We love our brands and often base our purchases on recognition. Indeed, household names such as General Electric, DuPont, and General Motors enjoy a century (or two) of consumer support, but they are far from alone among the popular brands. Brand Finance, which tracks the popularity of some 5,000 brands … Read more
Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has a new name. As of February 1, 2022, the company is formally called Mercedes-Benz AG. The moniker represents Daimler’s passenger vehicle operation only, following the spinoff of the company’s truck and bus division that’s officially known as Daimler Truck AG. Mercedes-Benz AG … Read more
Aston Martin released their first-ever SUV, dubbed the Aston Martin DBX, in 2020. Like the Lamborghini Urus, questions greeted the DBX’s arrival, including why was it developed? Simply put, Aston Martin couldn’t pass on a chance at entering the hugely profitable SUV market, while extending its global presence. As it … Read more
Genesis gains its first SUV. Hyundai’s Genesis brand has three sedans to show for it, but we’re still waiting the debut of its first utility vehicle. Fortunately, that wait is nearing an end as this luxury marque intends to release the GV80 SUV this fall. When the GV80 arrives it … Read more
Image Above: The 2020 Dodge Charger line is topped by this SRT Charger Widebody. You’ll pay about $70,000 to acquire one. Behind the wheel of the world’s most powerful production sedan. The Dodge Charger stands alone among mainstream sedans. Its full-size body style is increasingly uncommon and its traditional rear-wheel-drive … Read more
Fast coupes and sedans once held sway on American roads, but crossovers have largely eclipsed them, at least in terms of availability. But not every manufacturer is neglecting cars, with Mercedes-Benz a fitting example of a luxury marque that’s staying the course. Mercedes-Benz models with performance credentials are marketed as … Read more
AMG is the performance division of Mercedes-Benz and earns its place in the product line by substituting its name for Benz. Thus, you have vehicles such as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe, which immediately suggests a high-performance model. Carried out further, the GLC, in this case, represents the GLC-Class, … Read more
AMG is the performance side of Mercedes-Benz, thus all such models are known as Mercedes-AMG, with Benz not even mentioned. The AMG line is impressive, covering nearly three dozen models, including coupes, convertibles, sedans, wagons, and roadsters. The marque’s popular C-Class range of compact luxury coupes, convertibles, and sedans, serves … Read more
If patience is a virtue, then I exceed in virtuosity. At least when it comes to reviewing a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Eight years after my first-ever review, I finally had the opportunity to evaluate a Mercedes model other than one briefly encountered at a press rally (See: — First Look: 2018 … Read more
The auto industry takes to New York to showcase its very best. The Big Apple lives up to its name with every major event done in a spectacular way. Fashion Week, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square are among the annual occurrences that keep New … Read more
The story behind car marques and the trademarks that define them. They are almost always easily recognizable with just one glance. What am I talking about? Car logos and emblems, “symbols” that tell you what a car brand is, usually without words. Every manufacturer has them with some maintaining their … Read more
Stelvio expands Alfa’s North American product line to three. The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio will soon arrive in dealer showrooms, the third US model for this premium Italian brand. The Stelvio joins the 4C sports car and the compact Giulia sedan, expanding Alfa’s reach into unchartered territory. Indeed, that dominion … Read more
Is the US automotive market at its peak? The dust has settled following June’s US auto sales manufacturer reports, giving analysts ample fodder to examine the current auto trends. As you probably already know, light truck and utility vehicle sales are up, while car sales are down. Yet, there are … Read more
Beastly M-B G550 set for US introduction early next year. There are only a few rugged SUVs left on the market as most models have transitioned to crossovers or were designed as such from the onset. Beginning in 2017, Mercedes-Benz will release the G550 4×4², what the manufacturer says is … Read more
Infiniti’s athletic midsize sedan can be had in an extended wheelbase version. The elongated model delivers best-in-class rear seat legroom. The luxury market is an intensely competitive one with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus seated as the top sellers. The first two marques rely on diesels to supplement their gasoline offerings; … Read more
