Auto news and reviews from Car Buyer's Notebook.com: Maybach Archives

May 12, 2008

2008 Fuel Economy Guide Available for Download

The EPA has issued a comprehensive PDF guide to fuel economy of all 2008 vehicles, which you can download by right-clicking here.

In today's gas market, buyers are more sensitive than ever about buying cars that get good mileage, and more important, they want the government ratings to be as accurate as possible -- nobody wants to buy a vehicle that gets 10% worse mileage in the real world than the sticker rating.

To address this situation, the EPA has started using an updated test to assign more accurate MPG ratings to new vehicles, and you can learn about that by watching the video in this post.

May 7, 2008

Mercedes-Benz global sales up 22%

Stuttgart — Combined sales of the four brands of Mercedes-Benz Cars (Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach) reached a total of 119,000 units for April, an overall increase of 22 percent from the 2007 figure (97,800).

Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz Cars has thus delivered 437,700 vehicles, representing a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year (384,600).

Continue reading"Mercedes-Benz global sales up 22%"

February 22, 2008

Maybach Landaulet: A $1.3 Million Uber-Convertible

Stuttgart– The tradition-laden Maybach luxury brand is adding a fifth model to its line-up. The new Maybach Landaulet resurrects the legend of the classic luxury landaulets, a feature of which is that only the chauffeur's area is closed.

An extra-large folding roof opens up over the pampered rear-seat passengers when required, leaving no obstructions between them and the blue sky above.

Continue reading"Maybach Landaulet: A $1.3 Million Uber-Convertible"

February 20, 2008

Detlef Barthelmes New Director Sales and Marketing for Maybach and SLR

Stuttgart - Effective March 1, 2008, Detlef Barthelmes, 43, has been appointed Director Sales and Marketing for Maybach and SLR at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

He will be taking over this position from Klaus Nesser, 40, who is voluntarily leaving the Group after working for 12 years in various business units. Nesser will be moving abroad and taking on new professional responsibilities there.

Continue reading"Detlef Barthelmes New Director Sales and Marketing for Maybach and SLR"

Posted by Frank at 9:34 AM | Filed under Auto Marketing | Auto News | Maybach | Mercedes-Benz

February 14, 2008

Daimler AG Releases 2007 Financial Results

STUTTGART, Germany -- Daimler AG today presented its preliminary and unaudited figures for the Group and the divisions for the 2007 financial year.

Daimler achieved EBIT of euro 8,710 million (US$12,719 million) in 2007 (2006: euro 4,992 million, US$7,290 million), surpassing the earnings target of at least euro 8.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) that had previously been announced for the year 2007.

Continue reading"Daimler AG Releases 2007 Financial Results"

February 7, 2008

Mercedes Global Sales Up 16% in January

The Mercedes-Benz Cars division delivered 90,400 vehicles to customers all over the world in January 2008 (January 2007: 77,700). Sales of the Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach, and smart brands thus rose by 16 percent to set a new record.

The Mercedes-Benz brand alone delivered a record-breaking 82,300 passenger cars in January, an increase of 12 percent on the figure for January 2007 (73,500 vehicles).

Continue reading"Mercedes Global Sales Up 16% in January"

February 2, 2008

Current Auto Rebates Has All the Updated Rebates!

With auto sales down 4.3% in January 2008, many automakers are increasing the rebate and incentive offers they have on the hoods of their vehicles.

Yet keeping track of all the rebate programs can be difficult work, which is why we began publishing Current Auto Rebates, the Internet's first document that lists every rebate program for every vehicle for same in the United States.

This 13-page PDF makes it easy for you to look up rebates on any model you're interested in, and even allows you to contact your local dealer who will give you a free price quote on the ride of your choice.

Since rebate programs can change several times per month, you may want to sign up for free updates to the publication -- when we update the document you'll get an email from us letting you know a refreshed version is available for you to download.

And if someone you know is currently shopping for a new vehicle, you may want to download a copy and email it to them -- they'll thank you for doing so!

January 30, 2008

With Home Prices Dropping, Car Prices Are Sure to Follow

It's accepted wisdom now that overall auto sales will drop in 2008. This is seen as a function of the housing bust, during which as much as 20% of new car purchases were funded by residential real estate profit, home equity cashouts and the general euphoria in real estate related industries.

Now that home prices are dropping -- and will continue to do so until they fall in line with median income -- we believe the average new vehicle transaction price will drop as well. If houses can fall 10%-30% in value, why not cars?

In November we ran a story from Comerica Bank stating the average transaction price of a new vehicle was $29,024. Our projection is this number will fall below $25,000, perhaps in 2009 if not this year, for several reasons:

1. Less money to spend. The option of taking cash out of a home to finance a new purchase is gone. The psychology of spending "free money" to buy a luxe ride will give way to folks actually having to make the payment out of their own pocket. And with many people paying even more for housing due to adjustable rates, they will choose cheaper rides.

2. Gas prices. While $3 a gallon gas isn't as draconian as five bucks, it will have an effect over time. People are already choosing more efficient crossovers and smaller SUVs over the big buses, and V8s are going out of favor. Look for more people to choose V6s in cars and for four-cylinders to pick up in popularity.

3. Negative equity. A greater percentage of folks are upside down in their cars, and have been rolling their balances into new loan agreements. To catch up, their new purchases will have to be cheaper and it's going to take years to eat away at the balance.

