If you're new here, you can subscribe to AMG Market and receive summary updates when new content is published by the editors (no updates, no email, no SPAM). Our blog subscribers also receive some premium content privileges. Thanks for visiting!

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and SL-Class vehicles are among the top 7 cars most likely to be stolen according to data released by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), which tracks per-car theft losses. The rankings are reported in relative terms.

For example, a car with an HLDI theft loss score of 100 is considered to be average - numbers above 100 are higher than average. The Cadillac Escalade EXT has an astronomical loss ranking of 1,728. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and SL-Class rank 6th and 7th on the list; rankings of 227 and 209, respectively.

Additional Resources

Forbes has a more detailed story on the HDLI's report. The article is published here on MSNBC  for those interested.

How embarrassing is this? During a recent DTM presentation in Düsseldorf, a 2002 Mercedes CLK-DTM race car outfitted with a 2008 C-Class body went up in flames. The driver, Bruno Spengler, decided to thrill the crowd with a few burning hot doughnuts - and thrill the crowd he did. The incident was so embarrassing in fact that DaimlerChrylser published an official press release to explain the incident.

Here's an excerpt of the press release. You can read the full press release over at CARSCOOP.

DaimlerChrysler: An incident, in which nobody got injured, occurred during the DTM presentation programme at Düsseldorf’s Königsallee. The rear of a former DTM race car (Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM from the year 2002), driven by Bruno Spengler, caught fire due to an overheated brake. The car was a five-year-old race car that had been fitted with the bodywork of the new C-Class for demonstration runs.

Here's the video from YouTube (Warning: the video includes an MP3/music overlay that's not rated G; turn your sound off if you prefer):

RZWj7f1sffc

Klaus Maier, executive VP of sales for Mercedes-Benz told Automotive News, “We are trying to get more speed (in fleet sales).” And for good reason, Mercedes-Benz European sales to fleet customers trail both Audi and BMW by a hefty margin. But they intend to close the gap with this year's new C-class and future E-class sedans. For those interested, Automotive News (Europe) has a brief story by Jason Stein here.

DaimlerChrysler Press Release (Stuttgart): WestLB AG of Düsseldorf, which is a German bank, has informed DaimlerChrysler AG that on April 4, 2007, the volume of DaimlerChrysler shares that it holds for trading purposes exceeded the threshold of 10% of the voting rights in DaimlerChrysler AG and that it currently holds an equity interest of 14.006% (144,172,765 shares).

According to the information WestLB provided, these are purely financial transactions, which are completely hedged with futures. The number of DaimlerChrysler shares held by WestLB is to be reduced again to well below 3% of the capital stock in the foreseeable future. The transactions therefore do not result in any shift in DaimlerChrysler’s shareholder structure. 

AMG Market | Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts

Events are listed by date. You can add additional events by completing the form below. 

May 18-21, 2007
StarTech 2007
Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA)
More info: StarTech 2007
Reston, VA

To add an event listing, please complete the following form:

Besides the autobahn, where can you drive a variety of AMGs to the limit without getting arrested? How about at the California Speedway or Lime Rock Park? Mercedes-Benz offers an event for AMG enthusiasts branded "The AMG Challenge." For a couple of grand you can experience the power of AMG on the track and learn professional skills to tame the track.

NOTE: We updated this post and links. You can find the AMG Challenge Event info here.