2009

  • 10 January 2009
  • On the eve of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Mercedes-Benz presents its new E-Class (212 series) to the international press in Detroit. The new model features a multitude of innovations in the fields of safety, comfort and environmental compatibility, among them the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and enhanced PRE-SAFE Brake, which triggers automatic full braking to mitigate the consequences of an accident that is no longer avoidable.
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  • 11 - 25 January 2009
  • Two vehicle concepts from Mercedes-Benz make their debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan/USA, under the motto "Fascination and responsibility". The exclusive SLR Stirling Moss top-class speedster, of which only 75 will ever be built, represents the end of the current SLR 199 series. With its "CONCEPT BlueZERO", featuring a modular design with different drive configurations, Mercedes-Benz is able to demonstrate the everyday viability of electric drive for zero-emission or very low-emission motoring: the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive, the BlueZERO F-CELL with fuel cell drive and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with a combination of electric drive and additional combustion engine as "range extender".
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  • 29 January 2009
  • In the presence of the German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and the Vice Mayor of the People’s Government Beijing, Gou Zhongwen, a letter of intent is signed between the Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Daimler AG relating to the formation of a 50:50 joint venture in China. Plans include the manufacture of medium and heavy-duty trucks as well as the exchange of technology.
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  • 13 February 2009
  • To mark the 30th anniversary of the G-Class, Mercedes-Benz introduces two special limited-edition models: the "EDITION30", based on the G 500 long-wheelbase estate (463 series) and the "EDITION30.PUR", based on the G 280 CDI (461 series), also an estate.
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  • 24 February 2009
  • In the presence of a considerable number of dignitaries from the world of politics and government administration, Mercedes-Benz India opens its new site and a new production plant in Chakan, Pune. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles will be manufactured in separate production facilities across a total site area of some 400 hectares.
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  • 27 February 2009
  • A new truck plant for Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is officially opened in Saltillo in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila in the presence of Mexico's President Felipe Calderón. The site's facilities, created for the production of Freightliner's heavy-duty Cascadia truck, cover an area of more than 120,000 sq m, and along with the production plant itself include a logistics centre, administration building and a training centre.
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  • 4 - 26 March 2009
  • At a press trial drive event for the new E-Class in Madrid, Mercedes-Benz also presents the special-protection variant of the 212 series. The new Guard model, which can be ordered from 31 March, marks the continuation of eight decades of expertise at in developing and building special-protection vehicles.
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  • 5 - 15 March 2009
  • The E-Class of the 212 series celebrates its motor show premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Making its debut there at the same time is the E-Class Coupé (207 series), which melds the virtues of the saloon with the fascination and elegance of a coupé. A new highlight in the range of luxury saloons under the Maybach brand is also introduced in the form of the Maybach Zeppelin. This car, production of which is limited to 100 models, takes the absolute top spot in the high-end luxury saloon category. Two smart models also celebrate their world premiere in Geneva: the near-series fortwo BRABUS electric drive show car, featuring a lithium-ion battery, and the "edition limited three" special model based on the smart fortwo mhd passion.
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  • 11 March 2009
  • Daimler AG announces that, due to general economic conditions, short-time working will also be introduced at its Wörth, Gaggenau, Kassel and Mannheim truck plants from April/May. This is the company's response to the continuing low level of demand and declining order intake as a reflection of current market developments.
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  • 18 March 2009
  • Mercedes-Benz introduces a new truck navigation system ex factory for the Atego, Axor and Actros model ranges. The new system takes account of specific commercial vehicle considerations such as weight restrictions, overhead clearance and restrictions on access to inner-city areas.
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  • 22 March 2009
  • Daimler AG announces its intention to increase capital stock by around 10 %, excluding subscription rights of current shareholders, and to sell all new shares to Aabar Investments PJSC. The Abu Dhabi-based investment company thus becomes a major shareholder, with a stake of around 9.1 % of the new share capital.
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  • 25 March 2009
  • Mercedes-Benz presents the fuel cell powered F-CELL Roadster, built as part of an interdisciplinary project by more than 150 students and apprentices on dual vocational training courses at the company's Sindelfingen plant. The aim of the project, which is also monitored by management trainees from a wide variety of disciplines, is the practice-oriented integration of "alternative drive systems" as a topic in the training programme.
