Mercedes-Benz Vans pick up two awards from independent specialist jury

On two test routes around the Baltic resort of Warnemünde, the star-branded products of Mercedes-Benz have been able to win through against the competition. The Vito 113 CDI and the new Sprinter 316 BlueTEC successfully secured first place in their respective categories.

Specialist jury singles out Mercedes-Benz Vans

This year marked the thirteenth occasion that the competition for the "Courier, Express and Parcel Services Van of the Year" was hosted by the publishing company “ETM-Verlag” based in Stuttgart. A jury comprising 40 professionals from the courier, express and parcel services sector was faced with the task of assessing the 23 participating vehicles and selecting individual winners in four respective categories.

Based on their everyday dealings with their own vehicle fleets, the experts are only too aware of the precise requirements of the individual vehicles and put the participating vans through their paces under real conditions on a variety of test routes. Their evaluation sheets therefore covered such aspects as functionality, ride comfort, handling, design and of course economy, all of which had to be carefully rated after each test run. In total the testers clocked up more than 2500 kilometres on 800 test runs around the Baltic resort of Warnemünde.

Award for "Courier, Express and Parcel Services Van of the Year 2013" goes to the Mercedes-Benz Vito and the new Sprinter

The Mercedes-Benz Vito was able to stand out from a strong field of competitors to take first place on the winners' podium in the category "Vans up to 3 tonnes".

The new Sprinter succeeded in reaffirming the leading position it has enjoyed over the past seven years by securing first place in the category for "Vans up to 3.5 tonnes". Moreover, the new Sprinter left a significant impression on its testers with five new safety systems as well as with engines meeting the future Euro VI emissions standard.

Celebrating their world premiere in the van segment with the new Sprinter are the standard-fit Crosswind Assist as well as the optionally available safety systems COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and Blind Spot Assist. Highbeam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist are also available.

World's first van to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard

The new Sprinter is the first van to meet the future Euro VI emissions standard in all of its engine variants. The Sprinter achieves the strict limits with the help of its BlueTEC-engine and SCR-technology that injects AdBlue into the off-gas stream. The technology has already proven its worth in more than 100,000 commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz.

The most economical van in its class

The combination of the highly efficient diesel engines, the optimized powertrain, the longer axle ratio, the ancillary components, and the BlueEFFICIENCY PLUS efficiency package has reduced fuel consumption to a minimum of 6.3 l/100 km (NEDC combined), which is a remarkable new record for the Sprinter's vehicle class.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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The GLK and G-Class scoop awards in "Off Road" readers' poll: SUV poll win for Mercedes-Benz

True to form, serial winner Mercedes-Benz triumphed once again this year in the annual readers' poll conducted by renowned automotive magazine Off Road to find the "SUV of the Year".

This year the GLK saw off the stiffest international competition to win the SUV category. This was a resounding acknowledgement of last year's revamp of the SUV, entailing comprehensive new technical and design features. The range of engines on offer was additionally bolstered by a particularly agile and economical four-cylinder petrol variant in the spring of 2013. The cutting-edge direct-injection engine in the GLK 250 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY offers superior performance coupled with well-balanced drive comfort at an output of 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Newton metres of torque. The GLK-Class additionally boasts a new infotainment generation with extended functions.

The legendary G-Class was a success on two fronts, topping the "SUV" category while the G Professional model won the "Classic Cars" section. This makes the G-Class the most successful participant in this poll - which has been held annually since 2001 - with a total of nine awards to its name.This year, a total of 125 vehicles were in the running in 13 categories. In all, the Off Road jury counted 74,282 votes cast.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Daimler Awards Best Suppliers in Recognition of Outstanding Performance

Daimler AG has granted 2012 Daimler Supplier Awards to 16 suppliers in recognition of their outstanding performance over the past business year. The awards ceremony was the highlight of this year's event, which took place last night with the theme "Night of Masterpieces" in the Mercedes-Benz Center Stuttgart, and was hosted by the TV presenter and news anchorwoman Judith Rakers.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, delivered a speech to more than 450 top-ranking representatives of the most important Daimler suppliers and around 200 representatives of Daimler Management in which he emphasized the importance of the suppliers for Daimler's success: “Our goal is profitable growth. In order to achieve this, we need you as our partners.” Zetsche expressed his sincere gratitude to the suppliers gathered there in recognition of their teamwork and their contribution to the records achieved in the 2012 business year: “You are not just our key suppliers, you are also our key supporters.”

With the Daimler Supplier Awards, each year, the company rewards above-average performance in terms of technology, quality, cost, and delivery reliability.

The awards from the three Daimler procurement divisions were given to the suppliers by the relevant Management Board Members and Heads of Procurement: Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Board Member Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Dr. Klaus Zehender for Production Material Procurement Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and Vans; Andreas Renschler, Board Member Daimler Trucks, and Dr. Holger Steindorf for Production Material Procurement Commercial Vehicles; Wilfried Porth, Board Member HR and Labor Director, and Wendelin Wolbert for Non-Production Material Procurement.

With this year's "Special Award for Innovation," three suppliers (Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A., and Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH) were jointly rewarded for their contributions to the high-end sound system of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which will soon celebrate its world premiere. Prof. Thomas Weber, Board Member Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development said: “The high-end sound system satisfies even the most demanding customers – from now on, they can experience the natural sound of a concert hall in our new S-Class. This innovation really does deserve special acknowledgment on our part!”

The high-end sound system of the new S-Class was developed in close cooperation between the three renowned suppliers and Daimler engineers. The stated goal was to create the world's best sound system in the automotive sector. On the suppliers' side, the overall system lead was the responsibility of the Berlin, Germany-based high-end audio specialist Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH. Founded in 1977 by musician and engineer Dieter Burmester, it has devoted itself to achieving the absolute sound experience under his leadership, seeking "art for the ear." The amplifier hardware is provided by ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A., an Italian company that is one of the leading suppliers of high-quality automotive audio solutions. The loudspeakers are the contribution of Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH, also an acknowledged expert for acoustic masterpieces.

