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.

January 11th, 2012

2011 has finally come to an end, and what a year it was for Mercedes-Benz! A new article from eMercedesBenz reports that 2011 saw record breaking sales from Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach vehicles. In total, 1,362,908 cars were sold, breaking the previous record from 2007. Domestically, Mercedes-Benz USA also broke records selling 264,460 vehicles.

Despite reporting the highest volume of sales in the company’s history, top executives at  Mercedes-Benz refuse to become complacent. The company see’s even more potential for growth in 2012. Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Dr. Dieter Zetsche sees the upcoming A-Class as a tremendous opportunity to reach a younger market, and new technology and innovation will continue to propel Mercedes-Benz forward. Zetsche also points to strong demand for smart cars in 2011 and sees the new third generation smart fortwo as a strong entry to the energy efficient segment. With vehicles for all types of drivers, global consumers are paying attention to Mercedes-Benz and eagerly anticipating what’s to come in 2012.

Make sure to stop by Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz of Edison to see the newest models everyone is talking about  including the new C-Class, and find out what puts Mercedes-Benz in a class by itself!

Source: emercedesbenz.com

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.

Tis the season for the NFL playoffs!  This weekend as the playoffs season kicks off, we wanted to share with you the 2011 enhancements made to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  The New Orleans Saints take on the Detroit Lions this Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome at 8 PM for an NFC matchup.  Read up on the following enhancements made to the Superdome in 2011 and make sure to check out the video below that offers an inside look of the renovated stadium!

Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Champions Square Enhancements

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome recently completed an $85 million renovation that completely modernized the facility. Enhancements began in late January 2011 and recently concluded to host ESSENCE Music Festival in early July 2011. This brings the total amount spent on renovations to $336 million since 2006.

Key, significant enhancements include:
- Expansion of Plaza (100 Level) concourse
- Additional concession points of sale and restrooms on Plaza (100 Level)
- Replacement and reconfiguration of the East and West Side Plaza
Seating Units (100 level) – offering 3,100 new seats and improved sight lines.
- Addition of two premium ground/field level bunker clubs
- 3 additional elevators for improved vertical transportation
- Expansion of Exterior Plaza Gates A and C

Source: Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Take a look inside the latest 76,468-seater, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, renovated, re-lit and ready for the playoffs.

Preview our selection of new and certified pre-owned models at this Mercedes-Benz dealership in Edison. To contact us, click here or call 732-549-6600.

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

Everyone at Ray Catena Motor Car in Edison and all of our NJ and NY Ray Catena dealers are very happy that we got to participate in the Randy Foye Foundation toy collection.   Over 1,024 presents were handed out to kids in Randy Foye’s hometown of Newark, NJ. For the official press release and more details check out the rest of this blog post.  Thanks to all those that dropped off toys at our NJ Mercedes dealer locations!
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The Randy Foye Foundation’s 4th Annual Holiday Toy Drive has been its biggest yet. Members of the Los Angeles Clippers guard’s foundation handed out 1,024 presents on Thursday to kids in Foye’s hometown of Newark, NJ.

On December 3rd before the NBA season began, Foye launched the toy drive at Dr. Jays in downtown Newark. Earlier this week, he handed out presents to Los Angeles youth alongside Clippers teammates Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Ryan Gomes.

“It’s always a great feeling to be able to give back,” Foye said. “This year was unique because I was able to make an impact on both coasts through my foundation and as part of the Clippers organization.”

Participating in this year’s toy drive was Ray Catena Auto Group, who collected presents at their 14 dealerships and service centers; Dr. Jays, who hosted the kickoff event and collected presents at all 3 Newark stores; Villanova University’s Campus Activities Team; Randy’s alma mater East Side High School; and Forrestdale School in Rumson, NJ. New York radio powerhouse Hot 97’s DJ Wallah also stopped by the launch event with a large amount of presents to donate.

“We were thrilled to have so many collection sites this year,” said Christina Vuocolo, Vice President of the Randy Foye Foundation (RFF). “It made it easier for our supporters to give a gift in their area and know that it ultimately ended up with an organization whose mission they deeply value.”

Over 50 volunteers pitched in to collect, sort, wrap and deliver the presents. Wrapping took place over two days at the RFF office with each gift being labeled for the appropriate age and gender of its recipient.

“For each of the past three years, we’ve made it our commitment to provide a present for every student at Dr. E. Alma Flagg Elementary School, which is the elementary school that Randy attended,” Vuocolo continued. “This year, we wanted to expand our outreach and are very pleased with the response. We were able to donate several hundred gifts to Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School as well.”

To read the full Press Release, click here.

Preview our selection of new and certified pre-owned models at this Mercedes-Benz dealership in Edison. To contact us, click here or call 1-908-379-7200.

With lots of places to go this holiday season, it’s important to make sure your Mercedes-Benz is ready for travel.  Luckily, Ray Catena’s service and repair center will help keep your new or used Mercedes-Benz on the road. Learn more about this NJ Mercedes-Benz dealer, Ray Catena of Edison, and have safe travels!

Source: Car Loves

Between Thanksgiving and New Years, lots of people take to the highways. Here are just a few tips (not exhaustive by any means) that will help you make your holiday driving trip more enjoyable and safe.

1. If going on a long trip, make sure the car is properly serviced. Check the usual, oil, break fluid, battery condition, tires, etc.

2. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before the trip so you won’t be excessively tired when you start out.

3. Have your route planned in advance. Unsafe detours into unchartered territory can be dangerous and expensive.

4. Bring a paper map. Even if you have a state-of-the-art GPS, bring a current paper map that covers your route as a backup. You never know when you’ll need a backup.

5. Buy snacks and drinks before you leave at the grocery store rather than stocking up at the more expensive convenience stores and gas stations along the way.

For the full article, click here.

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.

NBA guard Randy Foye has teamed up with Ray Catena Auto Group for his foundation’s annual holiday toy drive. From December 3rd – December 20th, donations will be accepted at all Ray Catena dealerships in New Jersey and New York. Proceeds benefit children throughout the city of Newark, NJ, where Foye was born and raised.

Requested are age-appropriate, unwrapped presents for boys and girls in grades K-8. Since 2008, the Randy Foye Foundation (RFF) has provided holiday presents to Newark youth and hopes to continue building on the previous years’ success.

Foye is no stranger to giving back to the Newark community where he was born and raised. Earlier this month, RFF provided 157 winter coats to city kids and complete Thanksgiving meals to 60 families. During the NBA offseason, Foye shared his life story with students at several schools, encouraging them that “education is the key to anything you want to do in life.” In addition to his Assist 4 Life mentoring program in city elementary schools, Foye has provided athletic uniforms and equipment to many youth sports programs throughout the city. RFF also partners with the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to host a 5k at Branch Brook Park in the spring.

“For me, it’s all about helping kids,” said Foye. “I walked the same difficult path that they are facing now. I want to encourage kids to achieve their full potential and let them know that someone believes in them and wants to see them succeed. Around the holidays, it’s especially important for me to give back and help put a smile on someone else’s face.”

The Randy Foye Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed in 2007 that raises funds and develops programs aimed at improving the lives of kids in Newark. For more information, visit www.randyfoye.org.

Additionally we are offering 10% OFF with any service invoice of $200.00 or more & with donation of a toy!

Click here to print this coupon.

Twitter:

Ray Catena @Ray_Catena,
Randy Foye @randyfoye,
RFF @RFoyeFoundation
Event Hashtag: #RFFToyDrive

Facebook Links:

http://www.facebook.com/RayCatena

http://www.facebook.com/randyfoyegivingback

To view the full Press Release, click here.

To view the flyer, click here.