2010

  • 16 - 24 January 2010
  • The E-Class Convertible (207 series) celebrates its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan/USA. A high level of comfort and all-year-round practicality are guaranteed by such innovative optional features as the AIRCAP draught-stop, which can be activated at the touch of a button and which significantly reduces air turbulence in the car's interior for all four occupants when the roof is open. The E-Class Convertible's optional equipment also includes an enhanced AIRSCARF neck-level heating system integrated into the backrests of the front seats, which blows warm air out of adjustable outlets in the head restraints. Mercedes-Benz also unveils at Detroit an aesthetic automotive sculpture, which rises in gentle and flowing form from a level surface, thereby artistically accentuating the car's lines.
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  • 25 January 2010
  • Mercedes-Benz presents its new Formula One works team MERCEDES GP PETRONAS at a press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Drivers Nico Rosberg and seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, along with team management Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and Norbert Haug, show off the livery of the new Silver Arrow on the previous year's car. The vehicle for the new season, the MGP W01, makes its debut at the first test session in Valencia, Spain, on 1 February 2010 and has its first race outing at the Bahrain Grand Prix on 14 March.
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  • 2 February 2010
  • Daimler provides prompt support for the people of the earthquake-stricken Caribbean island of Haiti through the donation of 20 Fuso Canter trucks, worth more than half a million euros. The vehicles are handed over by former US President Bill Clinton as part of his Haiti aid initiative.
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  • 7 - 9 February 2010
  • At a meeting of the Informal EU Competitiveness Council in San Sebastián, Spain, Mercedes-Benz unveils the prototype of a battery-powered van based on the Mercedes-Benz Vito. With what is the world's first van to include an electric drive system ex factory, Daimler thus underlines its technology leadership.
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  • 1 March 2010
  • Mercedes-AMG’s all-new high-performance engine M 157 is presented to the press in Affalterbach. The 5.5-litre V8 has a maximum output of 420 kW / 571 hp, peak torque of 900 Nm and features several technological highlights, including biturbo and direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion. Together with the M 157, AMG also presents an S 63 AMG show car, which is equipped with the new biturbo V8. Visually this is reminiscent of the spectacular 300 SEL 6.8 AMG racing touring car, which in 1971 was affectionately dubbed the "rote Sau” ("red pig”).
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  • 1 March 2010
  • Daimler AG and the BYD Company Limited jointly sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering a comprehensive technological partnership. On 27 May, the partners agree to create a 50:50 joint venture under the name Shenzen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd., which has as its objective the development of an electric vehicle to meet the requirements of the Chinese market.
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  • 4 - 14 March 2010
  • Mercedes-Benz presents the F 800 Style research vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show. The design study for a five-seater luxury-class saloon combines efficient drive technologies with unrivalled safety, convenience functions and an emotive design idiom. Unique in a large saloon is the newly developed flexible multi-drive platform, which enables the vehicle to be configured with either fuel cell electric drive or as a plug-in hybrid. Also new is the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, which is already undergoing testing in everyday use and will go on the market in 2011. Its 15 kW electric motor provides additional power to support the 150 kW / 204 hp of the 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine during acceleration, but can also be used for all-electric driving, for example during manoeuvring or in stop-and-go traffic. Its consumption is just 4.1 litres per 100 km (109 g CO2 per km). The G 350 BlueTEC debuts here as a new model in the G-Class (463 series), offering the latest diesel technology togeth
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  • 9 March 2010
  • Daimler AG disposes of its 5.34 % stake in the Indian automotive company Tata Motors. The sale of its shares to various groups of investors through the capital market allows the company to realise a capital inflow of around € 300 million.
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  • 1 April 2010
  • The conclusion of investigations into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) sees Daimler AG reach a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Under the terms of the settlement, prosecutions against Daimler AG and Daimler North East Asia Ltd. are deferred. Daimler pays fines of USD 93.6 million and agrees to the disgorgement of profits of USD 91.4. The deferred prosecution agreements are premised on the requirement that no further FCPA violations occur during the two-year term of the agreements and that a comprehensive compliance programme is maintained.
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  • 2 - 11 April 2010
  • The new-generation R-Class makes its debut at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The upgraded Grand Sports Tourer of the 251 series has been extensively updated with a completely redesigned front section. A further highlight of the show is the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The appearance of the racing version of the new gullwing model coincides perfectly with the market launch of the SLS AMG. Also celebrating its premiere is the E 350 BlueTEC: another exceptionally clean engine variant for this successful range of saloons, which commands a 35 % share of its market segment in the US and remains the uncontested number one in its class.
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  • 5 April 2010
  • With a third place in the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, Nico Rosberg takes the first podium position for the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team, thus marking a high point for the team in what is the home race for PETRONAS, the team's title sponsor.
