Don't Copy From This Blog...
People in Stuttgart can now drive cars completely electrically for 29 cents per minute. Daimler today launched its car2go mobility concept in its “home town,” using vehicles equipped solely with electric drive systems. car2go is operating Germany’s biggest all-electric fleet in Stuttgart, encompassing a total of 300 battery-electric smart brand cars. EnBW will set up 500 charging points throughout the city and its surrounding region until end of 2013 so that drivers can recharge electricity from renewable sources of energy.“car2go offers affordable electric mobility for everyone. Thanks to car2go, people in Stuttgart can see for themselves that electric drive systems are suited for everyday use,” said Daimler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche at the mobility concept’s official launch in the New Palace of Baden-Württemberg’s capital city. “With the launch of car2go in Stuttgart, Daimler is once again underscoring its innovation leadership with regard to new mobility concepts and new technologies.”
Residents and visitors of Stuttgart can now travel in an electric car at any time and on the spur of the moment. On their smartphones or the Internet, customers can see where the nearest unoccupied car2go vehicle is located. Using their membership cards, drivers can open the vehicle without any prior booking and lock the door again once their trip is over. Customers can leave car2go vehicles standing at any public parking lot within the 75-square-kilometer service area, which is scheduled to be expanded next year to include selected regions in the greater Stuttgart area.
The LivingLab for zero-emission driving
The launch of car2go is the first milestone in Baden-Württemberg’s “Living Lab BWe mobil” showcase program for electric mobility. As part of this program, numerous projects funded by the federal and state governments will kick off in the coming weeks. The project partners of car2go are the state of Baden-Württemberg, the city of Stuttgart, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, and Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG.
At the press conference in the New Palace, Baden-Württemberg Premier Winfried Kretschmann emphasized the significance of electric drive systems for environmental protection and for Baden-Württemberg as a business location. “With its new concepts and a public infrastructure, electric mobility is taking off right where the automobile was originally invented,” he said. “The charging stations that were set up with the help of the state can now be used for all electric vehicles. Environmentally friendly driving has thus become more convenient in Stuttgart than anywhere else in Germany. That makes us exemplary and a showcase for electric mobility in the best sense of the word. It demonstrates once again that southwestern Germany is seizing the initiative.”Stuttgart Mayor Dr. Wolfgang Schuster had the following to say: “The mobility system of the future will be socially responsible, environmentally friendly, and conducive to economic growth. What we’re talking about here is affordable mobility for everyone - with much lower resource consumption and, above all, less fossil energy use, as well as less air pollution and noise. Stuttgart therefore needs to seize the opportunity to become a center of electric mobility.” The city is also moving ahead with numerous other measures within the framework of the showcase project. Among other things, plans call for car2go to be linked with other municipal transportation services, in particular with the Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB) public transport company.
“Electric cars need a comprehensive, functional and customer-friendly charging infrastructure. This means they simply need energy, which we are supplying for car2go vehicles and many other electric cars on Stuttgart’s streets,” said Dr. Frank Mastiaux, Chairman of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, about the importance of the charging infrastructure.
Electric driving for 29 cents per minute
The use of a fully electric smart two-seater in Stuttgart costs the same as a drive with a gasoline-powered vehicle at other car2go locations: 29 euro cents per minute of driving - a price that also includes taxes, insurance, and electricity for the first 20 kilometers traveled. There are no parking fees, and when drivers pull over and stop their cars, the price falls to nine cents per parked minute. The discounted hourly and daily flat rates are €12.90 and €39, respectively.
As is the case in other cities, Stuttgart’s car2go service is jointly organized by Daimler's car2go subsidiary and the Europcar vehicle rental company. Registration is required, but the process can easily be completed at the car2go shop (Stephanstraße 25) and at the Europcar outlets on Friedrichstraße, in the main train station, and in Vaihingen and Bad Cannstatt. Public transport customers can use car2go by obtaining a mobility pass at a Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB) customer center. Registration for car2go will remain free of charge until the end of the year - and all new customers will also be credited 30 minutes of free driving. Moreover, customers from car2go’s other German locations in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, and Ulm can use their membership cards to access the service in Stuttgart without any need for further registration. Conversely, Stuttgart car2go customers can drive the white and blue cars in the cities mentioned above without any additional formalities.
car2go - a pioneer and a world market leader for flexible carsharing
When car2go was first tested by Daimler in 2008, it simultaneously established a new segment for flexible carsharing services. With its launch in Stuttgart, car2go is now available in 16 cities in Europe and North America. The company currently has around 250,000 customers - more than four times as many as were registered at the beginning of the year. As a result, car2go is now the fastest-growing carsharing company in the world. A car2go vehicle is rented around once every four seconds on average around the globe. This mobility concept will be available in more than 50 cities worldwide by the middle of the decade. Daimler’s car2go GmbH subsidiary is part of the Group’s Financial Services division (Daimler Financial Services AG).
