Autoblog

As consumer demand for thirsty vehicles continues to wane, Mercedes-Benz is being forced to slow production at the Alabama plant which manufactures their GL- and ML-Class SUVs and the R-Class crossover. Sales of Mercedes domestic trucks fell to 5,090 vehicles in June, representing an 11.9 percent decline from the same period last year. The move marks the first time in more than a decade of U.S. production, that the German automaker has reduced output due to market and economic conditions. The cuts will affect more than 4,000 of the plant's employees, and unfortunately will trickle-down to hurt the countless other companies who provide just-in-time components to support Mercedes production.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

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Carlsson has applied its tuning magic to the new M-Class with a host of power, visual, and interior upgrades. Starting with the engine, Carlsson's performance kit for the 320 CDI engine boosts horsepower to 269 and torque to 452 lb-ft, and a new exhaust system with quad tailpipes is also available. The suspension can be upgraded with Carlsson's C-Tronic system that lowers the vehicle 40mm, and 22" 11-spoke wheels help fill the wheel wells even more. A subtle front spoiler and a diffuser-look rear skirt are the only exterior modifications. Interior appointments include alcantara and leather seats, a sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and illuminated door exit lights. Once again, Carlsson proves that sometimes it doesn't take much to make a better Benz.

[Source: Carlsson]

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Mercedes has followed-up its live press conference shots of the M-Class "Edition10" SUV with complete details and the additional photos we'd been expecting to see. In a nutshell, here's the rundown on the M-Class Edition 10.

Five "Edition 10"models (market availability varies):

• ML 420 CDI 4MATIC
• ML 280 CDI
• ML 320 CDI
• ML 350
• ML 500

"Edition 10" package includes:

• 20" alloys in silver or "chrome shadow" finish
• Darkened housings for headlamps and foglamps
• Titanium-look radiator grille and front bumper guard
• Tnted taillamp clusters
• Titanium-look rear bumper guard
• Squared twin-tip dual exhaust outlets
• Blue-tinted glass
• Assorted chrome trim elements
• Edition 10 badging
• Two-tone beige and black interior
• Edition 10 floormats

Follow the jump for the total breakdown in the Mercedes-issued press release, and check out more shots of the car in the gallery below.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 10 years of operation at its Tuscaloosa, AL facility, which is best known for producing the M-Class SUV. At a press event held at the plant and presided over by Dr. Z himself, the automaker presented a special edition version of its SUV stalwart dubbed "Edition 10." The Edition10 limited-edition package is a paint-and-trim deal that's quite good-looking, actually. The requisite badges are joined by other visual highlights such as darkened trim around the headlamps, darker taillamp lenses, a black chrome look to the grille, and a similar treatment on the hood vents. A two-tone interior and metallic pedals are also included, and based on what we see in the photos released, a metal steprail is also part of the package. No pricing for the Edition 10 option has been released yet, and we'd expect to see some additional shots of the SUV before all is said and done.

Press release follows the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Click above or follow the read link for a big gallery of pics of this outrageous Benz

Not sure who took these pics or what the mural depicts exactly, but this is one finely detailed M-Class. A true work of art if you're into REALLY custom paint jobs, this Mercedes from St. Petersburg (Russia, not Florida) is swathed in a mural of epic proportions. Medieval warriors adorn the flanks converging on a lightning-illuminated castle atop the hood. It's really pretty spectacular, as you can see from the gallery. Surely not the best use of a Mercedes-Benz M-Class, but to each his own. And as long as the owner likes it, what do our opinions matter?

Thanks for the tip, kerunt!

[Source: English Russia]

Just -Auto reported yesterday that Mercedes-Benz could have a Bluetec diesel-electric hybrid variant of ithe M-Class on sale in the UK within the next two years. The system would probably leverage a 3.2L six-cylinder Bluetec engine in conjunction with the 2-Mode hybrid system developed jointly with BMW and GM. Fuel economy is expected to be around 40 mpg (we're assuming this measurement is in the UK's larger Imperial gallon) and CO2 emissions would likely be under 200g/km.

That would help cancel out some of the anti-SUV sentiment toward such a vehicle in UK and European markets. Now, while Mercedes wouldn't confirm that any plans for a green powertrain like this exist, Just-Auto expressed confidence in its source. Hopefully, assuming this comes to fruition, the system would comply with US standards and regulations as well, and help lead the way towards more fuel-stingy yet powerful diesel hybrid systems in the future.

[Source: Just-Auto (sub req'd)]

Though it looks like the angry older brother of a PT Cruiser, the Gladiator II from ASMA-DESIGN takes that same in-your-face attitude we’ve seen on the company’s CLS and S-Class kits and grafts it on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility. Though the grille is still a bit ostentatious even for us, the larger dimensions of the M-Class make it better equipped to pull off that special ASMA brand of grand standing. Along with the new grille the Gladiator II gets new fenders, a redesigned rear bumper, different hood and sport exhaust. We’re pretty sure those wheels aren’t stock, either.

Follow the link for more pics of this aggressive M-Class at eMercedesBenz.

[Source: eMercedesBenz]

New models fired up sales for premium brands Mercedes and BMW in March, as the battle for teutonic bragging rights in the luxury segment kicked into high gear.

BMW group sales hit a record 144,316 units in March, up 13.5 percent, buoyed by double-digit growth in the U.S. and Germany, and solid gains in the hot Chinese market. Meanwhile, Mercedes Car Group racked up sales of 138,400 units, up 17.4 percent, setting an all-time record. But in the all-important core brands, Mercedes-Benz scored 125,400 sales, while arch-rival BMW managed only 122,509 units.

Once again, new models tell the tale. Mercedes-Benz rolled out new or revamped models across the board last year, including fresh versions of the M-Class and S-Class, and the new R-Class and B-Class. The onslaught continues this year with the new GL-CLass SUV (pictured) and freshened SL- and E-Class models. BMW, on the other hand, has been surfing the wave generated by its new 3 Series, which accounts for about 40 percent of all BMW sales.

While Mercedes looks to be surging ahead in the near-term, expect BMW to fight back when its revamped MINI line rolls out.

[Source: Reuters, Mercedes Benz]