Most people already know that Mercedes-Benz is known as the world’s most valuable premium auto brand.  However, some of you may be surprised to hear that not only are they one of the top luxury car brands, but they also are ranked 12th among Best Global Brands in 2011.  Mercedes-Benz is considered to be the most valuable European brand and 12th worldwide across all global brands.  Their brand equity rose 9% this year over 2010 and has continuously increased since 2009.  Mercedes-Benz has the highest customer satisfaction score compared to all other auto brands, which attributes to most of their success.

Ray Catena Motor Car is a MBUSA franchised dealer and we maintain the area’s largest inventory of new and used Mercedes-Benz cars and genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. See why everyone loves Mercedes-Benz by checking out our Ray Catena Motor Car website or stop by our NJ Mercedes showroom for an up close, in-depth experience.

Source: eMercedesBenz

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 has finally matured into a winning car at the ADAC GT Masters – in its first year of racing! At EuroSpeedway Lausitz, where the 11th and 12th races of the season were held, the gullwing once again took its place on the roster of winners.  In the first race of the weekend, four of the nine starting Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s finished in the top ten: the best drivers were Lance David Arnold and Andreas Zuber (Primajob Team Heico) in fifth place. Sunday’s result was even more impressive: In front of 16,500 spectators, two client teams made it onto the winners’ rostrum. Leading the pack were Thomas Jäger and Florian Stoll (MS Racing), who were the first to pass the checkered flag, after 33 captivating laps, in one of the most exciting races of the season. Their victory was decided during the mandatory pit stop: Jäger delayed to enter the paddock a lap later than the previously leading Ferrari team, recouping a second during the lap – enough time to keep his lead after the pit stop. Florian Stoll fought off all challenges until the end of the race to secure the second victory for an SLS AMG GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters, with a 1.2-second lead.

Peter Hackett (Erebus Racing) rang up a “down under debut victory” for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in the Australian GT Championship. The triumph during the second race on Phillip Island also marked the first victory for an SLS AMG GT3 outside Europe.

Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

Ducati and Mercedes AMG have proudly announced that the first public showing of the Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition will be at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany from 15-25 September. The 2012 flagship model of the Diavel family is a tribute to the AMG luxury-sport brand and is intended for passionate connoisseurs of technology, engineering detail and exclusive style.

Ducati’s unique cooperation with Mercedes AMG was first announced at the 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show with a sponsorship agreement for the Ducati MotoGP Team which perfectly demonstrated the shared brand values of high performance, motorsport and excitement. The association soon developed into a rich strategy of co-marketing activities and the Diavel AMG Special Edition now represents the first “co-inspired” model, elegantly combining distinctive styling features from both famous marques.

Based upon the Diavel Carbon, the  features AMG’s signature 5-spoke wheel styling, carbon fibre lateral radiator grills with aluminium trim, AMG-style sport exhaust system with engraved end-caps and AMG-style horizontally ribbed seat upholstered in Alcantara®. The model’s incredible attention to performance detail also ensures that every engine has its Desmodromic cam-timing set by hand and authenticated with the name of the engine technician engraved on the left-side engine casing. Further underlining the model’s exclusivity, each motorcycle will have a numbered plaque on the fuel tank.

For the full article about the Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition click here.

Distracted driving has become a serious issue these days.  In this digital age that we live in there are so many distractions that are taking our eyes off the roads.  Today, distracted driving is to blame for 80% of all car crashes and over 5,500 automotive fatalities annually, according to a Virginia Tech study. On Consumer Reports we found a great article that provides tips on how to make any commute safer and more enjoyable.  The Ray Catena Motor Car and Ray Catena of Union family wants to make sure all of our Mercedes-Benz customers are being safe out on the roads, so before heading out next time keep these tips in mind to help minimize distractions while driving.

* Choose your music, set the interior temperature, and make any other control adjustments you need to before hitting the road, or wait until you are stationary to make any changes.

* Check phone messages if you need to, and make any necessary calls. Even if you can make hands-free calls, the safest approach is to avoid making calls while driving. Never use the phone in heavy traffic, bad weather, or in other dangerous road conditions. The best is to pull over somewhere safe and make the call.

* Program your navigation device ahead of time, if you use one. And review your route to familiarize yourself with it whether you use GPS or not. If you are not sure, pull over and memorize the next few directions.

* Allow enough time to make your trip without rushing.

* Don’t travel with unrestrained pets in the car. An excited animal can be a dangerous distraction, and it can interfere with your ability to control the car.

* Loose items can also be a hazard. Many accidents are caused by drivers reaching to pick up something from the floor.

* Try not to eat behind the wheel. Cleaning up a spill, or trying to avoid one, can easily take your eyes off the road long enough to cause a crash.

* And it may seem obvious, but take care of your personal grooming needs before starting out.

Source: Consumer Reports

Labor Day has quickly approached and we’re only a few days away until the long weekend kicks off.  Not sure what you’re doing for the holiday weekend?  Well seeing as though Labor Day is viewed as the the “end of summer” most of us will probably hit the beach, sit poolside, or have BBQs.  No matter what you decide to do NJ Mercedes dealer Ray Catena Motor Car wants you to have fun, but most importantly stay safe during this long 3-day weekend.  We found this helpful article that provides tips on how to be safe during Labor Day. No matter what you do this holiday weekend keep in mind these safety tips and you’ll likely have a happy end to summer.  Additionally, don’t forget that this NJ Mercedes dealership along with Ray Catena of Union will be open on Labor Day weekend.  Stop by to test drive a new or pre-owned Mercedes or browse NJ Merecedes specials today!
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Labor Day Pool Fun and 5 Safety Tips

By Robbi H

Labor Day is just around the corner and for many it’s one last chance to throw a backyard barbecue and pool party before the official end of summer. As with all holidays, it’s always important to keep health and safety in mind when planning your events.

