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The Mercedes-Benz company revels in celebrating milestones and innovations. Last week was another chance to hit a new goal when a legendary Mercedes engineer celebrated his 80th birthday.

Kurt Oblander was an engineer with Mercedes-Benz from 1955 until 1991. He specialized in developing engines for the company and was a pivotal part of the company’s emission control development. Oblander is best known for his innovations in the catalytic converter and its advancements. In fact, some Mercedes experts say that this may have been his biggest achievement. He played a major role in creating the exhaust catalytic converter that the German automaker included as standard equipment beginning in 1986.

Oblander has a love for the environment. That love showed through in the creations and developments he made for Mercedes-Benz. During his career, he strived to make a car that was not only better for the consumer but also one that was better for the environment. He was concerned about the future generations of drivers and the world in which they would live.

His last triumph was created in 1991: the M 100 eight-cylinder unit Mercedes-Benz 600.

When Oblander retired in 1991 after working for the company for 36 years, he described his 12-cylinder engine passenger car as “torque and power combined”. Drivers and passengers experienced “high levels of comfort and refinement.”

If you stop in today at one of your local Mercedes-Benz retailers to test drive one of the vehicles, you’ll experience some of the technology that Kurt Oblander brought to cars during nearly four decades of loyalty to the company. Some of the innovations have been improved upon, but without Oblander, those innovations may never have existed in the first place.

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In the latest remake of a television show from the 1980s, Knight Rider will soon be gracing your screens again to bring the same thrill and excitement that it once did.

I, for one, am excited about this new announcement. Michael Knight was one of my heroes of the past. And KITT was nothing less than a man’s best friend. How many people watched Knight Rider, wishing they could have a car just like KITT?

With the new, improved series, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) looks quite different from the old-school Pontiac Trans Am that drove its way into our hearts. If the rumors are true, the new supercar will be a brand new Ford Mustang. Some sources believe the series will choose the new powerful Blackjack Mustang. It has an impressive 430 horsepower and all the other features that Michael Knight needs for his crime-fighting activities.

Of course, it’s all still rumors and speculation as to the exact car the show will choose. If Ford does get the honor of being the car of choice, we can expect to see a Knight Rider Special Edition model on the car lots. Ford car sales will mimic the effects of Dodge Charger sales with the remake of The Dukes of Hazard. If this happens, I’ll be the first in line at my local Ford dealer to get my own KITT.

It would be a little boy’s dream coming true… albeit many years later.

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Cue the balloons dropping from the ceiling and the noisemakers – the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama just rolled out its one millionth vehicle.

On Tuesday morning of this week, just short of eleven years after the first Mercedes M-Class rolled off plant’s line, workers passed this incredible milestone in luxury vehicle manufacturing.

The one-millionth vehicle was a prestigious white M-Class 350. It rolled off the productions assembly line at exactly 7:59 A.M.

This unit is part of the new M-Class creations built by the Mercedes Company and it showed off its shiny wheels, running boards and a state-of-the-art navigation system.

The plant manager, Bill Taylor, said this milestone is a testament to the teamwork and dedication of his production team. He’s been the manager for almost a decade at the plan, and he plans to donate the one-millionth vehicle to a nonprofit organization in Alabama. The decision of which organization will receive the donation will take place over the next few weeks.

The M-Class was first created in 1998, and it created a trend in the luxury SUV market. It became a model for other auto manufacturers. At the time, the M-Class was the only SUV of its kind that had four-wheel suspension and that was designed from the “ground up.” This gave engineers the opportunity to create something fresh, rather than building on existing models and platforms.

To date, the Alabama plant has manufactured more than 570,000 units of this line and more than half of them have been sold in the United States alone.

In addition to the M-Class models, the Tuscaloosa-area plant also produces thousands of GL-Class luxury SUVs and R-Class Sports Tourers.

Come see one of the available M-Class models at one of three Mercedes-Benz dealers in Fort Washington, Westchester or Wilmington. With a helpful and ready staff, the dealers can create a milestone in your life, too.

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America’s bestselling pickup truck just got better. The mighty Ford F150 has been outselling its competition for more than three decades. With its new look and improvements, it’s likely to outsell its competition for another three decades.

