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Project Report OF
A STUDY ON MERCEDES BENZ MARKETING AND SALES WITH RESPECT
S CLASS.

Submitted by
MR. ANSARI SHAHNAWAZ AYAZ

Roll no. 05

Under the guidance of

Prof. Ansari Naseem Ahmad

Designation: Faculty

Department: Bachelors of management studies

K.H.M.W. College

Submitted in partial fulfillment of

MUMBAI UNIVERSITY

K.H.M.W. COLLEGE OF COMMERCE

BACHELORS OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, JOGESHWARI (WEST)

MUMBAI

2018 – 2019
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DECLARATION

I, Mr. ANSARI SHAHNAWAZ AYAZ, of K.H.M.W. College of Commerce &

Management of TYBMS [Semester VI] hereby declare that I have completed my
project, titled “A STUDY ON MERCEDES BENZ MARKETING AND SALES

WITH RESPECT S CLASS” In the Academic Year 2018-2019. The information

submitted herein is true and original to the best of my knowledge.

_________________
Signature of Student

[MR. ANSARI SHAHNAWAZ AYAZ]

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that, MR. ANSARI SHAHNAWAZ AYAZ, Student of K.H.M.W.

COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT has completed this project. The
title “A STUDY ON MERCEDES BENZ MARKETING AND SALES WITH

RESPECT S CLASS.” as a part of T.Y.B.M.S course 2018-19 has collected the

required information to reliable sources. This project is complete and fit for
submission.

___________________ _______________________

Signature of the Principal Signature of Project Guide &

Internal Examiner

___________________ _______________________

(External Examiner) (BMS Co- Ordinator)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank the University of Mumbai, for introducing the BMS course,
there by giving its students a platform to keep abreast with the changing business
scenario, with the help of theory as a base and practical as a solution.

This project would have been incomplete without the endless support and guidance
of Professor ANSARI NASEEM AHMAD, my project guide.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude towards our respected Principal
MR. AZIZ SHAIKH.

My friends who have been a great source of inspiration throughout the making of
this project, their support is deeply acknowledged.

MR. ANSARI SHAHNAWAZ AYAZ

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CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Problem statement
 Objective
 Company profile

History and Major merge

Current CEO & MD

Awards

Karl Benz

Business alliances

Quality Rankings

Production

Passenger Cars

Car nomenclature

Bicycles

 Various Models Mercedes Benz

 A Class
 C Class
 CL Class
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 M Class
 SLK Class
 S Class

 Mercedes Benz Indian Market Growth

 MERCEDES BENZ SWOT analysis
 Methodology
 Data analysis and interpretation
 Limitation
 Conclusions
 Bibliography
 Questionnaire
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INTRODUCTION

Mercedes Benz is a one of the most luxurious cars produced in

the world. It the longest manufacturing automobiles surviving
company the world. Mercedes Benz is the company which
focuses basically on manufacturing luxurious and expensive cars
which is not in the hands of a middle or low class family to own it.
Mercedes Benz has entered in the market of India
to sell its expensive cars. It has been in India since 1994 and
producing cars. It has good response from Indians
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
 Impact on Mercedes Benz cars of new evolving
technologies
 Major competitors of Mercedes-Benz at present as
BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche.
 Different problems in the growth of Mercedes-Benz in
India.
 Is customer fully satisfied with products or not.
 Which CLASS of Mercedes-Benz is more superior
and preferred most by the customer?
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OBJECTIVES
 To understand the position of Mercedes-Benz till
today.
 To understand the marketing and sales of Mercedes-
Benz.
 To know about the company.
 To get idea of their different products and service.
 Description of various models
 Why customer trust this company.
 How it satisfies the customer.
 To get idea of the customer about Mercedes.
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COMPANY PROFILE

Mercedes-Benz (German pronunciation: [mɛʁˈtseːdə s ˈbɛnts]) is a German

manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of
its parent company, Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz's
creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, patented in
January 1886 and Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach's conversion of a
stagecoach by the addition of a petrol engine later that year. The Mercedes automobile
was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. The first Mercedes-
Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz's
and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into the Daimler-Benz company. Mercedes-Benz has
introduced many technological and safety innovations that later became common in
other vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most well-known and established
automotive brands in the world, and is also the world's oldest automotive brand still in
existence today.

History of the company and the major merge

Daimler AG is a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines,
which dates back more than a century.
An Agreement of Mutual Interest was signed on May 1, 1924 between Benz &
Cie (founded 1883) of Karl Benz and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (founded 1890)
of Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach

Daimler-Benz AG, 1926–1998

Both companies continued to manufacture their separate automobile and internal
combustion engine marques until, on 28 June 1926, when Benz & Cie. and Daimler
Motoren Gesellschaft formally merged - becoming Daimler-Benz AG
(Aktiengesellschaft) - and agreed that thereafter, all of the factories would use the brand
name of "Mercedes-Benz" on their automobiles. The inclusion of the name Mercedes in
the new brand name honored the most important model series of DMG automobiles,
the Mercedes series
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by other companies (Daimler Motor Company and Austro-Daimler), so the new

company, Daimler-Benz, would have created confusion and legal problems to include
Daimler in its new brand name, and therefore, used Mercedes to represent the Daimler
Motoren Gesellschaft interest. Karl Benz remained as a member of the board of
directors of Daimler-Benz AG until his death in 1929.

Although Daimler-Benz is best known for its Mercedes-Benz automobile brand,

during World War II it also created a notable series of aircraft, tank,
and submarine engines. Daimler also produced parts for German arms, most notably
barrels for the Mauser rifle.

CURRENT CEO & MD

Dieter Zetsche (born on May 5, 1953 in Istanbul,Turkey) is a German businessman
and the Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars since 2006 as well
as member of the company's Board of Management since 1998.

He joined Daimler-Benz in 1976, working in the research department. In 1981, he

became Assistant Development Manager at the Vehicles business unit. He completed
his doctorate in engineering in 1982 at the University of Paderborn.

He was the main influence behind the demerger of Daimler and Chrysler in 2007, which
ended in the newly formed Daimler AG.

Dieter Zetsche is credited with bringing significant core changes to the Mercedes-Benz
company in an effort to turn around a decade long downward spiral in product quality
and customer satisfaction. He was named in Time Magazine's 2006's list of 100 most
influential people

Awards
Dieter Zetsche was awarded as "Entrepreneur of the year" in 2008 from the German
media.
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KARL BENZ
Karl Friedrich Benz, later Carl, (November 25, 1844 – April 4, 1929) was
a German engine designer and car engineer, generally regarded as the inventor of the
gasoline-powered cars, and together with Bertha Benz pioneering founder of the
automobile manufacturer Mercedes

Karl Benz was born Karl Friedrich Michael Vaillant, inKarlsruhe, Baden, which is part of
modern Germany, to Josephine Valliant and a locomotive driver, Johann George Benz,
whom she married a few months later. When he was two years old, his father was killed
in a railway accident, and his name was changed to Karl Friedrich Benz in
remembrance of his father.

In 1871, at the age of twenty-seven, Karl Benz joined August Ritter in launching a
mechanical workshop in Mannheim, also dedicated to supplying construction materials:
the Iron Foundry and Mechanical Workshop, later renamed, Factory for Machines for
Sheet-metal Working

Benz began to sell the vehicle (advertising it as the Benz Patent Motorwagen) in the late
summer of 1888, making it the first commercially available automobile in history. The
second customer of the Motorwagen was a Parisian bicycle manufacturer Emile
Roger who had already been building Benz engines under license from Karl Benz for
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several years. Roger added the Benz automobiles (many built in France) to the line he
carried in Paris and initially most were sold there.

Benz & Cie. expansion

Karl Benz introduced the Velo in 1894, becoming the first production automobile

First bus in history: a Benz truck modified by Netphener Company (1895)

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The German economic crisis worsened. In 1923 Benz & Cie. produced only 1,382 units
in Mannheim, and DMGmade only 1,020 in Stuttgart. The average cost of an
automobile was 25 million marks because of rapid inflation. Negotiations between the
two companies resumed and in 1924 they signed an Agreement of Mutual Interest valid
until the year 2000. Both enterprises standardized design, production, purchasing,
sales, and advertising—marketing their automobile models jointly—although keeping
their respective brands.

On June 28, 1926, Benz & Cie. and DMG finally merged as the Daimler-Benz company,
baptizing all of its automobiles, Mercedes Benz, honoring the most important model of
the DMG automobiles, the 1902 Mercedes-35hp, along with the Benz name. The name
of that DMG model had been selected after ten-year-old Mercedes Jellinek, the
daughter of Emil Jellinek who had set the specifications for the new model. Between
1900 and 1909 he was a member of DMG's board of management and long before the
merger Jellinek had resigned.

Business alliances
Studebaker-Packard-
In 1958, Mercedes-Benz entered into a distribution agreement with the Studebaker-
Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana (USA), makers of Studebaker and
Packard brand automobiles. Under the deal, Studebaker would allow Mercedes-Benz
access to its dealer network in the U.S., handle shipments of vehicles to the dealers,
and in return, receive compensation for each car sold. Studebaker also was permitted to
use the German automaker's name in its advertisements, which stressed Studebaker's
quality over quantity

Quality rankings
Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had maintained a reputation for its quality and
durability. Objective measures looking at passenger vehicles - such as J. D.
Power surveys, demonstrated a downturn in reputation in this criteria in the late 1990s
and early 2000s. By mid-2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average
for initial quality, a measure of problems after the first 90 days of ownership, according
to J.D. Power. In J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007,
Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by climbing from 25th to 5th place, surpassing
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quality leader Toyota, and earning several awards for its models .For 2008, Mercedes-
Benz's initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, now in fourth place. On top of
this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes’
Sindelfingen, Germany assembly plant. As of 2009, Consumer Reports of the United
States has changed their reliability ratings for several Mercedes-Benz vehicles to
"average", and are recommending the E-Class and the S-Class.

Corporate average fuel economy

In the United States, Mercedes-Benz was assessed a record US$30.66 million for their
decision to not meet the federal corporate average fuel economy standard in
2009. Certain Mercedes-Benz cars including the S550 and all AMG models sold in the
United States also face an additional gas guzzler tax.

In 2008, Mercedes had the worst CO2 average of all major European manufacturers,
ranking 14th out of 14 manufacturers. Mercedes was also the worst manufacturer in
2007 and 2006 in terms of average CO2 levels, with 181 g and 188 g of CO2 emitted
per km, respectively.

