Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/mercedes-benz-pondering-c-class-production-in-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mercedes-Benz C-Class - click above for high-res image gallery

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's biggest seller Stateside, and a report in a Stuttgart newspaper indicates the company could be looking to stabilize the revenue from its bread-and-butter sedan. The C-Class is currently produced in Sindelfingen, Germany, and that makes it prey to currency swings on the trip across the pond. If Mercedes transferred production to its plant in Vance, Alabama, the company would also pay lower labor costs than it does in Europe.

The Alabama plant currently makes the M, GL, and R-Class vehicles. In March of this year, Mercedes allotted $290 million to expand the facility but didn't name any vehicle that would be added there, only saying it would be "future product." The German report mentioned that Mercedes could move some SL production from Bremen to Sindelfingen to make up for the shift, but a Mercedes spokesman said there is nothing in the works and nothing to comment on at the moment.

A German labor representative said that if such a move were to come, he would expect Mercedes to have a plan to save the 3,000 jobs that would be jeopardized at Sindelfingen, and protect production at Bremen as well. If Mercedes does move the C-Class here, it would become the first of the German players to build its highest volume car in the States.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class


[Source: WGAL]


Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alabamabremenc classc-classCClassfalsemanufacturingmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz clase cmercedes-benzmercedes-benz c-classMercedes-benzC-classmercedesbenzMercedesBenzClaseCplantssedansindelfingentuscaloosavanceSun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Carlsson intros CK35 performance kit for the new Mercedes C-Class]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/carlsson-intros-ck35-performance-kit-for-the-new-mercedes-c-clas/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/carlsson-intros-ck35-performance-kit-for-the-new-mercedes-c-clas/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/01/carlsson-intros-ck35-performance-kit-for-the-new-mercedes-c-clas/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image to enlarge

Mercedes-Benz tuner Carlsson has unveiled its new CK35 performance kit for the recently-introduced new C-Class. Based on a kit the company had already prepared for the SLK350, the CK35 bumps the C's 3.5L V6 up to 295 horsepower. This, combined with an updated air filter and exhaust system, gives the sedan a 1-62 time of six seconds along with additional growl coming from the twin double-barrel tips.

As you can see, Carlsson has also prepared a new bodykit for C. It incorporates new skirting all around, including a rear diffuser in the rear bumper. 19" Brilliant Edition wheels add the proverbial cherry on top of this Teutonic sundae.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Carlsson]

Gallery: Carlsson CK35 Performance Kit for C-Class

Continue reading Carlsson intros CK35 performance kit for the new Mercedes C-Class

Carlsson intros CK35 performance kit for the new Mercedes C-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c classcarlssonCClassck35Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Lorinser takes on the new Merc C-class]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/17/lorinser-takes-on-the-new-merc-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/17/lorinser-takes-on-the-new-merc-c-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/17/lorinser-takes-on-the-new-merc-c-class/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The C-class is the entry-level Benz in the North American market. As such, every nouveau riche new graduate seemingly goes out and treats themselves to a slice of flashy bourgeois pie. That can be alarming for the Euro-car fan, as you risk being lumped into that precocious category along with Johnny Overachiever from down the block. There's no denying that the Stuttgart Swabians build nice vehicles, and we've certainly considered parking one in our driveway. We wouldn't want to deny ourselves the pleasure just to avoid being lumped in with a group of lecherous climbers, either. Lorinser has given the C-class a once-over and made it possible for true car-guys to have their Mercedes pleasure while standing apart from the schmuck brigade.

We love the look of the cosmetic upgrades. The turbine-style wheels look like impellers from a turbocharger with a wacky pituitary gland, and we wonder if they can slice, dice and julienne at speed. We're not normally fans of unnecessary extra ventilation, but the revised front quarter panels have gained a nice pair of extractors. We do find the "gills" in the lower rocker covers sorta strange, and they don't appear to have any purpose other than serving as a visual element. The front airdam has also received some tasteful attention, and Lorinser offers performance upgrades to back up the high-powered looks. Unlike some of the entry-level MBZ crowd, we'd rather the car be the high-powered one in a zoot suit.

