Mercedes-Benz Vehicles, Concept Cars, and the Mercedes Lifestyle

Have you ever wondered how much celebrities can afford the fashion and lifestyle that they enjoy? If so, check out the latest Forbes Magazine issue with the article that includes a list of Mercedes-Benz driving, multi-million dollar home- buying celebrities that get paid way too much for what they do. If you ask me, they all get paid too much. But Forbes took the research a step further to find out how much some of these celebrities are actually worth compared to how much they get paid.

The researchers at Forbes based their decision on the last three films the celebrities made. They also looked at how much money those films brought in after they were released. The list of the top ten overpaid celebrities is listed below. The numbers listed after each celebrity’s name shows how much the person brings in for every dollar they were paid (for instance, a 2:1 ratio shows that the celebrity brought in two dollars for the company for every dollar they were paid).

10. Cate Blanchett – 4.97:1
9. Will Ferrell – 4.67:1
8. Drew Barrymore – 4.38:1
7. Nicolas Cage – 4.16:1
6. Jim Carrey – 4.11:1
5. Jennifer Lopez – 4.10:1
4. Cameron Diaz – 4:1
3. Tom Cruise – 4:1
2. Jennifer Garner – 3.60:1
1. Nicole Kidman – 1:1

So what can you have in common with these overpaid movie stars? You can drive around in true Mercedes fashion when you get great price on a new Benz at your local MB dealer. If it’s good enough for the big-name celebrities, it’s good enough for you!

Mercedes-Benz has made an incredible splash in the upcoming summer blockbuster film Sex and the City. Mercedes chose this film to debut its highly anticipated GLK Class. Trying to keep the vehicle a secret when filming on public streets, however, proved to be quite a challenge. Nonetheless, Mercedes was up to the challenge, having provided vehicles for a seemingly endless list of feature films. Provided here are just a few of my favorites.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
The most recent major film to feature a Mercedes-Benz was the hit movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Both the newly released 2008 C Class and the Mercedes GLK were featured in separate chase scenes in the movies, for a combined total of approximately seven minutes of screen time.

Men in Black II
The wildly popular alien film sequel put the then-new 2003 Mercedes E Class W211 in the spotlight. As the heroes’ car, the Mercedes was able to do several things that were possible only due to the magic of movie making. Nonetheless, this was a great way to showcase this highly advanced brand new vehicle.

Road House
This classic 1989 Patrick Swayze vehicle featured Patrick as an expert bouncer hired to tame the violence that was taking over a bar. His car was a 1989 560 SEC, the year’s flagship Mercedes vehicle. Interestingly, the car was priced at over $90,000 leading to the inevitable question of how a bouncer could afford such a ride.

Above are just three of my favorite Mercedes sightings in film. If you would like to learn about other famous Mercedes films, pay a visit to Mercedes in the Movies, a site that attempts to fully catalog the long partnership between Mercedes-Benz vehicles and blockbuster films.

Humans are strange creatures. As a whole, we have a sort of pack rat mentality. We enjoy collecting souvenirs and mementos as proof that we went somewhere or did something really cool. Some people collect Hummel figurines, others collect shot glasses. No matter what the main focus of our collections, however, almost everyone enjoys certificates of recognition. We get these when we accomplish major goals, such as crossing the Arctic Circle or the Equator, as well as when we purchase such collectible items as Cabbage Patch dolls.

If you are a Mercedes-Benz owner, you may be unaware of the certificates for which you may be eligible. According to the Mercedes website, owners of new as well as classic Mercedes are eligible for the Mercedes Classic certificate. The certificate provides details of your car’s original factory features. Your application also allows your name to be recorded in the company’s Corporate Archives, allowing future generations to learn your name as a registered Mercedes-Benz owner. The certificate also makes an excellent gift for the Mercedes lover in your family.

If your Mercedes has logged at least 155,000 miles, you can apply for the Mercedes-Benz High Mileage Award. The award includes a personalized certificate along with a traditional star and laurel badge to place on your car. Awards can be obtained at 155,000 miles, 312,000 miles, 466,000 miles, 625,000 miles and one million miles. The award is a true testament to the care with which Mercedes vehicles are built. The current High Mileage champion owns a 1976 Mercedes with over 2.8 million miles.

A personalized certificate is an excellent tribute to the special bond that exists between you, your Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and the company that created it. So don’t miss your chance to become part of Mercedes’ recorded history.

Until quite recently, diesel vehicles in the United States were largely considered the poor relations of gasoline cars. Diesel engines were noisy and rough, and the vehicles often belched noxious fumes into the air. However, diesel fuel was relatively cheap, and diesel engines achieved better fuel economy than their gasoline equivalents. This made diesel an attractive alternative for heavily driven vehicles and semi-trucks.

