the year).

Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 710 vehicles in December, up 24.6% for the month (compared to the 570 vehicles sold in December 2010). For the year, smart brand sales were 5,208 (compared to 5,927 sold in 2010).

Mercedes-Benz USA “100 Best Companies To Work For” 3rd Year In A Row

Posted on by

MERCEDES-BENZ USA RANKS #12 ON FORTUNE’S “100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR”

Third Consecutive Year On List – MBUSA Jumps from # 15 to #12

MONTVALE, N.J. – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today that for the third consecutive year, it has been ranked one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine in its15th annual survey which appears in the February 12th issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday, January 23rd, and now at fortune.com/bestcompanies. In its third year as an entrant, MBUSA’s 2012 ranking of No. 12, (up from) No. 15 last year, is the sole automaker on the list and No. 4 among small organizations with less than 2,500 associates.

“In 2011 we celebrated several milestones not the least of which was the sales momentum of all three brands – Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart — which led us to our highest year on record and set the stage for us to take MBUSA to new places in the years ahead,” stated Steve Cannon, President and CEO, MBUSA. “But what’s particularly gratifying is to know that – whatever the circumstances, whether challenge or opportunity – the team here at MBUSA feels that this is one of the best places to work, not only in the industry but across the entire U.S.” Continue reading →

New ML and C Coupe receive 5 stars on latest Euro NCAP safety tests

Posted on by

Five stars for new B-Class, new M-Class and C-Class Coupé: Euro NCAP: three more Mercedes-Benz model series with best grades for safety

Three new model series from Mercedes-Benz have passed crash tests based on the European NCAP procedure (New Car Assessment Programme) with flying colours. The B-Class, M-Class as the best in each of their vehicle classes, and the C-Class Coupé consequently get the top rating of five stars for outstanding occupant protection. In addition, Mercedes-Benz receives several Euro NCAP Advanced prizes for safety innovations including PRE-SAFE® and the radar-based collision warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST in the B-Class.

“The Euro NCAP awards are a striking recognition of the safety level of our vehicles, and we’re very happy about them,” stated Ulrich Mellinghoff, Head of Mercedes Safety Development. “But the standardised crash tests cover only a small part of the real course of events leading up to and during road accidents. For this reason Mercedes-Benz designs all model series employing some 40 different accident constellations, most of which we define based on the experience of our in-house accident research. Additionally, focusing on anticipatory systems and accident avoidance we equip our vehicles with systems which are not even taken into account in the rating.” Continue reading →

Mercedes-Benz SLK and M-Class Win Golden Steering Wheel

Posted on by

This year’s double win for Mercedes-Benz at the “Golden Steering Wheel” awards marks the continuation of a fine tradition

With over a quarter-million voters ranking their favorites in this year’s Europe-wide reader  vote, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Mercedes SLK won their respective category. These two additional wins have made Mercedes-Benz the most successful automotive brand at the “Golden Steering Wheel” awards over any other car brand in history. Mercedes-Benz has won the “Golden Steering Wheel” 21 times including last year’s “Golden Steering Wheel” win for the Mercedes-Benz CLS. On hand to accept the awards were Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Professor Dr Thomas Weber, Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

More than 260,000 readers of the German publications “Bild am Sonntag”, “Auto Bild” and their European sister publications in 22 countries registered their votes in this year’s “Golden Steering Wheel” awards. The winner of the SUV class was determined in a direct vote, so making the Mercedes-Benz M-Class the winner of the “Golden Steering Wheel” in this group. The SLK won its category after being shortlisted along with four of its competitors. In the unimpeachable judgement of a panel of experts, and after undergoing real-life testing, it too was awarded the “Golden Steering Wheel” in its category.

Readers from across Europe valued not only the M-Class’s characteristic and distinctive design and its variable interior, with that all-important sense of wellbeing, but also the excellent energy efficiency and thus environmental acceptability of this premium SUV. The permanent all-wheel drive system of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class also proved a determining factor thanks to its well-balanced ride comfort along with excellent driving dynamics, both on and off road, along with the car’s outstanding range and high level of safety.

What ultimately swayed the result in favour of the SLK Roadster in the “Golden Steering Wheel” competition was, above all, the way it manages to combine light-footed sportiness with stylish comfort, striking sports car design with absolute everyday practicality, and superb performance with exemplary ecological credentials. With the excellent performance it derives from its economical and yet powerful engines, along with technical innovations such as the unique panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which can be switched from light to dark at the touch of a button, the SLK takes driving pleasure and open air enjoyment to a whole new level.

This year’s double win in the “Golden Steering Wheel” awards marks the continuation of a fine tradition: with a total of 21 victories to date, the brand with the three-pointed star now leads the field of the most successful car brands to win the competition for the “Golden Steering Wheel”, a prize that has been awarded since 1976.

Mercedes-Benz customers are the most satisfied

Posted on by
Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz customers are the most satisfied. The proof comes with the results of the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSSSM) Germany, undertaken by the world-renowned market research organisation J.D. Power and Associates into the satisfaction of car buyers. The C-, E- and M-Class each scored the best marks in their respective segments. In the category Service Satisfaction, the three-pointed star also once again secured first place among the premium brands. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has won silver in the editorial awards presented by the German magazine AUTO TEST, based on more than 500 tests and pre-purchase consultations.

Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters

Posted on by

Team USA Wins Bronze Medal at Global TechMasters!

Breaking News from Stuttgart! MBUSA’s Stars of Service Champions have won third place at Daimler AG’s 2010 Global TechMasters international competition! In addition, Team USA tied Team Germany for the most individual medals earned!

About the Mercedes-Benz Stars of Service Championships:

The Mercedes-Benz Stars of Service Championships is a multi-tiered national competition conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA to identify its top performers in the workshop and customer service business areas throughout the Mercedes-Benz dealership network.

About the 2010 Global TechMasters International Competition:

Every two years, Daimler conducts the Global TechMasters international competition for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars to determine which business unit has the best After-Sales team in the world. In November 2010, MBUSA will be participating for the first time by sending the Mercedes-Benz Stars of Service Champions to Germany where they will compete against teams from 13 other countries.

SLS and CLS Voted Top Car of the Year

Posted on by

Stuttgart – The readers of the German trade journal “Auto Zeitung” have voted the new Mercedes-Benz CLS the best model in the luxury segment. Another first place – for the second time in succession – went to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as best super sports car. Both cars received the renowned “Auto Trophy”. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars, took receipt of the prestigious awards yesterday evening at the Meilenwerk centre in Düsseldorf. Meanwhile, the campaign for the Mercedes SLS AMG, entitled “Is it still a car?” was voted the best advertising campaign of the year. Andreas Fuhlisch, manager of Bauer Media KG, presented the corresponding award to Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing. Continue reading →