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Urban legends are stories that are passed from person to person in an attempt to teach a lesson, make a moral point or share a joke. Although many urban legends are based on a grain of truth, some are outright fiction. Even those that are based in truth generally have so many details twisted and changed that they are no longer strictly true. Nonetheless, the stories persist because they capture the imagination.

Many urban legends surround companies that are well-respected and enjoy a brisk business. Whether it is a fear of what we view as impersonal corporations, a desire to knock an empire down a peg or two or a simple love of seeing the little guy get his revenge, corporate urban legends tend to be extremely long-lived and strongly believed.

Mercedes-Benz is not impervious to the urban legend rumor mill. Yesterday, we presented the story of the joystick-controlled Mercedes. Today, we will touch on a legend that has much less to do with Mercedes itself and more to do with how we feel about the big oil companies.

Diamond Mercedes
With gas prices continuing to skyrocket, many people have a few choice words for what they perceive as the greed of Middle Eastern sheiks drunk with the power that an unlimited supply of oil wealth can provide. It becomes easy to believe the worst of people when we feel (rightly or wrongly) that they are taking advantage of us.

A set of pictures has been making the rounds of the internet recently, that allegedly depict a $4.8 million diamond encrusted Mercedes-Benz. According to the legend, the Mercedes was custom designed for an oil-rich sheik. It is allegedly on display, but the sheik charges $1000 to touch the car.

However, according to Snopes, this legend is simply untrue. The photos are real, but are of a Mercedes SL 600 encrusted with Swarovski crystals worth $1 million. The car does not belong to a sheik, but was an exhibit car at the DUB Magazine Custom Auto Show & Concert Tour. The vehicle will be on display again at the November 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The car was not purchased with gasoline dollars at all.

Urban legends are fun to pass around, but it is wise to be skeptical. Like most legends, this one has a grain of truth that has been widely expanded into a frustrated and untrue tale. If you know of any Mercedes legends, we would love to hear them! Feel free to join us in our Mercedes forums. You can also share your thoughts at Benz Insider or eMercedesBenz.

It seems to be a fact of modern life. Whenever a company achieves a certain level of status and public respect, one or more urban legends must be spread about that company. The psychology behind urban legends has been hotly discussed in recent years, as television shows and websites attempt to separate fact from fiction and explain how certain legends developed.

Regardless, the legends persist, passed from person to person by word of mouth, blog and email. Mercedes is not impervious to urban legends. Two of the most popular legends, both false, hinge on Mercedes’ reputation as a forward-thinking luxury automobile manufacturer. We will discuss these legends and their origins today and tomorrow.

The Joystick-Operated Mercedes
This legend claims that a new Mercedes, generally named the “SCL600” will be operated by joystick. Accompanying pictures have captions that generally stress the fact that there are no pedals or steering wheel, and often lament the effect that video games have had on modern society.

In fact, the pictures are of a real Mercedes, but not one that will be released to the public. The photos are of a 1996 research car called the F 200. It was revealed at the Paris Motor Show as a demonstration of possible new vehicle technologies. Some elements of that car have since been introduced in new models, although the joystick technology is likely to be years away, if it ever materializes at all.

Mercedes has always been a leader in new vehicle technologies. Research vehicles are displayed on a regular basis as a way of showing industry insiders and the general public concepts on which the company is currently working. However, these “blue sky” technologies almost never materialize in their original concept form. Instead, the new designs are tested and retested and eventually refined into a form that works on a real-world level. Many ideas are abandoned altogether.

If you would like to talk about this or other Mercedes rumors and legends, we invite you to visit our Mercedes forums. You can also discuss your thoughts at Motor Trend’s Mercedes blog or the Blogspot Mercedes-Benz blog. We look forward to hearing your comments! Tomorrow, we will talk about the five million dollar Mercedes.

It is no secret that in today’s troubled economic times, drivers are clamoring for improved fuel efficiency. Dealers are having trouble keeping hybrids on their lots, with waiting lists of more than six weeks in many cases. Meanwhile, customers are trading in their SUVs and luxury cars at an unprecedented rate.

Mercedes-Benz has long been a world leader in environmentally friendly new vehicle technologies. The company has won numerous awards over the years for its forward-thinking designs. However, in recent weeks Mercedes news has fallen by the wayside as consumers rushed for the Toyota Prius and other hybrid vehicles.

Nonetheless, Mercedes continued to quietly work on their latest initiative. Announced last week, the “Road to the Future” details many of the changes that Mercedes will implement in coming months and years.

Mercedes’ new initiative is focused on modular solutions that provide choice for consumers. Mercedes recognizes that consumers who drive mostly on crowded city streets have far different needs than those whose commutes take them down long stretches of relatively uncrowded highways. Therefore, customers will be able to select those technologies that work best for their unique driving styles.