Today, however, diesel bears little resemblance to its predecessor. Legislation that was implemented by the Clinton administration in 2000 mandated a change in diesel fuel by 2006. The new diesel is low-sulfur and clean-burning, allowing diesel vehicles to, for the first time, pass California’s stringent emissions standards. By 2009, diesel vehicles in California and the states that follow its requirements must be at least as green as gasoline vehicles.

New technology has also quieted diesel engines, making it virtually impossible to distinguish the cars from their gas-powered cousins. Meanwhile, the engines retain their superior fuel economy, which can be as much as 40% better than that of an equivalent gasoline engine.

In the 2009 model year, Mercedes is introducing diesel version of its ML Class, R Class and G Class SUVs. Mercedes is taking the green idea one step further with its enhanced BlueTEC system, which cleans the exhaust before it is released.

The new green diesel movement could prove to be a serious competitor to hybrid technology. However, a spike in diesel fuel prices has some experts concerned. With gas prices already at an all-time high, consumers may be reluctant to invest in vehicles whose fuel is even more expensive. Consumer education will be necessary in order to explain the savings over time that these cars can provide.

If you would like to learn more about BlueTEC and other exciting Mercedes-Benz technology, we invite you to stop by our friendly local dealership. We are happy to answer any questions you have.

Biofuel has long been considered a practical solution to the fuel crisis by forward-thinking environmentalists. However, it has not been taken seriously by most of the country. Now, escalating fuel prices have made biodiesel more popular than ever before. With any new technology comes a criminal element and biofuel is not exception, according to a recent Associated Press article.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source that is made by refining used cooking oil. The oil is put through a process called transesterification, which removes glycerine and adds methanol. Depending on the vehicle’s modifications, the biofuel may be used directly or blended with traditional diesel.

Some small companies have sprung up in recent years to collect used oil from restaurants, refine it and resell it to the public. The city of San Francisco has even developed an organized biodiesel program. Biodiesel blends are now available at over 1,400 gas stations across the country.

So far, the biodiesel market has been small and largely self-regulated. Escalating prices for traditional diesel, however, have led to a surge in biodiesel prices, now up to approximately 66 cents per gallon for crude soybean oil and as much as $1.25 per gallon for clean, refined oil.

This is turn has brought a surge of oil thieves eager to cash in on the biodiesel market. These thieves siphon the crude oil from holding tanks and refine it in backyard stills. They then sell the results on the open market.

Biodiesel is likely to gain in popularity over the next decades. Over time, it is likely that the market will become more controlled and regulated. In the meantime, if you have converted your Mercedes-Benz vehicle to accept biodiesel, you may need to protect your oil supplies from thieves.

The Mercedes-Benz GLK does not go on sale until January 2009. Yet there has already been incredible media hype. Now Mercedes is building on the existing hype by launching a marketing campaign that debuted last week. Why the push? What makes the GLK worthy of an 8 month advertising campaign leading up to its launch? In two words, female drivers.

Although the vehicle is likely to appeal to drivers of all ages and both genders, Mercedes has recently been focusing on expanding its consumer base. A new series of edgy ads designed to target younger drivers has recently launched, and Mercedes-Benz hopes that the GLK will attract younger females.

In order to position the vehicle in the spotlight for this demographic, the vehicle is heavily featured in the upcoming summer film Sex and the City. We have recently discussed the unique challenges involved in filming a highly anticipated new vehicle without allowing spy shots to leak. In any event, the film and the vehicle are expected to appeal to female drivers.

However, the movie is coming out in the summer. There is a danger that the vehicle could be forgotten by the time it is released next January. The solution, then, is to feed the current hype with a promotional campaign that is strong enough to bridge the gap from movie to car release.

The promotional campaign features a series of commercials that are heavily tied to the film, along with an online microsite, special events and loyalty programs. There are similar programs worldwide.

If you would like to learn more about the Mercedes GLK or other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, we invite you to visit our friendly local dealership. We will help you find the Mercedes that is best for you.

Author Stephenie Meyer has written half a dozen young adult vampire novels known as the Twilight series. Her writing is highly acclaimed due to her ability to craft a complete and believable world. Now the high school vampire novels are on their way to the big screen, and Meyer is eager to ensure that her characters are protected.

In the novels, each character is fully fleshed out in a way that is unusual in young adult fiction. The car that each character drives is a further reflection of that character’s personality and way of seeing the world. This brings us to Carlisle Cullen and his Mercedes.

Carlisle Cullen is the father figure of the vampire clan. At nearly 400 years old, his appearance is that of a young, fiercely handsome and charismatic man. He works to keep the clan together, and to live in harmony with the humans of the town. In fact, Cullen has learned to master his killer instinct, becoming the popular town doctor and bringing healing rather than harm. He feeds exclusively on animals and turns only those who are in dire need into vampires.

A successful young doctor is expected to behave in certain ways, and Cullen complies. His Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG is the perfect reflection of the man himself. Sleek and elegant, powerful and in control, yet soft and compassionate, Cullen is a complex and interesting individual. When his car is revealed, it will be immediately obvious to the viewer that there simply was no other choice. He, like the other characters, drives the car that he should drive.