Production
Besides its native Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also manufactured or
assembled in:

 Argentina (buses, trucks and the 
Sprinter van. The first Mercedes-
Benz factory outside of Germany)
 Austria (G-Class)
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Brazil Manufacture the trucks,
buses, C-Class, GL-Class, and
CLS-Class. Established in 1956.
The A-Class (W168) was
produced from 1999 to 2005 as
well.
Mexico - Mercedes Benz de Mexico is Mercedes
largest foreign branch by revenue, number of
sales, vehicles manufactured and total employees
and covers most of the Latin American and North
American market.
 Nigeria (buses, trucks, utility motors and the
Sprinter van)
 Philippines
 Spain (Vitoria)
 South Africa
 South Korea (Mercedes-
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 Canada Benz Musso and MB100models manufactured

 Egypt via Egyptian German
Automotive Company
 Hungary (construction of a new
plant in the country announced on 
18 June 2008, for the next
generation A- and B-Class)
 India
 Indonesia
 Iran (Not since 2010)
 Malaysia
by Ssang Yong Motor Company)
 Thailand (assembly of C, E and S class vehicles
by the Thonburi Group)
Turkey
 United Kingdom (The SLR sports car is built at
the McLaren Technology Centre in
Woking).Brackley, Northamptonshire, United
Kingdom Mercedes Grand Prix Factory
 United States The Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Sport Utility, the R-Class Sport Tourer, and the
full-sized GL-Class Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle
are all built at the Mercedes-Benz production
facility near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
 Vietnam Passenger cars and commercial
vehicles. Established in 1995

Current model range

Mercedes-Benz has a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial
equipment. Production is on a global basis. The Smart marque of city cars has also
been part of the Mercedes-Benz Group since 1994.

Passenger cars

The following passenger vehicles were in production in 2010:

 A-Class - subcompact
 C-Class - sedan (saloon), sports coupé (CLC), and estate
 CL-Class - coupé
 E-Class - sedan (saloon), coupé, convertible , and estate
 GL-Class - SUV
 M-Class - SUV
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 S-Class - sedan (saloon)

 SLK-Class - roadster
 Buses and vans



 Hitler's Mercedes Benz 770 Grosser Limousine in the Canadian War Museum



 Mercedes-Benz Vario

Car nomenclature
Mercedes-Benz used the numerical representation of motor displacement with the
letters placed thereafter to denote the type of motor, fuel delivery (in petrol motors), and
body. The last number is always zero. "E" denoted the fuel injection system
(Einspritzung) in the petrol motors while "D" signified for diesel motors.

Note: the letters described below are used prior to 1994 changes.

 "C" had been used for the two-door models on W114/W115, W123, and W124
as well as S-Class (W126 and W140) chassis. When combined with SL to create
the SLC, the long-wheelbase, four-seat closed coupé version of SL.
 "K" was for the supercharged models in the 1920s and 1930s ("Kompressor")
with exception of SSK, which meant "Kurz" (or short wheelbase).
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 "L" meant "Leicht" (light): the first one to appear on SSKL in 1931. Beginning
with the W108 in 1965, "L" means the long wheelbase version.
 "R" is for the "Rennen" version as in 300SLR from 1955 (and SLR from 2003).
 "S" originally meant "Sport" as in SSK from 1928 and 300SL from 1953.
However, the "S" designates the flagship four-door model, starting in the late
1950s. Eventually, "SE" and "SEL" were added to describe the fuel-injected
model or long-wheelbase model. Initially for the US market, "SD" and "SDL" were
the diesel version of S-Class (W116 and W126).
 "T" was for the estate (or station wagon) using the word, "Touring", rather than
German word, "Kombi". This appeared on S123 and S124.
During the 1950s, some models carried the smaller letters: b, c, d as to differentiate
between the model trim levels.

If "K" is added to the class letters at the end, they denote the "smaller" version of the
flagship models: SLK, CLK, and GLK. CLS is the unique four-door coupé version that
doesn't even resemble the larger CL at all and even though it is based on E-Class
chassis. CLC is the three-door hatchback version of C-Class. Beginning with the W212
E-Class, the "CLK" designation has been moved down to "C" level while "E-Class
Coupé" is added as to better reflect its position in the price range between E-Class and
S-Class.

"ML" rather than "M" was chosen due to the objection by BMW M-Motorsport as to avoid
the confusion between the BMW "M" models and Mercedes-Benz "M". However, Infiniti
has assigned "M" to its intermediate four-door saloon (M45) for the US market.

SLR and SLS are only one without numbers.

When the letters are placed after the numerical designation, they denote the type of fuel
delivery system or forced induction.

 "K" is the "Kompressor" or supercharger.

 "T" is the "Turbo", mostly found on smaller petrol A-Class and
B-Class models (A200T and B200T).
The designation on the right-hand side is usually for the specific options such as
"4Matic" and "AMG". "CDI" is affixed on the right-hand side unless "4Matic" option is
chosen: it moves to the left and joins the alphanumeric designation. For instance,
"R320CDI 4Matic" or "E320 CDI".
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 "4Matic" is the four-wheel-drive system.

 "BLUETEC" denotes the diesel motor with exhaust treatment using urea solution.
 "CDI" is the "Common-Rail Direct Injection" system for the diesel motors.
 "CGI" is the petrol equivalent of CDI on some models.
 "HYBRID" designates the hybrid technology.
 "KOMPRESSOR" appears on C-Class and E-Class models with 1,8-litre 4-
cylinder supercharged motors.
"NGT" is the "Natural Gas Technology

Bicycles
Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced 3 new bicycles in 2005, named
Automatic Bike from upwards of USD$2699, Fitness Bike from upwards of USD$3999,
Mountain Bike from upwards of USD$5399 (As were the Retail Prices recorded from
immediate release date). The bikes are sold in Australia, Germany, and Russia. List of
bicycles:

 Mercedes-Benz Automatic Bike

 Mercedes-Benz Carbon Bike

 Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), brake assist, and

many other types of safety equipment were all developed,
tested, and implemented into passenger cars—first—by
Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has not made a large fuss
about its innovations, and has even licensed them for use by
competitors — in the name of improving automobile and
passenger safety. As a result, crumple zones and anti-lock
brakes (ABS) are now standard on all modern vehicles.
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VARIOUS MODELS OF MERCEDES BENZ

MERCEDES BENZ A CLASS

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a mini MPV

Produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The first generation (W168) was
introduced in 1997, and the all-new second generation model (W169) appeared in late
2004. It is available as a three or five-door mini MPV. It is Mercedes' entry level model
in most of its worldwide markets, though not in North America or India; the B-Class is
the entry model in China, Canada, Australia and Mexico, and the C-Class is the entry
model in the US and India

Production of the W168 A-Class began in 1997. Its front engine, front wheel drive layout
was quite unusual for Mercedes. To date, about 1.6 million units have been sold
worldwide.

One innovation of the W168 was a frontal-impact absorption system called the
"Sandwich" (see patents DE4326 9 and DE4400132 in the name of Mercedes-Benz). In
the event of a violent frontal impact, the engine and transmission would slide
underneath the floor below the pedals rather than entering the passenger compartment.
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Driving assistance
The car is designed according to Mercedes-Benz concept of 'Touch and Feel' (TAF).

The multi-function steering wheel places controls for the radio, telephone, and other
systems conveniently within reach of the thumbs of the driver. Power steering (standard
feature) aids control of the automobile, with its behavior varying according to the
vehicle's speed.

The Mercedes COMAND APS is a navigation system which provides directions via
GPS. The radio unit also provides DVD and telephone functionality, with various
versions available (standard Audio 20 radio/single CD, Audio 50 APS or COMAND
APS).

The Parktronic system provides audio and visual signals to indicate how far the car is
from an obstacle.
The A-class optionally includes a "Light & Sight" package which includes headlamps with
gas-discharge bulbs; cornering lights (main-beam headlamps at road junctions and tight
corners);

Temperature control
The standard temperature control system has separate temperature settings for driver
and front passenger sides, and includes a "Heater Booster System" that can flood the
interior of the car with hot air.

The optional Themotronic system maintains and regulates the temperature in

accordance with a set of sensors that measure temperature, sunlight, humidity and
pollutant levels in the ambient air.

Safety
A number of new features were made available in the W169 model.

The biggest was the immediate fitment of a newly invented device, Electronic Stability
Control. ESP is standard on every Mercedes-Benz (produced after 1999).

The car is constructed with high-strength steel alloys with bonded joints. It has a large
number of airbags including optional rear side airbags (for side-impacts in the
backseats), optional side-curtain airbags, and standard head and thorax-protection side
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airbags. The front airbags are adaptive with two-stage gas generators operating
according to the severity of accident.

The force exerted by the seat belt system during a collision adapts dynamically
depending upon the collision characteristics. The 'active' head restraints (standard for
driver and front passenger) give enhanced protection from neck injury, especially during
rear collisions.
The angle of the A-pillar is flatter than the windshield angle

Engine and drive system

Seven types of motors are available, and all are four-cylinders: four petrol (gasoline)
(A150, A170, A200, and A200Turbo) and three diesel (160CDI, 180CDI, 200CDI)
partnered with either 5 or 6-speedmanual gearbox. A continuously variable
transmission system called "Autoerotic Constantly Variable Transmission" (CVT) is an
optional feature.

The petrol A200 Turbo provides 193 hp (144 kW) and 280 Name (207 abaft)
of torque (rotational force); the diesel A200 CDI has 140 hp (104 kW) and 300 Name
(221 abaft).

It is estimated that the W169 engines provide a 40% increase in power and a 10%
decrease in fuel consumption compared to W168 engines.

The most powerful model can take the car from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.0
seconds, and has a top speed of 218 km/h (135 mph).
The newly developed direct-injection CDI diesel units use a common-rail direct injection
system that improves fuel consumption and reduces exhaust emissions
and noise levels.

Production
Sales of the W169 were targeted at 50,000 units in 2004. Dr. Joachim Schmidt,
Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, said that target
had been reached even before vehicles arrived in dealer showrooms.
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Profitability and impact on the Mercedes-Benz

brand
Mercedes-Benz has made a number of confusing announcements - first that a
"weak Euro" could produce costs problems and later that the "fall of the Dollar" will
cause the enterprise to not be profitable.

According to some analyses, some consider the creation of the A-Class to have
reduced its prestige in Europe, and the company has concentrated its efforts on its
larger and more profitable vehicle lines.

