The competition starts with the auto industry choosing a list of cars and trucks for inclusion into the competition. Then, a panel of 50 people who are automotive journalists study the features of each vehicle and judge them, based on each vehicle’s merits of new technology and improvements. There were 17 cars in the car of the year division and 7 trucks listed for the truck of the year division. They have chosen three finalists in each division.

The M-Class series didn’t reach the final three, however, the fact they were nominated shows that great improvements have been made to the SUV. Some of the newest features include:

• 7 speed automatic transmission with touch shift
• Electronic Stability along with 4 wheel drive
• Navigation System
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Privacy Glass on the rear doors

These features and more were what helped Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV be nominated into the Truck of the Year competition. Mercedes-Benz dealers are very proud as customers come in to view the new SUV to see for themselves all the new features.

The winners of the 2012 North American Car Of The Year will be announced in January during the American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI. Visit your local Mercedes-Benz dealer to view the new M-Class along with the other models and see the new features and improvements. You just may go home in a new M-Class.

In the next decade, planned changes will include, but not be limited to:

• LCD Dash Modes – Your dash colors will now determine what driving mode you are using. There is an eco mode, which tells you if you are driving at optimum fuel savings. In the sport mode, the dash colors will be red, letting the driver know that your fuel mileage is not as good as it should be. For those driver who don’t want all the colors flashing at them, you can drive in comfort mode, which will be a traditional dash. And, if you drive enough in eco mode, the vehicle will alert you when you can let your hair down and drive in sport mode!
• Active Force Foot Pedal – This technology brings somewhat of a brain to the vehicle. If a vehicle stops suddenly in front of you, the foot pedal will push against the driver’s foot alerting him/her to slow down. Remember though, it does not brake for you, it just alerts you. But this is a great technology in order to       make the roads safer.
• Intelligent Tire System/Fill Assist – In the past, vehicles have had a light on the dash to let the driver know if there is a low tire. With this’ new technology, not only will it let the driver know of low tire pressure but also if your Mercedes-Benz treads are getting thin and need to be replaced. Additionally, the sensor, which is located on the inner tire tread, can even let drivers know if the roads are too icy for their speed.
• Emergency Steering – Some drivers get confused in which way to steer during a swerve. The emergency steering will automatically make it harder to turn in the wrong direction. The driver will instinctively turn the steering wheel in the right direction as that will be the only way to turn the wheel.
• AutolinQ – Since states are banning the use of cell phones while driving unless they are hands free, the auto industry has come up with a new way to check emails and rss feeds while driving. The technology will use your Mercedes-Benz’s speakers and read the emails aloud to the driver. Not everyone will use this technology, but it is a very good idea for the drivers who insist they cannot be away from their emails for very long.

Mercedes-Benz technology is taking great strides withe these latest innovations. It will just be a matter of time before we get to use these types of technology. It will be fun to see what they come up with next.

Here are a few car buying terms you should know before you sit down to discuss your Mercedes financing options.

• HEV – Hybrid electric vehicle. Whether you’re looking for a new Mercedes or a used model vehicle, if you are shopping for a hybrid, then you should know the acronym your car dealer will use to designate this type of vehicle.
• FWD/RWD – Every vehicle has a driveshaft. The more common driveshafts are front wheel drive (FWD) and rear wheel drive (RWD).
• AWD/4WD – All wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. Do you know the difference? An all wheel drive vehicle uses all four wheels for traction control all the time. 4-wheel drive vehicles require you to switch from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive.
• SOHC/DOHC – Single overhead camshaft and dual overhead camshaft.

There are plenty more terms to know before you go car shopping. This is just a primer. But if you’re shopping for a Mercedes, then it’s important to know your terminology as well as your finance options.

<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2559" src="” alt=”Mercedes-Benz teen driver training academy Los Angeles” width=”300″ height=”200″ hspace=”10″ vspace=”10″ />

So you might be asking the question: Why Los Angeles?

That is a good question. The reason Mercedes-Benz chose to open up a new driving academy in Los Angeles, one geared toward teen drivers, is because L.A. is considered the driving capital of the world. It’s a happening place and the streets are busy. And since teen drivers are more inclined toward automobile accidents than any other driver, it just makes good sense to focus a driving academy that caters specifically to their needs and that trains them well above the current expectations.

