Mercedes 2006 Annual Report Download - page 100

84
E- and SL-Class significantly upgraded. The new-generation
E-Class was presented to the public for the first time at the New
York International Automobile Show in April 2006. Deliveries to
customers worldwide began in the summer. The vehicle’s inno-
vative technologies set standards in its market segment. For exam-
ple, the sedan and station-wagon models are now both equipped
for the first time with the anticipatory PRE-SAFE®system, which
automatically activates safety measures to protect the driver
and the front passenger should an accident appear imminent. Also
unique are the standard-fitted NECK-PRO headrests, which pro-
vide sensor-controlled head support for the driver and the front pas-
senger during rear-end collisions. In addition, we are also of-
fering a totally new safety system in the E-Class.Known as the In-
telligent Light System, it features headlights that optimally adjust
todifferent driving and weather conditions. Agility is meanwhile
significantly enhanced notonly by six newor improved engines,
but also by the DIRECT CONTROL package featuring more respon-
sive steering and firmer suspension. On October 15, 2006, we
launched the E320 BLUETEC – the world’s cleanest diesel passen-
ger car – in the United States and Canada. With its tremendous
range(up to1,200 kilometers on a tank of fuel) and fuel consump-
tion figures that are up to 30 percent better than those of
comparable models equipped with a gasoline engine, the E320
BLUETEC is the perfect long-distance vehicle. Its suitability for
this type of driving was impressively demonstrated by the Paris-
Beijing tour organized by Mercedes-Benz. The tour, which began
on October 28, 2006, featured 33 E320 CDI series-produced cars
and three E320 BLUETEC vehicles. The vehicles clocked up a
combined total of some 490,000 kilometers in just 28 days, thereby
clearly underscoring the reliability of the new-generation E-Class.
The new-generation SL-Class celebrated its world premiere in
Geneva at the end of February 2006. The vehicle has been signif-
icantly upgraded in terms of engineering, design and equipment.
Thanks to these improvements, we have further consolidated our
global market leadership in this segment and have written a
new chapter in a legendary story stretching back more than half
a century.
Growth offensive continues at Mercedes-Benz. The main
focus for Mercedes-Benz in 2007 will be on the new C-Class, which
will be launched in the spring. Mercedes-Benz clearly set the
tone for the new year in January with its 4MATIC permanent four-
wheel drive system at the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit. Given that the 4MATIC is now offered in 48 model
versions, we have created an impressive range of four-wheel
drive vehicles. And this is a market that continues to grow strongly
year after year. Following the launch of the E320 BLUETEC in
the United States and Canada, we now plan to launch BLUETEC
versions of the R-, M- and GL-Class on both markets in 2008.
We also plan to makeBLUETEC technology available to our Euro-
pean customers by 2008 at the latest.
Mercedes-Benz brand undergoing further development. The
growthoffensive at Mercedes-Benz is being accompanied by a
comprehensive brand campaign that focuses on the brand pledge
of »Appreciation,« as expressed in three ways: First, there is the
appreciation that Mercedes-Benz shows its customers through its
excellent customer care and service. Secondly, there is the
appreciation that a Mercedes vehicle gives to its owner by provid-
ing him or her with a great measure of social standing. Finally,
there is the appreciation our customers feel for our products and
our great tradition. An extensive service offensive forms an
integral part of the brand campaign.
The complete fascination and authenticity of the Mercedes-
Benz brand is communicated by the new Mercedes-Benz World
in Stuttgart, which consists of the new Mercedes-Benz Museum
and the Mercedes-Benz Center. The museum, which opened in May
2006, is the largest automobile brand museum in the world.
The seven-seat GL-Class impresses
with excellent driving dynamics
both on and off-road. Occupants are
pampered with extremely generous
space and the comfort of a sedan.