Gallery: C Class by Lorinser


[Source: World Car Fans]

Lorinser takes on the new Merc C-class originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketbenzcc classc-classCClassdaimlerdaimler chryslerdaimler-benzDaimlerChryslerdcxexteriorlorinsermercedesmercedes-benzperformancestylingtunerupgradeSat, 17 Mar 2007 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sportcoupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-c-class-sportcoupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-c-class-sportcoupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/spy-shots-mercedes-benz-c-class-sportcoupe/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mercedes is on a mission to distance itself from the luxury pack, and it seems there's a new spy shot of yet another Benz every month or so. Well, February is no different as this apparent C-Class coupe was spotted in the wild in northern Sweden. The vehicle will undoubtedly look a lot like the C-Class sedan, and it will carry the same engines, including the 272 HP 3.5L V6. One thing the coupe won't share with the sedan is its platform. Instead, it'll utilize the last-generation C-Class underpinnings, probably because the Sport Coupe was destined for the scrap heap until upper-management saved the car at the last minute. Using the old platform saves time and money. Expect to see the Sport Coupe around 2009.

[Source: Leftlane News]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sportcoupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BenzC ClassCClassMercedesSpy ShotsSpyShotsThu, 15 Feb 2007 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Back to the drawing board: DCX working on more rebuilding, more sharing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/back-to-the-drawing-board-dcx-working-on-more-rebuilding-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/back-to-the-drawing-board-dcx-working-on-more-rebuilding-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/back-to-the-drawing-board-dcx-working-on-more-rebuilding-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

DCX could end up sharing more platforms going forward

Oh, how time flies when you're paying attention to the domestic auto industry. About a year and a half ago the Chrysler 300 was selling like crazy, the Charger was off to a fast start, and analysts were saying nice things about the company from Auburn Hills. Well the 300 and Charger are still a resounding success, and life for Chrysler has taken a turn for the worse anyway. A $1.2 Billion loss in the 3rd quarter put the scare into the folks over in Stuttgart and now management and share holders are looking for more cost cutting and less payroll.

It looks like 1,000 white collar and 10,000 blue collar jobs are now on the block as a large part of the effort to remain competitive. Buyouts will likely surface soon after the announcement plans are announced, and the cost associated with the move will result in more tough quarterly financials for Chrysler. There will be tough times again in Auburn Hills, but some good news may come out of all this for customers and Chrysler employees alike.

Continue reading Chrysler working on secret rebuilding plan

[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading Back to the drawing board: DCX working on more rebuilding, more sharing

Back to the drawing board: DCX working on more rebuilding, more sharing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C ClassCClassChryslerDCXDodgeDurangoMercedesMon, 12 Feb 2007 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[MB's next major innovation: Vented Taillights?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/mbs-next-major-innovation-vented-taillights/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/mbs-next-major-innovation-vented-taillights/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/mbs-next-major-innovation-vented-taillights/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Back when my whip was a Volvo 740, I ventilated my taillights, too. Actually, it was more like drilling drain holes, but once all the trapped water escaped, you can bet that the compromised seal allowed plenty of air to flow through the lamp. Mercedes has applied intelligent thought to using the taillight as a hidden aerodynamic diffuser on the new C-Class, resulting in a slick Cd of .27. Instead of marring the design with some kind of tacky, nasty lip spoiler on the trunklid, the aerodynamic wunderkinds at MBZ have applied some clever trickery to keep the arse of their newest kostspieliges auto looking slick.

A lip spoiler changes the airflow behind the vehicle by interrupting the smooth flow coming over the top of the car. That interruption reduces lift. The problem with a spoiler, is that they require a specific shape to attain their spoiling effect, dictating styling direction. The C-Class engineers have taken an alternate route to addressing the vortices out back. The taillights act as diffusers, pulling air from underneath the vehicle and venting it out of slits in the lamps. The high pressure air under the car now has somewhere to go, which reduces lift. An elegant alternate solution that achieves the same result as the old spoiler. The air coming out of the taillight lenses also affects airflow along the sides of the car for the better, keeping turbulence behind the new C-Class down. We can't say how close you'll have to ride your bicycle to this thing to get sucked along by the bubble, or how badly it'll mess up your hair when it passes by, what with all that air blowing all over the place, but it sounds like a clever trick.

[Source: worldcarfans]

MB's next major innovation: Vented Taillights? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008aerodynamicsc classCClassdaimler chryslerDaimlerChryslermercedestaillightstechFri, 09 Feb 2007 13:04:00 EST