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Mercedes-Benz is entering into talks surrounding a bid to buy the former Chrysler Pacifica Advanced Design Center in California.

If the purchase goes through it would give the iconic centre a second life after it was closed to streamline operations at Chrysler earlier this year.

The region is synonymous with car design and Mercedes-Benz has its own studio about 51 miles to the north.

According to reports from auto-motor-und-sport, the move would mean that Mercedes-Benz designers would relocate from their current base into the Chrysler centre which is more than double the size.

If Mercedes-Benz moves into the building it will work alongside the Advanced Design Studio in Como in Italy ten years ago.

Another iconic location, the studio is another important link in the designing of the cars of the future.

The latest invention to be born out of the design studios is the F700 Research vehicle which was announced last year.

HERNDON, Va.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it has been named Grand Marshall for the 40th Annual Tecate SCORE International Baja 500 Thursday, May 29 – Sunday, June 1 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Volkswagen, which has powered hundreds of class wins in off-road racing over the past 40 years in Baja, including thirteen overall wins, is also the official vehicle of SCORE International.
“Volkswagen is honored to be the first auto manufacturer to serve as Grand Marshall for SCORE Baja 500 since the event’s inception,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America. “Volkswagen was SCORE’s official vehicle back in 1973, and is now once again the official vehicle, plus we have the honor of marshalling the event this year, an honor that Volkswagen accepts with tremendous pride.”
In 1973, the Volkswagen model Thing was SCORE’s Official Vehicle; today SCORE officials get to enjoy the luxurious, sophisticated, and highly competent off-road Sport Utility Vehicle Touareg as the official vehicle of SCORE International.
The Tecate SCORE International Baja 500 starts and finishes in downtown Ensenada on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural, marking the first time the race has ever finished on Boulevard Costero. This year’s tight and technical course will run in a clockwise direction for the third straight year. It includes a wide variety of terrain, and over 100 miles that hasn’t been raced for over a decade, along with over 30 miles that has never been raced on.
“The customized Volkswagen Touareg that SCORE has for course identification and marking has worked flawlessly. As a matter of fact, it is easy to forget your riding around the tortuous desert the ride is so smooth and comfortable. SCORE has never had a better course-marking vehicle in its long history than the SCORE Touareg,” said Sal Fish, CEO and president, SCORE International.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - Hyundai Motor America has announced prices for its new flagship, the all-new Genesis sports sedan, starting at $33,000 for a well-equipped 290-horsepower V6 and $38,000 for the 375-horsepower V8 model.

“When we first showed the production Genesis earlier this year, we committed to deliver the interior package of flagship European luxury sedans, world-class driving dynamics, and pricing comparable to entry-level premium brand vehicles,” said John Krafcik, vice president, product development and strategic planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Today, we’re delivering on a key part of that commitment, with a very well-equipped Genesis sedan priced below the most basic Infiniti G35 or BMW 3-Series.”

While Genesis will compete for customers with cars like Lexus ES, Chrysler 300 and Cadillac CTS, Genesis’ performance capabilities and luxury features are comparable to sedans costing tens of thousands of dollars more. With base prices of $33,000 for a well-equipped 3.8-liter V6, and $38,000 for a 4.6-liter V8, Genesis makes a premium driving experience accessible to a wide range of customers. Genesis goes on sale at Hyundai dealerships in July, delivering the kind of value equation American car buyers have come to expect from Hyundai.

Genesis is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture, with an advanced five-link suspension at all four corners. It offers two powertrains, the 290-horsepower Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine mated to an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, and Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. Both deliver outstanding fuel economy.

The Tau produces 375 horsepower using premium fuel and 368 horsepower using regular unleaded, leading all competitors in specific output (horsepower per liter), while also outperforming all V8 performance sedans with a projected fuel economy estimate of 17 city/25 highway. Genesis 3.8 achieves EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 city/27 highway, which outperforms the V6 engines in many smaller, mid-size cars (e.g., Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion) on the highway. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, Genesis showcases features such as XM NavTraffic, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), Lexicon(R) audio systems and electronic active head restraints.