BlueTEC is one example of a recent Mercedes technology designed for environmental friendliness. Now Mercedes is expanding the concept under the label BlueEFFICIENCY. Customers will be able to select from hybrid options ranging from mild to plug-in. They will be able to choose environmentally friendly diesel or conventional gasoline. Eventually, they will able to select fuel cell vehicles.

Mercedes has recently been working hard to target younger drivers. Now the company is also working to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse audience. With so many choices on the horizon, Mercedes-Benz seems well poised to meet the next decade.

You can discuss this story in our forum, or at eMercedesBenz or Benz Insider. We are eager to hear your thoughts.

Mercedes-Benz has been heavily focusing on branding and marketing to younger, hipper drivers. New commercials, new product placement in the summer blockbuster film “Sex and the City,” and even a new director of brand public relations are all focused on this new initiative. Although concept cars are never released “as is,” it seems that the F700, which debuted at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, carries a youthful appeal that is sure to draw in Mercedes’ new target market. Channel 4’s Tim Bowdler recently had the opportunity to test drive the futuristic new vehicle.

The F700 clearly seems designed to meet the needs of young professionals. The exterior is stunning, with flowing curves and futuristic aerodynamics seemingly thumbing their noses at automotive conventions.

Inside, the car again throws aside everything we thought we knew. The rear seats are separated, and the rear passenger seat can be turned 180 degrees to face backward. This allows a busy professional to use the rear seat as an office, complete with 20 inch LCD monitor and plenty of room to spread out papers and work on a computer. Additionally, rear seat passengers can converse without craning their necks.

The instrument panel points upward, with mirrors set at 45 degree angles reflecting the information back to the driver. This allows the dash be set further forward, closer to the road. In turn, this minimizes the effort required to switch attention from the road to the instrumentation.

On the road, the car uses a mild hybrid system to deliver an average 44 mpg, truly amazing fuel mileage for a car of this class. The ride is a dream, thanks to the new PreScan System. PreScan uses lasers to scan the road ahead. The information is then transmitted to the Active Body Control system, which provides dampers to virtually eliminate bumps due to road conditions. The ride is smooth and silky.

Of course, the F700 will likely never be released in its current form. However, like all concept cars, its technologies may eventually find their way into new Mercedes releases. The car exudes a youthful feel, and younger drivers may be the most likely to embrace such new technology as reverse-facing seats and skyward-pointing instrumentation.

You can discuss the F700 here, or at Popular Mechanics or the Super Auto Blog. If you have not already done so, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter as well, in order to stay informed on the latest Mercedes news.

Last week, we brought you information about the Guinness World Record that was recently set by the Mercedes-Benz Actros. In a seven day continuous drive trial, the Actros set the record for the most fuel efficient 40 ton tractor trailer. As it turns out, fuel efficiency is not the only thing that the Actros has going for it. According to Benz Insider, the Actros also features technology that could prevent fully half of semi truck accidents.

The system was fleet tested in 1,000 Actros trucks in 2005 and 2006. Half received the upgraded technology, while the others were fitted with traditional safety features. The results showed that among the trucks with the new technology, there were only half as many accidents. When an accident did occur, damage was as much as 90% lower in the trucks with the additional safety features.

The technology packages includes systems that help guard against the most common types of tractor trailer accidents – rear end collisions and veering off the road surface. The rear end collision avoidance system is known as Active Braking. This system provides drivers with multiple warnings regarding an imminent crash. If the driver does not react, then the system takes over, automatically applying the brakes at full power. The system cannot prevent all collisions, but if an accident does occur, it will take place at a significantly lower speed. The Lane Assistant system helps drivers to stay on the road through a sophisticated combination of warnings, stability assistance and other features.

In the face of the tests’ results, there is increasing pressure on the trucking industry to install these systems in all tractor trailers. Mercedes-Benz is offering package deals designed to help make the new systems affordable for semi truck owners. In addition, some insurance companies are offering discounts to those who have the features installed.

No safety system is a substitute for careful driving. However, the new systems could significantly improve road safety by giving tractor trailer drivers a bit of extra emergency help. As always, we welcome your comments here. You can discuss this topic over at eMercedesBenz as well.

Mercedes-Benz has in recent years been making a concerted push to appeal to younger drivers. A new series of commercials featuring hip young stars and a bold message and the debut of the Vision GLK in the summer blockbuster Sex and the City film are just the beginning of a brand new advertising campaign that Mercedes hopes will bring in younger buyers.

The trend shows no sign of abating, as Mercedes recently brought onboard a young and hip new executive to head its Brand Public Relations Department. Speculation has been running rampant on exactly what new ideas Adam Paige will bring to the table.

As Paige settles into his new office, however, the latest new promotion has been unveiled. This time, Mercedes has scored a slam dunk in appealing not only to young people, but also to environmentalists. The eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC has been spotted in Alanis Morissette’s latest video “Underneath,” from her new album Flavors of Entanglement.

