Daimler Vans USA and its network of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter dealers sold a total of 16,577 vans

2011 was a great year for Mercedes-Benz and this article from emercedesbenz has us talking about the Sprinter. In 2011 the Sprinter increased sales by 94 percent! Daimler Vans USA combined networks of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter dealers achieved a total of 16,577 vans sold, far surpassing the 2010 result of 8,559. We here at this NJ Mercedes dealership are hoping  to continue the increase in sales for 2012!

Proving itself as a popular option, sales of Sprinter vans increased an impressive 94 percent for calendar year 2011. In only its second year of operation, Daimler Vans USA and its combined network of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter dealers achieved a total of 16,577 vans sold, far surpassing the 2010 result of 8,559. The Mercedes-Benz network alone saw an increase of 172%.

“Our strong, diverse network of 185 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner commercial van dealers spread across the U.S. has enjoyed a banner year of Sprinter van sales. From large fleet operators to small construction businesses and mom-and-pop food trucks, American consumers are discovering the incredible benefits of Sprinter vans,” said Claus Tritt, General Manager of Commercial Vans for Mercedes-Benz USA.

Powered by a fuel-sipping 3.0-liter BlueTEC diesel engine, the Sprinter has best-in-class cargo capacity of up to 547 cubic feet and payload capacity up to 5,358 pounds. With cargo doors that open a full 270 degrees, the Sprinter also boasts a rear door opening that’s 5′2″ wide and six feet tall. Both the Cargo and Passenger Vans feature a side-door opening that’s 4′3″ wide and six feet high. At the same time, their step-in height is only 19.9 inches – lowest in the industry. Interior standing height can be up to 6′6″. All versions are equipped with a number of Mercedes-Benz safety features — ESP stability and rollover control, ABS anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist and traction control. The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with standard multi-stage front air bags, and side curtain and torso air bags are optionally available.

To read full press release, click here

It definitely feels like winter out there and this new Mercedes went through a cold weather testing! We are happy to share with you this Mercedes CLC sedan Spy Photos! This beauty won’t even debut until early next year, but the employees here at this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership can’t wait! Read here for all of the latest news and spy photos, courtesy of AutoGuide!

Several spy shots of the upcoming Mercedes CLC sedan have been snapped during the car’s cold weather testing. Expected to be styled as a baby CLS, this compact sedan will be based on the same platform as the upcoming A-Class and B-Class models, meaning it will be a size down from the brand’s C-Class offering.

Using this flexible new paltform Mercedes will be able to offer both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the CLC. Diesel engines will be offered in Europe, while a North American model will likely sport a 4-cylinder – with the 201-hp turbocharged 1.8L from the C-Class a likely candidate. Both a six-speed manual and 7-speed dual clutch are expected to be offered.

Rumors have also suggest a high-performance AMG version making over 300-hp.

The CLC (which may be badged as the CLA) is expected to arrive in showrooms as early as next year.

Source: autoguide.com

Want more from Ray Catena of Union? Browse our other new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles or stop by our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Union.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL offers more comfort and sportiness, setting new standards for luxury roadsters

The Detroit Auto Show has finally arrived and we have a ton of Mercedes-Benz news to deliver! On January 14th the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models will officially be shown at the Detroit Auto Show. We here at this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership can’t wait until the new 2013 Mercedes SL-Class arrives at our dealership this Spring! Read on for the full details!

Source: emercedesbenz.com

Mercedes-Benz is showing off their newly premiered 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, looking as bold and aggressive as it did in the photos. The SL Roadster adopts several styling cues from the popular Mercedes SLK. If you have an opportunity, make sure you head to the Detroit Auto Show beginning January 14th. For those of you that can’t make it, you won’t have to wait long, the 2013 Mercedes SL is set to hit showrooms this spring.

Compared with its successful predecessor, the new Mercedes-Benz SL offers considerably more comfort and sportiness, setting new standards in the luxury roadster class. Added to which is uncompromising day-to-day suitability, which turns the SL into an incomparable all-rounder among sports cars. In short, anyone that talks about the new SL is bound to be talking about the ultimate in passionate, refined motoring.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “There are around 900 million cars in the world and thousands of models. But there are only a handful of automotive icons. Our SL is one of them: it has class, it has style, it is the ultimate in comfort and luxury. But it combines all that with incredible sportiness and dynamism. You would struggle to find a car that embodies Gottlieb Daimler’s aspiration more perfectly than our new SL: the best or nothing.”

To read full press release, click here

Want more from Ray Catena of Union? Browse our other new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles or stop by our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Union.

