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Mercedes-Benz USA is looking for a 1963 190D for an event that will be held in New York City during March 2008. If you own, or know of one that is available, please contact the MBCA Northern New Jersey Section Vice President, Andreas Molde - Phone: 973-328-4836. They need to locate one as  soon as possible. Thanks!

VIRGINIA, Dec. 15 - eoecho.com | PR News - Mercedes-Benz USA has informed the Mercedes-Benz Club of America that it will continue the "MBCA Member Loyalty Program" until the end of 2007. The program allows members of the club to obtain rebates on certain vehicle purchases.

For a $45 investment in club membership you can receive up to $2,500 back in rebates on your next Mercedes-Benz purchase. However, there are certain restrictions, which include uninterrupted club membership for at least one year previous to making your purchase. Therefore, if you plan to buy a Mercedes at the end of 2007 join the club now so you'll be eligible for the program.

MBCA published the details of the Membership Loyalty Reward Program on their website; here is a PDF file that provides more info: MBCA Loyalty Reward Program

MBCA Contact: www.mbca.org
(MBCA does not have a designated PR contact person)

eoecho | PR News Media
Contact: Greg Magnus, eoecho.com, 804-915-7379

VIRGINIA, Oct. 21 - eoecho.com | PR News - The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) has published the election results for the four open Director at Large (DAL) positions and the open Regional Director (RD) positions. The four DAL candidates earning the most votes begin two-year terms on the national board; they join four incumbent directors.

At the club’s national board meeting, which takes place in Phoenix on November 11, the board will elect a national president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer from among the eight directors. The RDs serve two year terms on the national board as well.

Out of 20,000 plus MBCA members, 2047 cast their votes; a 10 percent response rate. The results are provided in the tables below:

VIRGINIA, Sept. 14 /eoecho.com | PR News/ – A proposal to require auto manufacturers to install electronic stability control (ESC) as a standard feature on all new passenger vehicles has the potential to save more than 10,000 lives every year, according to a statement issued today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).The proposed DOT rule would require all manufacturers to begin equipping passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds with ESC starting with the 2009 model year and to have the feature available as standard equipment on all vehicles by the 2012 model year.

ESC systems use automatic computer-controlled braking of individual wheels. The result is better driver control of the vehicle and fewer accidents. And, according to a 2004 study by NHTSA, ESC can reduced fatalities in single-vehicle crashes by 30 percent for passenger cars and 63 percent for SUVs.

NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason called electronic stability control for cars, “the greatest life saving improvement since the safety belt.”

The agency estimates that ESC will save between 5,300 and 10,300 lives annually and prevent between 168,000 and 252,000 injuries. ESC will prevent between 4,200 and 5,400 of the more than 10,000 deaths that occur each year as a result of rollover crashes.

According the NHTSA’s proposed regulation, the average cost is estimated to be $111 per vehicle for vehicles that already include ABS brakes. Since 2004, NHTSA has urged manufacturers to voluntarily add ESC as standard equipment. About 29 percent of all 2006 models - 57 percent of SUVs - are currently equipped with ESC.

Mercedes-Benz pioneered ESP® stability control. According to a Mercedes-Benz USA press release, also issued today, NHTSA analyzed more than 40,000 collisions over a period of six years, focusing on similar vehicles with and without stability control. Stability control systems are now being used by several auto manufacturers. Read more

MBCA has published the details of the Membership Loyalty Reward Program on the club’s website! Here’s the details: MBCA Loyalty Reward Program

Note this is a “rebate” program and not a “discount.” The Mercedes dealerships may not all be aware of this new program, so read the document and negotiate your best deal with the sales rep first. Read the document carefully so you understand the deal. Post a comment if you have any questions.

Richmond, VA, June 11 /eoecho.com/ — MBUSA announced at the Mercedes-Benz Club of America’s 50th Anniversary June Jamboree event that a significant rebate will be offered to MBCA members buying a Mercedes-Benz. The rebate will range from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the model; sorry future AMG owners, no rebate is being offered on this model.

The “trial” period for the program is June through December 2006. If you are a member of MBCA and you are about to purchase a car, contact MBCA (www.mbca.org) or call MBUSA for additional details. Complete information will be provided at All Things Mercedes this week.

It all began with the Mercedes-Benz C36 in 1996, and now the AMG model line spans high performance versions of the C, CLK, E, CLS, CL, S, SL, G, and M class. Thousands of AMG’s cruise the streets, but few proud owners ever imagined sitting down at dinner with Rob Allen, the AMG Product Manager at Mercedes-Benz USA.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Greater Washington Section is hosting an insider’s look at the AMG high-performance line with Rob Allen on April 29; an exclusive one-on-one technical event with the AMG Product Manager. It is not an AMG or Mercedes-Benz marketing event.

There is no question that Rob Allen is a true car guy, he has owned and restored a ’77 450 SLC., while substantially modifying it with a 5.0 liter V-8 engine and four speed automatic transmission, a 500SLC rear axle assembly with limited slip differential, a 560 SL front axle and suspension with three-channel Bosch ABS system, an aluminium hood, decklid and other 500 SLC rally car parts.

Mr. Allen received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University and became fluent in German through German studies at Harvard and the Carl Duisburg Center in Cologne. While in Germany, he completed post-graduate work on internal combustion engines at the Daimler Benz Research facility.

Mr. Allen joined MBUSA in 1991 as a technical editor of customer service information and workshop manuals. Later he came a Safety Engineer where he conducted technical investigations of real-world Mercedes-Benz vehicle accidents. He has been responsible for development of U.S. compliance input for Mercedes-Benz and has represented the company in U.S. government safety and certification regulatory activities.

During Mr. Allen’s tenure as Product Manager, AMG has achieved a five percent share of overall Mercedes-Benz sales in the United States, allowing AMG cars to replace the BMW M series as the leading German OEM performance product. At 50 percent of worldwide sales, the US is the largest AMG market in the world.

Even if you don’t own an AMG, this is your opportunity to get a close look at these high-performance vehicles. And, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions of both Rob and the Euro Motorcars‘ technical staff.

The evening starts with a wine-tasting reception and a display of AMG vehicles owned by MBCA members. Mr. Allen will make a presentation on the AMG line, and then dinner will be served.

The cost for this event is $49 per person (includes wine tasting and dinner). Euro Motorcars is hosting the event and Mr. Allen has graciously volunteered his time. Join the MBCA Greater Washington Section for an exclusive event; anyone interested can attend.

Reserve your space by completing the registration form (PDF). Contact Bill Hopper at 202.363.4189, or via email if you plan to attend.

Historic Route 66 Trip sponsored by the Mercedes-Benz Club of America in honor of their 50th Anniversary. Anniversary Chair, Richard Simonds, has announced the itinerary for the Route 66 Tour next September. Sections along the way are encouraged to plan evening events to welcome tour participants. Entrants may drive any Mercedes-Benz model, though preference will go to older cars; entry details can be found at the website (link above).