Ho! Ho! Ho! Holiday House a Success!

We don't have the bottom line just yet but MMAE Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment) would like to thank our members and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making Dazzling! the 2010 Holiday House a success. MMAE estimates that Holiday House will net somewhere between $25 and $30,000 for our Endowment, money that will help the Alliance continue its mission of building a healthier community.

Without your efforts, the Alliance would never have been able to host this 3-day holiday-themed design house. Our gratitude starts with the Holiday House Committee; each member put in an incredible number of hours to make the 18th Holiday House become a reality.

Thank you to Judy Verross for lending us her fabulous Granville Road home; because of Judy, we’ve all become fans of the "blue bootie look" and added a new word to our vocabularies, “rectilinear!”

Special thanks to Allison Berkowitz and Laura Weisner, who recruited an extraordinary team of floral, interior, and landscape designers to create the vision that became Holiday House!

Thank you to our Tinsel Town shop keepers; to the ticket sales and money team; to the Preview Party planners; to the publicity and photography, marketing and program designers; and to the talented Suzy Ohl, who played her magic flute, thereby enhancing the Holiday House experience.

MMAE would also like to acknowledge the many, many volunteers who acted as house hostesses. Ann Fehring and her merry band of hostess volunteers did an outstanding job.

Where would we have been without our sponsors? Thank you to everyone who bought an ad, sold an ad, or designed an ad! Kudos to MMAE member Stephanie Insko, who had the "Holiday House Story" included in the Hendricks Motors of Charlotte Mercedes newletter and brought Mercedes in as a raffle sponsor. Vikki Rankin, winner of a Mercedes E-Cabriolet Convertible for a weekend, was thrilled!

William Walker Wins Auto Show Drawing

William Walker was the winner of the drawing held from all registrants from this year's Greater Charlotte International Auto Show. He had the choice of a Mercedes-Benz Nike golf bag or this very nice 4 person picnic basket with china and glass serving pieces within. He chose the picnic basket and seems very happy with his prize. Thanks to all who participated.
If you'd like one of these baskets, golf bag or some other Mercedes-Benz accessories please visit our Parts Department during your next visit.

Again, congratulations William Walker.

AMG Mercedes driver DiResta is 2010 DTM Champion, AMG drivers 2nd and 3rd

The 2010 DTM season has ended at the Shanghai Circuit in China and AMG Driving Academy sponsored driver Paul DiResta is the Driver's Champion. AMG Mercedes drivers rounded out the top three with Gary Paffett nipping season long points leader Bruno Spengler in this final race. The top placing Audi driver was defending Champion Timo Scheider in 4th. AMG Mercedes had already clinched the DTM Manufacturer's crown at the penultimate round of the series in Adria.

The final race was won by Paffett in his Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class, the 9th AMG Mercedes win of the 11 race season, with DiResta's second place enough to earn him the crown worn by such legendary AMG drivers before him as Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig. The DTM Driver's title has not been won by an AMG Mercedes driver since Schneider in 2006.

The Holiday dinner table back in Scotland will be plenty festive as DiResta's cousin Dario Franchitti won the 2010 Indy 500 and was crowned the Izod Indy Car Series Champion for the second year in a row.

DiResta is now rumored to be headed to Formula One where he has been reserve driver for the Force India Mercedes team. This would open up the best seat in the DTM in the crack HWA Team for 2011.

The 2011 season will again see the specification of the cars frozen at 2009 designs ahead of an all new DTM formula for 2012 when BMW rejoins the series and DTM prepares for their style of racing to be exported around the world including to the US for 2013.

Here are the final standings for the 2010 DTM Driver's Championship and the Shanghai race- round 11.

1. Gary Paffett Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class
2. Paul DiResta AMG Driving Academy HWA C-Class
3.Timo Schieder Abt Sportline Audi A4
4.Martin Tomczyk Abt Sportline Audi A4
5. Miguel Molina Abt Rookie Team Audi A4

2011 DTM Driver's Standings

1. Paul Di Resta
2. Gary Paffett
3. Bruno Spengler
4. Timo Scheider
5.Mattias Eckstrom

Autoweek drives the E63 AMG "This car is a beast"

Our friends at Autoweek are at it again this time driving the E63 AMG- a beast.
Check out the article:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20101119/CARREVIEWS/101119842

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is the area's Exclusive AMG Performance Center. Click HERE for more info.

