This Wednesday will be a great day for me…First off it is my birthday, and secondly I will be experiencing the new GLK hands on. As I understand it, we will have a ride and drive, competitive comparison, and be able to see from the service side as well. Please check back next week as I should have photos and first impressions of it. I cant wait!
50 Years of Diesel in America
I just read a great article on Motor Trend website in regards to our diesel technology. Back in 1959 Motor Trend wrote about our new diesel that was comming to America as the first diesel-powered mainstream automobile. They took a 5122 mile road trip across America in a 1960 190D “Ponton”.
50 years later they made the same trip. This time the 1960 190D was accompanied by our new 2009 ML320 BlueTEC. The trip was broken down into 4 legs. Irvine to Seattle, Seattle to Denver, Denver to St. Louis, and lastly St. Louis to New York.
Here is the numbers break down:
Soap Operas
Are all the soaps the same? Why even use soap? Here are the most common myths:
1. Soap is used to add lubricity to water and prevent spider web scratches from forming. FALSE. Water provides lubricity and that combined with the proper towel or sponge will prevent spider web scratches. Concours Exteriors recommends using only microfiber or a non-silicone sponge to wash your vehicles painted surfaces. Rinse often to remove debris and use a grit guard for the bottom of your bucket.
2. Suds and foam help clean better. FALSE. Only friction cleans. Suds provide nothing but visual stimulus. Suds are produce when air is introduced to soap, whether through vigorously adding water or by simply agitating the water and soap mixture. If suds did have cleaning power then how does your dishwasher or washing machine work? They do not have suds at all.
3. The more soap the better. FALSE. The only reason for using soap is to reduce the ph of the water. The quality of your water depends on where you live. Some areas have hard water (high mineral content) and some have soft water (low mineral content). Whichever soap you choose make sure that it is ph7 (neutral). If it does not state the ph7 then stay away from it. If you would like to test your favorite soap, make a bucket following the manufacturer’s directions and use a pool tester kit to find the ph. Concours Exteriors auto bath, Fresh, is ph 7.
submitted by Jeff Scordino
http://www.concours-exteriors.com/
Mercedes Benz and Consumer Reports
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked about Consumer Reports reliability ratings for Mercedes Benz, and had to explain away what they said and how they look at things. Well great news!!! In this month’s Consumer Reports, Mercedes Benz had 5 vehicles listed in the Newly Recommended Column. The E350, ML350, S550, SL and SLK. In previous years we got a black eye for putting out a product that wasn’t what it should be, and that is why we were rated so low. As I have continually told all my clients we, as a brand, have come full circle. So way to go Mercedes…keep up the great work.
Mercedes Hybrid’s
Looks like late next year (fall) we will see the S400 Hybrid according to Mercedes-Benz 2010 timeline. Following shortly after that we will see the ML350 Hybrid. Both vehicles will be using the latest li-on battery technology unlike current hybrids. The S400 has an expected 29mpg and the ML350 has an expected 30mpg. We are very excited about the new models to our line up.
Confirmed E-Class Coupe
Had a great conversation with our market manager yesterday. He did in fact confirm that the new 2010 CLK will be re-branded to the E-Class coupe and cabriolet. He didn’t get into specifics on the vehicle, but did have a rough spy photo…it looks great! More to come later.
Lexus Safety Campaign…
I saw this commercial over the weekend for the first time. I don’t know what it was that struck a nerve, but I am going to vent now. First off this is not a knock at Lexus, they are simply letting the world know they make a safe automobile. I guess this is more about Mercedes-Benz than anything else. The whole idea of the commercial (if you haven’t seen it) talks about how the Lexus RX has 14 Active Safety Systems in place. Today I went through to find a list, so here they are:
- VSC- Vehicle Stability Control
- TRAC-Traction Control
- ABS-Anti lock Brakes
- EBD-Electronic Brake Distribution
- Brake Assist
- Disc Brakes
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- AWD-All Wheel Drive
- HID-High Intensity Discharge lights
- AFS-Adaptive Front Lighting System
- Outside Mirrors with defoggers
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Headlight Washers
- Water repellent coating on windshield
Here is the part that frustrates me… most of these are Mercedes-Benz innovations!!! Lets start from the top. I have included those I deem most important.
Mercedes-Benz Terms and introduction.
- ESP-Electronic Stability Program – 1995
- Traction Control – 1959 patent
- ABS- 1975- Not a MB first, but the modern ABS is built/designed off of MB’s original system
- BAS – 1992 patent, premiered in 1996, standard on all vehicles in 1998
- AWD- 1903 first drafted -1907 first AWD for everyday use, also was first for all wheel steering
- Tire Pressure Monitor – not one auto manufacturer developed this
- EBD – No solid answer found
- Disc brakes – No solid answer found
Most of this information came from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz#Innovations and http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/03/11/010089.html.
I hope someone from MB marketing department will read this and touch on our innovations and the history of the brand. I can’t think of any other automobile manufacturer that holds the original patent on the automobile. OK I am done! Or at least until next time…
SLR Roadster Auction
On November 20th Mercedes-Benz will be auctioning off the last SLR Roadster. This is specially built as a one off for the US market. Special interior, exterior and color coated brakes. The exclusive online only auction will start at $529,500. Any funds raised above that price will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information or to join the auction please visit http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.html#/slrAuction/
