Monthly Archives: August 2011

BMW leads German Trio for November sales

BMW along with its fellow German luxury car makers Mercedes and Audi reported November’s sales increase was 20% compared to last year. Mercedes reported a 14% year on year increase while Audi reported a 5.2% increase.

The revamped BMW 5 Series released in BMW Edinburgh and the new X1 Sport Utility Vehicle has attracted new and existing customers. Deliveries of BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce cars rose by 20% to 128,014 units, Audi sold 87,050 vehicles while Mercedes sold 112,300 units.

Most global manufacturers have suggested that the emergence of the Chinese automotive market and the resurrection in the US market has helped car makers through the last few months. Audi’s A1, A7 and A5 have helped Audi attract more customers, BMW’s new 5 Series and X1 SUV helped the brand build momentum for the end of the year.
A German stock broker said, “At BMW, you can clearly see the strong success of the new products that will continue with the new 6-Series next year, followed up later by the 1- Series.” So the next year or so should be good for BMW especially as it continues to introduce new striking models and revamps of current one.

Audi which publically stated that it aims to overtake BMW as the luxury-auto sales leader by 2015 said its deliveries in the 11 months through November surpassed the full-year sales record set in 2008, with more than 1 million vehicles sold.

But, BMW has defended its strong lead this year by increasing year on year sales by 15% to 1.11million units.

2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

The German automaker Mercedes-Benz has introduced its hot-looking hatchback concept, A-Class, at Shanghai Auto Show and then at New York Auto Show this month. Inspired from natural elements like the wind and the waves, this car is more stylish and aggressive than its predecessors.

The Concept A-Class, a front-wheel drive model, is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine taken from Mercedes M270 series and capable of producing 210 horsepower mated to a dual clutch transmission with less emissions and fuel consumption. When new A-Class is purchased in the market, it will have a number of competitors like Audi A1. 

2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

Mercedes-Benz has debuted this concept to confirm that its next-generation small car will adopt a sportier hatchback design to take on competitors like the BMW 1-Series and Volkswagen Golf

Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class Exterior and Interior

Exterior of the Concept A-Class characterizes strong and defined edges mixed in with free-flowing details reminiscent of the design used in the F800. Besides, it has a long bonnet matching the large radiator grille, whose center features an enormous Mercedes tri-star logo. This concept’s headlights are well-equipped with full-LED high-performance lights consisting of 90 optical fibers.

The exterior of Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class looks stylish and attractive

The large radiator grille is patterned with metallic silver hexagons on black stems

The first thing inside the Concept A-Class you can see is the clean dashboard covered in a translucent and stretchable fabric lining and the air vents with red dials in the instrument cluster. This car also features other notable elements including a fully integrated smartphone serving a variety of purposes.

The center console of Concept A-Class is designed to simulate the look of a plane’s flight control panel

All functions directed to the smartphone can be operated by using the car’s push control system