A200 normal aspiration

Displacement: 2034 cc

Power: 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @ 5750 rpm

Rated Torque: 185 Name (136 ft-lb) @ 3500 rpm - 4000 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed Auto CVT

Top Speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)

Wheels: 6j x 16

Tires: 195/55 R16

SALES OF A CLASS
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sales of A- class
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1 2 3 4 5 6

calendar yeear sales in India

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-

Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for
the 190 range, the C-Class was nicknamed the "Baby Benz" as it was the smallest
model in the marquee’s lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class. The C-Class is built
at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany, in Santiago
Tianguistenco

The C-Class platform has been used for several coupes, including the CLC-Class (and
its predecessor, the C-Class Sportcoupe) and the E-class Coupe (and its predecessor,
the CLK-Class

The first generation W202 C-Class was introduced in 1993, as a replacement for
the Mercedes-Benz W201 (190), and proved successful among high-end car buyers.
The C-Class sedan was the company's entry-level model up until 1997, when Mercedes
launched the A-Class. Styling themes were carried over from the previous W201 series,
but the new series had a smoother and rounder design than the previous generation of
compact Mercedes
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Engines
On its debut, the C-Class was the only Mercedes model with a complete lineup of multi-
valve engines. The new family of four cylinder petrol units, calledM111, debuted in the C
180 (1.8 L, 127 PS (93 kW; 125 hp)), C 200 (2.0 L, 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and C 220
(2.2 L, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp), the only four cylinder of the range sold in the U.S.). In
1996 the C 220 was replaced by the C 230, enlarged to 2.3 L displacement but with the
same output, although with torque increased to 220 N·m (162 lb·ft). The C 280 was the
high end model of the class, with a four-valve-per-cylinder straight-6engine, capable of
reaching 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp).
Four-cylinder diesel models were equipped with the same OM601 engine of the 190, in
the 2.0 L and 2.2 L versions. Many of these diesel variants were sold as taxis, due to
their low fuel consumption and strong reliability. There were also more
powerfulOM605 five cylinder engines which were available in naturally aspired (C 250
D) and turbocharged (C 250 TD) forms. The turbo diesel was introduced in 1995 and is
one of the novelties in the engine range available from this year. The most important
was a supercharged version of the M111 straight four, the C 230 Kompressor, using
a Roots-type supercharger to generate 193 PS (142 kW; 190 hp) at 5300 rpm:
Mercedes-Benz reused supercharger technology after 50 years. Due to the tax law in
Italy and Portugal, models in those countries featured a supercharged version of the
smaller 2.0 L (C 200 Kompressor), which had a similar output of the C 230 Kompressor

In the last four years of production, the W202 received a few changes in the choices of
engine. In 1998, a less powerful version of the 2.2 L turbo diesel was added, called C
200 CDI, which replaced the C 220 Diesel. In 2000, the C 200 Kompressor T's output
was cut to 163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp), the C 240 T displacement was enlarged from 2.4 L
to 2.6 L, but output remained at 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) and the C 180 got a 2.0 L
engine.

Petrol engines Diesel engines

Version Engine Cyl. Power Version Engine Cyl. Power

127 PS (93 kW; 75 PS (55 kW; 74

C 180 1.8 16V M111 S4 C 200 Diesel 2.0 8V DOM601 S4
125 hp) hp)
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136 PS (100 2.2 16V 102 PS (75 kW;

C 200 2.0 16V M111 S4 C 200 CDI S4
kW; 134 hp) CDIOM611 101 hp)

150 PS (110 2.2 16V 95 PS (70 kW; 94

C 220 / C 230 2.2, 2.3 16VM111 S4 C 220 Diesel S4
kW; 148 hp) DOM604 hp)

C 200 2.0 16V 193 PS (142 2.2 16V 125 PS (92 kW;
S4 C 220 CDI S4
Kompressor KM111.944 kW; 190 hp) CDIOM611 123 hp)

C 230 195 PS (143 2.5 20V 113 PS (83 kW;

2.3 16V K M111 S4 C 250 S5
Kompressor kW; 192 hp) DOM605 111 hp)

170 PS (125 C 250 2.5 20V 150 PS (110 kW;

C 240 2.6 18V M112 V6 S5
kW; 168 hp) Turbodiesel TDOM605 148 hp)

197 PS (145
C 280 2.8 24V M104 S6
kW; 194 hp)

197 PS (145
C 280 2.8 18V M112 V6
kW; 194 hp)

3.6 24V 280 PS (206

C 36 AMG S6
AMGM104 kW; 276 hp)

4.3 24V 306 PS (225

C 43 AMG V8
AMGM113-E43 kW; 302 hp)

5.4 24V 345 PS (254

C 55 AMG V8
AMGM113-E55 kW; 340 hp)
 Page 27 of 80

Safety
At the launch the C-Class had a standard driver airbag, ABS and integrated side-impact
protection; the front passenger airbag became standard from 1995 onwards, and from
the same period Traction control (ETS in the 4-cylinder models, combined with limited
slip differential(ASD) or ASR in the 6 cylinders models) was available as extra cost. In
1997 ASR became standard in the C 280s equipped with the automatic transmission
and in the C 36 AMG, as ETS in the 4-cylinder models, except for the C 180 and the C
220 Diesel.

With the 1997 restyling ASR became standard in all the models, except in the C 180
and C 220 Diesel. This last model continued to offer ETS available as extra cost.
Moreover front side airbags and Brake assist (BAS) came in the list of standard safety
features. The two basic models finally joined ASR in 1998, and, in 1999, the W202 was
the first mid-size sedan to offer ESP as standard in all the range.

Crash test ratings

EuroNCAP adult occupant:[6]

EuroNCAP pedestrian (pre-2002 rating):

NHTSA crash test ratings (1997):[7]

Frontal Driver:

Frontal Passenger:

Side Driver:

Side Rear Passenger:

 Page 28 of 80

AMG models
In 1995, the C-Class received its first genuine performance model, the C 36 AMG, to
counter the new six-cylinder BMW M3. Developed with AMG, the tuning house that had
now become a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, it had a racing-tuned suspension (lowered
by 25 mm (1 in)) and in the USA, a four-speed automatic gearbox, followed by a
standard five-speed automatic gearbox. The 3.6 L engine had a maximum output of
280 PS (206 kW; 276 hp) at 5750 rpm and 385 N·m (284 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm. Top speed
was electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Only a total of 5200 C 36 AMGs were
produced.

Minor model update

The C-Class was refreshed in early 2004. In this year, the interior styling was changed
in all three body styles. The instrument cluster was revised to display a full set of analog
gauges, as well as a full revision of the center console and audio systems. A fully
integrated iPod connection kit was available as was a better Bluetooth phone system
made optional. New electrics made it more reliable after the "Modellpflege" (model
revision.) For the USA market C230, the "sport" package was made standard which
included AMG edition bumpers, side skirts and front 4 caliper crossdrilled brakes from
the C55. Widebody rear suspension with sport tuned springs and dampers completed
the package for 2005. In 2006, Mercedes softened the ride some due to complaints that
the 2005 models with the standard AMG edition springs/dampers were too stiff for
standard issue. Different taillights were added to the Sport coupe.
Several all-new M272 and OM642 V6 engines were introduced later in the year. The C
230, C 280, C 350 replaced the C 240 and C 320, the new-generation 6-cylinder
engines developed substantially more power than the older version, by as much as 24%
more, whilst also increasing fuel economy and reducing C02 emissions. The C 230, C
280 and C 350 developed 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp), 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp) and
272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) respectively. The three-valve twin spark design was replaced
by a four-valve design, now with variable valve timing. On the diesel side too, things
were much improved, with a brand-new V6 3.0 liter CDI diesel. The new V6 diesel
offered masses of more power compared to the C 270 CDI, by as much as 32% more,
the CO2 emissions and fuel economy were also bettered, the output of this engine
224 PS (165 kW; 221 hp) and its torque of 510 N·m (380 lb·ft) made it the worlds most
powerful diesel at the time. The C 220 CDI received a power increase from 143 PS (105
kW; 141 hp) to 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) In addition, these engines also received the
 Page 29 of 80

new seven-speed 7G-Tronicautomatic transmission, a more economical naturally

aspirated 1.8 L (C 160) was added to the Sport coupe lineup

Reliability
Breakdown statistics reported by the German Automobile Club in May 2010 placed the
Mercedes C-Class at the top of the middle-sized car class in respect of the low break-
down rates achieved for cars aged between 0 and 5 years. (Class laggards were
the Ford Mondeo and the recently superseded Opel Vectra.

2011 Facelift
In December 2010, Mercedes Benz released some photos and details of W204 C-Class
facelift; it will be officially unveiled during Detroit Auto Show in January 2011. Some new
features of the new model includes engine start-stop system, 7G-tronic gearbox
available for lower end models with revised gear ratio to improve fuel economy, high
resolution screen on dashboard, as well as some minor revision of the appearance of
the interior and exterior of the car.
 Page 30 of 80

Power train
Versions of the car are available with a choice of rear- and all-wheel drive (the AWD
system is the fourth-generation 4MATIC system, not available in right-hand drive
format), along with a variety of four and six-cylinder engines (and a 6.2 liter V8 in the C
63 AMG). Engines are the straight-4 M271 and V6M272 petrol engines, straight-4
OM611 + OM651, and V6 OM642 Diesel engines. Most of the engines are from the
W203 C-class, but the C 180 K, C 200 K, C 200 CDI & C 220 CDI derivatives have
increased power outputs, also with improvements with respect to emissions and fuel
consumption. A high performance AMG version, the C 63 AMG, followed in September
2007, and it has a 6.2 L engine with 457 PS (336 kW; 451 hp) to rival the Audi
RS4 and BMW M3.

C-Class crash test ratings

Awards
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz C Class was awarded Car of the Year in Australia by Wheels
Magazine, edging out the Ford Mondeo and Mazda 2 for the award. It was also
awarded "Executive Car of the Year" by Top Gear Magazine for the 2007 Top Gear
Awards as well as being awarded 2007–08Japan's Import Car of the Year in late 2007.

Concepts
Siemens, employing prototype hybrid technology, showed off a modified Mercedes C-
Class Sport Coupe that boasts faster acceleration, more torque—and better fuel
economy—than its gasoline-powered equivalent. However, the company admitted that
the car was "far from ready for production", and too expensive to manufacture or sell.

Karmann also showed a concept of the W203 Sport coupe (preface lift), which was
turned into a convertible car with soft-top. This prototype never reached the production
status.
 Page 31 of 80

SALES OF C CLASS

Sales of C-class
calendar year sales

8000 7800

6000

4500

20062090 2007 2008 2009 2010

1 2 3 4 5

MERCEDES-BENZ CL-CLASS
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
 Page 32 of 80

Production 1998–present

Assembly Sindelfingen, Germany

Class Grand tourer

Body style(s) 2-door coupé

Layout FR layout

The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a luxury grand tourer automobile produced by

the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. The name CL stands for the German Comfort
Leicht (English: Comfort Light).

The CL-Class is based on the S-Class sedan. Known at first as the SEC and later S
coupé, it was spun off into its own, current name in 1998. The CL continues to follow
the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a slightly shorter wheelbase.
The main competitors of the CL-Class are the Aston Martin DBS and the Bentley
Continental GT.

The present generation of the CL-Class, C216, is currently available in four models: CL
500 (CL 550 in some markets), CL 600, CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG, the most powerful
model of the CL and the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle, slightly edging out
its equivalent in the S-Class and the SLS.

