Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported September sales of 18,779 vehicles, bringing the company’s year-to-date volume to 177,298, a 1.6 percent decrease over its year-to-date record set last year.

After its first full year on the market, the new generation C-Class model line set a record for September sales with 6,772 units, an 11.9 percent jump over the 6,052 C-Class units sold last September.  C-Class sport and luxury models also set a record year-to-date with a sales increase of 35.8 percent (57,365 vs. 42,236 units).  True to form, the C-Class continued to be the sales volume leader for the diverse Mercedes-Benz product portfolio.

On the SUV side, the volume leader was the M-Class which continued to demonstrate gains with a sales increase of 1.1 percent for September sales (2,981 vs. 2,948 units).  This brings M-Class sales for the year-to-date to 25,498 units, a 6.4 percent increase over the first three quarters of last year.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 4,973 vehicles in September, an increase of 13.3 percent over September 2007, bringing the program’s year-to-date total to 47,946 units, a 22.1 percent increase over the same period last year.

Powering a New Class of Hybrids

Mercedes has announced plans to produce the first hybrid cars with powerful lithium-ion batteries. The cars won't roll off the assembly lines until 2009, but the Germans are hoping to break Japanese dominance of the electric-motor market.

Mercedes-Benz will unveil a new car battery this week. It uses about as much space as a conventional lead battery (meant only to start engines), but it packs a whopping 120 volts — about ten times the power of its more ordinary cousin — and it will be used, starting next year, in the luxury Mercedes S-Class line of hybrids.

The S-Class will be the world's first series-production hybrid car with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. << Read the full article at AMG Market here >>

Another resource for those interested: Oil Obit - Energy News (energy and environment info including articles on hybrid cars). 

Editor's Note: We don't know if AMG Mercedes-Benz intends to get in the electric car business. I can't image they are not at least taking a look at future technologies for high-performance vehicles. We'll let you know if we hear of anything. Does anyone know of any research projects at AMG?

Mercedes-Benz honored the accomplishments of legendary race driver Jochen Mass, one of the great Formula 1 competitors, by presenting him with the “Star Driver” award at this year’s Pebble Beach Gala on Friday, August 15, 2008.

Mass was honored as this year’s Star Driver during the Mercedes-Benz gala dinner at the Beach Club at the Lodge. With over 170 guests in attendance, including Jutta Benz, the granddaughter of Karl and Bertha Benz, Mass was formally recognized for his contributions to racing and Mercedes-Benz.

Mass was on the Mercedes-Benz Team from 1988 to 1991 along with other racing legends Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger.  He took wins in the German and European Championships, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the coveted 24 Hours of Le Mans.

On Thursday, August 14, Mass led a Tour d’Elegance in a CLK63 AMG Black Series Formula 1 Pace Car. The tour began at the Polo Field and took a scenic drive to Carmel before returning to the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge on the Third Green. Mass was followed by Stirling and Susie Moss in a 1957 300Sc Roadster.

The Star Driver award recognizes individuals who have made great contributions to motorsports and the automobile industry.  Mass is the fourth individual to receive the Star Driver designation, joining the ranks of icons Sir Stirling Moss, John Fitch, and Denise McCluggage. While racing with Mercedes Sauber in 1989, Mass, along with teammates Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens, brought home a spectacular win at the ‘24 Hours of Le Mans.’

There are two upcoming track events for AMG Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.

September 15, 2008
A group of AMG enthusiasts are heading to Roebling Road Raceway (Bloomingdale, GA) on Monday September 15, 2008. Audi enthusiasts are also invited. The event includes a full day of open track but registration is limited to only 25 attendees. The 2.02-mile Roebling Road asphalt road course consisting of nine turns is located just 20 miles from downtown Savannah, Georgia. Details here.

October 24-28, 2008
The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) South Jersey Section is hosting a national driving event in Millville, New Jersey on October 24-28, 2008. Drive your Mercedes-Benz like it was built to be driven - Coaching by Trained Instructors! Registration is now open for this event - details here.

*** ARTICLES ARE ADDED ON A REGULAR BASIS ***

Article List Update:

1. Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65 Black Series
2. AMG Mercedes-Benz Suggested Retail Prices
3. C63 AMG Fire and Ice Test Drive Program Now on AMG TV
4. Mercedes-Benz SLK Milestone, 500k Vehicles Delivered
5. Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape is BACK - Download the mp3 files
6. AMG Mods for the 2008 65 Series
7. New AMG E63 Performance Package
8. The History of AMG
9. AMG Videos
10. Mercedes-Benz AMG CL65
11. The Mercedes-Benz SLK Story to Date
12. VIN Decoder - Vehicle Identification Number
13. Road and Track 1972-1989 Mercedes-Benz SL Article (March 1994)

NOTE: In the mean time, you can also visit this page for a general list of Mercedes-Benz articles.

Will the AMG SL65 Black Series live up to our expectations? The corporate goal was to create the ultimate Black Series, a vehicle of outstanding prowess on track and off, whose every line and detail underscores its dominance and top-level performance a vehicle to appeal to each of the five senses.

While development officially began in 2006, AMG Mercedes claims the SL 65 AMG Black Series is the culmination of more than 40 years of AMG engineering, motorsports and steadfast dedication to performance - a descendant of its forbearers if you will.

Click here for full details concerning the new AMG SL 65 Black Series (press release from AMG Mercedes-Benz).

Like the SLK 55 AMG Black Series and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series before it, the SL 65 AMG Black Series was also developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO, which opened in 2006. The first vehicles will be delivered to customers, starting in November 2008.

You can view multiple images of the SL 65 AMG Black Series on the homepage of the Private Lounge. The promo also includes desktop wallpaper images for your computer and cell phone.