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  • 25 March 2009
  • The Mercedes-Benz Gallery, with an exhibition area of around 400 sq m over two floors, opens at Odeonsplatz in Munich. The appeal of the Mercedes-Benz Galleries, further examples of which are to open both in Germany and elsewhere, lies in their attractive inner-city locations with a high level of footfall and their aesthetically sophisticated patial and design concept.
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  • 26 March 2009
  • Launch of the public test phase of the innovative mobility concept car2go in the German city of Ulm. With a test fleet expanded to 200 smart fortwo cdi, car2go now becomes available to all of Ulm's residents and visitors.
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  • 29 March 2009
  • The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first race of the Formula One season, marks the first time that three teams with engines from Mercedes-Benz are in the starting line-up. In addition to Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes, the two other teams - Brawn GP and Force India - also rely on the 2.4-litre V8 engines built by Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brixworth, UK. Jenson Button wins the opening race in a Brawn BGP 001 racing car, as well as five out of the next six grand prix races.
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  • March 2009
  • In the rear axle assembly shop at the Esslingen-Mettingen site of the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim plant, new-style lightweight robots, such as those used in aerospace applications, are used for the first time in the automotive industry. These relieve assembly workers of tasks where, along with precision and sensitivity, considerable physical effort is involved.
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  • 10 - 19 April 2009
  • The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) marks the debut of the ML 450 HYBRID with its innovative two-mode hybrid system, designed specifically for the US market, and of the upgraded GL-Class (X 164 series). The "E 250 BlueTEC" concept car combines the characteristics of the new highly efficient four-cylinder CDI engine with the advantages of SCR emission control technology. The E 63 AMG, the 386 kW / 525 hp top-of-the-range E-Class (212 series), also celebrates its premiere.
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  • 22 - 28 April 2009
  • At Auto Shanghai 2009, the world's second largest motor show, Mercedes-Benz presents the S-Class 2009 (221 series), an enhanced generation of this successful luxury saloon. The new S 400 HYBRID, the first production vehicle to feature hybrid drive and a lithium-ion battery, is the CO2 champion of the luxury class. Embodying the principle of "green luxury", it combines status, comfort and safety with exemplary efficiency and environmental compatibility.
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  • 23 April 2009
  • To mark the centenary of the company trademarks, the three-pointed Mercedes star and the Benz laurel wreath, Mercedes-Benz introduces an exceptionally exclusive model of the CL Coupé (C 216 series). The stunning "Mercedes-Benz Trademark Centenary" anniversary model offers a comprehensive trim package incorporating exquisite details such as meticulous reproductions of the original trademarks on the centre console.
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  • 27 April 2009
  • Daimler AG, Chrysler, Cerberus and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a US government agency, sign an agreement covering the outstanding issues between the parties relating to Chrysler. Daimler relinquishes its remaining 19.9 % stake in Chrysler and agrees to waive repayment of loans made to Chrysler. Daimler will also help safeguard the payment of pensions to former DaimlerChrysler employees by making three annual payments of USD 200 million each into the Chrysler pension plans.
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  • 4 - 15 May 2009
  • Launch of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a whole range of new features at the Van Technology Center in Stuttgart. The four-cylinder diesel engines of the OM 651 range meet Euro 5 as standard; in combination with the newly developed six-speed manual ECO Gear transmission, they manage to deliver higher output yet with significantly reduced consumption. Further new features include ESP trailer stabilisation and adaptive brake lights.
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  • 19 May 2009
  • Daimler AG announces plans at a press conference in Stuttgart to take a stake of almost 10 % in Tesla Motors Inc. This investment marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the inventor of the automobile and one of the newest arrivals to the automotive industry. Tesla is the only manufacturer to sell a battery-powered vehicle in North America and Europe that is designed specifically for operation over long distances.
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  • 5 June 2009
  • On the occasion of World Environment Day 2009, the E-Class receives much sought-after environmental certification according to ISO standard 14062, which is based on a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the vehicle. Since July 2005, environmental certification has been awarded to the C-Class, as well as to the A and B-Class. The GLK was the first Mercedes-Benz SUV to receive the award in May 2009.