AMG Driving Academy

Mercedes-Benz has a unique program called the AMG Driving Academy where you can do just that. Watch the video below and let us know if this is something that interests you. The dates and tracks for the 2011 Academies will be announced in the end of November. Visit www.AMGacademy.com to learn more about the program and to reserve a spot!
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is your exclusive authorized AMG Performance Center for the Charlotte area. Click HERE to contact us and schedule your test drive today.

Big racing weekend for AMG.

AMG C-Class driver Paul DiResta made it 3 in a row in the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) with a convincing win over Audi's Timo Scheider at Hockenheim. This win puts DiResta in the lead of the Driver's Championship over HWA team mate Bruno Spengler who failed to finish. The DTM Manufacturer's Championship is virtually assured for AMG Mercedes, as is the Driver's Championship as the Audi drivers and Teams are now mathematically eliminated with only 2 races remaining in the 2010 DTM season. In future DTM news, old rival BMW has confirmed that they will be joining AMG Mercedes and Audi in the new look 2012 DTM. Some old battles will be resumed between the major high performance German brands.

While the AMG C-Class drivers were having things their own way over at Hockenheim across the country at the Nurburgring in the VLN Endurance series, the SLS AMG GT3 scored its maiden victory in only its second outing. The 4 hour race was won by SLS GT3 test driver Tomas Jager and Christopher Haase in a Black Falcon Racing entered SLS AMG GT3. Another SLS AMG GT3 entered by Mamerow Racing with Bernd Schneider and Chris Mamerow qualified on pole but was eliminated in a crash while running second. A new era in AMG customer racing has started. The SLS GT3's will run one more VLN race this year before an all out attack on the major European endurance racing series' in 2011 with a number of customer team entered cars. Three SLS GT3's are expected at the Dubai 24 Hour Race on January 14-15, 2011.

DTM Hockenheim:
1. Paul DiResta- AMG Driving Academy HWA AMG C-Class DTM
2. Timo Scheider- Abt Sportline Audi A4 DTM
3.Mike Rockenfeller- Phoenix Racing Audi A4 DTM
4.Gary Paffett Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class DTM
5.Martin Tomczyk- Abt Sportline Audi A4 DTM
6.Oliver Jarvis- Abt Sportline Audi A4 DTM
7.Susie Stoddart- TV Spiel Film Persson Motorsport AMG C-Class DTM
8.Jamie Green- Junge Stern Persson Motorsport AMG C-Class DTM

VLN Nurburgring:
1. Tomas Jager/Christopher Hasse Black Falcon Racing SLS GT3

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte website

Motor Trend Writer Gets Hot Laps in AMG SLS GT3

One of the writers from Motor Trend magazine was let loose in the SLS AMG GT3, check out the link below. Mike Floyd is one of the few journalists in the world to try the new GT racer. He was lucky enough to be one of the few people in the world to experience the new SLS GT3 at racing speed. His hot laps were with Mercedes-Benz test driver Thomas Jager and were amazing. See the link below to check out this article and an accompanying video.

Motor Trend AMG SLS GT3 article

These race cars are available for sale to anyone wishing to obtain one of the few available. Inquire at Hendrick Motors of Charlotte, your exclusive Charlotte area AMG Performance Center. If this is too much car for you then the street legal versions are available for order now also.

History Is Made- The SLS AMG GT3 Takes To The Race Track

Another chapter in the motorsports history of AMG opens this weekend when the SLS AMG GT3 makes its racing debut on the famous Nurburgring in Germany as part of the German VLN Series.

AMG drivers Bernd Schneider and Tomas Jager will handle the driving duties.

Gullwing takes to the racetrack for the first time


Racing debut for the SLS AMG GT3 on the legendary Nürburgring "Nordschleife"

Affalterbach – On Saturday, 25th September 2010 the new SLS AMG GT3 will join the starting lineup on the racetrack for the first time. Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger will be taking part in the four-hour race for the VLN Nürburgring endurance championship. Training for the 42nd ADAC Barbarossa Cup begins at 8.30 a.m. and the race starts at 12.00 noon.