The Stuttgart car2go system is also operated by car2go Deutschland GmbH, a joint venture between the Daimler subsidiary car2go GmbH and the Europcar vehicle rental company. car2go customers who apply for a Europcar partner card can also rent vehicles from the company’s entire product range at a special discounted rate. More specifically, the partner card grants customers a 15 percent discount on Europcar’s best available daily rate, thus ideally complementing car2go whenever a smart fortwo would be insufficient for tasks such as long-distance trips or transporting bulky loads.
Comprehensive charging station coverage
Operation of the fully electric car2go fleet is made possible by an extensive and publicly accessible charging infrastructure that is being established by EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG as part of the showcase project. car2go customers and all other drivers of electric vehicles can now recharge their cars at around 300 charging points. The charging stations’ locations were jointly selected by the city and the district advisory councils. EnBW will increase the number of charging stations in Stuttgart and the surrounding region to 500 by the end of 2013. The electricity supplied to the electric vehicles is produced exclusively from renewable energy sources. The smart fortwo car2go models have a range of up to 140 kilometers; the average trip taken with the vehicles ranges from five to 15 kilometers. Customers are automatically requested to proceed to a charging station whenever their vehicle’s battery charge drops below a certain level.
car2go and “moovel”
The use of electric drives isn’t the only thing that sets car2go in Stuttgart apart from the rest, as the concept was completely integrated into Daimler’s “moovel” mobility platform from the very beginning. moovel itself has been undergoing testing in Stuttgart since July 2012 and in Berlin since the end of October. The system’s user-friendly app allows customer to compare different mobility options and thus determine the optimal way to get from Point A to Point B.
moovel provides information about both private and public transport. In Stuttgart, it therefore includes data from Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB), Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart GmbH (VVS), and the strategic partner carpooling.com GmbH (mitfahrgelegenheit.de). Beginning today, the moovel app also shows car2go vehicles that are available for immediate reservation near any given location..jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don't Copy From This Blog...
The 23rd MercedesTrophy World Final in Stuttgart ended yesterday evening with the awards ceremony in the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The MercedesTrophy is a special global premium tournament series for amateurs, which this year again broke the record set last year for the number of participants: over 65,000 players from more than 60 countries took part in the 2012 MercedesTrophy. Some 33 teams from around the world, each with three players, travelled to the “birthplace of the automobile” over the period 13–18 September 2012 to decide this year’s top national team and best individual player. This year’s winner of the Nations Cup is the team from East Asia, with a points total of 195. In second place was the team from the United Kingdom with 193 points, followed by the team from the Netherlands with 191 points. The Team Spirit Award, the winner of which is selected by the participants themselves, was presented by brand ambassador Franz Beckenbauer to the team from South Africa.
In the individual scoring, the following players won the MercedesTrophy World Final: with 63 points, Guy Sawyer from Canada achieved the best overall score. On 72 points, Jose Ressurreicao from Portugal posted the best result in Class A. In Class B, Hak Hyun Jung from Korea with 75 points, and Wouder de Ruiter from the Netherlands took the honours in Class C with a points total of 73.
“For us, the MercedesTrophy is an essential component of our international golf involvement. We invite customers and friends of the brand to our home city of Stuttgart and provide them with an experience that is both exclusive and out of the ordinary”, said Lüder Fromm, head of Global Marketing Communication Mercedes-Benz Cars. “On behalf of Mercedes-Benz, I would like to congratulate this year’s winners on their outstanding performance, and express my thanks to all the participants for taking part.”
As well as the sports activities, the MercedesTrophy finalists had an opportunity to experience the Mercedes-Benz brand at close quarters. The programme included a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum, a guided tour of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen and Mercedes-AMG test drives with current models, including the SLS AMG, the ML 63 AMG and the SL 63 AMG. The awards ceremony also featured the presentation of the concept style coupé, the design study of the CLA, whose market launch is scheduled for next year.
German Laureus Ambassador Axel Schulz took on all challengers in the special competition “Nearest to the Pin”, at which donations were collected for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. As one of the founding members, Mercedes-Benz is particularly involved in supporting this foundation. For example, in addition to what is collected at the MercedesTrophy World Final, all of the donations made during the MercedesTrophy qualification tournaments that were staged around the world will also go to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
In the competition, “Drive to The Major”, which was played on the first day of the tournament, participants had the chance to win a trip to “The Open Championship 2013” and a slot in the qualification tournament for the “Monday After Event”. As the official automotive partner of the world’s oldest golf tournament, Mercedes-Benz offers participants the chance to tee off on the historic links course. Their opponent in the “Straightest Drive” competition was none other than the most successful German golfer of all time and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador, Bernhard Langer..jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don't Copy From This Blog...
