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For DaimlerChrysler do Brasil, 2006 represents a historical landmark. Today, the company is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of its plant in the city of São Bernardo do Campo. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes Car Group and Andreas Renschler, member of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management and responsible for Truck Group & Buses.

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Two continents, seven time zones, 13 605 kilometres with variations in of over 2 000 metres – the vehicles taking part in the “Paris – Beijing 2006″ rally had to get through a marathon programme between 21 October and 17 November 2006. An Axor 1833 L truck drove ahead of the main convoy. The main function of this truck and its crew: to refuel the entire fleet of cars with diesel fuel. “E-Class Experience” was the name of the adventure in which participants set off from the French capital and drove all the way to the Chinese capital. The main aim of the event was to demonstrate the high level of reliability and the low con-sumption of engines fitted with state-of-the-art diesel technology. To this end, DaimlerChrysler sent 33 teams driving Mercedes E 320 CDI models and three E 320 Blue-Tec on this journey.

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The leading U.S. motoring magazine MOTOR TREND has voted the Mercedes-Benz GL 450 the best SUV of the year 2007. The GL came out on top, beating off a field of 22 competitors. This accolade is all the more impressive as this is the first time Mercedes-Benz has been represented in this market segment, dominated largely by its American rivals. The editorial team looked at all the new models launched over the past 12 months.

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Maybach, the luxury brand with an illustrious past, re-established just four years ago, is adding a fourth variant to its line-up in the shape of the newly developed 62 S model. The “S” stands for “Special” and draws attention to the fact that the Maybach engineers at the Sindelfingen-based Manufaktur workshops have incorporated a wealth of meticulously developed, special features specified by their highly discerning customers into the new 62 S model. The result is a new dimension in travelling comfort, especially for the passengers in the generously proportioned rear compartment of the new high-end luxury saloon. Not to mention a prodigious power output thanks to the enhanced potency of the twelve-cylinder engine developing 450 kW/612 hp, making the new 62 S model the world’s most powerful chauffeur-driven saloon in series production.

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fuel cell technology rapidly moves forward, it finds a path into the hands of performance enthusiasts. On a Saturday afternoon at the Milan Raceway in Michigan, Inergy Automotive Systems drove its leased DaimlerChrysler F-Cell down the quarter-mile stretch with documented times less than 19 seconds, at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle didn’t break any land speed records but the possibility of zero-emissions high- performance has been recognized.

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Mika Häkkinen is ambassador to DaimlerChrysler’s worldwide road safety initiative MobileKids. The two time Formula One World Champion announced this on the occasion of the DTM Race at the Nürburgring. As MobileKids ambassador, Häkkinen intends to show commitment to the objectives of this initiative: “As a father of two children, I know how much depends on the implementation of the MobileKids idea. My dream is that all children, wherever they may be in the world, can move safely and without danger in road traffic. That’s why I’m becoming involved in MobileKids.”

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The new Mercedes-Benz SLR “722 Edition” has all the attributes of a thoroughbred racing car. Refined in numerous respects, this super sports car has more output, a tailor-made suspension configuration and a decidedly sporty interior.

A continuing tradition: the new model variant SLR “722 Edition” is a homage by Mercedes-Benz to the unforgettable victory won by the British racing legend Stirling Moss and his co-driver Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722 (indicating a start time of 7.22 a.m.) at the Mille Miglia in 1955. With an output of 478 kW/650 hp and a corresponding performance, the new super sports car, which goes on sale on July 11, will not only make the hearts of car enthusiasts beat faster.

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In line with a unique action, twenty international artists design the passenger door body panels of the smart forfour. During this years’ BREAD & butter fashion exhibition smart places those twenty vehicles as a VIP shuttle on the streets. It is a unique art installation in an urban space with works of Lolo from Buenos Aires or Sosaku Miyazaki from Tokyo and other aspiring international artists.

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The Mercedes-AMG web site took first place in the “Automotive” category at the presentation of the Webby Awards in New York yesterday. This renowned award programme honours the world’s best web sites every year.

For the tenth time, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has recognised outstanding achievement in the field of web design, creativity, usability and functionality. The Academy is an international organisation whose 550-plus membership includes numerous prominent figures – such as musician David Bowie, “Virgin”-founder Richard Branson and “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening. This year, over 5500 web sites from more than 40 countries were nominated in the 69 categories of the Webby Awards which cover the whole spectrum of the Internet, from cars, fashion, music, politics, sport and lifestyle to design and navigation.

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A new 3.0-liter turbo Common Rail Diesel (CRD) will debut in the 2007.5 Jeep® Grand Cherokee. With more torque than most eight-cylinder engines, equal acceleration and the fuel economy of a small six-cylinder gasoline engine, the Mercedes built 3.0-liter CRD is one of the most advanced powerplants available in the marketplace today. It is designed to be an efficient, smooth-running engine that gives customers up to 30 percent improved fuel economy without sacrificing performance. The 3.0-liter CRD diesel produces 218 hp (160 kw) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque (510 N•m) @ 2000 rpm. Built in Berlin, Germany, the new V-6 CRD engine is entering series production, combining all the current and leading technologies in diesel engine development.

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