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.
AMGmarket.com – The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series is expected to produce 517 horses and 472 pound-feet of torque; slight reduction in weight and a broader track.
Daimler Press Release – Stuttgart, Nov 18, 2011:
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C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series
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Displacement
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6208 cc
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Bore x stroke
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102.2 x 94.6 mm
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Compression ratio
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11.3:1
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Output
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380 kW (517 hp) at 6800 rpm
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Max. torque
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620 Nm at 5200 rpm
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Engine weight (dry)
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195 kg
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Fuel consumption, NEDC combined
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12.2 l/100 km
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CO2 emissions
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286 g/km
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Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h
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4.2 s
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Top speed
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300 km/h*
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For those of you that have not heard by now, Mercedes-Benz is facing a class action lawsuit for alleged defects in the M156 V8 engine installed in numerous AMG Mercedes vehicles. You can read the class action complaint filed in New Jersey here.
According to the lawsuit, the class action may affect all current and former owners and lessees of 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, E63 AMG, S63 AMG, CL63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, ML63 AMG, CLK63 AMG, R63 AMG, and SL63 AMG models equipped with AMG M156 6.2 liter V8 engines.
The class action lawsuit alleges the V8 engines in several AMG vehicles have underlying problems that make them prone to premature wear, causing major engine damage and sometimes total engine failure.
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One of the greatest of all the classic American auto manufacturers is undoubtedly Duesenberg. And, marque proved once again that it is alive and well by posting a sweep of the Best In Show awards at the 16th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance held March 11-13, 2011. The best in show winners at the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer were:
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Based on the feedback and comments received here at AMGmarket.com, the AMG Driving Academy events are well worth checking out. The events offer you a high performance driving experience with groups of like-minded individuals. It should be noted that the AMG Driving Academy programs are manufacturer-sponsored events. And now, Daimler is hosting a wide range of new driving events for 2011 and 2012. The events are for drivers and enthusiasts interested in improving his or her performance skills on the track and/or safety on the road.
The AMG Driving Academy initially focused on European venues but now events are also held in both the USA and China. Here’s a quick overview of the AMG Driving Academy events with links for detailed info including fees and event dates that are provided by Mercedes-AMG:
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Mercedes GP Petronas has appointed Bob Bell as the new Technical Director effective April 1, 2011. Bell will report to Team Principal Ross Brawn and his role will primarily be based at the team’s factory in Brackley with overall responsibility for the technical operations of the chassis group. According to Daimler, Bob’s appointment will allow Ross Brawn greater freedom to oversee the full program between the team’s chassis group in Brackley and the engine group at Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines in Brixworth.
Background | Bob Bell
Bell started his motorsport career as an aerodynamicist almost 30 years ago. He worked at McLaren, Benetton and Jordan, before becoming Deputy Technical Director at Renault in 2001. In 2003, Bell was promoted to Technical Director and played a key role in the team’s double championship-winning successes (2005 and 2006). While with Renault, he became the Acting Team Principal in September 2009 and Managing Director in 2010. Bell left Renault last year in October.
Bob Bell said:
I am both delighted and honored to be joining the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team as Technical Director. It will be a privilege to be a part of such a strong and determined organization, and to be able to contribute to furthering the enviable heritage of Mercedes-Benz in motorsport.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS, said:
We are delighted to welcome Bob to the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team in the position of Technical Director. Bob’s appointment is a key step in the strengthening of our excellent technical team and we are pleased to have recruited one of the most experienced engineers in the sport. Bob will be an important asset to our team, bringing with him a wealth of Formula One knowledge and championship-winning experience, and we look forward to welcoming him at the start of April.
Norbert Haug, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, commented:
Mercedes-Benz is fully committed to providing our Formula One team with the personnel and resources to compete at the forefront of the sport. Bob’s track record speaks for itself and I know he will be a valuable addition to our team as Technical Director. He shares our passion for competition and our vision for establishing long-term success with MERCEDES GP PETRONAS.
February 18, 2011 | Test Day in Spain
SOURCE Daimler/02-18-2011: Formula One’s third pre-season test began at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today with Michael Schumacher kicking off the program for the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team. Nico Rosberg will take over the car on Saturday and Sunday, before Michael completes the four-day test on Monday. With the track damp from overnight rain and taking time to come up to speed, Michael first headed out midway through the morning to complete aerodynamic evaluations and balance checks. Following the lunch break, he completed a successful race simulation including pit stops. Michael completed 90 laps in total today.
Michael Schumacher said:
We had a good day and it is certainly satisfying to finish a race distance with all of the systems operational and to have everything working fine. Now we have to turn our focus to performance and it was important to complete today’s simulation to understand how the car and tires behave going from a heavy to lighter fuel load.
