The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mercedes Benz

  • Mercedes-Benz makes record 193,000 sales

    Daimler AG last Tuesday reported January sales of over 190,000 units in the Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars segment, making it the most successful start to a year in the company’s history.

    With this new sales record which also represents a growth of 8.4 per cent, Mercedes-Benz started the year  as successfully as it concluded the year 2017 and has defended its position as the bestselling premium brand with the most new registrations.

    Recalling with unmixed delight, Britta Seeger, a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales said: “With more than 193,000 Mercedes-Benz cars sold in January, we achieved the most successful start to a year in the company’s history. And with the presentation of the new G-Class, we had an emotional start to the New Year.

    “I am delighted that we are setting standards not only with our unit sales, but also for example with the new smart configurator with real-time 3D car visualisation. In this way, we are offering our customers an innovative platform upon which they can configure their future car.”

    According to Daimler, demand for the SUVs from Mercedes-Benz was as high as ever at the beginning of the year. With an increase of 9.9 per cent, a new record was set of 71,409 units sold. The GLC, GLC Coupé and G-Class all set new records for unit sales. The new G-Class had its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Mercedes-Benz has so far delivered a total of five million SUVs to its customers, including two million of the GLE and its predecessor, the M-Class.

    The new S-Class Saloon achieved a 25.3 per cent sales increase to 8,130 units in January. The S-Class Saloon was particularly popular in its biggest markets, China and the USA, achieving significant sales growth in both markets. The new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models were launched in Europe in January.

    Last month, Mercedes-Benz delivered 33,063 of the E-Class Saloon and Estate models to our customers. This represents a 10.4 per cent increase in unit sales and is a new record for a January. Mercedes-Benz has already sold more than 500,000 units of the new generation of the  car.

    Reacting to the news, Mr. Mirko Plath, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Weststar Associates Limited, the authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, said Mercedes-Benz has indeed defended its position as the bestselling premium brand.

    With these new deliveries, Plath noted that Mercedes-Benz made its best start to a year of all time, thus continuing seamlessly from its seventh consecutive record-setting year in 2017.

    “We are proud to represent the Mercedes-Benz brand in Nigeria and have planned for the year 2018, some exciting products as already being announced within past few weeks,” he said.

  • Mercedes-Benz Citan makes its debut

    Mercedes-Benz Citan makes its debut

    Weststar Nigeria last Friday announced the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Citan Tourer and Panel Van, the first addition to its Mercedes-Benz vans products for the local market.

    The Citan is an absolute all-rounder, powerful, with compact dimensions, making it suitable for city use.

    With its impressive quality and driving dynamics, exemplary safety and economy, and high level of versatility and robustness, the new Mercedes-Benz Citan is truly a professional in its segment.

    The Citan Tourer is designed for individuals that want to get more out of life, business, and leisure time. Due to its versatility and adaptability, the Mercedes-Benz Citan fulfils a broad range of commercial applications. The Citan variants is the Tourer 112; a five-seater crew vehicle with folding rear seat bench, sliding doors on each side and with a long wheelbase.

    As it is the case with every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, safety plays a big role in the new Citan. It comes with the Electronic Stability Programme, as standard, which takes the vehicle load into consideration. This innovative dynamic handling control system in the new Citan combines the functions of the anti-locking braking system, which counters over- and understeer, and Traction Control System. It also includes acceleration skid control and drive and braking torque control.

    In addition to safety and comfort options, there are also numerous functional extras and accessories to choose from and as an alternative to individual options, Citan buyers have access to various specially created packages.

    The Citan focuses on functionality as it is all about meeting the challenges faced in day-to-day operations. Functional features include a large glove compartment, a stowage compartment between the front seats and a useful overhead stowage compartment across the entire width of the windscreen to accommodate all those items that drivers keep on hand on a daily basis. The practical, standard equipment for the new Citan includes a height-adjustable steering wheel, central locking with remote control and exterior mirrors which can be adjusted from inside. The Citan also sets a good example when it comes to fuel consumption and performance as the engine line-up has the right solution for every requirement profile. It is available only with front-wheel drive, and a high-torque petrol engine as standard for the local market.

    “The Citan is indeed an absolute all-rounder when it comes to day-to-day business, an ideal partner for city logistics and transportation, a corporate shuttle vehicle or simply a vehicle for family leisure activities and is exclusively available for immediate delivery with up-to-the-minute aftersales service through Weststar. Our resolve to providing transportation solutions in Nigeria is to ensure we keep our service promise: to deliver only “Vans. Born to run” says  Mr. Umoh Ekanem, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, Weststar Associates Limited, Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria.

  • Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion

    Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion

    The Ogun Government says it will spend N203.3 million to control gully erosion in 2018.

    Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, the State Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this on Monday, while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the assembly complex, Abeokuta.

    Oyeleye noted that the money would be spent on execution of designs already prepared for amelioration and rehabilitation of some already environmentally-degraded areas in the state.

    Represented by Mr Kunle Osota, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, the commissioner added that N203.3 million was to prevent degradation and arrest gully formation that could cause damage to the ecosystem.

    Oyeleye said N87.9 million had been earmarked for the rehabilitation and repair of water ways across the state.

    Read also: Ogun to spend N30.7bn on roads in 2018

    He added that the ministry had proposed N25 million on repairing and rehabilitation of existing markets and parks across the state.

    ‘‘The ministry will embark on beautification and landscaping at various locations such as Totoro, Ago-Oba roundabout, Ijaiye roundabout, Ake roundabout and Sagamu /Ikenne roundabout.

    “In 2018, we want to acquire 12 Mercedes-Benz Compactor Trucks , 18 Global Power Push Mower, four tricycle Tip Loaders for effective evacuation of refuse across the state,’’ he said.

    He said the ministry had proposed N4.5 billion as capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure would gulp N625 million with N665 million as expected revenue.

    NAN

  • Mercedes-Benz to invest $1b in Alabama plant

    Mercedes-Benz to invest $1b in Alabama plant

    Daimler, the Germany-based parent of Mercedes-Benz, has announced that the company will invest $1 billion in its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, assembly plant to produce the company’s EQ-branded electric Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

    The company also said a battery plant would be built near the existing auto plant and that, once completed, the project would yield 600 new jobs.

    TheTuscaloosa plant builds Mercedes-Benz SUV models GLE, GLS and GLE Coupe for worldwide distribution and C-class cars for the North American market.

    The plant exports more than 70 per cent of its production and is currently being expanded to accommodate manufacturing of the next generation of Mercedes SUVs, including plug-in hybrid models. In 2016, the plant produced more than 310,000 vehicles, and it   employs over 3,700 people and supports more than 7,000 jobs.

    Mercedes said it plans to  produce its EQ SUVs “at the beginning of the next decade”. By 2022, the company plans to “electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes” and offer customers at least one electrified alternative in all its vehicle segments. The first EQ series model, the EQC, will go into production in 2019 at the Mercedes plant in Bremen, Germany.

    The planned battery plant will be part of the Mercedes global battery production network to support both local and export demand.

    Daimler said it would invest $1.8 billion in its battery production network, including facilities in Germany and China.

  • Mercedes-Benz introduces Accelo

    Mercedes-Benz introduces Accelo

    Mercedes-Benz has launched a new medium duty truck for city and short distance operations. The all-new Accelo 915C is the first Mercedes-Benz compact truck.

    According to Weststar Associates Limited, authorised distributors of Mercedes-Benz commercial and passenger vehicles in Nigeria, the Accelo was unveiled due to the growing demand by various businesses to increase revenue and productivity while maintaining reduced overhead costs

    This 4X2 truck would be a great delight to construction, haulage and distribution industries as it offers high value for money, great maneuverability and suitable comfort for any transport challenge, the company said.

    The Accelo provides high load capacity via its rear axle as it boasts a payload of over five tonnes. With a Gross Vehicle Weight of nine tons, the very adaptable Accelo allows fitting of superstructures (of up to 6.5 meters long), such as tank for liquids/gases, tipper, dry cargo, waste compactor, cesspit emptier, standard aluminum truck, box body and even bodies for the distribution of beverages.

    It is equipped with a 150HP four-cylinder Euro 3 engine equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.  For a safer driving experience, the Accelo is equipped with a pneumatic, dual circuit disc brake system to guarantee accurate responses while in everyday urban traffic. The all-new Accelo comes with a load-sensing valve and anti-Lock brakes to enhance safety by preventing unwanted locking of rear wheels.

    “It’s ruggedness, driver comfort, payload and easy body mounting are unique features that set it apart from other commercial vehicles, thus making it a perfect cost-effective tool for demanding fleets in the private and public sectors.  In addition to being backed up by our well-established maintenance and parts network, there is no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz Accelo will contribute to the fast growth of the Nigerian economy,” Mirko Plath Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Weststar Associates Limited said.

    ‘’Its passenger car-like dashboard gives the driver full overview of the most vital driving information on the instrument cluster. Other key features include ergonomic seats for two passengers and a driver, air conditioning, power windows, power steering and a central seat with a three-point seatbelt. These features help ensure a high level of occupant safety, excellent visibility, driver productivity and alertness.’’

