Today, eMercedesBenz has reported that Mercedes-Benz USA had June sales of 18,997 vehicles, an increase of 25.4%.  On a year-to-date basis, the company sold 106,967 new vehicles, an increase of 25.7% over last year.

“Impressive gains were made in both the Mercedes-Benz passenger car and light-truck categories. The strongest performer for the month was the popular C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger as well as first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – with sales of 5,563. The 9th generation E-Class also continued to exhibit strong momentum with sales of 4,865 (up 74.9%) and the versatile M-Class SUV ranked third with sales of 2,124.

The company’s flagship sedan, the S-Class, boosted sales to 1,549 – a 106.5% increase. Also showing strong gains were the sporty SLK (up 153.8 %) and the commanding G-Class (up 124.3%). The company also sold 50 of its newly launched supercar, the SLS AMG, bringing its year-to-date sales to 218.”

For the full article click here.

This week Mercedes-Benz USA reported a 26.7% increase in their May 2010 sales, continuing the second quarter with a 25.8% increase on a year-to-date basis. Included in this total are 18,548 passenger cars, light truck vehicles and 628 Sprinter vans.

Impressive gains were made in both the Mercedes-Benz passenger car and light-truck categories. The strongest performer of the month was the 9th generation E-Class – which expanded to include the wagon and cabriolet models – with sales of 5,476 (up 140.7%).

The company’s flagship sedan, the S-Class, marked increased gains with sales of 1,085 (up 21.2%) and the newly introduced supercar and brand halo – the SLS AMG – reported strong initial sales of 168. The top performer on the luxury light truck side was the versatile M-Class SUV with sales of 2,264.

So far year-to-date sales for MBUSA include 87,970 new vehicles, an increase of 25.8% over last year.

For full article click here.

The following post comes courtesy of Automobile Magazine.

Snow. Ice. Frigid temperatures. January in Detroit can hardly be described as a climate conducive to convertibles. Still, in order to help underline the year-round usability of the car, Mercedes-Benz will unveil its new 2011 E-class Cabriolet at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

As the fourth body style in the revised E-class range, the Cabriolet — along with the 2010 E-class Coupe — effectively replaces the CLK. Styling up front is carried over from its other E-class siblings, but sheetmetal aft of the A-pillars is largely cribbed from the two-door model. Indeed, when the top is up, the E-class Cabriolet does a good job of emulating the Coupe’s racy roofline.

Unlike the convertible tops used on the SL and SLK roadsters, the E-class Cabriolet – like the CLK before it — makes use of a traditional soft top instead. Mercedes-Benz claims the top, at 0.9 inches thick, is extensively insulated to help keep the cabin warm in wintry months, and to prevent noise. We’re told it’s entirely possible to have a hands-free cell phone conversation with the top up at speeds “in excess” of 125 mph — but we wouldn’t recommend such a task.

A pair of technologies also helps keep passengers warm and comfortable during open-air driving. Airscarf, already offered on the SL and SLK roadsters, directs warm air towards passengers’ neck and shoulders. AirCap – a diffuser deployed above the windshield to direct airflow out of the faces of rear seat passengers – is a new innovation and, for the time being, is exclusive to the E-class.

Like the Coupe, the E-class Cabriolet is available in E350 and E550 forms, with a 268-hp 3.5-liter V-6 or a 382-hp, 5.5-liter V-8, respectively. Look for both models to arrive at dealers stateside in the spring of 2011.

Ray Catena’s Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Union and Edison would like to extend congratulations and best of luck to Jude Okoro for being the first to take delivery of a 2010 E-Class from one of the best Mercedes-Benz dealers, Ray Catena of Union. Jude traded in his 2005 BMW 5 Series and was very excited to finally drive off in his 2010 E350 Coupe. The car is an Obsidian Black with Almond interior loaded with the P2 Package, which includes the P1 Package plus, Bi-Xenon’s, Keyless-Go and Heated/Active Ventilated Seats.  Nick Abbruzzese, Jude’s Salesman stated that “It is always a pleasure to sell someone a Mercedes-Benz, but when you convert an enthusiast from a BMW to a Mercedes-Benz, it makes the experience that much better.

With the holidays fast approaching, my wife, daughter, and I departed sunny Los Angeles for the frozen tundra and tenebrous skies of southeastern Michigan. On purpose. Awaiting us in Ann Arbor were my parents, their tiger cat Toby, a Norman Rockwell-perfect noble fir Christmas tree seasoned with white lights and the same ornaments I remember from my youth two-score years ago, and about a foot of fresh white snow blanketing a skin of black ice. Perfect.

Usually whenever I return to Michigan in the winter I play a little game with the weather gods. If I want a blizzard to strike the state, I prearrange a test-drive in, say, a Corvette Z06 on cheater slicks. And if I want the forecast to be sunny, dry, and unseasonably warm, I order-up, oh, a Land Rover LR3 complete with winch, snatch blocks, and a St. Bernard wearing a thermos of schnapps on his collar. Inevitably, I’m driving precisely the wrong machine for the conditions.

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