Apparently, Lexus is listening to its customers. Toyota’s luxury brand, long a leader amongst premium marques, has been playing it relatively safe even as its European rivals continue to push the styling envelope along with a fun driving edge. Operating within the careful confines of expertly crafted sedans and hybrids … Read more
Infiniti introduces the first model from its alliance with Mercedes-Benz. The Frankfurt Motor Show is now in progress and the Infiniti Q30 is one of several notable models making its global debut. The newest model from Nissan’s luxury brand has a crossover look, but it is very much a compact … Read more
At the Frankfurt International Motor Show next month, count on a number of eye-catching new models making global debuts. One of the most anticipated and visually appealing vehicles will come from the host country, Germany, as Daimler unveils the sinewy 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe. Dubbed by the manufacturer as “the … Read more
You can’t buy a new Renault in the United States, but Nissan, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Smart brand models are available. Nissan (Nissan and Infiniti) and Daimler (Mercedes-Benz and Smart) each have a strong presence in North America on their own. Nevertheless, the two competitors are moving forward with an alliance … Read more
Leasing deals cover models such as this Aston Martin Vantage GT. $4,000 per month for an automotive lease? Surely, you jest! For well-heeled shoppers, $4,000 is the top-end cost of leasing a late-model used car, something few of us common folks can afford. Indeed, if we choose to lease … Read more
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 ushers in a new era for GM’s preeminent marque, a full-size sedan outfitted with leading-edge technologies. The new model debuts in New York at month’s end, a five-passenger vehicle set to take on Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In the chronology of Cadillac brand history, an 8.2-liter … Read more
The eastern half of the nation has had quite a winter, with record cold, significant snows and paralyzing ice storms extending deep into the south. Despite the difficult conditions, consumers visited US showrooms in strong numbers, helping to propel February 2015 auto sales in a positive direction. Truck sales paced … Read more
Cadillac has an incessant image problem, one that has not been resolved by introducing a bevy of new models. Indeed, the automaker cannot assemble its traditional full-size Escalade sport utility vehicle fast enough to meet customer demand. A Reuters report published on Tuesday revealed that buyers are snapping up Escalades, … Read more
This April, Maybach makes its return…as a Mercedes. Maybach is the quintessential Mercedes-Benz brand, a Daimler marque founded in 1909. The brand disappeared for five decades following the cessation of World War II, then enjoyed a 15-year revival as a collection of luxuriant models were presented. In 2012, Daimler canceled … Read more
Ford’s F-Series brings in huge profits. Shop for a luxury vehicle and your eyes may feast upon the Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan, BMW’s X5 xDrive35i crossover or the Lexus RCF sports car. Each high-end model sells for more than $50,000, a price point that demonstrates mass-produced luxury at its finest. The … Read more
New Mercedes model pushes the styling envelope. There are times when an automaker shows a new model and the Internet is lit up with positive or negative comments. There are other times when all you hear is crickets. The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe lies somewhere between both extremes, a 2016 model … Read more
October 2014 sales remain in positive territory. The US auto industry continues to record strong sales even as the overall economy shows only modest gains. Sales this year should top 16.5 million units with analysts forecasting at least 17 million units sold for 2015. And if October 2014 auto sales … Read more
Wow. There are very few cars I test drive that surprise me. I expect that certain vehicles will stand head and shoulders above the pack, including the Porsche Cayman among sports cars and the Toyota FJ Cruiser among 4×4 models. But I must tell you that Hyundai has trotted out … Read more
Brembo seeks a boost in market share. If you are an automotive enthusiast, then you are familiar with the Brembo name. The Italian company is one of the world’s largest brake manufacturers, with its red, black or silver painted brake calipers supplying high-end OEMs including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Citroën. … Read more
The Hyundai Equus is the top-of-the-line model in this Korean brands arsenal, a true-blue full-size luxury sedan that is in the same class as the Lexus LS, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It retails for about $10,000 less than the Lexus and comes in at a … Read more