  • Mercedes-Benz to recall one million vehicles

    Daimler AG said it will recall one million newer-model Mercedes-Benz vehicles worldwide due to the risk of fire, after 51 fires were reported.

    The German company said no injuries or deaths were reported relating to the vehicles that it would  recall in the United States market in July when parts become available.

    A fix has been implemented in the production of new vehicles and vehicles on dealers lots will be fixed before they are sold, the company said.

    The issue relates to a potentially faulty fuse.

    “Any affected vehicles in inventory will not be sold until they can be outfitted with the additional fuse,” said a Mercedes-Benz spokesman.

    Of the million vehicles to be recalled, 307,629 are in the United States, which is 40,000 units less than Mercedes-Benz reported to U.S. regulators.

    The company did not immediately have a breakdown of where vehicles will be recalled outside of the United States.

    The U.S. is among the three biggest markets for Mercedes-Benz, the others being China and Germany.

    Of the 51 fires, 30 were reported in the U.S. market, a Mercedes-Benz U.S. spokesman said.

    The recall affects newer models, including those from the 2017 model year.

    Mercedes-Benz and Daimler said it would begin to notify its U.S. customers late in March. It didn’t say when owners in other markets would be notified.

  • Gunmen kidnap businessman’s wife in Delta

    Gunmen on Tuesday night kidnapped a middle-aged housewife of a businessman, Mrs Christie Orakeme, at her family home in Asaba.

    Family sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Asaba that Orakeme was kidnapped in her car at about 10.25 p.m. while waiting for her son to open the gate for her.

    The source, who is a son of the victim, simply identified as Junior, narrated how the gunmen shot into the air as they drove off in high speed with their victim.

    “My mother went out at about 9 p.m. to attend to some urgent matters in the church. She returned and was waiting at the gate for us to open the gate for her, when some armed men attacked her.

    “They forced her out of her car and put her in their own car, a Mercedes Benz car, and zoomed off. I gave them a chase on foot, and was shouting for help, but no one came out,”Junior said.

    NAN further gathered that the kidnappers had called the family last night with the victim’s cell phone demanding a ransom of N60 million, but later reduced the amount to N25 million.

    Husband of the victim, Mr Osita Orakeme, who arrived from his base in Oghara, near Warri , also confirmed to NAN that the kidnappers called him twice, and have reduced their ransom demand to N25 million.

    “They have called me twice, in fact they called to say I should give them N25 million, but I told them I don’t have such amount of money, and they hung up the phone,”he said.

    Contacted, spokesperson of the Delta Police Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident to NAN on phone, and said the police had commenced investigations after the family reported the matter late Tuesday night.

    “I have been able to confirm the kidnap after the matter was reported to the ‘A’ Division of the State Police Command. Firstly, we have to do everything humanly possible to rescue the victim unhurt.

    “We also need every available information to help us to track down the kidnappers,“Aniamaka said. (NAN)

  • Mercedes-Benz introduces E-Class

    Mercedes-Benz introduces E-Class

    Eststar Associates Limited, the sole general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, has introduced a cutting-edge luxury sports sedan, the new E-class.
    This is proof that Mercedes-Benz is committed to transforming not just automobiles, but the idea of mobility itself. The E-class is one of the most technologically sophisticated automobiles in the world with major steps taken towards an accident-free and autonomous driving future.
    The exterior exudes an elegant aura with its sweeping new front and rear design. Such noticeable elements include the new radiator grille, the sliding tinted glass sunroof, striking new LED headlamps, optional 17-19 inch 5-spoke wheels, muscular rear shoulders and glistening LED tail lamps which offer a remarkable sporty stance in the E300. The E-class is also 1.7 inches longer with a longer wheel base of 2.6 inches and more boot space of 34.8 litres when compared to its predecessor.
    All variants of the E-class are equipped with the eco start-stop function. The new E200 comes with a 2litre 4-cylinder petrol engine at 135kW (184hp) with a torque of 300 newton meters while the E-300 is powered by a 4-cylinder petrol engine rated at 180 kW (245 hp) with a torque of 370 newton meters and the E 400 4MATIC, has a six-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 245 kW (333 hp) with a torque of 480 newton meters.
    A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels on standard models, while 4Matic models feature all-wheel drive.
    On the inside, the E-class can be likened to a haven of luxury and craftsmanship as it adopts a similar interior design as the flagship S-Class with a bold horizontal layout stretching from door to door.
    From the amazing 64-color range of ambience lighting, new steering-wheel touch control buttons, console scroll button and touch pad, standard ash wood trim that spans across the dashboard to the door panels, 12.3 inch screens that house the COMAND® online platform as well as the instrumental cluster and a wide variety of seating packages. These include fully electric seats with memory function, climatised seats for the driver/passenger for reversed ventilation, active multi-contour seats with massage function, seat comfort package with electro-pneumatic 4-way lumbar support.
    Standard safety features for the E-Class include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, a driver drowsiness monitor, front-seat side airbags, front pelvic airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, and the Pre-Safe system that locks down seat belts, adjusts the front passenger seat and closes windows when a collision is imminent. A Pre-Safe Sound system is also included and reduces hearing damage by emitting a specific noise before a collision that triggers a muscle reflex in the inner ear to reduce hearing damage. An optional Pre-Safe Impulse Side system detects impending side impacts and inflates a chamber in the front outboard seat bolsters to move the occupant farther from the door. The Pre-Safe Plus option protects passengers in a similar fashion as the standard Pre-Safe system but is activated by impeding rear collisions. It also applies the brakes to prevent secondary collisions.
    Other safety options include a rearview or surround-view camera, rear-seat side airbags, forward collision warning and mitigation, active or passive blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and automated parking systems.
    The bigger engines homologated for the Nigerian market, such as the E300 and E400 will be available in autumn.

