CAReer Development Program

After viewing other classmates blogs about HOW to land a job at our specific companies, I said to myself that I was going to include a post about getting a job at Mercedes Benz USA.  While I was doing some research, I came across the CAReer development program.  Professor White has exposed us to many different IT leadership programs at companies such as Northeast Utilities, and The Hartford.  Mercedes Benz has a similar program, but their program, the CAReer development program focuses on all of the major business components of Mercedes Benz USA.  These include:

• Finance
• Research & Development
• Sales and Marketing
• Strategic Retail Development
• Procurement & Supply Program
• Management Office
• Information Technology 
• Human Resources
• Parts Logistics
• Manufacturing

This program is a 12-15 month period in which you work in three target areas at MBUSA, and other MB locations around the world, and upon completion of the program a participant will be placed in their target unit.  Graduates that are enrolled in the program are a full salaried employee of Mercedes Benz.

The Smallest S-Class yet

Mercedes Benz recently announced plans to produce the smallest S-Class in history, a four cylinder engine, called the S250 CDI.  While there are no plans for this vehicle being sold in the United States, it is accountable for about 40% of new car sales in Europe.  However Benz might see a future for the CDI in America, because of the pushes for more fuel efficient vehicles.  While Americans are favoring German diesel's produced by Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen, diesels could have a big comeback.  However while the fuel itself is still expensive, the result over using a traditional gasoline engine is much higher, resulting in about a car that is about 40% more efficient then its non-diesel counter-part.  Another concern of introducing this vehicle into the United States is the American fear of diesel, which comes after the GM diesel era.  Whereas in Europe, consumers are very big on diesel vehicles, despite lawmakers imposing heavy taxes on vehicles.  However, that still seems to be the vehicle of choice in Europe.  The implementation of low-sufler diesel has really pushed sales do to their efficiency ratings, which in turn cancels out the high price of diesel fuel.  It will be interesting if Mercedes Benz decides to produce the vehicle overseas, and if American's will buy it!

Take 2!

Mercedes Benz announced a second recall this year however this time it was concerning a fuel filter failure.  All of the models are only the 2011 BLUETEC models which include the, R, M, GL, and E class clean-diesel engines.  About 2,300 vehicles are being recalled in this latest recall.  The major malfunction was caused by an improper amount of lubricant on the O-Ring in the fuel filter.  This was causing diesel fuel to leak out.  While Mercedes noted that this poses no danger to any of the car occupants, it can cause danger on the road.  As a result of the leaked fuel it can cause the road to become slippery, and can result in a motor-vehicle accident.  Most of the leaks have been reported in Europe, however Mercedes Benz has notified all 2011 BLUETEC owners to make them aware of the issue.  Mercedes is providing a complementary fix/inspection when you bring it to your local Mercedes-Benz dealer.

This year has been a big year for Mercedes-Benz; two recalls within a couple of months, and as we have seen, many automakers are putting profits ahead of safety.  Manufactures know that they produce potentially dangerous asset.  As an emergency responder, I know that vehicles can cause many deadly effects on many people.  By Mercedes-Benz taking quick action to try an fix the problem, rather then wait and see the consequences like Toyota has.  Therefore, we see Mercedes acting in a responsible manner, one that is looking out for their customers, and that they are on the per suit to build cars that are only the best.

Oct 2010 Sales

On November 2nd, 2010 Mercedes reported its monthly sales earnings.  During October 2010, Mercedes sold 19,076 vehicles, up by 4.9% from October 2009.  The three big sellers were the newly redesigned E-Class, C-Class,  and M-Class SUV, all of which got minor facelifts for 2010/2011.  In an earlier post, I blogged about the struggling R-Class in the crossover market.  Merecedes' new redesign looks like it has been paying off.  Sales of the 2011 R-Class crossover have jumped over 52%!  Year to date, Mercedes Benz has sold 184,431 vehicles in 2010, including 59 of Benz's new supercar: the SLS AMG.

Below is a breakdown of sales in the month of October:

MERCEDES-BENZ USA Sales -- October 2010
Mercedes-Benz Passenger  Vehicles	Oct-10	Oct-09	Monthly %	YTD 2010	YTD 2009	Yearly %
C-CLASS	3,771	4,122	-8.5%	49,931	43,556	14.6%
E-CLASS	5,568	6,071	-8.3%	50,298	32,811	53.3%
S-CLASS	1,787	1,114	60.4%	11,512	8,920	29.1%
CL-CLASS	84	66	27.3%	769	1,118	-31.2%
SL-CLASS	207	409	-49.4%	2,044	3,516	-41.9%
SLS AMG	59	-	-	415	-	-
CLK-CLASS	1	232	-99.6%	585	6,674	-91.2%
SLK-CLASS	134	116	15.5%	1,756	2,319	-24.3%
CLS-CLASS	261	177	47.5%	1,645	2,336	-29.6%
R-CLASS	260	171	52.0%	2,466	2,509	-1.7%
M-CLASS	2,826	2,370	19.2%	22,445	19,777	13.5%
G-CLASS	112	86	30.2%	721	521	38.4%
GL-CLASS	1,887	1,426	32.3%	15,821	11,701	35.2%
GLK-CLASS	1,394	1,833	-23.9%	17,672	17,848	-1.0%
TOTAL	18,351	18,193	0.9%	178,080	153,606	15.9%
*SPRINTER	725	-	-	6,351	-	-
MBUSA Combined  Total	Oct-10	Oct-09	Monthly %	YTD 2010	YTD 2009	Yearly %
GRAND TOTAL	19,076	18,193	4.9%	184,431	153,606	20.1%
*Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter Vans are sold and marketed in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans USA, respectively. **SOURCE: MERCEDES BENZ USA