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  • 7 April 2010
  • The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG agree a broad strategic cooperation. The successor to the current smart fortwo, a new smart four-seater and the next-generation Renault Twingo will be engineered on the basis of a jointly developed architecture. Further areas of focus include the sharing of fuel-efficient diesel and petrol engines and cooperation in the light commercial vehicle segment. The cooperation also includes a mutual exchange of equity: the Renault-Nissan Alliance will receive a 3.1 % stake in Daimler, while Daimler AG will take 3.1 % of Renault and 3.1 % of Nissan.
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  • 22 April 2010
  • Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) launches the new generation of its Fuso Super Great heavy-duty truck, which features a newly developed 12.8-litre 6R10 diesel engine equipped with BlueTec technology. The Fuso Super Great is thus the first MFTBC truck to meet what is currently the most stringent emissions standard in the world, JP09 (Japan New Long-Term Emission Regulation).
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  • 25 April - 2 May 2010
  • Mercedes-Benz introduces the "Concept Shooting Brake" at Auto China 2010 in Peking. Also making its debut here is the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class (212 series), specially designed for China's growing market for luxury saloons, with a wheelbase 15 cm longer than that of the standard model. Following a facelift, the Maybach high-end luxury saloons on show in Beijing are more luxurious than ever, both inside and out. Despite increased engine output, both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced.
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  • 2 - 5 May 2010
  • At the Bus & Paratransit Conference in Cleveland, Ohio/USA, Daimler Buses North America (DBNA) launches a new generation of Orion VII urban and inter-urban bus, available with diesel, hybrid or natural gas drive.
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  • 4 May 2010
  • Following the ending of short-timing working at the Mercedes-Benz plants at Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim in early January and April respectively, normal working hours are now also resumed earlier than planned at both Rastatt and Bremen. Thanks to the ongoing recovery of the global market for premium vehicles, early discontinuation of the collectively agreed reduction of 8.75 % in working hours also proves possible at the end of May. Introduced in May 2009, these cutbacks applied to all Daimler AG employees not affected by short-time working arrangements.
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  • 5 - 11 May 2010
  • At a TecDay in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim, Mercedes-Benz gives a press presentation on the latest in vehicle testing and engine development. In Sindelfingen there is a demonstration of "automated driving", an innovative testing method which Daimler is the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to introduce into its portfolio of testing procedures. This involves safety-critical driving manoeuvres that cannot be precisely reproduced by human drivers, being undertaken by autopilot on closed test tracks. "Automated driving" supports the development, testing and validation of assistance systems and other vehicle safety features. In Untertürkheim Mercedes-Benz introduces an all-new generation of V6 and V8 drive units to the press in the form of the M 276 and M 278 engine series. Featuring optimised direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion, multiple injection and multi-spark ignition, as well as a start/stop function as standard, the new BlueDIRECT engines reach a level of efficiency
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  • 7 May 2010
  • In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Daimler AG and Uzavtosanoat JSC sign an agreement covering the establishment of a joint venture. The joint venture company Manufacturing Buses Central Asia will assemble and sell coaches, inter-urban buses, urban buses and midibuses for the Uzbek market and for export to neighbouring countries.
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  • 1 June 2010
  • On the occasion of the 3rd Road Safety Days event organised by the Motor Presse Club e.V. in Berlin, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates the full scope of its "Real Life Safety" initiative with an extensive range of experimental vehicles and simulators. The event also marks the world premiere of Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, already available in the E-Class and also to be offered from July in the S-Class and CL-Class.
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  • 2 June 2010
  • Daimler AG announces plans to build a development centre for Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks at its Molsheim location in France. Since the establishment of Mercedes-Benz Custom Tailored Trucks (CTT) in 2000, Molsheim has been the central point of contact for all special customer enquiries relating to vehicle conversions and non-standard equipment.
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  • 18 June 2010
  • The utility company EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and Daimler AG launch a joint initiative under the title "e-mobility Baden-Württemberg". The aim of the initiative is to make this region of Germany, where the automobile was first invented, a champion for zero local emissions electric mobility. For its part, Daimler will commit 200 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles to the initiative, all of which are equipped with battery-electric or fuel cell drive.
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  • 21 June - 2 July 2010
  • Mercedes-AMG launches the latest development stage of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL to the press in Kristiansund, Norway. Painted in fluorescent "AMG lumilectric magno", the super sports car features a highly sophisticated zero local emissions drive system with a peak output of 392 kW / 533 hp and torque of 880 Nm.
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  • 23 June 2010
  • At the "International Engine of the Year Awards 2010", the AMG 6.2-litre M 156 V8 engine repeats its success of the previous year to win by a clear margin in the categories "Best Performance Engine" and "Above 4 litres".
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  • 24 June 2010
  • Thomas Built Buses, Daimler Trucks North America’s school bus manufacturer, receives an order from the Los Angeles Unified School District for 130 school buses with CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) technology. This is the biggest contract for natural gas buses in the company’s history.