Morissette has long been a staunch environmentalist, and the new video reflects that message. The partnership reflects both the youthful appeal and the green nature of the new Mercedes.

If you have not yet seen the video, you can catch it in regular rotation on VH-1. In addition, the video will be played regularly on Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape, Mercedes’ own web video channel. It will also be featured on the BlueTEC webspecial taking place this month on the official Mercedes-Benz website.

It is clear that Mercedes has chosen a fresh and youthful new direction, and shows no signs of looking back. As a Mercedes enthusiast, or a car enthusiast in general, what do you think of this new focus? Are you happy with Mercedes’ new direction, or would you prefer that the company stick with a more traditional feel? As always, we welcome your comments here. You can also discuss the subject at eMercedesBenz.com or on Benz Insider. If you have not yet done so, be sure to sign up for our newsletter as well, for all the latest on Mercedes news.

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The Actros is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle with which you may not be familiar. The Actros is one of Mercedes’ commercial vehicles, a tractor trailer that was first introduced in 1996. The newest incarnation is also the vehicle that landed Mercedes in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The official title of the award is “most fuel-efficient 40 tonne truck,” and earning it was no easy feat. The qualifying truck was a standard issue Actros carrying 25 tons of cargo. The testing took place over a seven day continuous drive at an average speed of 80 kilometers per hour (approximately 49.7 mph). The drive was conducted on a test course in Nardo, Italy.

In the end, the Actros was found to have a fuel efficiency of 14.53 miles per gallon, a world record for a 40 ton commercial truck. In addition, the truck’s emissions were only 20.5 grams per ton of payload and kilometer. These results clearly demonstrate Mercedes’ ongoing commitment to environmental friendliness.

The tests were conducted under optimum conditions, and show the importance of properly maintaining vehicles. Expert analysis of the results shows that failing to keep tires properly inflated, to check fluids regularly or to perform all needed maintenance on any vehicle can have an enormous impact on fuel economy. In today’s world of rising fuel prices, that is a lesson that we all need to take to heart.

We would love to hear your thoughts on gas prices, the world record or Mercedes in general. You can also discuss these topics at Road Transport’s Big Lorry Blog. Green Car Congress is a great resource for analysis of reported statistics and discussion of the ways in which car manufacturers are greening their fleets.

Mercedes-Benz has recently renewed its focus on public perception. A concerted effort to appeal to young, affluent professionals has been demonstrated in everything from product placement in the summer blockbuster film “Sex and the City” to a new series of commercials featuring popular young stars. Now Mercedes has hired a hip new executive to make sure its efforts are on track.

Adam Paige has over 10 years experience in branding and marketing. He most recently worked for Cohn & Wolfe, a respected public relations firm in Manhattan. His contributions over the past decade have included the United States launches of Plymouth Gin and Tanqueray Rangpur, as well as such international products as the Caribbean launch of telecommunications provider Digicel. He has also worked on branding and public relations for such heavyweight clients as Michelin and Panasonic.

Paige will be given a great deal of responsibility at Mercedes right off the bat. His duties will include responsibility for all brand public relations across Mercedes’ diverse classic and lifestyle initiatives. He will report to Mercedes’ director of corporate communications, Geoff Day.

With Mercedes’ current focus on drawing in youthful drivers with a perception of quality and coolness, Paige’s efforts could truly make or break the company’s initiatives. Right now, it looks like Paige is just the man for the job.

Mercedes-Benz fans everywhere are eagerly following this new development. You can discuss the topic right here, or join in the conversations at blogs such as Motor News Network and Automotive Industry Market. We look forward to hearing your comments, and to seeing the new ideas that Paige will bring to the branding of the legendary Mercedes-Benz.

J.D. Power is a prestigious United States market research institute. Among other tasks, the institute performs an annual study on customer satisfaction in the first 90 days of new car ownership. The institute then develops and publishes a list of the most highly rated new vehicles, and presents awards to those vehicles’ manufacturers.

This year, over 80,000 owners of 2008 vehicles were surveyed. Mercedes-Benz moved up one spot overall, from fifth to fourth. Additionally, the company received awards in three categories. Gold awards were given for the Mercedes-Benz E Class and CLK Class, marking those vehicles as the best of the year in their respective classes. The third award was a Platinum award given to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, recognizing the plant as the assembly facility that delivers the best quality vehicles in the world.

Mercedes has recently renewed its focus on product quality and customer satisfaction, and the efforts appear to have paid off. The J.D. Power awards are considered prestigious, and reflect the opinions of thousands of owners of hundreds of car brands.

Are you happy with your Mercedes-Benz? Are there areas of quality or customer service that you feel should be improved? We would love to hear your thoughts on this. You can also connect with conversations on this story at eMercedes Benz and BenzInsider as well.