The debut of the MGP W02, the new Silver Arrow for the 2011 Formula One World Championship, took place this morning at the Valencia Circuit in Spain with the new challenger unveiled in front of the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team garage by Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher.
The result of twelve months intense design and development work, the MGP W02 is the second Silver Arrows car to be launched by MERCEDES GP PETRONAS since the team became the first Mercedes-Benz works outfit since 1955. The car’s livery is an evolution from its predecessor with a striking high-gloss airbrush effect highlighting the shape of the car. The interaction between the Silver Arrows heritage and the green shading representing the team’s title partner PETRONAS evokes memories of the first Silver Arrow car of 1934 with a modern touch added by 3D partner logos.
The technical specification of the MGP W02 includes the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery) system which returns to the sport after a one-year absence. The Mercedes KERS system was the first to win a Grand Prix during the 2009 season when KERS made its debut in Formula One. Also new on the car for this season is the adjustable rear wing, operated by the driver to aid overtaking, and Pirelli tyres as the Italian manufacturer becomes the sport’s official tyre supplier.
The team’s driver line-up remains unchanged with seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, who achieved the team’s three podiums in 2010, forming one of the most exciting and talented pairings on the grid.
Michael Schumacher
Image via Wikipedia
“Finally the waiting is over and things get started. For us drivers, the break every year is hard to take because the gap between the last race and the first time out on track seems to be never-ending. Even if I have been involved and updated all winter on the developments, and even if I know the improvements are significant, it is still different to see the new car literally for the first time in front of you. You automatically build up this nice pre-start tension. I very much look forward to the new season. We have said it several times already but again, we are really to building up something big together. I am very confident that this season we will be standing on the podium much more regularly; ideally in the middle!”
Nico Rosberg
“It is always a very exciting time of year to drive the new car for the first time and feel how it performs out on track. This year we have the added challenge of not having an immediate reference due to the change in tyre manufacturer to the new Pirelli tyres, which felt good during our first try-out at the Abu Dhabi test last year. I am very much looking forward to having a much stronger season than last year and as always, our targets are aggressive. We want to be competing at the front and challenging for race wins. Everyone at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth has worked extremely hard on the new Silver Arrow and we are all looking forward to seeing how it performs.”
Ross Brawn, Team Principal
“It is always a thrill to see a new car ready to take the track for the first time and this year is no exception. After our first year as the Mercedes-Benz works team, we are now seeing the benefits of our chassis and engine groups working well together. With a good technical structure and a strengthened race engineering organization, both at the factory and the race track, I am confident that we have done and will continue to do a better job this year in all key areas.”
“The concept development for the MGP W02 started early and we have set challenging targets for the design, combined with a robust plan to ensure that the pace of development can continue throughout the long 2011 season. We have two excellent drivers in Michael and Nico, both of whom capable of winning races in a good car, and we look forward to seeing them push each other and the development of the new Silver Arrow during the season. We want to be setting the standard right from the start but if we are not, we will respond very strongly to get ourselves into the game. Everyone is excitedly waiting to see what the new season will reveal.”
Norbert Haug, Vice-President – Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“The new Silver Arrow for the 2011 season has little in common with its immediate predecessor. Our chassis engineers have taken a fairly ruthless approach and were determined to shave off every superfluous gram and millimetre. What emerged from this process is a compact and exquisitely shaped vehicle that introduces a host of sophisticated solutions and truly reflects the enormous dedication of its constructors. We have given it a brand new coat of paint, and we aim to see a smile on the faces of our hard-working drivers and team members that is as bright as our new silver livery.
“Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are top drivers who can win races for us, provided we build them the right car. At the same time, our team, like all the other teams, has to deal with complex new tasks. The new generation of tires from Pirelli, and the extent to which the cars and drivers adapt to them, will play a vital role in deciding wins and defeats.
“The rear wing flap, which can be adjusted under specified conditions, will boost top speed and facilitate overtaking which should open up a new and interesting chapter for Formula One. And there is the return of KERS following a one-year absence at the end of the 2009 season when our Mercedes system recorded a historic first race win. This will play a massive role amongst all of the performance-related components, both for the additional power and for the strategic options it makes available. As in 2009, it is our ambition that Mercedes-Benz builds and runs the best hybrid system and that all three teams which use it benefit significantly from this. “After I have spoken at length here on the many new issues, our target can be described in one short sentence: The new Silver Arrow should not only look first class, but should also be developed to be at the top step-by-step.”
