Recently, the social icon endorsed Mercedes-Benz in a YouTube video, an action that has some people asking if such practices are ushering in a new age of technology celebrity auto endorsements.

In a dramatic presentation, Mercedes-Benz and Vic Gundotra manage to highlight key features of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and it starts with the engine immobilizer feature prominent on Mercedes-Benz models – a safety feature no driver hopes to ever need, but when they do they are sure glad to have it.

It could have saved Mr. Gundotra’s life.

Below you can watch the Mercedes-Benz video and hear in Mr. Gundotra’s own words how impressed he is – a professional software engineer – with the Mercedes-Benz brand and its world class technology.

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of the versions – the EDITION30 PUR – is based on the previous G280 which had a 224-horsepower engine. This particular model comes with a rubber-coated floor, spray-protected controls and holes in the footwells to make cleaning the inside much easier and more convenient. The cargo area of the PUR has tie-down points and rails so you can secure your gear before you start driving around.

The EDITION30 is based on the G500 that has 388 horsepower. With this edition, you get the perfect blend of comfort and luxury. You’ll also appreciate the class of the platinum black paint and leather trim on the inside.

Unfortunately, you can only get these Mercedes vehicles by special order in Europe during March. However, you can check with a local Mercedes-Benz dealer and see how you can place an order and have it shipped to the United States. Check one out today and help the Benz Mercedes crew commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime event.

One dealer that specializes in the luxury car market had this to say about higher-end used cars: “The bargain out there is a car that’s a couple years old, has been well taken care of, doesn’t have a lot of miles on it but it can be bought at a significant savings.”

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that sales of used Mercedes vehicles were up by more than 25 percent in January 2009 when compared with January 2008. Those are surprising numbers given the financial turmoil that many Americans find themselves in these days. Other studies show that people are taking better care of their luxury vehicles and having them serviced regularly to help make them last longer so the owners can get more bang for their buck, so to speak.

If you haven’t considered the used luxury car market, what’s stopping you? Now is the best time to find some great deals on the car or cars of your dreams!

• Clean one section at a time. If you try to clean the entire interior at one time, you won’t be as thorough.
• Use a soft sponge and a cleaning agent made specifically for leather upholstery. Put a dab of the cleaning solution on the sponge and work it around a small area in a circular motion until it creates a lather.
• Once you’ve covered an area with the cleaner, use a soft dry cloth to wipe it off.
• Use a damp rag to rinse of the area you just cleaned. Continue wiping off the area until only clear water squeezes out of the rag.
• Start on the next spot and repeat.

Your certified Mercedes vehicles will look new and luxurious longer if you keep the leather interior clean. The more you take care of it, the prouder you can be of your car.

“The major benefit is that carmakers will now have an affordable GPS and infotainment system that can be used by the millions of vehicle owners around the world that don’t own the more expensive in-dash units,” said an article by Motor Authority. According to Gearlog, these devices will be “a first step toward navigation modules that can be developed and certified on quicker schedules, then be mated to the cars on the assembly line or even at the dealership.”

The new GPS devices could “close the competition gap” between the current in-dash devices and portable devices. Automakers will appreciate the new technology because they have typically been about three years behind the portable GPS device technology which manufacturers can produce for a fraction of the price.

• Be sure to have a designated driver. Drinking is a lot more fun if you have someone designated to drive who is completely sober. Then you don’t have to worry about getting home safely. Plan this out ahead of time so nobody’s holiday gets ruined.
• Pace your drinking. If you’re one of the lucky partygoers that get to drink, don’t do it all at once. Pace yourself throughout the night to avoid alcohol poisoning or other problems that could ruin the evening.
• Only drink drinks that you have handled yourself. People these days will put things in your drink to make you unconscious so they can rob your or do something worse. This is especially important if you are a woman.

So get your Mercedes vehicles all shined up and ready to go for March 17. Just be sure to stay safe and use some common sense while you’re having fun.

• Tighten your gas cap. This might not seem important, but a lot of fuel can evaporate and escape through the opening if your gas cap isn’t tight. If you have the type of cap that clicks, make sure it clicks a couple times after putting it back on.
• Keep your tires properly inflated. You’d be surprised how much more efficient your car can be when you tires are inflated properly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended PSI for best results in safety and efficiency.
• Keep up with the maintenance. A well-maintained car runs more efficiently. Make sure you do the scheduled oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotations and everything else.

Whether you want to drive new or used Mercedes vehicles, these tips will help you put more money in your pocket instead of in the fuel pumps.

Did you know getting your tires rotated on your Mercedes vehicles on a regular schedule helps keep your repair costs down? The same goes for oil changes, tune-ups and other preventative measures. Unfortunately, drivers do not think about it too much.

“We all get in a hurry, we have the tendency to put things off – and your car is something that doesn’t care for itself,” said mechanic Bobby Armstrong in Nashville, Tennessee. He says if you simply follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your used Mercedes-Benz, you can keep repair costs at a minimum over the years.

Other things can cost more in the long run, too. For instance, if you hear a brake squeaking and decide to wait before getting it fixed, an easy $200 job could turn into a $700 bill because more parts will need to be replaces.

Let this be a lesson to you. Bite the bullet and have the scheduled maintenance done on your used Mercedes-Benz and have any unusual noises checked immediately. You’ll put more money in your pocket and enjoy your luxury vehicle for many, many years.

Lindsay Lohan recently downgraded from her Mercedes SL65 to an SL550. That means her used Mercedes-Benz is now available and up for sale. As the car site Jalopnik puts it, “If history repeats itself she’ll probably drive it, crash it, go to rehab and then someone will put it on eBay,” just like her previous Mercedes vehicles.

In addition to the economic downturn, LiLo may have had some problems paying for her SL65 because she hasn’t enjoyed a huge amount of success lately. Her 2005 movie Herbie: Fully Loaded began her downward spiral in terms of disastrous movies, according to an article in Vanity Fair. Her 2006 movie Just My Luck also received poor reviews and only made less than $40 million nationwide. Other flops include A Prairie Home Companion, Georgia Rule and Chapter 27. She also withdrew from a film adaptation of A Woman of No Importance due to going into rehabilitation.

Either way, maybe you can be the next proud owner of LiLo’s used Mercedes-Benz. We haven’t heard anything about it, but you may just see it on eBay in the next few weeks.

The decision by Daimler AG was not made lightly. In fact, representatives from Mercedes-Benz conducted a rigorous four-day audit of the PPG facilities in both the United States and Germany. Michael Gimpl, the Manager of Daimler AG Global Service and Parts, had this to say about the decision: “We are pleased to continue the collaboration with PG in aftermarket sales as we are convinced of their premium product quality as well as their worldwide service capabilities that add value to our network.”

Representatives visited facilities in Delaware, Pittsburgh, Ohio and Ingersheim, Germany before giving their final approval. They wanted to make sure the operations and products met the high quality standards that their customers are accustomed to with Mercedes-Benz. “One of Mercedes-Benz’s highest priorities is customer satisfaction,” said Kevin Loop, PPG business development manager. “To ensure they attain that goal, they require their partners to design, manufacture and deliver high quality products.”

Keep this in mind when you take your certified Mercedes vehicles in for paint repair. With PPG and MB, you know you’ll be getting the best quality in each respective industry.