  • Mercedes Benz unveils Refuse Collector-Compactor

    Mercedes Benz unveils Refuse Collector-Compactor

    Weststar Associates, authorised distributors of Mercedes-Benz in the country, has announced the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Atego 1718 Chassis with Usimeca Refuse Collector-Compactor into the market.

    Produced in South America, the truck has a capacity of 12 cubic metres and the chassis has a wheel base of 4760mm. It possesses a Euro 3 engine version with six-speed manual transmission and an output of 180Hp.

    Its special safety features are the front and rear axle drum brakes with Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) and auto brake adjustment which yield a longer brake service life.

    The truck, according to Weststar, is suited for the roads as it is equipped with reinforced parabolic steel spring Suspension System, an adjustable steering column and maintenance free batteries for easy operation.

    Inside it, the 17.1-ton Variant Chassis with Daycab provides a seating capacity for two passengers with exterior seating for up to four runners to climb in and out to load bins.

    Other features include fabric seating, air-conditioning (for maximum driver comfort), radio pre-wiring, rotating safety beacons and exterior LED work lights. This 4 x 2 truck rides on 22.5 inch tires and possesses steel bumpers to help protect the headlights from hazardous objects.

    “As promised earlier on in the year, this is in line with the commercial strategy for the proposed launch of new products better suited for the Nigerian market. The Atego 1718 Chassis with Usimeca Refuse Collector-Compactor body offers an impressive total cost of ownership, ease of operation and excellent value for money. It is designed for easy integration into the Nigerian operating environment and backed up by our well-established Mercedes-Benz Aftersales and Parts Network,” Weststar Associates Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mirko Plath said.

  • Mercedes-Benz tops auto sales in middle year

    Mercedes-Benz tops auto sales in middle year

    Mercedes-Benz in the first half of 2016 has overtaken other luxury car segments in the number of vehicles sold, approaching its goal to beat competitors on annual sales for the first time in 11 years, Bloomberg has reported.

    Mercedes’ sales for the first six months of 2016 increased by 12 per cent, amounting to just over one million vehicles.

    Much of the Mercedes’ sales success is attributed to the newer line-up of vehicles in the Mercedes showroom, including the X3-rivalling GLC mid-size SUV, the new C- and E-Class models as well as their subsequent variants.

    “We began the second quarter with double-digit sales growth”, said Ola Källenius, a member of Daimler AG Management Board that is responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.

    “In the course of the year, we plan to keep that momentum going with a stream of new products, including four new or revised SUVs,” Källenius said.

    Another major milestone is the fact that Mercedes-Benz delivered more than 156,000 vehicles to customers in August – an increase of 11.8 per cent. The main contribution towards this increase came from the strong rise in unit sales of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) of approximately 40 per cent.

    Mercedes-Benz was able to surpass its strongest August date in the previous year due to double-digit growth in the Asia-Pacific region and in the domestic market. Two sales milestones were also passed last month.

    More than four million SUVs and15,000 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class vehicles have been sold since their market launches.

    “We are delighted about this advancement and will continue to display relentless effort in offering the best sales and after sales services to customers at all designated workshops and dealerships.” -Mirko Plath, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Weststar Associates Limited, sole distributors of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria.