Mercedes-Benz scores top marks in customer satisfaction study

 Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz customers are the most satisfied. The proof comes with the results of the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS^SM) Germany, undertaken by the world-renowned market research organisation J.D. Power and Associates into the satisfaction of car buyers. The C-, E- and M-Class each scored the best marks in their respective segments. In the category Service Satisfaction, the three-pointed star also once again secured first place among the premium brands. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has won silver in the editorial awards presented by the German magazine AUTO TEST, based on more than 500 tests and pre-purchase consultations.

The strengths and weaknesses of a car are best shown in its day-to-day running. This realisation lies behind the J.D. Power 2011 Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS^SM), a far-reaching survey of how satisfied car owners are with their vehicles. The results appear as a list that ranks more than
100 models from 28 manufacturers in eight categories. The current study shows Mercedes-Benz models in first place three times, while the brand also scores exceptionally well when it comes to service:

• In the ranking "Overall VOSS^SM - Compact Executive", the top slot is taken by the C-Class, reflecting the fact that its customers are the most satisfied among those of all models in the Midsize Premium category.
• The E-Class takes first place for customer satisfaction in the Executive Luxury Car ranking, followed by the S-Class.
• The M-Class trails all other models in the "SUV" segment in its wake when it comes to customer satisfaction.
• Mercedes-Benz took first place ahead of all other premium-brand manufacturers in the service satisfaction category.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and CLK were already the winners in their segment in 2010. First place across all brands was taken by Mercedes-Benz.
In the category of service satisfaction, Mercedes-Benz was also already placed well ahead of its premium-class competitors in the 2009 and 2010 studies. Customers were asked for their views on criteria such as the friendliness of
the service advisor, the condition of the equipment used and the thoroughness with which any servicing or maintenance work was undertaken.

Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars Management
responsible for Sales and Marketing: "We are delighted that our customers
are able to experience this high level of quality on a day-to-day basis and have shown their recognition in this way. Our aim is to offer products that delight, coupled with excellent customer care and the best service. All this is integral
to the Mercedes-Benz brand. The results of these latest studies provide confirmation for the work we do."

The J.D. Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study undertaken by the global market research company J.D. Power, based in Los Angeles, is seen as an important guide for buyers.

For this current study, the market research specialists undertook an online survey of more than 17,000 motorists in Germany, asking about their experience with their vehicle. All of them had at that point been driving the
car for around two years and driven almost 39,000 kilometres. The survey is therefore based on the experience of over 650 million kilometres of everyday driving. In order for a reliable assessment of the strengths and weakness of each model to be made, the owners were asked to give marks for overall satisfaction, quality and reliability, vehicle appeal, service and ownership costs.

The positive image of the premium automotive brand Mercedes-Benz is rounded off by the silver award presented for the E-Class by the editors of the German magazine AUTO TEST. The results are based on more than 500 tests and pre-purchase consultations as well as on almost two million driven kilometres, and add up to a well-founded guide for buyers.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles thus take the lead among some of the most desirable premium passenger cars, whilst also proving themselves in terms of their excellent reliability and value retention.

Mercedes-Benz India becomes the first automotive manufacturer to launch a Mobile-optimized Website in India

• http://m.mercedes-benz.co.in is optimized for all Smart phones, Androids, and web enabled mobile phones
• Visitors may now enter the Mercedes virtual showroom, contact dealers or request brochures and test-drives, all from their mobiles
• Updated news and events information, latest TV commercials, great wallpapers and technology reads and more available on the mobile-optimized website
• The corporate website of Mercedes-Benz India, www.mercedes-benz.co.in now features  faster browsing, easy navigation and richer viewing experience for the visitors 

The new Mercedes-Benz India Mobile-optimised Website

Mumbai, June 10, 2011: Continuing its legacy of introducing newer innovations and catering to the rapidly evolving set of tech savvy customers, Mercedes-Benz India becomes the first car manufacturer in India to launch a mobile-optimized website, m.mercedes-benz.co.in
The new mobile-optimized website can be readily accessed through multiple mobile devices including smart phones, Androids and other feature phones capable of internet browsing. Customized for mobile viewing, the website presents a summary of the brand’s corporate website, which is designed to function like a virtual car showroom with information on product highlights, technical data, picture galleries, pricing and details on local service centers. 
The mobile website is served in multiple layout modes device specifically to ensure maximum quality output: irrespective of using HTML, xHTML or WML. Aimed at offering improved usability, better graphics & functionality, users soon will also have the option of redirecting themselves to the mobile website from the main website as well. 

The new Mercedes-Benz India Mobile-optimised Website

Mr. Manas Dewan, General Manager, Corporate Communications & Strategic Planning, Mercedes-Benz India Ltd elaborated, “The mobile website reflects the contemporary nature of the Mercedes brand. Our mobile optimized website will ensure that customers and enthusiasts of the Mercedes brand can enjoy far greater levels of interactivity as compared to any other manufacturer in India. Features like– fast browsing, video and flash content, easy navigation and enhanced interface will further enhance browsing experience”
Mercedes-Benz India has also upgraded its corporate website www.mercedes-benz.co.in. With optimized interface, easier navigation and features such as a full-screen viewing, bookmarks and downloads, the visitor experience has been significantly enhanced. 
Besides being the pioneers of luxury automobile Mercedes-Benz now also earns the distinction of pioneering the concept of mobile website in India that truly epitomizes the core brand philosophy of “The Best or Nothing”.

Mercedes-Benz is once again Germany’s strongest brand in the ADAC AutomarxX study

• Mercedes-Benz takes first place in the Safety category and overall
• Significant improvement in the CO2-ranking: Star brand moves up 11 places 
• Mercedes-Benz the most successful brand since the introduction of AutomarxX, capturing first place a total of 13 times

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz has once again defended the top position in the ADAC AutomarxX study, making it Germany’s strongest automotive brand. Mercedes-Benz is the most successful brand since AutomarxX was introduced in 2001, capturing first place a total of 13 times and beating its competitors in more than half of all the rankings. The ADAC AutomarxX study assesses the automotive brands sold in Germany in six categories: Brand Image, Market Strength, Customer Satisfaction, Product Strength/Vehicle Quality, Environment, and Safety. The results reflect the current capabilities of all automakers that are of relevance in Germany. A winner is ascertained for each category and out of this the overall winner is determined.

“We’re very pleased that we once again are ranked first in the ADAC AutomarxX study,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The result confirms our ambition to deliver our customers the very best. Our first place finish demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz continues to be the strongest brand. This also includes Mercedes-Benz being a pioneer in the development of active and passive safety systems. We also want to set benchmarks when it comes to continuous improvement of our vehicles’ efficiency. The significant improvement in the CO2-ranking shows we are successful in this as well.”

Taking the number four slot, Mercedes-Benz moved up 11 places in the CO2-ranking, far ahead of its competitors in the premium segment. The improvement was mainly due to the introduction of new, highly efficient engine variants in high-volume models such as the new-generation C-Class. The new engines, the enhanced 7G TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, and the ECO start-stop function reduce fuel consumption by up to 31 percent compared to the figure for the predecessor model.

The main factors in the Safety category are availability of active and passive safety systems and the fact that the systems are fitted as standard. The new-generation C-Class, for example, impresses not only as a result of its greater efficiency, but also because of its many new assistance systems. Thanks to features ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, the C-Class reaches a new level of safety.

The evaluation for the Brand Image category incorporates the results of the ADAC Motorwelt image survey of 4,000 German respondents as well as an assessment of vehicle residual values. In the image survey, the participants were primarily interested in maximum quality and the highest-possible safety standards. Not only did Mercedes-Benz take first place in both of these areas; the people surveyed also ranked the brand at the top with regard to automotive research and development.