4. New frugality. In a tough economy, the value of money becomes more dear. People will start thinking twice about how much money they spend. They will choose cheaper cars, perhaps with more options, but the luxe-marques are in for a rough ride.

5. New wage structures. The Detroit car companies have made big headlines with their new labor deals, that allow them to replace higher paid union workers with new hires at a lower wage scale. The higher wages translated into higher sticker prices; the lower wages will allow for slimmer price hikes and even reductions.

6. Battle for fewer consumers. Don't let the tough talk fool you. As fewer cars are sold throughout 2008, the rebate war will kick into full swing -- and spiffs will help bring down the average transaction price.

This last reason is why we launched Current Auto Rebates, a site that publishes all the rebates for every model in a single PDF file, to make bargain hunting that much easier.

January 23, 2008

Harness the power of free price quotes!

Many of you have seen the link to get a free dealer price quote on our pages, as well as in our Current Auto Rebates report.

The free price quote is one of the best tools for savvy vehicle shoppers -- it's convenient, and there is absolutely no obligation to buy anything. Here are some of the other advantages:

-- You are essentially putting a bid out to local new vehicle dealers to compete for your business. In many cases, several dealers will respond to your price quote request. Armed with your knowledge of MSRP and rebates, you can then have dealers compete on price for your car buying dollars!

-- You can fill out a free price quote for each vehicle you are cross-shopping.

-- Schedule your test drive appointments. Just think, you know longer have to suffer the indignity of walking into a dealership and either being ignored or descended upon like a piece of fresh meat.

-- The dealership will have the vehicle you are interested in ready and waiting [if they are pros, which many are nowadays, given the competition of the Internet.]

-- You will be doing 90% of the work that goes into buying a new vehicle from the convenience of your own computer -- how civilized is that!

Get your free dealer price quote today!

Current Auto Rebates -- What You Don't Know Could Cost You Thousands of Dollars

Want to see all the rebates on every make and model vehicle for sale in the United States?

Current Auto Rebates has just launched a valuable 13-page PDF report that is the first of its kind -- listing all rebates for all vehicles. What you don't know about current auto rebates could cost you thousands of dollars!

Aren't you tired of clicking through page after page on web sites to find the information you need? This report has everything you need in one convenient, easy-to-use package.

Check out CurrentAutoRebates.com and get your free PDF report today!

January 14, 2008

Maybach shows one of the world’s most exclusive luxury cars

At the 2008 Detroit Autoshow, for the first time in America, Maybach presents a masterpiece of advanced technology which re-enlivens the great art of building majestic automobiles: the open-top Maybach Landaulet Study.

True to the tradition of exclusive landaulets, the roof of this sparkling white one-off study can be opened fully at the rear, while in the chauffeur’s compartment it remains completely closed. The passengers are then able to enjoy the clear, blue sky above.

Continue reading"Maybach shows one of the world’s most exclusive luxury cars"

January 9, 2008

Mercedes posts record global sales in 2007

Stuttgart – In 2007 the Mercedes-Benz Cars division increased sales of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach, and smart passenger vehicles worldwide, with sales totaling 1,285,900 vehicles (2006: 1,260,600 units). With this two percent growth, the division set a new sales record.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our current models are drawing a very positive customer response. In 2007 we succeeded in laying the groundwork for sustainable, profitable growth, particularly with the market launches of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the new smart fortwo.“

Continue reading"Mercedes posts record global sales in 2007"

December 14, 2007

Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger Face off in Maybach Golf Cup

Stuttgart/West Palm Beach – A playoff between golf legend and Maybach brand ambassador Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger, also a champion golfer, concluded the final round of the team tournament for the Maybach Golf Cup, which took place on December 1 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

After the conclusion of the team game, the two captains played four more holes to get bonus points for their teams - with Paul Azinger’s team ultimately carrying off the Maybach Golf Cup. The sports highlight of this year’s event was the duel between Faldo, who will be the captain of the European team at the Ryder Cup 2008 competition, and his U.S. counterpart Azinger.

Continue reading"Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger Face off in Maybach Golf Cup"

November 25, 2007

Daimler's early technological developments

engines, carburetors, radiators and transmissions, 1883-1901

Daimler’s first engine, built together with his long-time congenial companion Wilhelm Maybach, was a horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder unit.

Its most important innovation was the hot-tube ignition which provided reliable ignition and made the desired increase in engine speed possible; the first experimental engine reached a speed of up to 600 rpm, significantly more than the previous maximum of 120 rpm for gas engines.

Continue reading"Daimler's early technological developments"

Wilhelm Maybach’s tubular radiator paved the way for the modern auto

Countless pioneering inventions were made by design engineer Wilhelm Maybach in the early days of the automobile. Gottlieb Daimler’s congenial partner solved a large number of technical problems, and many of his patents have retained their basic validity to this day.

On December 24, 1897, for instance, the tubular radiator developed by Maybach was registered as a utility model (no. 107 418) in Germany.

This radiator significantly improved engine cooling and was used for the first time in the so-called Phoenix car (1897), the first passenger car of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft with an engine installed at the front.

Continue reading"Wilhelm Maybach’s tubular radiator paved the way for the modern auto"

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