Genesis 3.8 - Standard Equipment
All Genesis 3.8 models come very well-equipped, including a 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine, Aisin six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic(TM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/55R17 tires. Additional standard equipment includes advanced front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags, electronic front head restraints, fog lamps, automatic headlights, dual power heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, power seats, cruise control, Hyundai’s signature white and blue interior lighting with electroluminescent cluster, proximity entry with electric push button start, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio controls, dual front fully automatic HVAC, electrochromic auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with Homelink and compass, AM/FM/CD/MP3/XM (3-month subscription) with iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks, Bluetooth and floor mats.

Genesis 4.6 - Standard Equipment
The Genesis 4.6 builds on the standard equipment found on the Genesis 3.8, adding a 4.6-liter DOHC V8, ZF six-speed automatic transmission, unique 18-inch hyper-silver alloy wheels with P235/50R18-inch tires, chrome lower bodyside moldings, ultra-premium leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped dash and door trim inserts, power glass sunroof with tilt and slide, power tilt and telescopic steering column, integrated memory system, Lexicon 15-speaker surround sound audio system, six-disc CD changer, illuminated scuff plates, wood-trimmed leather steering wheel, electrochromic auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with Homelink and compass, power rear sunshade and rain-sensing wipers with auto defogger windshield.

Courtesy : Hyundai Motor America

Stuttgart– Customer satisfaction and brand loyalty are major factors that contribute to Daimler AG’s long-standing success in the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. Since its establishment in 1998, the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center (CAC) in the Dutch city of Maastrichthas been a key precondition for customer satisfaction. Over the last ten years, the CAChas become the primary contact and service center for established and potential customers all over Western Europe. The facility’s employees, who are recruited from 13 different European countries, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide advice and services.

“Our Mercedes-BenzCustomerAssistanceCenterin Maastrichtstrongly contributes to the continuing improvement of customer satisfaction at the Group,” says Dr. Frank Reintjes, Head of Global Service and Parts, the worldwide after-sales organization of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, vans and commercial vehicles as well as Maybach and smart. “The international makeup of the workforce, and the great expertise on hand, mean that we offer existing and potential customers a range of services that’s unique in the automotive industry. Our staff members at CACMaastricht know everything there is to know about all of our vehicle models and the services and customer loyalty programs we offer. This comprehensive service portfolio makes the CACunique in the European automotive industry.”

The CACalso serves customers of passenger cars, vans and commercial vehicles of the Maybach, smart, EvoBus, Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge brands as well as the Mitsubishi Canter. Staff members handle an average of around 7,000 calls per day, with inquiries ranging from requests for emergency assistance to questions regarding products and services. Employees serve customers in their own native languages and can also provide help in numerous dialects and regional languages such as Catalan.

The CustomerAssistanceCenterwas launched in October 1998 with 130 employees to provide 24-hour service for the Mercedes-Benz brand in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. “We intentionally picked Maastrichtback then because of its geographical position in the center of EUREGIO, the border region between the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. It was the ideal location to set up an international team with the outstanding language skills that are needed by a European customer center,” says Reintjes. Today, 67 percent of CACemployees come from the multilingual EUREGIO area.

ver the years, the scope of services offered by the CAChas been gradually expanded and new countries and brands have been added to the mix. The CACnow has 600 employees from 40 nations who serve established and potential customers from the following European countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and Spain. Staff members are always available to help customers in the event of an emergency (24-hour service) and to provide a comprehensive range of other customer services. These include complaint management and the provision of information on passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In addition, the CACoperates customer loyalty programs, conducts surveys, and analyzes vehicle data.

As services have been expanded and new countries and brands have been added to the mix, the number of inquiries handled by the CACincreased accordingly. Since 1998, some 6.6 million customers and interested parties have taken advantage of the services offered by the CACby contacting the center either via telephone, e-mail, normal mail, or fax. CACemployees currently address an average of 2.5 million inquiries per year.