The second generation of the CL is the W215-chassis coupé of 2000-2006. It is based

on the 1999-2004/6 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, though it rides on an 8-inch (203 mm)
shorter wheelbase. It is offered as four models: the V8-powered CL 500, the
supercharged V8-powered CL 55 AMG, theV12-powered CL 600, a 2001 limited-edition
V12-powered CL 63 AMG, and the rare bi-turbo V12-powered CL 65 AMG. All models
seat four.

The CL coupes come equipped with the very latest in Mercedes-Benz technology, and
the CL is usually, but not always the first model to receive new technological features (it
introduced the refined Active Body Control fully-active suspension system and Bi-Xenon
 Page 33 of 80

HID lights). Active Body Control uses four hydraulic suspension rams that use three
pressure regulators connected to a combination power steering and suspension pump,
pushing fluid at a pressure of 2,960 psi (20,400 kPa) through the system that, along with
several intermediate computers and master CPU, keeps this car absolutely flat through
the corners. The CL-class has a lengthy list of custom available features. The following
features are standard: climate control, ABC (hydraulic) suspension, all-leather interior,
designer wood trim, trip computer, CD, navigation system, front heated seats, power
moonroof, as well as power door and trunk closing assist. Optional features include a
heated steering wheel and voice-activated telephone, as well as, front fan-cooled and
heated seats.

The CL 63 AMG is the rarest W215 CL of all. It was produced only in November 2001
(51 plate), and just 26 examples were ever built for sale. Some UK examples were
registered in March of the following year. The V12-powered CL 63 AMG was only sold
in Europe and Asia. Mercedes-Benz never offered the W215 CL 63 for sale; all were
sold exclusively through AMG.

From 1999 through 2003, the V12-equipped cars featured a cylinder deactivation
system called Active Cylinder Control. The feature was dropped when the 500 PS (368
kW; 493 hp) bi-turbo V12 was introduced. This deactivation feature allowed the CL 600
to get better fuel economy than the comparable CL500, especially on the road where
the six cylinder operation could be effectively used. Basically this engine is two
Mercedes six cylinder series engines mated to a common crank with appropriate engine
monitoring systems.

Exclusive “designo” packages are also available. These packages add custom color
metallic paint, custom color Nappa leather interior and exotic wood trims. They are
available in three variants: designo Cashmere, designo Espresso and designo Silver.
Additional variants can be found on rarer models. There was even an optional granite
trim that took the place of wood.

In 2003 the cars were upgraded with a newer electronics package that included a DVD-
based navigation system instead of the CD-based COMAND system. Also, the engine
options changed. The CL55 AMG became supercharged and the V12 CL 600 had
turbochargers added and a slight engine reduction, from 5980 cc to 5513 cc. Both cars
produced 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) the distinction, again, was the quietness of the CL
600 as compared to rather noisy CL 55 AMG. The more powerful CL 65 produced
612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp). The top speed of the car was limited to 250 km/h (160 mph).
 Page 34 of 80

Engines
As with all major German manufacturers (except Porsche) Mercedes electronically limits
their cars to 250 km/h (155 mph).
0–100 km/h
Engine Power Torque Top speed
(62 mph)
225 kW (306 PS; 460 N·m (339 250 km/h (155
CL 500 5.0 L V8 6.3 seconds
302 hp) lb·ft) mph)
CL 600 270 kW (367 PS; 530 N·m (391 250 km/h (155
5.8 L V12 5.9 seconds
(2000) 362 hp) lb·ft) mph)
CL 600 Turbocharged 368 kW (500 PS; 800 N·m (590 250 km/h (155
4.8 seconds
(2003) 5.5 L V12 493 hp) lb·ft) mph)
CL
265 kW (360 PS; 530 N·m (391 250 km/h (155
55AMG 5.5 L V8 5.7 seconds
355 hp) lb·ft) mph)
(2001)

CL55AMG Supercharged 368 kW (500 PS; 700 N·m (516

4.8 seconds
250 km/h (155
(2003) 5.5 L V8 493 hp) lb·ft) mph)
327 kW (445 PS; 620 N·m (457 250 km/h (155
CL 63 AMG 6.3 L V8 5.5 seconds
439 hp) lb·ft) mph)
CL Turbocharged 450 kW (612 PS; 1,000 N·m (738 250 km/h (155
4.4 seconds
65AMG 6.0L V12 603 hp) lb·ft) mph)
 Page 35 of 80

MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured

by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood
for Einspritzmotor, (German for fuel injection); a new feature in volume production
vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the engine
nomenclature (e.g. 230E) in the 1950s. It was not until the launch of the facelifted
W124 that the E was used as a prefix (i.e. E220) and the model referred to officially as
the E-Class (or E-Klasse). At this time all Mercedes cars used fuel injection and the
company felt it was not necessary to add this as a distinguishing feature. Due to the E-
Class's size and durability, the cars also frequently serve as taxis in European
countries. Older models like the W123 and W124 are used in Malaysia as inter-state
taxis, and the W211 is used in Singapore as a taxi. Mercedes-Benz also offers special-
purpose vehicles (e.g. police or ambulance modifications) from the factory.

History
W120 'Ponton'

The first modern mid size Mercedes was the W120 'Ponton' 180 of 1953. Sharing its
engineering with the R121 190 SL of 1955, the Ponton was a stylish sedan with four-
cylinder power. A larger-enginedW121 190 appeared in 1958.

W110 'Fintail'

Mercedes added tailfins to both the big S-Class and the new W110 'Fintail' 190 of
1962. Straight-6power appeared for the first time in the 1965 230 model, and the fours
grew in displacement that year as well.

W114/W115 'Stroke-8'
 Page 36 of 80

The mid size Mercedes was redesigned in 1968 as the W114/W115 'Stroke-8'. This
time, the 6-cylinder models (The W114s) were most prevalent, with the W115 line
making up the bottom of the company's offerings with four - and five-
cylinder power. Diesel engines joined the line-up, as did acoupé body.

W123

The popular W123 quickly became a best-seller on its launch in 1977. Especially
in Diesel 240D (and later 300D) guises, the cars enhanced the company's reputation for
product quality. Over 2.3 million were produced until the end of production in 1985.

Saloon/Sedan, Coupé and Estate body configurations were offered.

The 'E-Class' name first appeared in the USA with the face-lifted W124 for the model
year 1994 (the w124 was introduced in the US in 1986 but continued with the older
models' naming convention until 1993, when all Mercedes Benz models switched to a
new system, e.g., E320 instead of 300E). The 300D continued to be the fuel economy
option over the 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline engines, and the gasoline V8
engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. The V8
powered sedans/saloons were named 400E/500E from 1992–1993, and E420/E500
after 1993. Likewise, the 3-liter cars (e.g., 'E300') where also re-badged to 'E320' with
the new 3.2 litre engines and naming rationalization of 1994.

Saloon/Sedan, Coupé, Convertible and Estate body configurations were offered.

From 1992 to 1994 Mercedes offered a limited production sport version of the W124
sedan, created and assembled with help from Porsche. This was called the 500E (E500
for 1994).

W212
 Page 37 of 80

The W212 replaced the W211 in 2009. Official photos of the W 212 were leaked on the
internet on the 9th December, 2008 ahead of its 2009 Geneva Motor
Show unveiling. Scans of a leaked brochure were posted onto the internet in January
2009, detailing the whole E-Class range including the new E 200 CGI and E 230 CGI
with direct injected forced inducted engines. New features include a blind spot
monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-safe with Attention Assist and Night View Assist
Plus. In the United States the E-class will be priced nearly US$4,600 less than the
previous model. The E-class coupe is built in Bremen using the W204 C-
class platform. The W212 estate was also announced and goes on sale from November
2009. The W212 cabriolet was announced January 11, 2010 at the North American
International Auto Show, for sale March 27, 2010 in Europe and in May 2010 in the
United States.

A207 Mercedes-Benz E350

Convertible
C207 Mercedes-Benz E350 CGI S212 Mercedes-Benz
Coupé E350

Awards
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1996.

E55 AMG

The previous AMG model of the E-Class was the W211 E55 with 469 hp (350 kW) and
516 lbf·ft(700Nm) between 2650 and 4500 rpm (the power band). The use of a
supercharger system was used to increase the power of the base engine of the E55
from 369 hp (275 kW) to 469 hp (350 kW). The E55 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph
(97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and has a quarter-mile time of anywhere from the high 11's to
low 12's depending on driver and each individual car. The difference between the E55
opposed to the newer naturally aspirated E63 is the potential of one to the E55. Since
the E55 engine has a forced induction system (supercharger), this allows for smaller
pulleys to be installed and tuned to gain more power. The major drawback to the E55 is
the cooling system (mainly the stock Bosch intercooler pump does not have sufficient
flow rate) which is highly prone to heat soaking after a series of high speed pulls. The
 Page 38 of 80

solution to this common problem is replacing the stock intercooler pump with an
aftermarket Johnson CM30 pump.

Production and sales

Germany market share, E-Class vs. rivals

Calendar year Production (sedan/estate/coupe/convertible) US sales India sales

2001 44,44

2002 42,598

2003 55,683

2004 58,954

2005 50,383

2006 50,195

2007 48,950

2008 38,576

2009 43,072 8,200

 Page 39 of 80

2010 323,200 (208,400 / 44,400 / 49,600 / 20,800) 60,922 40,760

MERCEDES-BENZ GL CLASS

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (code name X164) is a full-size crossover SUV built by
the German carmaker Mercedes-Benz since 2006. The GL-Class debuted at the
2006 North American International Auto Show. The car was designed for the American
market, which is shown by its large size, making it the only similarly-sized rival up
against Audi's Q7 by that time. It is the 7-passenger counterpart of the Mercedes-Benz
M-Class. Although the car was designed for the US market, it is also sold in Europe,
albeit in far fewer numbers.

It lacks the typical SUV boxy styling and body-on-frame construction of the G-Class in
favor of a modified version of the M-Class's unibody architecture. Many motorists
consider it the "Elongated and Wider" version of the recently redesigned M-Class. It is a
three-row, 7-passengerSUV with much more luxurious equipment than previous civilian
G-Class vehicles. All GL-Class vehicles are assembled at Mercedes-Benz US
International, Inc., Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and Mercedes-Benz Mexico, Santiago
Tianguistenco, Mexico. The GL class was originally intended to replace the 25-year old
G-Class model, however due to public and fan outcries, Mercedes Benz had decided to
keep the G-Class in production for the foreseeable future and decided to update it for
2006.
 Page 40 of 80

Engines
GL 350 CDI Blue Tec: 3.0 L V6 (diesel), 160 kW (215 hp)

 GL 420 CDI: 4.0 L V8 (diesel), 225 kW (302 hp)

 GL 450: 4.7 L V8, 250 kW (335 hp)
 GL 550 (GL 500 in Europe): 5.5 L V8, 285 kW (382 hp)
Features
Standard features

Standard on the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BLUETEC and GL450 include air conditioning
w/ dual-zone climate controls, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic premium leather-wrapped
steering wheel w/ radio controls, cruise control, heated 8-way power front seats, 6-disc
CD changer, outside-temperature indicator, and universal garage door opener. On the
face lifted 2010 model, the GL's also incorporate new DRL's as well as LED tail lamps
for improved visibility. 19" 5-spoke wheels come standard with all-season tires and new
chrome beltline, window trim, and roof rails also now come standard. A chrome load sill
and front and rear chrome looking skid plates come standard. The GL also comes with
AIRMATIC suspension, a 3D instrument cluster, and 7 ways seating with power 50/50
folding 3rd row seats.

