Mercedes-Benz delivered its 2.5 millionth compact vehicle to a customer in March 2010. Mercedes-Benz will expand its compact vehicle portfolio from two to four models starting at the end of 2011. The future models will offer product attributes that are already popular among A- and B-Class customers, such as the spacious interior. The brand will also set a new tone through the introduction of additional model variants and concepts. New models in the production network The next generation of the A- and B-Class will be produced in the Mercedes-Benz production network. The competence center for Mercedes-Benz compact vehicles is located at the Rastatt plant, which has been producing the A-Class since 1997 and the B-Class since 2005. Daimler AG is investing €600 million to expand production capacity at the facility. Construction of an additional production plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, for the Mercedes-Benz ...

Mercedes-Benz UK has announced the appointment of Simon Oldfield to the position of Managing Director Customer Services Group, with effect from 1 April 2010. Oldfield has been promoted to this role after 12 years with the company, most recently as Sales Director Mercedes-Benz Cars and before that as Marketing Director. The Customer Services Group role encompasses responsibility for After Sales and Customer Service strategy, marketing and delivery for Mercedes-Benz Cars, Vans and Trucks, smart, Maybach and Mitsubishi Fuso Canter throughout the UK, as well as local responsibility for the company's European Logistics Centre in Milton Keynes, which supplies spare parts and accessories for all brands throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. In his new role Oldfield succeeds Mike Belk, who is leaving the UK to take up a new assignment in Dubai as CEO and President, Daimler Middle East and Levant. Simon Oldfield, a graduate of Oxford University, brings to the role ...

Michael Schumacher has hit back at claims that the new rule changes that have been added in Formula One for the 2010 season have made the sport boring. Some fans and pundits were left unimpressed by the opening race of the season - the Bahrain Grand Prix - which took place on March 14th, as the new rules were blamed for a lack of excitement on the track. Among the developments are that teams are unable to refuel during the race, meaning that it is tougher to compete overtaking manoeuvres. Schumacher started from seventh on the grid and finished sixth in Bahrain in his Mercedes GP PETRONAS car, but has stood up for Formula One ahead of the upcoming Australian Grand Prix on March 28th. He told the BBC: "It is not motorcycle racing, it has always had less overtaking - the excitement ...

An exterior facelift can be expected by motorists when the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe range becomes available in the UK, according to a magazine report. Writing for Car Magazine, Tim Pollard speculates that the new vehicle will take over from the current Mercedes CL-Class Coupe and sales will begin later this year. It is noted that the vehicle will benefit from fresh detailing on the bumper, alongside a recontoured two-bar grille and additional aero mirrors. Furthermore, a host of new gadgets are set to feature, including drowsiness detection systems and a split-view front monitor. Other changes set to arrive under the bonnet feature a new AMG engine offering more power, but with a 23 per cent improvement in consumption. The new engine is a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 that will replace the outgoing AMG 6.2-litre unit. Motorists are currently able to ...

Chinese battery and vehicle maker BYD said Thursday it will set up an R&D center in Shenzhen to jointly develop a new brand electric vehicle with German auto giant Daimler. The two carmakers have signed a preliminary agreement to jointly build an electric car that will be sold in the Chinese market under a new brand. BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu said there was no detailed timetable for the cooperation, but with substantive support from the Shenzhen government, the R&D center may possibly be built in the southern Chinese city. There are not enough charging stations for electric vehicles in China, and BYD hopes to work with the local government there to improve the after-sale services for electric car drivers. Related posts:Daimler plays down talk it could sell Maybach brand Daimler aims to outsell BMW in China this year Daimler participates in Shanghai World Expo 2010