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  • 28 June 2010
  • An official ceremony is held at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin-Marienfelde to mark the production of the one millionth OM 642 V6 diesel engine. The milestone engine will be used in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that is being built at the nearby Ludwigsfelde plant.
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  • 30 June 2010
  • Following an extensive product upgrade, the Mercedes-Benz truck ranges Atego and Axor with redesigned cab and interior are introduced at a Distribution Symposium in Stuttgart. The Axor will be fitted as standard with the Mercedes PowerShift automatic transmission.
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  • June 2010
  • Setra for the first time delivers two buses bearing the "Blue Angel” ecolabel. Stadtwerke Bingen are the new owners of the two S 415 NF low-floor buses. As eyecatching as they are exacting, the ecolabels recognise products that are very environmentally friendly from a holistic perspective and fulfil stringent health and occupational safety requirements both in production and use.
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  • 3 July 2010
  • The new-generation CL-Class (C 216 series) is launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed near Chichester, UK. The CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY is the first car to feature the new BlueDIRECT engine, M 278, a 4.6-litre V8 biturbo with direct injection. Although engine output has been increased by 12 %, the fuel consumption of the luxury coupé's 320 kW / 435 hp engine is 23 % lower than that of its predecessor. A further factor here is the new 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC PLUS that makes its debut in the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and delivers optimised efficiency thanks to a reduction in converter slip.
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  • 8 - 10 July 2010
  • Electric cars from Mercedes-Benz and smart join the starting line-up for the Silvretta E-Auto Rally 2010. Three smart fortwo electric drive and two B-Class F-CELL vehicles spend three days touring the Montafon region of the Alps. A preproduction Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL also takes part.
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  • 15 July 2010
  • Mercedes-Benz presents the second generation of Active Brake Assist, which will be available in its Actros heavy-duty truck from the end of the year. The scope of the emergency braking assistance system has been extended: whereas hitherto the system was restricted to identifying slower moving objects ahead, Active Brake Assist 2 now also recognises stationary obstacles ahead and triggers automatic braking as soon as the threat of an imminent rear-end collision is identified.
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  • 16 July 2010
  • In the presence of the German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Daimler and Foton Motor sign a contract in Beijing establishing a 50:50 joint venture between the two companies. The agreement covers plans to produce medium and heavy-duty trucks under the brand name Auman, with local engine technology from Mercedes-Benz.
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  • 19 - 23 July 2010
  • At a press trial drive event in Affalterbach, Mercedes-AMG presents the S 63 AMG, the first production vehicle to feature the new biturbo V8 M 157 engine. Even in its basic variant, the innovative, stand-alone eight-cylinder engine from Affalterbach develops output of 400 kW / 544 hp, is a model of efficiency and delivers fuel savings of around 25 % over its predecessor of the same name. In part this is due to the exclusive use by Mercedes-AMG of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission.
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  • 19 - 30 July 2010
  • smart launches the new-generation smart fortwo (451 series) at a press trial drive event in the Ruhr. The new two-seater features an enhanced interior and exterior and more environmentally friendly engines. The 40 kW / 54 hp of its cdi turbodiesel engine produce CO2 emissions of just 86 g/km. The market introduction of the new generation that autumn also coincides with the arrival of an "edition lightshine" limited-edition special smart fortwo model.
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  • 24 July 2010
  • At the Formula One event in Hockenheim, Mercedes-AMG presents to the press the CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG – two high-performance models to round off the new CL generation (C 216 series) at the top end of the range. The 400 kW / 544 hp CL 63 AMG is equipped with the 5.5-litre biturbo V8 M 157 engine, and the 6.0-litre V12 M 275 unit in the CL 65 AMG is uprated to 463 kW / 630 hp.
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  • 28 July 2010
  • Fuso introduces a world premiere in the form of the first dual clutch transmission for trucks. The "Duonic" M038S6 transmission, with six forward gears and one reverse gear, functions much as an automatic transmission, but achieves lower consumption and thus lower exhaust emissions. The "Duonic" also features a wear-free wet clutch, which keeps running costs down by eliminating the need to replace worn clutch discs.
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  • 30 August - 16 September 2010
  • The new generation of Viano multi-purpose vehicle and the Vito van (639 series) are launched to the press in Hamburg. For the Viano, the focus of the facelift has been on optimising the vehicle's comfort and efficiency, as well as on the quality of the materials used; the Vito reveals further improvements in economic efficiency, payload and durability.
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  • 1 September 2010
  • Mercedes-Benz delivers the first five Vito E-CELL vehicles to customers in Berlin. These locally emission-free and quiet-running vans are part of an initial small-series production run of 100 vehicles. With a range of around 130 km, the first battery-electric van to be offered ex factory by any manufacturer is ideally suited to the typical needs of customers in short-distance operations. At the same time, load space remains uncompromised.
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