Tag Archives: mercedes-benz

Chinese take 10% stake in Daimler. Unwelcome?

Posted on 27 February 2018 by Ken Zino

Translation: the Germans didn’t seek this, and it could turn out to be a complicated ménage à trois with lots of conflict over the loot. Continue reading →

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Mercedes ‘EQ Ready’ App Picks EV or Hybrid for You

Posted on 6 September 2017 by Ken Zino

A new Mercedes “EQ Ready app” allegedly helps motorists decide whether it makes sense for them personally to switch to an electric car or hybrid. The smartphone app can record real journeys made by the user, analyze his or her everyday driving and compare it with numerous parameters of electric and hybrid vehicles. Continue reading →

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Automakers Abandoning Auto Shows – Mercedes Latest

Posted on 13 March 2017 by Ken Zino

In the latest move that continues the trend of automakers abandoning auto shows in the ongoing by international  brands, Mercedes-Benz is using Texas-based South by Southwest to run an off-site “me Convention” during the – gulp – International Motor Show … Continue reading →

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Giant Sucking Sound – Nissan and Daimler to Build Luxury Cars in Mexico under new Joint Venture

Posted on 27 June 2014 by Ken Zino

The new plant will be built close to an already existing Nissan plant, and will have an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles when completely operational. Many of the common platform luxury models – 2017 Infiniti, 2018 Mercedes-Benz – will of course be headed in the U.S. under the job destroying NAFTA deal. Continue reading →

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Daimler Group Q1 Earnings Drop Based on EU Crisis

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Daimler AG [DAI] posted a significant drop in Q1 earnings largely because of the ongoing economic slowdown in Western Europe where sales are running at a 20-year low. The Q1 EBIT of €917 million was less than half of Q1 … Continue reading →

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Daimler Posts Q3 Profit of €1.2 Million, a €155 Million Drop

Posted on 26 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The Eurozone crisis expanded into Germany in Q3 as Daimler AG (DAI) posted Group earnings of €1,921 million, off from Q3 in 2011at €1,968 million. Net profits for the period were €1,205 million (Q3 2011: €1,360 million), leading to declining earnings per share of €1.03 (Q3 2011: €1.21). Daimler sold 528,600 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide in Q3, surpassing the prior-year total by 1%. Revenue of €28.6 billion was 8% above the prior-year level. Adjusted for changes in currency exchange rates, the increase amounted to only 3%. As a result, of the weakened results and prospects for the future, Daimler said that it will not match 2011’s earnings. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars tried to be optimistic in a statement: “Considering the significantly more difficult market conditions, Daimler achieved good earnings in the third quarter.” The earnings release was sent out ahead of schedule because of the accidental issuing of an e-mail. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Posts Global Sales Record in May

Posted on 5 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz in May 2012 delivered 113,136 vehicles, + 4% compared to the record figure for 2011. Year-to-date 531,382 units or +8.4% have been delivered globally, the earliest in a year the 500,000 threshold has been crossed. Continue reading →

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Japanese Big 3 – Toyota, Honda, Nissan – Sales Up in May

Posted on 1 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor came close to displacing Ford Motor from its assumed Number 2 spot in the U.S. by posting monthly sales of 202,973 – within a rounding error of Ford’s 215,699 and firmly putting Toyota in the Number 3 sales spot for the year-to-date. The other Japanese powerhouse members were also back in shape. American Honda posted sales of 134,000 (576,000 ytd) easily ahead of the Nissan at 92,000 (485,000 ytd). With a new Accord and Altima due this fall, the family car market is about to becomes more competitive than it has been in years, which is good for buyers but might leave weaker and older entries as road kill. Continue reading →

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Nissan and Daimler to Build Engines in Tennessee

Posted on 8 January 2012 by Ken Zino

For years Mercedes-Benz sold gas guzzlers in the U.S., paying millions in fines – passed on to customers – for its flouting of CAFE regulations. Much higher fines under the latest CAFE standards and growing pro-environmental standards globally makes this a risky strategy going forward. Continue reading →

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Car Spy Jim Dunne Catches Revised Lincoln MKS or MKZ?

Posted on 3 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Following the Ford Jaguar debacle, success is also not a word that can be applied to Ford’s management of Lincoln, which is a poseur in the world of luxury cars dominated by the German Brands and Toyota’s Lexus, which even though it was out of the U.S. market for five months this year because of the Japan earthquake, still managed to outsell Lincoln by a better than 2:1. Continue reading →

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GM Plans Four World Debuts at NAIAS. Where is Bob Lutz?

Posted on 2 December 2011 by Ken Zino

“ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance,” said Barra.

No kidding. ATS better be good when it appears next fall.

But when I asked what GM consultant Bob Lutz was doing these days, Barra said she was trading e-mails with him about getting Lutz to drive a new Chevy Sonic, which has been on sale globally for a couple of years. While Barra called Lutz an “automotive rock star,” there was no hint in her brief response that she was spending any time with Lutz. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year – BMW Ups U.S. Prices and Delivery Fees

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date, U.S. sales of the BMW brand are up 12.9% at 199,552 compared to 176,736 sold in the first ten months of 2010. BMW is on track to displace Lexus as the number one Luxury brand in the U.S. because of Toyota’s earthquake induced production disruptions. Continue reading →

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Daimler Employee Arrested, Detained Under Controversial Alabama Immigration Law

Posted on 22 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The controversial Alabama immigration law requires the proper papers be carried by foreigners, including employees of firms investing in the state. Daimler, of course, is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with billions invested thus far and recently announced millions more will be added to increase production. Continue reading →

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Mixed U.S. October Sales Results for Japanese Three. Toyota Sales Down 8%. Honda Sales +3%. Nissan October Sales +18%

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Acura, Honda’s luxury label, posted sales of 11,115, an increase of 4.8% versus October 2010, with year-to-date sales of 100,261, compared to Infiniti’s 79,000. This means that natural disaster battered Lexus with ytd sales of 153,739 of cars and light trucks – virtually all of which are made in Japan – easily retains the Japanese luxury vehicle sales crown, but it will displaced from luxury sales leadership for the first time in more than a decade by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Superdome is the New Name in New Orleans

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The New Orleans stadium is infamous as the lawless, unlit refugee area for the homeless after Hurricane Katrina caught federal, state and local government agencies completely unprepared. State taxpayers rebuilt the stadium so that the New Orleans Saints could play there again starting in 1996. About $336 million has been spent by taxpayers on the sports facility since then. Continue reading →

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