Tag Archives: Mercedes-Benz

News

Mercedes is reducing production of its S-Class

The German automobile industry is currently in a tough situation, and reduced demand for some models is forcing manufacturers to make difficult decisions. Mercedes has announced that it will reduce production of its S-Class.

Automakers are facing major challenges, battling China’s ongoing price war in the automotive sector, particularly in high-end models, and the high development costs associated with new technologies and electrification. The decision to reduce production is something that was expected, and according to a Mercedes spokesperson, the transition to single-shift work is set for the last quarter of this year. This will affect nearly 1,500 employees, some of whom will be redeployed to other production sectors at the Sindelfingen plant.

In Q2, Mercedes sold just 33,400 cars from its S-Class (EQS, EQS SUV and GLS), which is a drop of 25 percent compared to 44,200 cars sold in the same period last year. The biggest decline was recorded in the markets of Europe (-27 percent), USA (-19 percent) and China (-13 percent). Also, the share of these premium segment vehicles in total sales fell from 16 percent to 14 percent, which contributed to the reduction of the profit margin in the company’s automotive business from 13.5 percent to 10.2 percent.

It is currently unknown if and when two-shift operations will return to Factory 56. Broader industry trends, including Audi’s consideration of closing its Brussels factory due to slow sales of the Q8 E-tron, suggest the luxury electric vehicle market is facing a broad widespread challenges.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Auctions

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 6.0 is up for auction

57 years ago, an engineering firm specializing in performance improvements for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, AMG (Aufrecht, Melcher, Großaspach), was founded. It worked independently for years, before becoming part of Mercedes-Benz AG in 2005. One of the cars upgraded by AMG during the independence period, the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 6.0, is up for auction.

This European-spec Coupe version (C126) was produced between 1981 and 1991 and finished in Black over Anthracite interior. It is equipped with a limited-slip differential, fog lights, a sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats, air conditioning, and cruise control. AMG modified the car by adding a Sebring-AMG exhaust system, 17-inch OZ Racing wheels, 4-piston front brake calipers, a body kit, wood interior trim, a 4-spoke steering wheel, and a 300-kph speedometer. The odometer reads 82,171 km (~51,100 miles).

While customers in America could only choose the 380 model with 155 hp, Europeans could order the 500 variant that offered a more powerful engine. This Mercedes AMG left the factory with a 5.0-liter SOHC M117 V8 engine (231 hp and 405 Nm), but AMG decided to replace it with a modified 6.0-liter V8 engine that delivered 330 hp (246 kW) and 387 lb-ft (525 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Carfax history report starts in 2023 and lists no accidents since. the car comes with 1 key, owner’s manual, AMG documentation, service records and warning triangle.

The auction ends on August 12th and the highest bid at the time of writing was $85,000 USD.

Source: Cars & Bids

Gallery:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 6.0 is up for auction
News

Mercedes-Benz can test Level 4 self-driving systems in China

The automotive industry and everything that goes with it has been on the rise in China for years, and so has autonomous driving. Leaders in the development of autonomous driving, although in strained relations with the EU, have allowed Mercedes-Benz to test self-driving cars with level four autonomy in this country.

Mercedes-Benz got permission to test cars with level 3 autonomy in China late last year, and the new permission is a big deal for the manufacturer as their test self-driving cars are now allowed to move in most situations without the need for humans to take control. The focus will be on U-turns, lane changes and driving in roundabouts, as well as driving at toll booths in Beijing.

Of course, Mercedes is not the only one testing self-driving cars with level four autonomy in China, as Baidu, Hongqi and WeRide are already doing it, but it is the first foreign company with this permission. However, that could soon change, as Tesla is working on getting full approval for its Full Self-Driving system in this country, which should be completed by the end of the year.

They previously received tentative approvals to test 10 cars with the FSD software in June, but it should be noted that the FSD software is considered second-level autonomy, which means that drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times and constantly monitor the situation. Tesla’s approach is unique because every driver using FSD actually helps improve the system through real-world testing.

Also, other companies like GM and SAIC, which launched Level 2 autonomy software last month, are trying to get their share of the pie, but the competition is getting tougher.

Source: Mercedes-Benz