Its almost time to ring in the New Year, and we here at Ray Catena Union would like to remind everyone to be safe driving on this celebratory day! Our Ray Catena service and repair center will always be around to keep your new or used Mercedes-Benz on the road. Learn more about this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealer, Ray Catena of Union, and have a happy and safe New Year!

Source: essentialarticle.com

New Year’s Eve is the time to remember all the good things from the past year and ring in the new year with style and celebration. For many of us, this means heading out to a favorite restaurant or bar, or even to a friend’s house for festive drinks. But this happy day can be dangerous for drivers due to increased traffic, the potential for bad weather and higher risk of drunken drivers on the road.

Here are some New Year’s Eve safety tips to consider before driving:

1. Say “no” to drinking and driving

Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Be smart and plan ahead if you’re going to be drinking at a holiday gathering. Take a cab, stay at a friend’s house or designate a sober driver. Some bars and restaurants offer safe rides home as a service to patrons during the holidays.

2. Be a cautious, yet defensive driver

Even if you’re not drinking at your New Year celebration, you need to be extra aware of what’s going on around you when you drive. If you spot someone whom you suspect of driving under the influence, call the police and give them the license plate number. You might save multiple lives by being proactive and thinking of the safety of yourself and others.

3. Prepare your vehicle for cold weather

Want to know important holiday safety tips when hitting the road? Have your car checked to ensure it’s prepared for winter driving. The battery and brakes are two essential things to have checked. Make sure tires are properly inflated so they provide the best traction possible. Also make sure your engine coolant and windshield washer fluid is full.

4. Check the weather before heading out

Cold weather can bring snow and rain that is traitorous to drive through, especially on New Year’s Eve. Before you drive, take time to remove any snow and ice from your vehicle, including the mirrors and lights. If the weather is particularly bad, you may want to cancel your plans or simply leave earlier or later. If you do decide to drive during bad weather, make sure you have a charged cell phone handy, and either let people know when, where and how you are traveling, or have a passenger with you for additional safety in numbers.

5. Make an emergency driving kit.

Should the worst happen, be prepared by having a winter driving kit in your car. It’s best if the kit includes a small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter), a small snow shovel, a snow brush, traction mats, a flashlight with new batteries, window washer solvent, an ice scraper, a cloth or roll of paper towels, jumper cables, a blanket, warning devices (flares or triangles), drinking water and extra clothes.

Source: essentialarticle.com

On the heels of a major leak, the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 has gone official, with full specs and details of the new R231, the sixth generation of the SL Class. This beauty wont debut until next year, but we here at this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership can’t wait! Read here for all the latest news and photos, courtesy of Motor Authority!

Powered in SL550 form by a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V-8 engine rated at 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, it’s a significant upgrade over the previous SL550, with 47 more horsepower and 125 pound-feet more torque. Weighing in at up to 308 pounds less than the former SL, it is also lighter, helping it live up to its SL–Super Light–moniker.

That weight savings and extra power enables the new SL550 to claim a manufacturer-stated 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.

The real story with the new SL is in the design, however. On the outside, the 2013 SL wears an all-new look that nevertheless draws on its heritage. The front end, for example, has hints of the R107 in it, with the upright grille, more vertical headlights, and character-lined hood. At the sides, accent folds and vent strakes are the key visual elements, flowing smoothly into the somewhat plain rear-quarters, which in turn blend into the expansive, slightly sloped rear deck, the large triangular tail lights, and the dual exhaust outlets in the rear bumper. The overall silhouette is intended to lose the broken wedge-like side surfaces of the R230 to give the R231 more of the look of the classic SLs.

To read the full article, click here

Want more from Ray Catena of Union? Browse our other new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles or stop by our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Union.

It’s electric! Mercedes-Benz is working on the new SLS AMG E-Cell; the first of its kind in the world of Mercedes-Benz AMG. The employees at this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership love AMG and we’re looking forward to meeting the electric version in person! For now, enjoy this information and these great photos, courtesy of Benzinsider.com!

The in-house tuning division of Mercedes-Benz is now “cooking up” a new car. Well, actually just an improvement of what’s already in their line up, only now it is going to be all-electric. The SLS AMG E-Cell will be the first of its kind in AMG’s range of vehicles.

By the middle of next year, people can start ordering it, late next year to early 2013 test drives and deliveries are scheduled. Indeed, the production of the supercar is moving fast as confirmed by Ola Kallenius Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Chairman of the Board of Management. The company has not given the exact specifications and features of the car yet, except of course, it will be run by lithium-ion battery.

According to AutoBlog, they interviewed Kallenius about the plans of “electrifying” other Mercedes-Benz models, as it has been reported that the brand is planning it, and the three star brand boss said, “we must look at everything”. Well, if this pushesthrough, we can expect more environment-friendly cars on the road in the future.

Source: Benzinsider.com

Fall is here and the year is slowly winding to a close. 2014 is a long way off, but we just couldn’t resist these spy shots of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series! This beauty won’t even debut until 2013, but the employees here at this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership can’t wait! Read here for all of the latest news and spy photos, courtesy of Motor Authority!

The SLS AMG Black Series already boasts 563-horsepower as a Mercedes-Benz super car, so we can’t imagine how powerful the 2014 model will be! Of course, we can expect to see more power and performance in the new model. Rumor has it, the beast could pack as much as 650-horsepower!

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is expected to sport a sharper suspension, bigger wheels and tires, along with a plethora of additional upgrades. The spy shots below are showing a wider front and rear track with flared fenders and a more defined front bumper.

Want more from Ray Catena of Union? Browse our new and used inventories or stop by our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Union. To learn even more about Mercedes-Benz AMG, visit our Ray Catena AMG Performance Center in Edison, NJ!

This past weekend, Ray Catena of Union welcomed the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4Matic to the showroom floor! Our customers and employees couldn’t be more excited for the new ML350 – people are lining up to buy this new Mercedes-Benz! If you’re interested in purchasing a new ML350, visit us at our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Union. Call us today or click here to schedule a test drive, but in the meantime, read all about the new ML350 here. We’ve got news and photos courtesy of Motor Trend.

So you’ve got your eyes on the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 4Matic…now you just have to decide; standard or BlueTec? Hopefully we can shed a little light on the subject to help you make the best decision!

The BlueTec version of the new ML350 comes with a turbocharged, direct-injected 3.0 liter diesel V-6 engine that puts out 240 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. When you consider your needs and how much cargo (people and/or things) you generally haul, this option may be for you if you’re usually toting a larger load.

The gas-powered version of the new ML350 boasts a V-6 that puts out 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque with 6500 and 3500 rpm. This version accelerates a bit faster, so if speed is what you seek, the standard ML350 could be what you’re looking for.

Overall, either option will suit the needs of most drivers, considering the interior and exterior designs are relatively the same in both models. The 2012 ML350 is rated highly for its 4Matic all-wheel-drive. Combining comfort, style, class and excellent handling, the new 2012 ML350 has already proven to be very popular among even our most discriminating customers. Come to this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership for a test drive today!

With the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in full swing, we’ve got a ton of Mercedes-Benz news to deliver! New Mercedes-Benz models for 2012 are being introduced, as well as several concepts. One of the most recent debuts at the auto show featured the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. This highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz vehicle boasts a ton of style and other new features that are sure to improve performance. Read on for the full details and some photos of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series!

Article by: Jerry Andrus

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series was finally unveiled at Europe’s greatest motor show and we can present you the very first live photos from Frankfurt.

Being one of the attractions of the event, the new model has a wilder styling, more power, less weight, stiffer suspension and no rear seats, so it’s no compromise. The C63 AMG Coupe Black Series template also calls for a two-door, fixed roof bodyshell, even if the base car is only offered with a folding hardtop roof.

The 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe Black Series keeps the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 from C63, but power swells from the standard car’s 451bhp – or 480bhp if you spec the Performance Pack – to 510bhp. That brings it tantalizingly close to the E63, the C63’s big brother.

The shift mapping with the AMG Speedshift MCT sport auto seven-speed has been modified, meaning gear changes in Sport+ and Manual modes take just one tenth of a second. Also the steering rate has been tightened up versus than the stock C-Class AMG cars.

The interior features competition seats with leather and special Dinamica fabric feel swell on our backside and all the glitzy sport touches in there smack our awareness of all this just in case we didn’t get it already.

To read the full article, click here.

The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show is kicking off this week and press days have already begun! Now the Mercedes-Benz news will start pouring in! Our first great bit of news comes from Mercedes-Benz USA who has just informed us of a big announcement; an all-new C-Class DTM racer for 2012. Mercedes-Benz and Daimler big wigs were all in attendance, along with famous Mercedes-Benz drivers like Nico Rosberg. Read on for the full details!

The new for 2012 DTM (German Touring Car Masters) rules package has spawned a new class of racers for the most popular Touring Car race series in the world.

Today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Daimler Board Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche, and Petronas Mercedes GP drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg unveiled the new C-Coupe based racer.

Resplendent in AMG Driving Academy colors the new racer looks all set to take on the new Audi DTM Coupe and newly returning to the series BMW, at the first race at Hockenheim next April.

Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

Stay tuned to our Mercedes-Benz blog, as well as our Ray Catena of Union and Ray Catena Motor Car sites for all the latest Mercedes-Benz news and updates. You can also visit us at either of our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealerships or click here to contact us!