The film is scheduled for a December 12 release, and is expected to be a huge success. Whether you are a vampire fan or not, it will be well worth watching for the Mercedes.

To check out the new Mercedes S55 AMG, stop by Mercedes – Ft Washington, PA, your Philadelphia Mercedes dealer, or your Mercedes Benz of Wilmington.

Britney Spears has been all over the news in the past year for her sometimes-shocking antics. Last year’s car accident, in which she crashed her Mercedes in a shopping complex parking lot, was well-documented. Apparently it has happened again.

News stories claim that Britney was again at fault in this week’s accident, which took place on Sunset Boulevard. Apparently she was sending a text message on her cell phone while stopped at a light. She saw traffic in the left turn lane start to move and thought that her light had also changed. Giving her Mercedes SL some gas, she plowed into the rear end of the Ford Explorer that was stopped in front.

News reports state that Britney did not exit her vehicle, but sent her bodyguard, also in the car, to talk to the other driver. The driver, a female, was invited back to Britney’s estate to resolve the situation. Apparently Britney’s bodyguard drove to the mansion.

It is unknown exactly how the situation was resolved, although it was reported that the driver of the Explorer was invited inside. According to news reports, it appeared that Britney’s Mercedes took most of the damage.

Activist groups have long discussed the dangers of texting while driving, an activity that is banned in some jurisdictions. Watchdogs claim that even more so than having a cell phone conversation, texting requires a great deal of attention to be diverted from the vehicle. This certainly seems to have been the case in Britney’s situation.

I wonder whether Britney’s latest escapades will be enough to convince teens that texting while driving could be dangerous, or whether with all the problems Britney has had recently, this will just be seen as another in a long line of Britney difficulties.

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its reliability, safety, luxury and performance. The company is also innovative and fresh, pioneering such exciting new technologies as the environmentally friendly BLUETEC system. Nonetheless, Mercedes is not always the brand of choice for younger drivers.

The company has recently made a concerted effort to target drivers under 40 with a variety of marketing techniques. Perhaps the most prominent is the key placement of the new Mercedes GLK in this summer’s highly anticipated Sex and the City film. However, Mercedes is also continuing the push with a brand new series of commercials.

The three commercials are focusing on specific themes that are designed to appeal to younger drivers. The themes are “presence,” “attraction” and “ambition.” The first commercial, “presence,” has already been released. It stars popular actor Josh Brolin.

Brolin exploded onto the scene in the well-known 1980s classic, The Goonies. However, he is probably best known for his portrayal of Wild Bill Hickok in the television series The Young Riders. He has worked steadily ever since in TV and film as well as on stage.

The casting of a popular young actor in the first of the commercial series underscores Mercedes’ commitment to courting a younger audience. It has not yet been announced whether Brolin or another young actor will star in the remaining ads, but it seems likely that Mercedes will continue the theme.

With its environmentally friendly new vehicles and the great success of the entry-level C-Class, Mercedes definitely has the product to back up the new targeted marketing. In general, young drivers tend to look for excellent value, great fuel mileage and minimal impact to the environment, all wrapped up in a package that is considered hip and fun. If anyone can make life-long loyalists of today’s youth, Mercedes can.

If you would like to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz GLK, be sure to check out this month’s spotlight or stop by our friendly local dealership. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Last Friday, we brought you information about the Mercedes-Benz GLK’s super secret film shoot for the new Sex and the City movie. At the time of filming, the vehicle had not yet made its public debut, and Mercedes was concerned about paparazzi catching spy shots of the new vehicle. Consequently, security surrounding the set and the vehicle was at an all-time high.

Now it is being reported that the entire film is basically one long commercial for Mercedes-Benz. According to The Improper, Mercedes product placement will be rampant throughout the film. Examples include not only the new GLK’s front and center spot as one the film’s stars, but also the character Mr. Big’s penchant for the Mercedes S-Class. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and even a local Mercedes dealership are rumored to play important roles in story development.

Of course, this is all great news for Mercedes fans. The company is also launching a variety of tie-ins and premiere events, so those who happen to fans of both Mercedes-Benz and Sex and the City will find plenty of entertainment tailor-made to their interests.

Overall, is it the best thing for Mercedes? Certainly, product placements and tie-ins to popular films are only a good thing for corporations in general. With Mercedes’ current push to remain hip and relevant in the 21st century, this seems like the perfect venue. Sex and the City has been a blockbuster television series and it is likely to be an equally successful film. Mercedes has done well in positioning itself within the movie.

Love or hate Sex and the City, this summer is a great time to be a Mercedes-Benz fan. If you would like to learn more about the GLK that is generating so much buzz, why not check out our special Mercedes-Benz GLK focus? When you are ready to buy, be sure to visit our friendly local dealership.