The GL350 BLUETEC is the world's cleanest diesel and reduces NOx emissions by
80%. It features a 3.0L 210 hp (157 kW) 400 lb·ft (542 N·m) torque, turbocharged V-6.
The starting MSRP for this car is one thousand dollars less than the GL450. The GL450
4MATIC has a 335 hp (250 kW), V-8. The GL550 has a 382 hp (285 kW), 5.5L V8.
Optional features

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 CDI (Germany)

 Page 41 of 80

Standard on the Mercedes GL550 but optional for the lower trims include a power
tilt/telescopic wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls (replacing
tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls), leather upholstery,
memory system, power liftgate, premium sound system, navigation system w/voice
recognition, rear radio controls, rearview camera, and heated rear seats.

Awards
2007 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year - GL 450

Sales
Calendar year US sales

2005 n/a

2006 18,776

2007 26,396

2008 23,328

2009 15,012

2010 19,943
 Page 42 of 80

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a luxury mid-sizesport utility vehicle (SUV), first offered
in 1997 as a 1998 model, and built by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz.
Gradually, the M-Class became a sales success in the United States and Mexico. In
terms of size, it is slotted in between the smaller GLK-Class (based on the C-Class) and
the larger GL-Class, with which it shares platforms. For a short time, between the years
1999 to 2002, the M class was also built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, for the
European market, until it moved to part of the U.S. market.

The Mercedes-Benz W163 M-Class SUV was introduced in 1997 for the 1998 model
year. It is a midsized body-on-frame suv with seating for 5 or 7 with an optional third-row
seat. The M-Class was the first luxury SUV to feature stability control, a system
designed to detect loss of control and instantaneously intervene with selective braking
to bring the vehicle back on its intended course. This system is now hailed by safety
experts, and studies have shown stability control and systems like it are capable of
reducing single vehicle crashes by up to 30 percent. Furthermore, the M-Class boasted
front- and side-impact airbags with advanced occupant detection for the front passenger
seat, which, combined with Mercedes' legendary safety structure, earned the M-Class
the highest marks in insurance industry crash tests

Before the vehicle was launched, Mercedes-Benz allowed the producers to use two pre-
production M-Class SUVs in the film The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and used the
vehicle's appearance in the film as a way to advertise it when it was launched. As a
result, a Mercedes-Benz ad appears before the film on original VHS copies of the film.
Jeff Goldblum, the star of the film, received one for free from Mercedes-Benz as a
result of the tie-in.

Major model variants have included the ML320, ML350, ML430, ML500,and the ML55,
along with the 4-cylinder ML230 and the turbodiesel ML270 CDI and ML400 CDI in
Europe. The ML55, or ML55 AMG, featured a V8 engine made by AMG, modified body-
work, and other performance features. The ML350 replaced the ML320 as the base
model in the United States in 2004, although the ML320 CDI is sold in states where
emissions regulations allow.
The M-Class was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1998. The ML320 was
voted the 1998 North American Truck of the Year at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, in January 1998.
 Page 43 of 80

The current Popemobile is based on a W163 ML430 and has been in service since July
2002. VW had offered to build a new vehicle based on the Touareg, but Pope Benedict
XVI opted to continue using his predecessor's Mercedes-Benz-manufactured vehicle. 4-
valve engines are replacing the previous 3-valveSOHC V6 and current 3-valve V8:

 ML350 – 3.5 L 4-valve V6, 272Hp(258 ft·lbf)

 ML500 – 5.0 L 3-valve V8, 302HP
 ML500 (ML550 for North America) – 5.5 L 4-valve V8,
382HP(550 N·m)
 ML63 AMG – 6.2 L 4-valve V8, 510HP (370 kW)
 ML300 CDI – 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 190.4HP (325 ft·lbf)
 ML350 CDI – 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 224HP (376 ft·lbf)
 ML450 CDI – 4.0 L V8 Diesel, 306HP (700 N·m)
Models using Bluetec Diesel engine with urea injection were introduced in 2008 for the
2009 model year.

ML63 AMG
The AMG version of the W164, the ML63 AMG, was introduced at the 2006 North
American International Auto Show as a limited edition 2007 model. It features a
6.2 L M156 V8 engine producing 510 hp (380 kW) and 465 lb·ft (630 N·m) that is
handcrafted in Germany. The engine is added to an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic seven-
speed automatic transmission. The 2006 ML63 AMG can accelerate from 0–60 mph
(96 km/h) in just 4.8 seconds, or from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.0 seconds. These
impressive features made the ML 63 AMG the most powerful naturally aspirated V8
SUV in the world.

Facelift
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class got a minor face-lift as it debuted at the 2008 New
York International Auto Show.

This face-lift includes new front headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new
exterior mirrors, new rim choices, a larger front grille, restyled interior, and a new ML
 Page 44 of 80

420 CDI engine choice. The ML 280 CDI became the ML 300 CDI, the 320 CDI the 350
CDI, and the 420 CDI became the 450 CDI.

ML 63 AMG
ML 63 AMG
ML Lorinser style

ML450 Hybrid

2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

At the 2009 New York International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz showed their ML450
Hybrid SUV, which was announced on April 8, 2009. The ML450 Hybrid consumes
almost 50% less fuel than the ML550 does, even though it produces over 90% of the
power generated by the V8 model. Total power generated will be 335 hp (250 kW) and
381 lb·ft (517 N·m) of torque, while getting 24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp) on the
highway and 21 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg-imp) in the city, according to United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. The engine itself runs on the
Atkinson cycle and by itself makes 275 hp. The ML 450 was developed under
the Global Hybrid Cooperation, and will only be available in the United States under
lease.
 Page 45 of 80

SALES OF M CLASS
Sales of M-class
calendar year sales

8000
6800 6200
4500
2500
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1 2 3 4 5

The SLK is a compact roadster manufactured byMercedes-Benz in three

generations; R170launched in 1996, the R171 in 2004 and R172 in 2011.

As one of the first modern retractable hardtopconvertibles, the SLK followed the
1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder and preceded other retractable hardtops such as
the Peugeot 206cc, Lexus SC,Pontiac G6 and the Chrysler Sebring. The SLK Vario-roof
was first shown on the SLK II concept car at the 1994 Paris Motor Show.[1] The car went
on sale two years later in Europe, and in 1997 in the US. The SLK isbuilt in Bremen,
Germany.

The designation SLK derives from the company's design mission to create a roadster
that was at once sporty, light and short — in German:Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz

The SLK-Class was launched in 1996 on the new R170-platform. The SLK 230
Kompressor launch model was designed to compete with the Porsche
Boxster and BMW Z3. Based on the 1994 concept SLK I shown at theTurin Motor
Show and the SLK II from the Paris Motor Show, it featured an unusual folding hardtop.
It was powered by a 193 hp 2.3 L supercharged I4engine and a choice of automatic
transmission or 5-speed manual transmission. The SLK was a modern incarnation of
the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 190SL by returning to four cylinders and a 94-inch (2,400
mm) wheelbase. Massively successful in its first year, worldwide sales hit 55,000, over
double the entire nine-year production of 190SLs, and between 1996 and 2004, over
311,000 SLKs were sold. The very first R170 Mercedes SLK was completed on January
29, 1997 and last on April 7, 2004
 Page 46 of 80

Vario-roof
The roof design developed by Mercedes-Benz consists of a folding steel hard top which
is divided in half along an axis at right angles to the direction of travel. Both halves are
linked by a kinematic mechanism which is locked securely when the roof is closed. At
the touch of a button on the centre console, a hydraulic system with five cylinders
controls the fully automatic folding process in which the boot lid is also integrated. It
opens by tipping to the rear so that the two roof halves have sufficient freedom of
movement to pivot backwards as the vario-roof opens; the roof sections then position
themselves one on top of the other, and disappear into the boot. If the roof is to be
closed, the same sequence of movements is performed in reverse order. The hydraulic
system stows the vario-roof in the upper section of the boot. A plastic roller blind
separates it from the luggage space below, an area with a capacity of 145 litres in the
first-generation SLK. With the vario-roof closed, the load volume increased to a
substantial 348 litres (12.3 cu ft). Two fixed roll-over bars behind the seats worked with
the particularly strong A-pillars to form an integrated system offering a high degree of
roll-over protection

R170 range summary

Not all models were exported to all markets.
 SLK 200 (1996-2000) - 2.0 L (1998 cc) 136 bhp (101 kW; 138 PS) I4

 SLK 200 Kompressor (2000-2004) - 2.0 L (1998 cc) 163 bhp (122 kW; 165
PS) I4 superchargedengine, 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds, top speed of 223 km/h
(138 mph).
 Page 47 of 80

 SLK 230 Kompressor(1996-2000) - 2.3 L (2295 cc) 193 bhp (144 kW; 196
PS) I4 superchargedengine
 SLK 230 Kompressor(2000-2004) - 2.3 L (2295 cc) 197 bhp (147 kW; 200
PS) I4 superchargedengine, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, top speed of 240 km/h
(148 mph).
 SLK 320 (2000-2004) - 3.2 L (3199 cc) 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS) V6 engine, 0-
60 mph in 6.5 seconds, top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph).
 SLK 32 AMG (2001-2004) - 3.2 L (3199 cc) 354 bhp (264 kW; 359
PS) V6 engine, 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (2011 -)

Mercedes-Benz R172

Mercedes-Benz announced the new SLK in the autumn of 2010, several months prior to
its official 2011 launch, allowing car magazines to drive disguised test cars. The
company took the unusual step of issuing several press releases in October and
November 2010 announcing new features such as "Magic Sky Control". In January
2011 the car was officially announced.

Sales
The SLK became a symbol of the brand image with a powerful halo effect and brought
new customers to Mercedes-Benz. Some 42 per cent of the drivers in Western Europe
who chose the roadster were new Mercedes customers.

