The AMG Driving Academy has become a popular program event for AMG enthusiasts. For the U.S. programs, the 2012 schedule has been expanded to five tracks. For those interested, below you will find the MBUSA press release that covers the dates and tracks for the upcoming programs.
AMGmarket.com News: Effective January 1, 2012, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA.com) will promote Steve Cannon to president and CEO. Congratulations Steve! I initially met Steve several years ago at an event; he is passionate about the brand and a great addition to the executive team at MBUSA. The full MBUSA Press Release is below for those interested.
MBUSA PR/December 15, 2011 – MONTVALE, NJ: The Daimler Board of Management has appointed Stephen Cannon (50) as the new president and CEO for Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) effective January 1, 2012. He replaces Ernst Lieb who left the company in October. The announcement was made by Dr. Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president of sales & marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Germany, to whom Cannon will report.
In his new role, Cannon will have overall responsibility for the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Sprinter and smart brands in the United States. He will lead MBUSA’s more than 1,700 employees and 356 dealers throughout the U.S.
Cannon’s most recent post was vice president of marketing for MBUSA with overall responsibility for marketing communications, market research and product management of the Mercedes-Benz and Maybach brands in the U.S.
Cannon began his automotive career in 1991 as executive assistant to the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz of North America (predecessor to MBUSA). From there, Cannon moved to Stuttgart and joined a small team tasked with the development, manufacturing and launch of the M-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ever made in and for this market.
In the interim, before returning to Mercedes-Benz here in the U.S., Cannon served as director of marketing for debis Financial Services (later Daimler Financial Services) and then held key positions in retail and e-business consultancies. He also served as principal for The Richards Group, one of the largest independent full-service advertising agencies in the U.S. before joining MBUSA in his current position.
Cannon has a bachelor of science degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with honors. He is a United States Army Airborne Ranger and served as 1st Lieutenant in West Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. Cannon and his family live in Connecticut.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.
MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans, and smart products in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com. For full bios and photos visit the MBUSA Media Site, www.media.mbusa.com.
The AMG Driving Academy “Pro Level” is available this year at Road Atlanta (June 28-30, 2010). And, they added the SLS AMG to the list.
FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM MBUSA, MONTVALE, NJ:
Following its inaugural year in the U.S., Mercedes-AMG is presenting a new season for driving enthusiasts who want to sharpen their advanced driving skills at the AMG Driving Academy. Among the list of enhancements is the addition of a Pro Level for 2010. Under the guidance of top professional instructors, the AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to personally experience the excitement of motorsports and the track capabilities of Mercedes-AMG vehicles including the all new 563 hp SLS AMG, capable of 0-60 mph in less than four seconds.
Originally founded by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany in 2007, the AMG Driving Academy launched in the U.S. in 2009. More than six-hundred driving enthusiasts participated in the advanced driver program last year, and participants now have the opportunity to attend an advanced three-day Pro Level program at one of the top circuits in the U.S., Road Atlanta. Program participants have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and SLS AMG.
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