The MercedesTrophy World Final in Stuttgart will conclude the 23th year of the amateur invitation series organised by Mercedes-Benz. Some 33 teams from around the world will be travelling to the “birthplace of the automobile” over the period 13–18 September 2012 to decide this year’s top national team and best individual player.“We deliberately decided on Stuttgart as the location for the final more than two decades ago. We want the participants to experience our brand values of fascination and perfection in the setting of the MercedesTrophy World Finals”, says Lüder Fromm, head of Global Marketing Communication Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Needless to say, the fringe events will include visits to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, as well as an AMG driving experience in the SLS AMG, the ML 63 AMG or the SL 63 AMG, plus the presentation of the Concept Style Coupé.”
The World Final traditionally begins with a welcome evening, at which participants appear in their national costumes. The special guest this year will be Bernhard Langer, brand ambassador and the most successful German golfer of all time. The three rounds of golf will be played at the Solitude and Schloss Nippenburg golf clubs around Stuttgart. The awards ceremony will be held at an exclusive dinner at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, at which football legend and brand ambassador, Franz Beckenbauer, will present the Team Spirit Award. Last year, for the first time in the history of the MercedesTrophy, the first place was shared. With 201 points each, New Zealand and southern Asia took first place equal on the winner’s podium, closely followed by the UK in third with 200 points.
In the special competition, “Drive to The Major”, on the first day of the tournament, participants will have an opportunity to experience a further unique golfing highlight. Those competing in the “Straightest Drive” competition against Bernhard Langer can win a trip to the Open Championship and the chance to participate in the qualification tournament for the “Monday After Event”. As the official automotive partner of the world’s oldest golf tournament, Mercedes-Benz is giving participants the chance to tee off on the historic links course. The winners will also be invited to follow the major tournament live on the course as a VIP guest of Mercedes-Benz.
German Laureus ambassador Axel Schulz is sponsor for the special competition, “Nearest to the Pin”, on the third day of the tournament. During this event, donations will be collected for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. As a founding member, Mercedes-Benz is providing particular support for this organisation. For example, in addition to what is collected at the MercedesTrophy World Final, all of the donations made during the MercedesTrophy qualification tournaments that were staged around the world will also go to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
Don't Copy From This Blog...
MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS is delighted to announce that the inaugural German FOTA Fans’ Forum will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, 18 July in Stuttgart. Beginning at 1730 in the Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Stuttgart, the event will offer German fans the opportunity to quiz Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg (Sahara Force India F1 Team), Timo Glock (Marussia F1 Team) and Norbert Haug about one of the most exciting Formula One seasons ever and much more to do with Formula One.The inaugural Stuttgart FOTA Fans’ Forum marks the beginning of a very special home race weekend for Mercedes-Benz. This year marks the 111th anniversary of Mercedes Motorsport, which began with victory for Wilhelm Werner at the 1901 Nice Speed Weeks at the wheel of a Mercedes 35 PS. Exactly two weeks after the anniversary, Nico Rosberg scored the 111th Grand Prix victory for Mercedes at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix – in his 111th Formula One start.
Ticket holders for the 2012 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim will also have the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences with Mercedes-Benz across the race weekend. In addition to unrivalled views from the Mercedes Grandstand, fans can get to know the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class with a special driving experience. A full entertainment programme on the stage behind the Mercedes Grandstand and the Mercedes-Benz Experience World offer free fun and will feature plenty of surprises.
“It’s great to begin the German Grand Prix weekend with the Fans’ Forum,” commented Michael Schumacher. “That shows we’ve got our priorities right. And it’s especially good that our German colleagues from other teams will be there, too. It’s nice for Mercedes to be taking an active role and hosting the event for the other guys.”
“It’s something really special to kick off the race weekend on Wednesday with the Fans’ Forum in Stuttgart,” said Nico Rosberg. “I’m looking forward to seeing the German fans and it’s a great opportunity to meet them talk about Formula One. Make sure you’re there, it’s going to be worth it!”
“Our home Grand Prix in Hockenheim will be one of the highlights of the racing season,” concluded Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “We are delighted to be offering German F1 fans the opportunity to put their questions to four of our country’s five F1 drivers on Wednesday afternoon. Hockenheim is one of our sport’s special theatres – and the views and panorama from the Mercedes Grandstand are fantastic. We are going all out to provide the fans with an experience to remember at the race weekend, and we hope there will be a few reasons for them to celebrate, too, on Sunday evening.”
REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE FAN FORUM
The Stuttgart FOTA Fans’ Forum will offer places for 200 pre-registered fans. Registration can be completed through the following website: www.fota.co/events . After registering their interest in attending, fans will receive a confirmation email which will serve as their proof of attendance upon arrival. Please note that the Fans’ Forum will be held in German.
MAKE SURE YOU SEE THE RACE LIVE IN HOCKENHEIM
Tickets for the 2012 German Grand Prix can be purchased using the following Mercedes-Benz ticketing hotline: +49 180 597 22 67 . The video trailer celebrating 111 years of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport with Nico Rosberg can be found here: http://youtu.be/u87MvknLzjM .~ Official photo and details courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~ Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)