Calendar year US sales

2001 11,268

2002 7,784

2003 6,023
 Page 48 of 80

2004 7,360

2005 11,278

2006 10,410

2007 7,270

2008 4,941

2009 2,566

2010 1,980

SALES OF SLK CLASS

sales of slk class

10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
sales
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
 Page 49 of 80

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a series of carluxury sedans produced by Mercedes-

Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The classification was officially introduced in 1972 with
the W116 S-Class, which succeeded previous Mercedes-Benz models dating to the
mid-1950s. As the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the S-Class has debuted
many of the company's latest innovations, including drivetrain technologies, interior
features, and safety systems (such as the first seatbeltpretensioners). The S-Class has
ranked as the world's best-selling luxury flagship sedan, and its latest generation, the
W221 S-Class, premiered in 2006 as an all-new design. As in previous iterations, the
W221 S-Class is sold in standard and long wheelbase
versions; V6, V8, V12, dieseland hybrid powertrains are offered. All models built in
Mexico or sold in the United States are only available in long wheelbase.
The name "S-Class" derives from the German word "Sonderklasse" of which "S-Class"
is an abbreviation. Sonderklasse means "special class" (or rather: "In a class of its
own"), and in automotive terms thus refers to "a specially outfitted car." Although used
colloquially for decades, following its official application in 1972, five generations of
officially-named S-Class sedans have been produced. Past two-door coupe models of
the S-Class were known as SEC and later S-Coupe. In 1998 they were spun off in a
separate line as the CL-Class, however it will be re-designated as the S-Coupe for the
2011 model year

In early Mercedes-Benz history, the "S-Class" designation was used colloquially,

referring to the letter "S" which designated most of the larger six-cylinder powered
vehicles in the company's lineup (but not the luxurious V8-powered 600 limousine). In
typical Mercedes-Benz fashion introduced in the late 1920s, the traditional designation
of each car consisted of three numbers indicating engine size (up to 770 in the 1930s),
and optional letters indicating either engine features ("260D" since the first Diesel of
1936) or body styles ("K" for kompressor (typically aRoots compressor). In 1930,
Mercedes-Benz names further added secondary engine displacement labels, e.g. "190E
2.6", in order to distinguish it from the mid-sized 260E, the mid-size five-door 260TE,
and the "S-Class" 260SE using the same six-cylinder.
In 1993, when the W202 was introduced as C-Class, the traditional naming convention
(numbers, plus letters) was reversed, with a leading letter identifying the line (currently,
 Page 50 of 80

A, B, C, CLS, E, G, GL, GLK, ML, R, S, V are in use). From then on, the long-
wheelbase models (formerly "SEL") and the regular length models (formerly "SE") are
both labeled with the prefix of "S" regardless of length. For example, both 500SE and
500SEL are now labeled as S500/S500L, with fuel injection being standard by now
anyway. The W221 S-Class has been available in four trim levels; the numbers are
given in ascending order to denote more upscale models (e.g. S550/S600/S63
AMG/S65 AMG etc.) In official Mercedes-Benz publications and on vehicle nameplates,
a space between the letter and numbers is customary (e.g. S 600).

With "Fintails" being passé and dropped in favor of a look similar to the 600, the
updated and largerW108/W109 lines were introduced in 1965. With
the W108/W109 series, the range received V8 power for the first time (from 1969).
The W108 line launched with an initial lineup of straight-6 poweredmodels using the
M129, 2.5 liter engine. The unusual high-displacement 300 SEL 6.3 V8 model was
based on this body type. The W108 line, which included the 250S, 250SE, 280S 280SE
and 280SEL (long wheelbase) models, was larger than the Fintail models it replaced,
and also eliminated the characteristic design feature of the previous model.

During this period, the designation S or SE was used for short wheelbase models
including 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE and 300SE. The "E" stands for the German word
"Einspritzen" which was a reference to the vehicle being equipped with fuel injection for
the engine. Vehicles without the E designation as part of the model number or
nomenclature retained the carburetor setup. Long wheelbase models (extended by 4
inches in the rear doors) were designated SEL (L= lang or long). Since the advent of the
W108 series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always included two wheelbase lengths,
although not all wheelbases are sold in every country. The 300 SE and 300 SEL models
were classified as W109 chassis and had rear air suspension compared to coil spring
based rear suspension of W108 models. The more powerful 300SE and 300SEL
models were the most luxurious versions of the W108 line, with available burl walnut
interior trim, automatic transmission, and power windows.
 Page 51 of 80

Mercedes-Benz W116

In 1973, Mercedes-Benz introduced the W116 line, the first to be officially called the S-
Class. Produced from 1972 through 1979, the W116 series featured a four-
wheel independent suspension and disc brakes. The 280, 350, and 450 (4.5L version)
models featured SE and SEL versions. Production of the W116 totaled 473,035 units.
This was a groundbreaking sedan for Mercedes-Benz, and for the first time in the
company history, the car had an obvious, blatant and outward emphasis on safety
placed above a pure styling viewpoint. The overall design incorporated numerous safety
features developed from the "safety research vehicles" in the mid-to-late 1960s to the
very early 1970s.

These safety features were all newly-introduced passenger-car "firsts" on a production

vehicle: padded door trim around the windows, heavily padded steering wheel (later to
be replaced by an airbag with the Mercedes-Benz abbreviation of SRS standing for the
English-language term Supplemental Restraint System), more comprehensive safety
padding on the dashboard and around the interior, dual asymmetric windshield wipers,
headrests with a center depression to locate the occupant's head in a more central
position during a rear impact, a rain-water management system to improve visibility
consisting of deep channels on both sides of the windshield and flowing into deeply
channeled rain gutters, including similar designs on the side mirrors, rounded body
shapes along the edges, such as the tops of the front fenders, etc., designed to
ameliorate pedestrian injuries, ribbed rear tail lamp lenses which would remain clearer
of dirt on the recessed areas, an easy-to-access first aid kit stowed in a recessed
compartment on the rear parcel shelf prominently labeled with the universally-
recognized "cross" symbol which represents "first aid", and several other subtle safety
features related to both active and passive safety.
 Page 52 of 80

The W116 models were large luxury sedans. The W116 was larger on the outside than
theW108/W109 series it replaced, but had similar interior capacity, as the additional
bulk was driven by several new and aforementioned engineering developments on car
safety and occupant protection in a crash. The W116 introduced other improved passive
safety features into the vehicle design, including a strengthened vehicle occupant shell.
It was one of the first cars to be available with ABS, a driver's airbag supplemental
restraint system (but not available at the vehicle's initial launch), and the first
appearance of a turbocharger for the diesel engine.

Mercedes-Benz W126

The W126 series premiered in late 1979 as 1980 model (and 1981 in USA and
Australia), replacing the W116 line. The W126 line introduced a host of new safety
features, and ushered in the next phase of Mercedes-Benz styling. The W126 brought
much-improved aerodynamics to the S-Class, enlarged yet lighter engines with blocks
made of aluminium. The W126 S-Class was also the first luxury car to win the
prestigious Car of the Year award from Australia's Wheels magazine, which it did in
1981. The W126 line lasted from 1979 through 1991, a production run of over twelve
years, its model cycle extended by the first-ever S-Class mid-cycle update. Coupé
models based on the S-Class were reintroduced with the W126 (380/500 SEC). Total
sales of the W126 S-Class sedans reached 818,036 units, with an additional 74,060
coupes sold. These sales figures make the W126 the most successful S-Class line in
Mercedes-Benz history.

In 1981, the W126 introduced the modern airbag, as patented by Mercedes-Benz in

1971, to the world as an additional measure of occupant protection. Other safety
innovations on the W126 included passenger side airbags (in 1986), seat-belt
pretensioners, and traction control. In the cabin, additional courtesy and reading lamps,
along with heated seats and a more advanced climate control system, added to the
luxurious interior environment. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard.

Although the top of range Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 of the previous generation was
not directly replaced, the W126 carried forward the hydro pneumatic suspension of the
6.9 as an option on the 500SEL. A new cruise control system was offered as well.
Abandoning the roadster based coupes, the W126 introduced a two door variant, the
 Page 53 of 80

SEC coupé. The longevity of the W126 S-Class model cycle was aided by a mid-cycle
update in 1986, an upgrade which previously was not done in S-Class generations.
During the update of the W126 model S-Class, a facelift was performed and engine
upgrades occurred.

The W126 500 SEL.

Engines
Power plants on the W126 S-Class included straight-6 and V8 engines. Most sales
came from the diesel model in the United States and straight-6 models in Europe,
although the V8 models were praised by contemporary journalists. During the W126
mid-cycle update in 1986, both the straight-6 and V8 engines were upgraded in several
models to different displacement levels (six-cylinder upgraded from 2.8L to 3.0L, eight-
cylinder upgraded from 3.8L to 4.2L, and 5.0L to 5.6L).

Notably, the 500SE has an interesting place in US history, despite not being offered in
that country. American demand for this particular car drove the establishment of a
large grey market. The detuned, yet very expensive standard US specification 380
SE/SEL/SEC/SL was underpowered, according to contemporary reports, so 25,000
units per year of the parallel import vehicle were sold in the early 1980s. That prompted
then Mercedes-Benz of North America to lobby for the elimination of parallel import in
1988.
Mercedes-Benz W140

In 1991, the W140 series replaced the W126 line in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, the first
production model rolling off the assembly line on August 6 of that year. As with its
predecessor, the W140 launched the "next generation" of Mercedes-Benz design
language. The W140 saw the S-Class grow in its proportions; more technology and
features were added due to product evolution and through competition. The car was
available in two wheelbase lengths and a shorter-wheelbase W140 coupé. Production
 Page 54 of 80

totalled 432,732 units; down on volumes for the W126 reflecting its shorter production
period, competitive pressure (especially Lexus in the US) and higher market positioning.

A W140 S-class was the car in which Princess Diana died in when her chauffeur (the
only survivor of the 4 occupants was her security guard who was located in the front
passenger seat) crashed into a Parisian concrete pillar in August, 1997.

1999 Mercedes-Benz S600 featuring the flagship V12 engine

The W140 cost 25% more than the preceding W126. There was new pressure from
competitors such as Lexus and Infiniti in the US. Specification and options increased in
this period as the Mercedes Benz evolved the model to remain competitive.

The W140 introduced new innovations such as double-pane window glazing, self-
closing boot lid and doors, electric windows with a jam-protection feature (lowering back
down when encountering an obstruction), rear-parking markers in the US(which
appeared on the rear wings when in reverse), and a heating system which emitted
warm air whilst residual energy was available after the engine was turned off.

A 1990s W140 as a German Taxi

In 1993, Mercedes-Benz model nomenclature was rationalized, with the SE/SEL/SEC

cars becoming the S-Class and alphanumerical designations inverted (e.g. the both
500SE and 500SEL became S500 regardless of wheelbase length). In 1995, the W140
received a minor facelift. The clear turn signal indicator lenses on the front and rear
were the most obvious changes. Headlamps were fitted with separate low and high
 Page 55 of 80

beam reflectors for the US. Following the mid-year facelift, the W140 coupé and sedan
(Saloon) were each fitted with Electronic Stability Control. The W140 was to feature
an air suspension as an option, but Mercedes-Benz was still perfecting the technology
and chose to launch air suspension as an option in the next generation S-Class in late
1999.