Because most Labor Day activities involve outdoor activities, here are five tips to maximize your fun and safety:

1. Always use sunscreen – if there will be a lot of in-pool activities going on, make certain you purchase waterproof sunscreen and re-apply according to the directions. It’s true that UVB rays are a good source for soaking in some Vitamin D, after about 10 minutes of direct sunlight your body has absorbed its limit.

2. Drink plenty of water – staying hydrated, yes even if you’re in the pool, is always wise. You don’t want to end the day with a trip to the emergency room for treatment of dehydration or heat stroke. Also, if your holiday party plans involve alcohol, drinking water will help reduce the effects of a hangover. Wear sunglasses and a hat – a baseball hat or a floppy-brimmed hat is a good idea of you’re going to be in the sun for long periods of times. It will help prevent heat stroke and sunburn. Protective eyewear is wise anytime you’re outdoors. Find sunglasses that offer protection to your corneas and retinas from harmful UVB rays.

3. Don’t completely blow your diet – yes, it’s a holiday and good food will be plentiful but sample a little bit of everything. Eat in moderation. If possible, look for lower fat recipes for your favorite foods, chances are no one will notice the difference.

4. Keep allergy medicines on hand – allergic reactions are common summertime fare. From ragweed to treatment for mosquito bites and bee stings, keep a first aid kit handy.

5. Have a safe, happy and healthy Labor Day. In addition to the above health tips, make certain you practice pool safety as well – never let children swim unattended, keep your pool fence locked if no one is there to supervise, and practice restraint when mixing alcohol with swimming activities.

Article Source

Hurricane Irene is making her way up the coast and is expected to drop plenty of rain and fierce winds on New Jersey.  Everyone should take the necessary precautions to prepare for this hurricane.  We came across this Consumer Reports article that provides a list of items to gather for your home.  Remember to stock up on all these necessities and prepare to stay home this weekend.

Here’s what to have at home:

-  Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
-  Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
-  Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
-  Flashlight and extra batteries.
-  First aid kit.
-  Whistle to signal for help.
-  Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
-  Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
-  Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
-  Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
-  Local maps.
-  A charged cell phone and chargers.

For more information on how to prepare for Hurricane Irene click here.  Stay safe everyone!

Source:  Consumer Reports

Mercedes-Benz has had a great year thus far and it looks like the momentum will continue!  Mercedes-Benz believes that it will become the nation’s best-selling luxury brand, beating out German rival BMW.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the German luxury brand’s secret weapon because it is becoming the preferred vehicle for plumbers and other businesses.  The Sprinter is an extremely practical vehicle that can serve many purposes.

As of last month Mercedes-Benz has sold 138,759 vehicles for the year, while BMW has sold 135,114.  Over the weekend, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb predicted to reporters during the Quail motorsports gathering that the German luxury brand will finish first and have a double-digit sales increase.  Last month Mercedes sales were up 9.8% over last year, so Lieb’s prediction is going to be on target or very close to it.

Source: USA Today

You can depend on Ray Catena Motor Car to provide you with useful information you need to buy a new or used Mercedes-Benz, and deliver exceptional service throughout the life of your vehicle.

WFAN’s own Mike Francesa loves doing business with Ray Catena Auto Group!  He has done business with us in the past and he just recently purchased a vehicle from us!  Hear him banter on air about Ray Catena and why he loves our NY & NJ luxury car dealerships.

Ray Catena customers love the luxury and quality of a Mercedes-Benz, and with good reason. Mercedes’ classic performance, legendary safety features, and distinctive styling has long distinguished Mercedes’ luxury cars and certified pre-owned cars as unparalleled in the high-end automotive industry.

Ray Catena insists his customers are taken care of the old fashioned way — with hard work, exemplary customer service, and fair pricing.

Mercedes-Benz is the official vehicle of the US open and we here at Ray Catena Motor Car are pleased to announce the Mercedes-Benz Tweet Rally to the US Open promotional event!

Sometime between August 22 and September 5, 2011, an all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class will visit our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership with an incredible prize to give away: a pair of premium loge-level tickets – including hospitality – to one of two dates at this year’s US Open. Once the specially wrapped M-Class arrives on our lot, Mercedes-Benz USA will Tweet about it to anyone following the @MBUSA Twitter handle. The first fans to arrive and find the M-Class will get the tickets. It’s as simple as that. Tickets will be in short supply and once they’re gone, that’s it, so be prepared to act fast! Make sure you follow @MBUSA on Twitter for your chance to grab these incredible tickets!

Also be sure to follow us on Twitter and become a fan of Ray Catena Motor Car on Facebook for the latest news and information surrounding the Tweet Rally to the 2011 US Open!

If you have any questions about the Mercedes-Benz Tweet Rally to the 2011 US Open or the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, give us a call at 732-549-6600 or click here to contact us!

Thanks to eMercedesBenz we have more information on the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL- Class. The 2012 Mercedes SL-Class was spotted driving around the streets of London with minimal camouflage.  Based on these spy shots, it looks as if though the SL-Class will be similarly styled to the SLK and SLS AMG.  It’s been reported that the SL-Class engine options will include a 306 PS (225 kW / 302 hp) 3.5-liter V6 in addition to a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 with 408 PS (300 kW / 402 hp) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque.  Additionally, reports are claiming that the SL63 AMG will be powered by a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 with 544 PS (400 kW / 537 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.

While you can order a new Mercedes to your specifications, Ray Catena Motor Car also offers a selection of SL-Class models in stock. Browse used and new SL-Class models or stop by your local NJ Mercedes dealer, Ray Catena Motor Car, in Edison for a test drive today!

Source: eMercedesBenz