California law is pretty lax in terms of driver qualifications. Students receive 30 hours of classroom time and only 6 hours of training behind the wheel before they are allowed to sit for the drivers test in the state. That just isn’t enough on-the-road time with a qualified driving instructor.

So Mercedes-Benz has the answer. Give them 15 hours of online instruction, 10 hours of classroom driving instruction, a three-hour safety workshop, a two-hour distracted driving exercise, and 16 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a qualified driving instructor. Mercedes-Benz believes this training regimen will produce better teen drivers and save more lives. The training academy is based on a similar Mercedes-Benz driver training academy in London.

How to Win

About Winner’s Circle Sports Grille

• 4.6-liter V8 engine
• 7-speed automatic transmission
• Paddle shifters
• 4MATIC all wheel drive
• 4-wheel automatic traction system
• AIRMATIC air suspension with 4-wheel level control
• Electronic Stability Program
• Antilock Braking System
• Brake Assist
• Trailer Stability Assist with optional trailer hitch

MSRP is set at $57,720. For what you get, that’s a steal.

Let’s start with the engine. The 3.5-liter V6 contains 24 valves and puts out 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm with a torque of 273 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm. The tranny is 7-speed automatic. And the fuel efficiency registers at 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Impressive.

Standard features include:

• Locking fuel filler door
• Vehicle anti-theft via alarm and engine immobilizer
• Selective unlocking via remote
• Automatic brake drying
• Pre-charging brake optimization system
• Hill start assist
• 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
• Wireless access for Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Memory card reader
• World class audio system
• DVD player includes 7-inch screen
• Voice activated control for Bluetooth
• Steering wheel mounted controls for audio, wireless devices, transmission, and instrumentation
• Rollover sensor with crumple zones
• LATCH
• State-of-the-art airbag system
• Power soft convertible top

But there is a company that is threatening that reputation and you should be aware of it.

This company has set up a fake Kelley Blue Book website designed to get you to put your money in “escrow” under the guise of a buyer protection program. Kelley Blue Book doesn’t have such a program and you shouldn’t fall for this scheme.

When it comes to judging automotive values, including the values of new and used Mercedes-Benz’s, there are few names you can count on. Kelley Blue Book is one of them. We respect KBB and we ask that you show your respect and support for the organization by not throwing your good money away after bad value. Instead, hold onto your cash until you visit a reputable Mercedes-Benz dealer. And only buy from dealers you trust.

The fuel efficiency registers at 19 and 25 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively.

The engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 that kicks out 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. It’s a rear wheel drive with a turning ratio of 20.0 inches.

You also get plenty of room inside for a sedan. Luggage capacity is 16.4 cubic feet. Standard seating is for 5 passengers and they get 42.3 inches of leg room in the rear and 41.9 inches in the front. Shoulder room is 59 inches all around and hip room is 59 and 60 inches, respectively.

Key features include:

• Front and rear map lights
• Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
• Auto dimming day and night rear view mirror
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning with separate control for the rear
• State-of-the-art airbag system
• Front and rear fog lights
• Slide and tilt glass first row sunroof
• Fixed glass second row sunroof with sunshade
• Optional roof rack
• 12-way power front bucket seats with lumbar support
• Navigation system with voice activation features
• AM/FM/HD satellite radio with 6-disc in-dash CD player and 15 harman/kardon speakers

This is actually the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz has won this honor. The study is the 2011 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index U.S. Auto Industry Benchmarking Study. Mystery shoppers visit auto dealers around the country and report their findings, which are then published as an independent study. Below are some tweets linking to various pieces of the study across the blogosphere.

Overall, luxury dealers came out ahead with several auto dealers going against the grain to improve in a bad economy. Mercedes-Benz stands alone at the top of the heap for prospect satisfaction. It could be because our drivers tend to be loyal to our brand.

Of course, Mercedes-Benz has always been synonymous with luxury and quality. We don’t plan to back down now. We’re proud to be at your service. And we’re looking forward to next year’s prospect satisfaction survey.