USAA and Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Fleet Program has been working with USAA to offer discounts to members for several months now. It is an excellent opportunity for USAA members to get a special discount on a Mercedes-Benz.

It has been a successful program for both parties but it is scheduled to end on June 30th, 2010. USAA members will not be able to get a Mercedes-Benz Control Number after that date, although Control Numbers issued before that date will be honored for their full 60 day validity.

If you have been meaning to take advantage of this program…now is the time!

Most Popular Paint Colors

People are always asking me what the most popular paint colors are for new vehicles. Since Mercedes-Benz does not make anything too flashy, I have always said that silver, black and white are our best sellers. Turns out I was right! This official ranking from Dupont shows that White is currently top of the heap! I would go a little further and specify that white with a pano-roof is always at the top of my list.

J.D. Power - Mercedes-Benz Ranks Highest In Customer Retention

JD Power has announced that Mercedes-Benz topped the charts for customer retention in 2009! This study measures the percentage of vehicle owners and lessees who replace a previously purchased new vehicle with another from the same brand.

Our loyalty increased 8% over last year to 67% overall! In these tough economic times it speaks to the value of the brand that 2/3rds of our owners come back time after time!

The study says "Mercedes-Benz has steadily improved its customer retention rates during the past five years, and in 2009, has achieved the highest rate ever attained by a manufacturer since the inception of the study," said Festekjian. "In particular, customers cite the resale value and appearance and styling of Mercedes-Benz models as primary reasons to remain loyal to the brand."

You can read the full J.D. Power report here.

2011 E350 and E550 Cabriolet Colors and Options Announced

I have the colors and options but still no pricing. Let me know if you have any questions. As soon as pricing becomes available I will post it.

Exterior Colors:
Black
Obsidian Black
Quartz Blue
Capri Blue
Mars Red
Arctic White
Steel Grey
Iridium Silver
Palladium Silver
Diamond White

Interior Colors:
Black Leather
Black Premium Leather
Almond/Mocha Leather
Almond/Mocha Premium Leather
Ash/Dark Grey Leather
Ash/Dark Grey Premium Leather

Soft Top Colors:
Black
Blue
Dark Beige

Option Packages:
P01 Premium 1 Package:
iPod/MP3 Interface Cable
DYnamic Rear View Monitor
Airscarf
COMAND Navigation with Voice Control
SIRIUS
harman/kardon Sound System
Heated Front Seats
P02 Premium 2 Package:
All of P01 plus
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
Bi-Xenon Active Light System
Headlamp Washing System
Intelligent Hih Beam Control
Cornering Lights
Heated Washer System
Keyless Go
318 Wood Trim Package:
Wood and Leather Shift Knob
Wood and Leather Steering Wheel
321 Appearance Package:
Multi-Contour Front Seats
Agility Control Sport Suspension (standard in E550)
18" AMG Twin 5-spoke Alloy Wheels
997 Distronic Plus Package:
Distronic with Pre-Safe Brake
Parktronic with Parking Guidance

Stand Alone Options:
Illuminated Door Sills
Chrome Door Handle Inserts
Rear Deck Spoiler
Rear Side Airbags
mbrace
Steering Wheel Gear Shift Paddles
COMAND with DVD changer
Heated Front Seats

Jay Leno's Garage -- Review of the SLS AMG

"Real world cars that have real world supercar performance." - Jay Leno

Hope you enjoy Jay Leno's look at the all new SLS.