AMGmarket.com News/Source: Daimler/Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz started the year marking the 125th anniversary of the invention of the automobile with a successful month in January. Worldwide sales of the brand with the star were up 23 percent, marking another double-digit increase. A total of 82,700 vehicles were delivered last month (January 2010: 67,000). Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: “January was a great month for Mercedes-Benz, and it marks an outstanding start to the new year.
We were able to post the best January sales result ever and continue the positive development of the preceding months. We recorded double-digit increases in our three major markets of Germany, the U.S. and China, and we also experienced rapid growth in many other markets.” The company expects further sales momentum through the launch of numerous new products in 2011. The product offensive kicked off with the new CLS, which hit dealership showrooms on January 10 and has met with a great customer response. The new SLK, which celebrated its world premiere last weekend and has been available for ordering since January 17, will add additional momentum. The model will be at the dealerships in Europe this spring.
“We will be building on this excellent start in the coming weeks and expect to see significant sales growth in the first quarter,” says Dr. Schmidt.
“We have ambitious plans for 2011: Our goal is to surpass the sales record set in 2007 and achieve the best year in the company’s history.”
Things will pick up further when the new-generation C-Class is introduced in spring, followed by the new C-Class coupe in summer, and the new M-Class and B-Class at the end of the year. Mercedes-Benz was once again able to increase its market share in Germany last month and retain its position as the number one premium brand in the country. Deliveries of Mercedes-Benz vehicles rose by 20 percent to 11,100 units (January 2010: 9.300 units).
In Western Europe, sales totaled 32,400 passenger cars, an increase of 18 percent. Increases were recorded for example in the UK (plus 59 percent), France (plus six percent), and Belgium (plus 25 percent). Mercedes-Benz also continued its dynamic growth in China (including Hong Kong), where the brand once again set a new sales record by delivering 15,600 units, an increase of 87 percent from January 2010 (8,300 units). Mercedes-Benz thus remained the fastest-growing premium brand in China in the first month of the new year. Sales in January were also up in Japan (plus four percent), Australia (plus 21 percent), and Turkey (plus 55 percent). Records were set last month in the BRIC nations India (plus 14 percent) and Russia (plus 41 percent), while sales in Brazil also rose significantly (plus 60 percent).
Mercedes-Benz also got off to an outstanding start in the U.S., where passenger car sales rose by 11 percent to 16,400 units (January 2010: 14,700). Mercedes-Benz was thus the premium brand with the highest sales volume in the country. In January, Mercedes-Benz recorded double-digit growth rates in all product segments – from the compact to the luxury class. The S-Class sedan continued its success story of the previous year, boosting sales by 24 percent to 5,300 units. The model is therefore once again the world’s best-selling vehicle in its comparative segment, despite having to compete with partly much younger model series of its competitors. The new CL also picked up speed in the luxury segment by posting a sales increase of 75 percent. Sales of E-Class models continued to develop positively, increasing by 18 percent to 22,700 units. The high-volume C-Class sedan and estate also kept up their solid performance just two months before the market launch of the new-generation models: Sales of these vehicles increased by 23 percent to 22,100 units.
The A-Class and B-Class performed very well on the market in January. Deliveries rose by one-fourth to 12,300 units. The facelifted smart fortwo was also very successful in January, when 6,700 units of the innovative two-seater were sold worldwide, an increase of 20 percent from January 2010 (5,600 units). This positive development was largely due to high growth rates in China, Germany and the U.S.
| January 2011 | January 2010 | Change in % | |
| Mercedes-Benz | 82,700 | 67,000 | +23.4 |
| smart | 6,700 | 5,600 | +20.3 |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars | 89,400 | 72,600 | +23.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz sales by market | |||
| Western Europe | 32,400 | 27,500 | +17.6 |
| - of which Germany | 11,100 | 9,300 | +19.5 |
| NAFTA | 18,300 | 16,700 | +9.2 |
| - of which U.S. | 16,400 | 14,700 | +11.4 |
| Asia/Pacific | 24,800 | 16,500 | +49.8 |
| - of which Japan | 1,600 | 1,500 | +4.3 |
| - of which China | 15,600 | 8,300 | +86.5 |
Mercedes-Benz is advertising in the Super Bowl for the first time, laying the groundwork for an unprecedented year with five new model launches. Aggressively styled and bristling with innovative technology, four of these new models will be featured — two of them making their world debut in the 60 second spot called “Welcome.” Watch past, present and future converge in an iconic journey to welcome the new members of the Mercedes-Benz family. The Super Bowl ad will run during the fourth quarter.
Making the Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl 2011 Commercial:
.jpg "2012 C63 AMG Coupe Black Series from Mercedes-Benz")