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  • 7 - 11 June 2009
  • The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid celebrates its world premiere at the UITP Congress in Vienna, the world congress for public transport operators. The fuel cell hybrid bus, developed as part of the company's global "Shaping Future Transportation" initiative, combines two hydrogen-fed fuel cell stacks with powerful lithium-ion batteries, allowing the vehicle to be driven several kilometres on battery power alone. A fleet test with a small series of 10 vehicles will begin in 2010.
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  • 15 June 2009
  • At a TecDay Safety held in Sindelfingen, Mercedes-Benz introduces its ESF 2009, the company's first Experimental Safety Vehicle since 1974. Among the ideas pioneered here are metal structures that inflate within fractions of a second to give more stability to structural components, as well as the so-called Braking Bag.
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  • 17 June 2009
  • Among the highly coveted "International Engine of the Year Awards 2009" are awards for the best engine in three separate categories made to Mercedes-Benz and AMG. The AMG 6.2-litre V8 engine M 156 even takes two awards: in the categories of "Best Performance Engine" and "Above 4 litres" the powerful 386 kW / 525 hp high-performance naturally aspirated engine takes first place, in both cases by a considerable margin. In the category "2 - 2.5 litres" the top spot is taken by the OM 651 four-cylinder diesel engine.
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  • 24 June 2009
  • Dignitaries from the world of politics and industry join the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg Günther Oettinger at Kuppenheim for a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new Mercedes-Benz press shop, to be affiliated to the Gaggenau plant. Daimler AG has invested € 70 million in the new production facility on this 156,000 sq m site, which will produce exterior panels for Mercedes-Benz trucks and for the next generation of A-Class and B-Class passenger cars from late 2010.
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  • 6 July 2009
  • Daimler and Evonik launch the next stage of their strategic alliance - focused on electrification of the car - with an announcement concerning location: Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG, will produce battery systems on the basis of lithium-ion technology at Kamenz, in the Saxony region of Germany. Construction of the new production facility is due to commence in autumn 2009.
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  • 13 July 2009
  • Daimler AG sells 40 % of its 10 % stake in Tesla Motors, Inc. to its major shareholder Aabar Investments PJSC, Abu Dhabi. This step marks the beginning of the companies' first joint strategic project, focusing on the development of electric vehicles.
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  • 13 July 2009
  • At a TecDay under the title "On the road to emission-free mobility", Daimler presents to the press the current status of implementation of its drive system strategy. Optimisation of the combustion engine, efficiency improvements through hybridisation and the introduction of zero local emissions electric vehicles are the cornerstones of this strategy.
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  • July 2009
  • Mercedes-Benz do Brasil celebrates a sales milestone with a special edition of the Axor 2544: since production start-up here in 1956, the company's Brazilian subsidiary has sold a million trucks.
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  • 27 August 2009
  • In the presence of Berlin's governing mayor, Klaus Wowereit, a 3,740 sq m photovoltaic system is officially inaugurated on the roof of one of the production halls at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin-Marienfelde plant. The largest continuous stretch of solar roofing in Berlin, it is capable of generating around 430,000 kWh of energy a year.
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  • 31 August 2009
  • Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd. announce the signing of a letter of intent covering closer cooperation between the two companies in the bus and coach sector. Among the possible options for ensuring a successful positioning in the Japanese bus and coach market is the establishment of a joint venture between the two companies.
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  • 10 September 2009
  • The one millionth M-Class SUV leaves the production line of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama/USA. The milestone vehicle, a particularly fuel-efficient ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, goes to a dealer on the west coast of the US.
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  • 17 - 27 September 2009
  • The Frankfurt International Motor Show marks the debut of both the 212 series E-Class Estate and of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (197 series). The gullwing-door super sports car developed by AMG features an all-aluminium body and space frame. Its 420 kW / 571 hp front-mid powerplant, the most powerful variant of the 6.2-litre eight-cylinder M 156 engine, is combined here with a dual clutch transmission and makes possible speeds of up to 317 km/h. Presented here as a concept, the Vision S 500 Plug-In HYBRID offers the possibility of fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 km. Celebrating its world premiere at the show is the B-Class F-CELL, the first fuel cell passenger car to be manufactured under series-production conditions. It features an locally emission-free drive unit, and the figures convert to an equivalent NEDC fuel consumption of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 km. smart presents the special "edition highstyle" model and the new 'smart BRABUS tailor made' individualisation programme. With this new ser
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