German Car Zone

Mercedes has decided to stress safety over luxury in its new marketing campaign. As the tables have turned in the economic downturn, so have consumer priorities. It is becoming more popular to brag about how little you just spent on a new car as opposed to telling your friends how ridiculously expensive your new car is.

Steve Cannon VP of marketing for the U.S. believes that the new safety technology Mercedes has to offer should play a bigger role in its vehicle sales. In an interview with Automotive News, Cannon said, "You have to give people the justification that says, 'Yes, a Mercedes-Benz is relevant to me -- it can save my life.' " At a time when hybrids and less expensive cars are hugely popular, Mercedes has to give America a reason to shop for a Benz.


Mercedes has just launched its all new E-class, which is equipped with the latest technology. The new E-class is equipped with several features previously only available in the top of the range S-class. Blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist, night view, and attention assist, which monitors the driver's road awareness, are a few safety features available on the 2010 E-class. These features set Mercedes ahead of the pack in terms of safety and the company is banking on its innovation to help it sell some cars.


Cannon quickly touched on competing brands and their marketing tactics. He said that Mercedes would not lower its game and that the company would continue to focus on innovation and safety.


http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6595...010/index.html

Yea, I've noticed that the commercials for the E-class have focused on Safety. I think it's a good idea. They still need the address other advantages to owning a Mercedes-benz as well.

I always loved the S-class ones...saftey yet focusing on the excellent background of the car.

Wow. MB adopting a marketing strategy that for once makes sense. lol

They should just update this ad...

That was one brilliant strong Mercedes the W126..

I would bet that family would not buy another car besides Mercedes benz after that incident..

My dad about 15 years back driving a W123 230e had a rollover accident after a tyre blew he was doing around 180km/h no safety belt he came out off the car with not even a scratch the car rolled 3 times..

Mercedes = saving lifes..

Its a pity my dad still dont wear a safetybelt when driving.

That is a great commercial.

Stirling Moss never wore a seat belt racing. He felt it was better to be thrown free of the car then to be strapped in and burned. Even so the crash that ended his career pined him in, but that wasn't a Mercedes.

My dad when he was little watched his dad and three brother roll their car and trailer right in front of him. His youngest brother wasn't wearing a seat belt and came out his open window, once the car cleared he stood up with his hands in the air. Another brother was wearing a seat belt and hit his head when he unbuckled since the car was on it's roof. In the end everyone was ok.

Yeah gullwing i get what you saying but i think its safer to where the belt..Whebever me and my dad travel together thats our first fight lol...

Yeah, there are always those that think they are better of without the belt. Very strange reasoning that has no bearing at all in the real world.

There's a difference between an open-topped race car and the enclosed cell of a passenger car - for Moss' reasoning to ring true every car on the road would have to be roofless and designed to 'fling' their occupants to safety in the event of a crash. Neither of these are plausible... and think about the whole raft of other potential safety hazards that would occur with occupants leaving their cars at a high rate of speed!

Seat belts save lives. The highest road toll in Australian history was in 1970, when over 3700 were killed. Seat belts became mandatory in 1973. Last year, the road toll was less than 1600. (Keep in mind Australia's population has nearly doubled in that time). Seat belts (among a host of other safety implementations) are the main attributed reason for this trend.


So you will trust the sheer luck necessary for you to 'come out' of an open window during a crash as opposed to trusting the proven safety seat belts? It is established knowledge that you can be injured by a seat belt, but the injuries are insignificant when compared with the catastrophic result that usually occurs when not wearing one.

Also consider that all modern race cars and passenger cars feature seat belts or harnesses. There is a reason for this.

Yeah that old W126 commercial is what they should update. WOW. Reminds me of some of the old W124 and W140 commercials.

M