Stuttgart - With the delivery of the 500,000th vehicle since its market launch in 1996, Mercedes-Benz has now reached another milestone with the successful SLK compact roadster. All in all, about 310,000 customers opted for a model from the first generation of this dynamic two-seater, and its successor has now sold 190,000 units since its market launch in March 2004.

"With the launch of the SLK in 1996, Mercedes-Benz successfully established the premium segment for compact roadsters. Thanks to innovative technology such as the vario-roof and the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF, the SLK has long been recognized as a cult car of modern times,” expains Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for Sales and Marketing. “The new-generation SLK models, which we are delivering to customers since April 2008, are sportier than ever. I’m confident that the dynamic looks and performance of the new SLK will again set pulses racing among sports cars enthusiasts around the world."

In Western Europe, by far the most important sales market for the SLK, the two-seater was once again the market leader for its segment in 2007. The compact roadster enjoys the greatest popularity in Germany, with over one-third of all SLK drivers coming from the home market of the brand with the star. The rest of Western Europe accounts for a further one-third of sales. Moreover, one in every five SLK customers comes from the U.S. The most popular model among customers is the SLK 200, which is selected by half of all SLK owners worldwide and by more than two-thirds in Germany. Also in strong demand is the SLK 280, which is driven by over one-quarter of all SLK owners.

The new-generation SLK, which celebrated its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January, inspires imagination especially with its sportier looks and the promise of an even more emotional driving experience. The most important changes in the vehicle’s appearance include redesigned front and back views, as well as a carefully modified interior, featuring a new combination instrument panel and a three-spoke steering wheel. Three enhanced engines underscore the two-seater’s dynamic character. Engineers have devoted particular attention to the V6 sports engine. Despite a considerable increase in power in some instances, all the engines use significantly less fuel. For example, the SLK 350 with manual transmission consumes 1.1 liters per 100 kilometers less than its predecessor, despite an added 33 horsepower, for a new total of 305 horsepower.

If desired, the SLK is also available with the newly developed direct-steer system and new-generation audio and telematics features. Like its predecessor, the latest SLK is manufactured in the Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant, the brand’s center of excellence for its open-top vehicles.

AMG Mercedes has a special forum for owners at the AMG Private Lounge. For example, on March 26 a team of AMG specialists will answer questions during a live forum event. You can register for the site using your VIN. Once registered, you can participate in the discussions and/or read the posts if you missed the event.

Here is the info for those interested: 

AMG ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
With a team of MBUSA AMG Specialist on hand, bring on your questions! On Wednesday, March 26th from 9:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST AMG Product Management will join us for this unique opportunity to have your questions answered in our third chat session of 2008. The session will be located in the "Chat Section of the Private Lounge.

AMG AT THE NY AUTO SHOW
With an opportunity to host more than 100 Private Lounge members and guests at the AMG NY Auto Show Preview Night, the event was a full success. We are also happy to report that a Private Lounge member’s guest was also the winner of the IWC watch given away at the event. Details and images of the event can be found on the Private Lounge.

In other news, a date has been added to the AMG Challenge Graduate Program: 

FOR THE AMG PRIVATE LOUNGE
DATE ADDED - 2008 AMG CHALLENGE PRIVATE LOUNGE GRADUATE PROGRAM, APRIL 25, 2008 AND OCTOBER 5, 2008
We still have a small number of spots open for the Las Vegas date in April and we are now registering for the Miami date in October. The AMG Private Lounge is pleased to offer a 2008 AMG Graduate Challenge program to our members on Friday, April 25th in Las Vegas and Sunday, October 5th in Miami. These Private Lounge Graduate Challenge events will follow the same format as our standard Graduate Program with the addition of a few AMG surprises. Registration is first-come first-serve and is limited to 45 participants. Registration will fill up quickly so sign up now if you are interested. Visit the Private Lounge and look for the discussion boards.

This is a great Mercedes-Benz promo, free music CD available for download. Most of the artists are on MySpace but most of the songs on the MB promo can't be downloaded from their MySpace sites. The Mixed Tape promo comes out every 8 weeks or so and includes newcomers to the international music scene; rock, pop and jazz mostly.

read more | digg story

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!

Our friend and colleague, John Olson, recently launched the SL Market Mercedes-Benz SL News website. John is the publisher and author of the book, The SL Experience - Five Decades of the Mercedes-Benz SL (which you have seen for sale on our sites). He is also publisher & editor of the SL Market Letter, which was founded in 1982. The SL Market Letter is a premier publication for aficionados of Mercedes' most collectible cars - the Mercedes-Benz SL.

You can find sample articles and news features on this site; several were originally published in his SL Market Letter (subscription based newsletter). John also reviews high quality products and services that enhance the Mercedes-Benz experience.

About
The SL Market is a comprehensive resource for information pertaining to the Mercedes-Benz SL. We provide newsletters, special reports, products, and services to the Mercedes-Benz enthusiast. You will find concise summaries of Mercedes-Benz information not easily found elsewhere: SL Market News

Let's hope this isn't a record Daimler repeats in 2008. The automaker paid a heavy fine in 2007 for failing to meet federal fuel-efficiency standards. The NY Times today published an article with more info - an excerpt and link to the full article follows:

DaimlerChrysler paid a $30 million fine in 2007, the most ever by an automaker, for failing to meet federal fuel-efficiency standards, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The penalty was assessed for DaimlerChrysler’s imported fleet of cars from the 2006 model year, which failed to meet the corporate average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon, an agency spokesman, Eric Bolton, said Wednesday.

DaimlerChrysler, now known as Daimler, topped the record of $28 million set by BMW in 2002. The United States has collected $735 million in fines since 1985 from automakers whose fleets failed to meet car and light-truck mileage standards, now at 27.5 mpg and 22.2 mpg. << Read the full article here >>