The winners of the 2012 Daimler Supplier Awards are:

Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans

Exterior - Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
Rewarded for global investments in production facilities to ensure just-in-sequence delivery at nearly every Daimler site.

Interior - Lear Corporation
Rewarded for the next generation of the E-Class seats.

Electrics/Electronics - Kathrein-Werke KG
Rewarded for the fact that cars from Mercedes-Benz would be unthinkable without Kathrein products.

Chassis - Hirschvogel Holding GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance in the MRA and MFA projects.

Powertrain - BorgWarner Turbo Systems
Rewarded for outstanding performance in the following projects: OM651 (2nd phase), OM660 (1st phase), M27 (1st phase) biTurbo, AMG M177/178, M133.

Procurement Daimler Trucks and Buses

Exterior - MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
Rewarded for the main and front mirror in the new Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Actros, Antos, and Arocs).

Interior - Consolidated Metco Inc.
Rewarded for the joint development of an innovative oil pan for the Detroit brand as part of the New Engine Generation project.

Electrics/Electronics - WABCO Fahrzeugsysteme GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance on the brake components for the new Mercedes-Benz trucks (Actros, Antos, and Arocs).

Chassis - mefro wheels GmbH
Rewarded for leading technological development of new tires (weight reduction).

Powertrain - Johnson Matthey PLC
Rewarded for outstanding willingness to perform in the Daimler Trucks #1 project.

International Procurement Services

R&D Services - APL Automobil-Prüftechnik Landau GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance in powertrain testing of passenger car transmissions as well as functional and endurance run testing of commercial vehicle engines.

Production Machines and Equipment - EBZ SysTec GmbH
Rewarded for high quality and consistent customer support in the following projects (among others): Body shell for the C-Class 204 and C-Class 205 in Bremen, Tuscaloosa, and East London.

Contract Logistics - DB Schenker Deutschland AG
Rewarded in recognition of many years of a successful and reliable partnership for logistics services at the Mercedes-Benz locations in Bremen, Dusseldorf, Wörth, and Stuttgart (e.g. space-saving storage concept for SKD bodies and I-Park management for the Bremen plant).

Special Award Innovation
- Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH
- ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A.
- Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH
Jointly rewarded for the high-end sound system of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Nissan Leaf Wins Award For European Car Of The Year

Nissan Leaf takes away the title of European Car of the Year leaving behind all other hatchbacks and saloons standing in line.

Nissan Leaf is based on a high end technology base which is the major reason behind its superior performance making it the best in class option. The car is powered by a 120 bhp electric motor along with efficient lithium-ion batteries. With these strong figures, the car becomes capable of reaching the top speed of 145 kph and on one charge and can smoothly travel a distance of 175Km. The car not only considers the environment factor but also assures superior comfort to the users and that is the major reason why Nissan Leaf was able to beat top car models and grab the graceful title of European Car Of the Year. It comes with parking camera, advanced telematics, air conditioning system etc.





Press Release

100% ELECTRIC NISSAN LEAF PICKS UP EUROPEAN CAR OF THE YEAR 2011 TROPHY


The trophy recognizing the revolutionary Nissan LEAF as Europe's Car of The Year 2011 was handed over to Nissan Motor Co.'s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn in a special ceremony at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris.

To win the award, the 58 CoTY members - leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries - placed Nissan LEAF ahead of six conventional new cars on the shortlist. It is the first time in CoTY's 48-year history that the annual award has been won by an electric vehicle.

"I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is - and will remain - so very special," said Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, speaking at the ceremony.

"It is a great honor for Nissan LEAF to be recognized as the European Car of the Year - the first all-electric car to receive this distinction. Like previous Car of the Year winners, Nissan LEAF is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling. Yet it stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility," said Ghosn after receiving the trophy.

Nissan LEAF is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car driving the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h (90 mph). The electric motor is powered by an advanced laminated lithium-ion battery with a power output of more than 90 kW. Developed by the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), a joint venture between Nissan and electronics giant NEC Corp., the breakthrough battery has the capacity to store twice as much energy as the previous generation battery.

The zero-emission car is fully equipped with features such as regenerating braking, air conditioning, satellite navigation and a parking camera. Innovative smart phone connectivity will allow an owner to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via a mobile phone. The single option is a solar panel mounted in the rear spoiler.

Pre-orders for Nissan LEAF have reached more than 27,000 units globally. The zero-emission car is currently built in Japan, but will also be manufactured in the United States and United Kingdom when new manufacturing facilities there open in late 2012 and early 2013 respectively. Deliveries to individual customers in Japan and the US began in December. In Europe, deliveries will start shortly to Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands followed by more markets later in the year.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to be a global leader in zero-emission mobility and is taking a comprehensive approach encompassing both the product and the infrastructure required to support the mass marketing of electric vehicles. To date, the Alliance has entered into more than 90 partnerships with governments, municipal authorities and companies worldwide to prepare the markets and infrastructure for the successful adoption of electric vehicles.

* The current version of the coveted marble trophy, introduced in 2004, was created by Emmanuel Zurini, a French artist famous for his automotive sculptures. Zurini was a leading Grand Prix photographer in the 1960s before turning to sculpture in 1975. It is the third specially created trophy in the history of the Award.

Nissan has won the CoTY award before. In 1993, the Micra became the first Japanese-badged car to win the accolade and started Europe's love affair with the little car that continues today with the recent launch of the latest generation Micra in late 2010.

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