This product brought Ford dealers through some of the more difficult times in the auto sales industry. When consumers weren’t buying other kinds of cars, the F150 was still moving out the door.

Snoopers uncovered the new style and features included in the new F150 just a couple of months before its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The great features just couldn’t remain hidden for long. Truck lovers are getting excited about what’s in store for them with the 2009 truck market.

The most noticeable feature of this model is its new diesel engine. This roaring engine is powered by the same type of engine found in the Range Rover, but it’s much better. Instead of a 3.6-litre V8 diesel, Ford notches it up a bit with 4.4 liters, 330bhp and more than 500 pounds of torque. Outdoorsmen have something to be excited about, because this powerful engine is perfect for hauling anything – caravans, trailers, horse trailers and boats.

In addition to its impressive power, the 2009 F150 has extreme attitude, too. The intimidating design of the front grill just screams “power”. Flared wheel arches and headlights that wrap around the front corner make the truck an even more daunting presence to share the road with.

Until these models are officially released to the general public, your local Ford dealership is ready to help you find something just as impressive. Give Ford a try to satisfy your car buying needs.

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In a move that will likely grab the attention of a younger generation of car buyers, Mercedes-Benz announced on Monday that it will be adding rich media to its branded websites. This will create a thrilling experience, because online users get the full virtual exper    ience of driving the nation’s leading luxury car - without ever leaving their home.

Consumers will also be only a click away from seeing what a Mercedes-Benz dealer can do for them. The company currently has more than 50 branded sites that it intends to upgrade, including their MB USA. More than 1,000 dealership sites around the world will also be subject to this exciting update to bring more buyers into the showrooms.

Some of the changes in store include photos with higher resolution, a 3D vehicle configuration tool and videos that make you feel as if you’re behind the wheel. Consumers also have access to the Mercedes-Benz commercials and Mercedes-Benz TV.

This is new for Mercedes, but other manufacturers have already upgraded their websites. Officials at Mercedes-Benz, however, say that this is the perfect time to change their websites. The number of consumers with computers and broadband access combined with an increased number of people visiting the website makes the moment perfect.

New drivers are also becoming more interested in the Mercedes brand. Since the majority of that demographic gets news and information from the Internet, there’s no better time to reach out to them.

The United States changes have not been implemented yet, but you can visit the German Mercedes-Benz website to see what’s in store in the next few months.

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The new Ford Focus brings a new design and improved features to car buyers. They’re going to appreciate it. From the inside out, the vehicle’s improvements are ideal for making every minute on the road as enjoyable as it can be. Here are just a few of the new features the 2008 Focus offers:

Increased Fuel Economy – The new 2008 Ford Focus boasts it gets upwards of 30 mpg on the highway. With gas prices more than $3.00 a gallon, you can make fewer trips to the gas station.

Advanced Technology and Features – The Ford Sync system is the first of its kind in the auto industry. Drivers attach their MP3 player or mobile phones to the car’s system so their media can always be reached easily.

Increased Comfort and Handling – New suspension technology and a refined chassis make the 2008 Ford Focus easier to handle. With better seal technology and surrounding body materials that deaden noise, the ride is quiet and peaceful - even on rough roads.

More Horsepower – The new Focus has a more powerful engine than previous models. Feel the power without the difficulty of handling a larger and less maneuverable vehicle.

The next time you visit your local Ford Dealer, look for the new Ford Focus. Our staff is ready to take care of all your car buying needs and ready to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

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Auto shows are the best place to get a look at the latest models introduced by the leading auto manufacturers in the industry. Some of the models are just new creations, while some are vehicles from the manufacturers early days. These models stand as a testament to the improvements and technological advancements the company and the industry as a whole have embraced.

The SEMA Show sponsored by DUB Magazine had an extraordinary display from Mercedes-Benz  this year. Mercedes unveiled their crystal-encrusted SL600.

More than 200,000 Swarvoski crystals grace the exterior of the car. When the light hits the vehicle just right, you might think you’re in one of New York’s hottest nightclubs. Every inch of the car’s body is covered with crystals, making it one of the more impressive displays at any auto show in recent years.