W220 (1999)
W220

Also called S280, S320, S420, S350, S430, S500, S600, S320 CDI, S55,

S63, S65

Production Late 1999–2006

Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive /four-wheel drive

Engine(s) 2.8L 204 hp (152 kW) V6

3.2L 224 hp (167 kW) V6

3.2L 197 hp (147 kW) I6 diesel

3.7L 245 hp (183 kW) V6

4.0L 250 hp (190 kW) V8 diesel

4.3L 279 hp (208 kW) V8

5.0L 306 hp (228 kW) V8

5.4L 493 hp (368 kW) V8

5.8L 367 hp (274 kW) V12

5.5L 493 hp (368 kW) V12

6.3L 444 hp (331 kW) V12

 Page 56 of 80

6.0L 604 hp (450 kW) V12

Transmission(s) 5-speed automatic and 7-speed automatic (7G-Tronic)

Mercedes-Benz W220

In late 1999, the W220 was introduced. The W220S-Class was completely restyled,
with a body that was slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Unlike its
predecessor, the W220 was not the first model to feature the company's new design
theme for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz. This honor was given to the A-
Class when it launched in 1997. The new S-Class incorporated the new styling cues
first introduced on the Mk I A-Class the year before (for example, the dashboard carried
over the new styling details first seen in the A-Class), with a renewed focus on elegance
and style in a more rounded shape compared to the preceding W140. Despite being
smaller, the W220 S-Class offered more interior space than the W140. Production of the
W220 S-Class totaled 485,000 units, slightly more than the production totals from the
W140. The W220 was produced in a sedan version only.[4]

As with each new S-Class, the W220 brought in new innovations such as Airmatic air
suspension and Active Ventilated Seats (which used miniature fans in the seats to move
air through perforations). A navigation system with center console-mounted screen
display was introduced, along with the COMAND input control system. Other options
included keyless entry and ignition, a radar-controlled Distronic cruise control system
and a cylinder shut-off system called Active Cylinder Control. The 4MATIC all wheel
drive system was introduced to the North America market S-Class for 2003,
complementing the traditional rear-wheel drive configurations.
Mercedes-Benz W221

The all-new W221 was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International
Motor Show, with export to other markets beginning in 2006. TheW221 S-Class made
its North American premiere at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in
January. The latest S-Class is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, and
it features three newly developed engines with up to 26% power increase. The interior is
completely new, all materials have been upgraded and make for a more luxurious ride,
 Page 57 of 80

and the center console transmission gear lever has been replaced with a column-
mounted shifter. New technological features on the W221 include an infrared Night View
Assist feature and the latest Mercedes-Benz pre-collision system. The W221 features
sharper exterior styling (most notably wide fender arcs) and technological
improvements. The W221 is the second consecutive generation of the S-Class to be
solely produced in a sedan body style.

Models sold in North America are the S450 (2008-,SWB and Canada only), S400
Hybrid (2010- ), S550, S600, S63 AMG and S65 AMG; other models to be sold outside
North America include the S280, S350, S300, S420 CDI and S320 CDI. The first W221
model released in North America and Japan was the S550 (called S500 outside North
America and Japan), with the S600 arriving in the following spring. In the U.S., base
prices for the W221 S-Class range from $87,475 for the S550, $141,975 for the S600,
$121,775 for the S63 AMG and $194,775 for the S65 AMG.

In the US for 2010, the S-Class received a face lift across the entire model line.
Daytime LED running lights were fitted to the outer edges of the bi-xenon lamp units.
The rear end was accented with a total of 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two
taillights. Gone are the body-colored strips through the tail lamps. Other noticeable
changes at the front of the car are a more pronounced arrow-shaped grille, plus a new
front bumper with a light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air
intakes. New sleeker rear view door mirrors were also added. Exhaust tailpipes of all S-
Class variants were visibly integrated into the rear bumper.

Current S-Class generation: the W221, S500 model

In terms of performance, the S550 completes the 0–60 mph run in just 5.4 seconds. The
car weighs about 2250 kg, but S65 AMG still makes 0–60 mph in just 4.2 seconds,
although a 4.2 second 0-60mph has never been claimed or tested, although various
automobile magazines state that the S65 will never achieve a practical 0-60 time of
under 5 seconds because of its execrable and abominable traction. The S 63 AMG and
 Page 58 of 80

the S600 makes the same sprint in about 4.6 seconds. Mercedes-AMG claim that the
S63 will pull from 50 mph to 70 mph in around 3.9 seconds while the S65 make it to 70
mph from 50 mph in 3.6 seconds.

The brakes continue to become more advanced with the new Brake Assist Plus system
monitoring for an impending collision and increasing braking if needed, while
the Distronic Plus radar guided cruise control can now bring the car to a complete stop.
This system works in outdoor conditions; a test demonstration by Mercedes-Benz in a
crash-test hall resulted in embarrassment for the company when a new S-Class
crashed into the back of a stationary W220 S-Class. This incident was later attributed to
the radar system malfunctioning inside the radar-reflective (i.e. radar-confusing) steel
test building where the event was filmed.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid (US)

Upscale department store Saks Fifth Avenue offered 20 special-edition S600 sedans for
sale in its 2005 Christmas catalog. All 20 cars, priced at US$145,000 each, sold on
November 22, 2005 in under seven minutes. The Saks-edition S600 sedans were
finished in a mocha black exterior with an almond beige interior and were the first
examples of the S600 to be sold to private owners. The S600s came with nearly every
option standard. In 2007,Automobile Magazine named the W221 S-Class as one of its
2007 "All-Stars" over rivals from Lexus and BMW,[13]and Car and Driver selected the
S550 as the winner in a five-way comparison test of flagship luxury sedans,[14] as
did Motor Trend Magazine in July 2009 in a three way comparison test, with the other
two competitors being the BMW 750Li, and Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro. The W221 S-Class
was also the recipient of several other motoring awards (see following).
 Page 59 of 80

Autobahn role
Large stretches of the German Autobahn network do not feature any speed limit except
a recommended 130 km/h (81 mph). Driving at rather high speeds for extended periods
tends to result in increased strain on a vehicle and requires careful engineering.
Mercedes-Benz has sought to engineer its vehicles, most notably the S-Class, to excel
in this unique environment, allowing high speed cruising. Specific standards of engine
performance, body integrity, and reliability are part of this process. For instance, the S-
Class is built with an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), which
drivers can maintain when driving on the autobahn. AMG Manufaktur also offers
delimitation or reset to 300 km/h (186 mph). Historically, the engineering of the S-Class
has often occurred without regard to cost, a practice which continued unfettered up
through the W140 line. The company in turn has been able to exploit this as
a marketing tool, culminating in its onetime slogan, "engineered like no other car in the
world." This slogan was used throughout the 1980s with the marketing of the W126 S-
Class.

However, following the formation of DaimlerChrysler and the cessation of engineer-

sanctioned overbudgeting in the late 1990s, this slogan was dropped; the subsequent
W220 model S-Class also exhibited lower reliability and quality rates.[

Concept cars

The F700 research car

In the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz built the world's firstdriverless cars using the S-Class,
together with the team of Professor Ernst Dickmanns at Bundeswehr Universität
München. The culmination of this effort was achieved in 1995, when Dickmanns' re-
engineered autonomous S-Classrobot completed a trip from Munich, Bavaria to
Copenhagen, Denmark and back. On the autobahn, the robot S-Class achieved speeds
 Page 60 of 80

exceeding 175 km/h. It suggested and executed overtaking maneuvers. The car's
abilities left a big impression on many observers, and is said to have heavily influenced
robot car research and funding decisions worldwide.

A concept future hybrid, the F700 research car, was also unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt
Motor Show. The F700 featured three regular opening doors and a fourth door capable
of 180 degree rotation. Also comes with bullet proof and puncture resistant tyres.

Safety
Mercedes-Benz has traditionally introduced its safety innovations in the S-Class. For
instance, the S-Class was the first car in Europe to incorporate airbags. S-Class safety
features included innovations in active safety (accident avoidance), passive
safety (collision protection), and holistic safety (integration of both active and passive
safety features). Active safety features include: ABS braking in 1978 (acts to reduce
braking distances and improve stopping control; co-developed with Bosch); traction
control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in 1995 (improves driver control during
difficult road conditions); and Brake Assist (provides full braking power during
emergency stops). In 2005, a new infrared night vision feature was introduced
(improves visibility during nighttime conditions). Despite the popular misconception, the
S-Class was not the first car fitted with ABS braking technology, although some credit
can be given for popularizing this now largely standard feature (ABS was initially an
option on most models of the W126 S-Class).

W126 500 SEL cabin with driver's side airbag SRS

Passive safety features include: crumple zones in 1957 (vehicle body structure absorbs
the force of impact); three-point seatbelts in 1965 (provides additional torso/body
protection); collapsible steering column (prevents the steering column from protruding
 Page 61 of 80

into the cabin during accidents), strengthened occupant cell enhanced occupant
protection during severe impacts (rollovers); pre-accident seatbelt tensioning (tightens
seatbelts prior to impact), and sandwich platforms (allows the engine to slide under the
occupants in a head-on collision).

PRE-SAFE, Mercedes-Benz's holistic safety feature, was introduced on the S-Class in

2002. PRE-SAFE integrates multiple active and passive safety features for a "safety
net" approach to vehicle safety by attempting to prevent accidents; if accidents do
occur, PRE-SAFE aims to reduce occupant injury. In the latest version of this pre-
collision system, PRE-SAFE will prime the brake assist system, lock the doors to
prevent accidental opening during the accident, adjust the seats, close the windows and
sunroof, and tighten seatbelts during certain types of collisions. In the event an accident
results in a roll over, the PRE-SAFE feature unlock the doors and lower the windows
approximately one half-inch to allow you to exit or safety workers to gain access easily.

Road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis from the UK Department of

Transport show that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the safest cars on the UK
roads (measured in terms of chance of death in an accident).

S-Guard

The W220 S-Guard.

A special armored version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been produced, known
as the S-Guard. Special features include the capability to withstand military-grade small
arms fire and certain explosive devices, a self-sealing fuel tank, and a special alarm
system. For 2009, Mercedes-Benz launched a long-wheelbase version of the S-Guard,
known as the Pullman Guard. This model is 45 inches longer than the standard model
and also has a higher roof and taller rear window with a different rake.
 Page 62 of 80

The S-Guard is widely used at the diplomatic level to protect world leaders. Ninety
governments worldwide are known to use the S-Guard for transport of government
leaders and dignitaries. The S-Guard is built on a special production line at the S-Class
facility in Sindelfingen, Germany, with specific S-Guard enhancements integrated at
multiple stages throughout the production process.