The Bavarian White Mammoth seat covers of the interior complement the glittering car’s exterior. On the center console, crystals create a twinkling display that even the most affluent car buyer appreciates. The door trim and rear view mirror are also outlined with precious stones. No expense was spared when creating this sparkling display of excellence.

One might say that the razzle-and-dazzle of a crystal-encrusted car fits in with the SEMA show. The event was held in Las Vegas, home of Liberace’s diamond-covered piano. But unless you’re celebrity royalty, gazing at the car from behind the velvet ropes is as close as you’ll get to this stupendous creation.

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This year’s SEMA Show was a spectacular event that highlighted some of the innovations and ideas in the auto industry. Ford was one of the featured manufacturers, and they continued to dazzle potential customers.

Ford’s Custom Accessories service was one of the attention-grabbing displays at the renowned auto show. The introduction of the company’s new customized accessories service came the night before Ford introduced their new group vice president of marketing and communications – Jim Farley.

Ford announced it would carry the new line of accessories in Ford dealer showrooms across the country in order to help car buyers personalize their new purchase right away. Customers can choose from a number of rims, wheels, tires, electronics and other accessories to make their vehicle – and driving experience - unique and personal.

In January 2008, customers will be able to browse Ford’s website for custom accessories to fit their vehicle. The company plans to introduce new accessories in successive phases. For instance, the first phase offers seven customized wheels to fit 14 lines of Ford vehicles. Phase Two is planned for summer 2008 and successive phases will roll out from there.

With the new line of custom accessories, Ford is entering into a market that has proven successful for its competitors. If Ford can make this a profitable venture, it will continue to be a strict competitor in the auto industry.

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The next time you visit your local Mercedes-Benz dealer, you’ll find a variety of award-winning luxury vehicles waiting to be test driven and brought home. Just last week, the Mercedes Car Company won three of the most prestigious awards in the auto industry, continuing the company’s dedication to success and its world-renowned status.

The new line of Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles won the Compact Executive Saloon of the Year. When presenting the award to the Mercedes-Benz Company at the Middle East Car Awards, magazine editor Shahzad Sheikh stated the award should just be called “the Mercedes C-Class award” because the auto manufacturer was bound to win.

The second award that Mercedes won with the introduction of the new GL-Class models was SUV of the Year. Voters in this category agreed that the GL-Class impressed them with its size and easy handling features typical of smaller cars. The GL-Class is a versatile vehicle that goes off the road with the entire family sitting comfortably and safely.

Finally, Mercedes-Benz won the award for the Best Car Launch thanks to the company’s introduction of the SLR 722 Edition and Maybach 62 S. The company launched these vehicles in February at a driving event in Dubai so that potential drivers could get a closer look at the luxury and style that only a Mercedes-Benz offers.

Following the awards, a Mercedes official stated that the awards,

…emphasize our market leadership and confirm Mercedes-Benz as the luxury manufacturer that most closely meets the design, technological and performance aspirations of our customers across the region.

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In the last few quarters, Ford’s sales figures have fallen slightly. Officials at the company have been brainstorming to find ways to get their sales back up. CEO Alan Mulally plans to have the company back on the sales track by offering a new kind of Ford vehicle in 2009…RVs. Moving into the recreational vehicle market might be one of the things that brings the Ford Motor Company and Ford dealers back to where they once were.

Ford has been creating RVs for years without putting their brand name on the vehicles. In fact, the company builds more chassis for recreational vehicles than any other car company in the United States. This is the reason that Ford’s market share has gone up in the RV market for the last year.

With consumers growing older and retiring at rapid rates, recreational vehicle dealers are seeing a sharp increase in sales. Some experts predict this market trend will continue for at least the next ten years, maybe even longer. With more than 60 million Americans fitting the demographics of typical RV owners, the market shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. People always grow older, too, so the demographic always has new consumers to cater to.

Ford may just increase production of motor home chassis in order to balance the declining sales in the automotive market. As more people continue to enjoy touring the country in the comfort of a recreational vehicle, the auto industry has a market to fall back.

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