Production
Most S-Class models, including the W221, are built at the Daimler AG plant
in Sindelfingen, Germany and at the Mercedes-Benz-Valdez plant in Santiago
Tianguistenco, Mexico. Founded by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft in 1915, the
Sindelfingen plant also produced the model 600 "Grosser Mercedes" and past
generations of the S-Class.[21] Previous S-Class models (such as the W126) were built
in different locations ranging from Stuttgart to South Africa, but with recent models (such
as the W220) production has been concentrated in Sindelfingen and Santiago
Tianguistenco. In February 2007, DaimlerChrysler Malaysia's plant in Pekan, Pahang
began production of S350 (model W221) vehicles. In all, some 2.7 million S-Class
vehicles have been produced in the past forty years.

 W116: 473,035
 W126: 818,036
 W140: 406,532
 W220: 485,000
 W221: 85,900 ('06),85,500 ('07), 90,600 ('08), 53,400
('09), 66,500 ('10)

Awards
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the recipient of different automotive awards.
Quality awards include the top ranking in the J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index from
1987 to 1990, third-ranked luxury vehicle in J.D. Power's 1990 Initial Quality Survey
(IQS), behind only the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus LS, and first ranking (tied
with the Audi A8) in the 2007 IQS Ranking. Safety awards includes Popular
Mechanics' 2007 Automotive Excellence Award for Safety, 2007's What Car? Safety
 Page 63 of 80

Award, 2006 British Insurance Car Security Award, and the U.S. Highway Loss Data
Institute award for the "The Safest Passenger Car of the Year" in 1988 and 1989.
Design awards include Wheels Magazine's 2006 Automotive Design Award, Automotive
Circle International (ACI) "EuroCarBody Award 2005", Topauto 2006 award winner in
the Innovation category for the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Popular
Science Best of What's New - Grand Award 2005, and 2006 Automotive Interior of the
Year Awards for Best Seat.

In the luxury category, awards include What Car? "Best Luxury Car" for the seventh
time in 2007,Bild am Sonntag 2006 Golden Steering Wheel Award in the Luxury
category,[ Drive Car of the Year Awards Best Luxury Car over $60,000, and top luxury
auto in the Topauto 2006 awards. The S-Class has been Fleet News "Luxury Car of the
Year" five times, Top Gear magazine "Limousine of the Year" for 2006, Wheels
Magazine Car of the Year for 1981 and 1999, and European Car of the Year in 1974.
The S-Class is also the first car ever (2005) to receive an environmental certificate from
the German Commission on Technical Compliance (TÜV).

SALES OF S CLASS

Sales of S-Class with comparison of

other classes
A C E Gl Slk M S Cl

13% 13%
17% 14%

10% 15%
10%
8%
 Page 64 of 80

Mercedes-Benz India Market Growth

History
Daimler entered the Indian market and set up Mercedes-Benz India Ltd in 1994. The
company was later renamed DaimlerChrysler India Private Ltd after the merger of
parent company Daimler with Chrysler. After DaimlerChrysler sold off most of its equity
interests in Chrysler in 2007, it changed its name to Daimler AG. As a result,
DaimlerChrysler India was renamed Mercedes-Benz India once again.

Mercedes-Benz India is a 100%-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG. The company is

based in Pune.

Manufacturing Facilities
Daimler is building a commercial vehicle plant outside of Chennai with an investment of
700 million Euros

Models
The C-Class and E-Class are assembled locally while others are fully imported
from Germany .

Luxury Vehicles

Manufactured/Assembled Locally
 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Sedan only)
 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Sedan, Coupe, and Cabrio)

Imported
 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
 Page 65 of 80

 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Commercial Vehicles
 Mercedes-Benz Intercity Bus

Sales and Service Network

Mercedes-Benz India currently has 22 dealerships across 17 cities in 11 states and
2 Union Territories and Service Stations in 32 cites in 16 States and 2 Union
Territories of India.

Sales Performance
Mercedes-Benz India recorded sales of 2,402 vehicles in the first half (January-June) of
2010
 Page 66 of 80

COMPARISON OF MERCEDES BENZ SALES WITH ITS

RIVALS

Comparison of Mercedes -Benz with

its Rivals
700000
600000
500000 bmw
400000 mercedes
300000
200000 volkswegan
100000 audi
0
porsche

CUSTOMER’S VIEWS IN RELATION TO MERCEDES

BENZ COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS

Customers have a very positive thinking in respect to

Mercedes Benz as they trust the company because
1 It provides the best services to its customer in comparison
to other automobiles manufacturing company.
2 It provide the total quality management facility on the
basis of its product.
3 The customer keeps the idea of Mercedes in reference of
its brand image.
 Page 67 of 80

4 Customer basically prefer the S Class in comparison to

other Class because it’s the most luxurious class and has the
most superior and latest technology to other class.
5 The customer of Mercedes Benz are fully satisfied with
the product and Mercedes Benz have a slight edge over other
company .

SWOT ANALYSIS OF MERCEDES BENZ

Strengths:
 The internationalization strategy so far has been to keep local managers in
new acquisitions, and to only transplant a couple of senior managers from
India into the new market. The benefit is that MERCEDES has been able to
exchange expertise.
 The company has a strategy in place for the next stage of its expansion. Not
only is it focusing upon new products and acquisitions, but it also has a
programmed of intensive management development in place in order to
establish its leaders for tomorrow.
 The company has had a successful alliance with Chrysler in 1998 to
manufacture huge trucks in North America .

Weaknesses
 The company basically does not manufactures all its products in a particular
company i.e Germany and not all countries. If you want then have to
import from Germany
 The company’s passenger car products are too much expensive as it is not
in the reach of a middle class family.
 Page 68 of 80

Opportunities
 The company got the opportunities to enter the market of Iran in 2010.
 The company also got a strong collaboration with US huge manufactures
Chrysler to produce trucks and enter to the heavy vehicles and compete
with Volvo.

Threats:
 Other competing car manufacturers have been in the passenger car
business for 40, 50 or more years. Therefore Mercedes benz Limited has to
catch up in terms of quality and lean production.
 Sustainability and environmentalism could mean extra costs for this low-
cost producer.
 Since the company has focused upon the luxurious and expensive
segments, it has left itself open to competition from overseas companies
for the emerging world luxury segments. For example Audi and BMW have
invested in a new Pune-based plant which will build 5000 new cars. Other
players developing luxury cars targeted at the Indian market include Ford,
Honda and Toyota. In fact the entire Indian market has become a target for
other global competitors including Maruti Udyog, General Motors, Ford and
others.
 Rising prices in the global economy could pose a threat to Mercedes Benz
Limited on a couple of fronts. The price of steel and aluminium is increasing

putting pressure on the costs of production.

 Page 69 of 80

THE METHODOLOGY

I have completed my project under the topic:

“Marketing & sales of Mercedes Benz with focus on S Class”
1.) Collecting the information through questionnaires, personal-
interviews/discussions, magazines, internet, etc

2.) Analysis and interpretation of the collected information

3.) Presenting the findings of the research study in the form of a

research report

Collection of primary data

 we can obtain primary data either through observation or
through direct communication with respondents in one from
or another or through personal interviews this means that
there are several methods of collection primary data

 Basically we put emphasis on questionnaire for collecting

data. in it there are the questions which are predetermined
and the respondents are asked to provide the answer by
selecting the most appropriate answer all
 Page 70 of 80

COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA:

 Various publication of the central, state and local
government
 Public record ,historical documents an other source of
publication
 Books, magazines and newspapers
 Page 71 of 80

DATA ANALYSIS
AND
INTERPRETATION
Q1Are you affordable to own a MERCEDES Vehicle?

Chart Title
no idea
20%

yes
45%

no
35%

NO OF RESPONDENTS OPINION (in percentage)

Yes 45
No 35
No idea 20

INFERENCE
45 % say YES and 35% say NO and rest 20% say NO IDEA
 Page 72 of 80

Q2 Which media you prefer the most for the know about the
product:

television
newspaper
internet
magzine

NO OF RESPONDENTS OPINION (in percentage)

Television 45
Newspaper 35
Internet 20
Q3 Does your family size influence your choice of car?

YES
NO

NO OF RESPONDENTS OPINION (in percentage)

Yes 55
No 45
No idea 00
 Page 73 of 80

INFERENCE
55% say YES AND 45% say NO

Q4 Do you recommend the MERCEDES vehicle to your friends &

relatives?

YES
NO

NO OF RESPONDENTS OPINION (in percentage)

Yes 55
No 45
No idea 00

INFERENCE
55% say YES and 45 % say NO and 0%

Q5 Are you satisfied with MERCEDES services?

YES
NO
 Page 74 of 80

NO OF RESPONDENTS OPINION (in percentage)

Yes 55
No 45
No idea 00

INFERENCE

55% say YES and 45 % say NO and 0%

 Page 75 of 80

LIMITATIONS

 Questionnaire distributed to the respondents could not

be completed by them due to company as it is the one of
most expensive cars.

 Many responses were incomplete, if considered those

could have skewed the actual findings and results of
the survey

 Some employees/customers filled the questionnaire without

showing any interest

 Some employees/customers gave negative response

 Page 76 of 80

CONCLUSIONS

After making study of the various aspects and marketing and sales of Mercedes
Benz, we have reached the following conclusions:

 Most of the surveyed people agreed that marketing strategy has positive impact on
Mercedes Benz.
 Most of the employees agreed that Mercedes Benz company has enhanced its
vehicles standard by operating in other countries.
 The revenue generated by company is best supported by the business outside the
country.
 A majority of the people are agreed that Mercedes Benz company is the best
automobile company in the time to come.
 Page 77 of 80

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Forbes magazine
 Newspapers

 Websites :
 www.mercedesbenz.com
 www.mercedesbenz.co.in
 www.wikkipidia.org
 www.daimler.com
 Page 78 of 80

QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: ……………………………………………………………….
Age : ………………………………………………………………..
Gender:
Male Female
Monthly Income: …………...

Are you affordable to own a MERCEDES Vehicle?

Yes No

If yes then which car .

How many MERCEDES cars you have?

1 2 3 More then three.

How many years have you being owing your current car?
0-3 Years 3-5 Years Above 5 Years

. . .

What is your main preference while buying a car?

Price

Performance
 Page 79 of 80

Comfort

Running cost

Class

Model

Others

Which price range car do you prefer?

< 28 Lakh

28-50 Lakh

> 1 Crore

Does your family size influence your choice of car?

Yes

No
You preferred the brand because of:
a. Quality b. Market Positioning c. Price

Which media you prefer the most for the know about the product:
a. Television b. Internet
c. Magazine d. Newspaper

Do you recommend the MERCEDES vehicle to your friends & relatives?

Yes

No
 Page 80 of 80

Are you satisfied with MERCEDES services?

Yes

No

Please give the Star ratings to the MERCEDES?