This first racetrack appearance of the SLS AMG GT3 at the VLN event (VLN = Association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup Organisers, with 10 motorsport clubs) is a fixed part of the development and testing programme which commenced in June 2010. The four-hour race on the legendary "Nordschleife" ("North Loop") of the Nürburgring will test the gullwing model under realistic racing conditions. The focus will not only be on fast lap times, but also on the durability of all components, service-friendliness and smooth procedures during pitstops and driver changes. During this race on the 20.8-kilometre long Nürburgring "Nordschleife" – which is acknowledged to be the world's most demanding racetrack – the chosen suspension setup will be assessed under racing conditions for the first time.

Developed according to the GT3 rules of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 will take to the starting line for the VLN race in prototype class E1-XP.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Norbert Haug: "The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 will start a new era in Mercedes-Benz customer motorsports. This car is an exciting and spectacular sporting tool for committed private teams and talented private drivers. Together with our well-proven sports and touring car partner HWA, AMG will establish a customer motorsports department, and ensure the usual high level of Mercedes service for its motorsports customers."

The drivers for this racetrack debut of the SLS AMG GT3 are Bernd Schneider (46) – who has been a Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and is also an AMG brand ambassador – and Thomas Jäger (33). With five DTM titles, one ITC championship and one FIA GT championship to his name, Bernd Schneider is one of the most successful German racing drivers. Thomas Jäger is the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup (Germany) champion, and drove in the DTM for Mercedes-Benz between 2000 and 2003. This season he is lining up in the ADAC GT-Masters (Germany). Like Bernd Schneider, he is a member of the instructor team at the AMG Driving Academy.

Cooperation between AMG and HWA AG

The racing version of the SLS AMG is being developed and produced by AMG in close cooperation with HWA AG. The HWA team is one of the most successful in international motorsport, as shown by nine driver championships in the DTM and ITC, as well as two championship titles in the FIA GT Championships. No other brand has won as many DTM races and DTM titles as AMG-Mercedes.

Interested racing teams can enter the new SLS AMG GT3 in all race series under the FIA GT3 regulations, for example the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT-Masters and the endurance championship organised by the VLN (Association of Nürburgring Endurance Cup Organisers, with 10 motorsport clubs) as well as the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring or Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium).

Orders for the SLS AMG GT3 placed directly with Mercedes-AMG

Orders can be placed directly with Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The sales price is
€ 334,000 (net)/€ 397,460 (incl. 19% VAT). The vehicle is only available with
left-hand drive. Deliveries commence in February 2011, following homologation by the FIA in accordance with the GT3 regulations.

Interested in the street legal version of the AMG SLS or any other new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicle visit us at http://www.hendrickmotorsofcharlotte.com/.

All New Mercedes Benz "Faithful" Commercial

There is nothing that makes someone more faithful to a car brand than a car that is faithful to them.


To find a faithful Mercedes-Benz for yourself, visit us at http://www.hendrickmotorsofcharlotte.com/

New Video Testimonials on Mercedes-Benz Safety

MERCEDES-BENZ USA SHARES OWNER STORIES OF SURVIVAL AND PERSPECTIVE


MONTVALE, NJ – Seven stories, literally life-changing, appear today as short films on MBUSA.com, the web site for Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA). The unscripted accounts told by real customers are the byproduct of a collaboration between MBUSA’s fullservice marketing agency Merkley + Partners and its digital marketing agency Razorfish to creatively express one of the key features that sets Mercedes-Benz apart in the minds of many of its customers: the ability of a Mercedes-Benz to protect its occupants when they are most vulnerable.The common threads running through all the stories are phrases like:

• “I can’t believe we walked away”

• “The fireman told me ‘if you can live through that then I want my wife driving that car’”

• “I truly believe I owe that car my life and (my daughter’s) life.”

• “I decided I would never drive another car unless it was a Mercedes. The police told me I would have been dead in any other car.”

• “The car absorbed all the force. It saved our lives.”

• “I feel so strongly about it – it’s not just a pretty car – it will save your life.”

• “Everyone told me that it was our car that saved us - both insurance companies, the police, the people in the ambulance. That specific car is the reason we walked away.”

• “We’ve always been very loyal Mercedes customers, and after this accident we will never ever buy another brand of car.”

Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for MBUSA says, “We literally have hundreds and hundreds of these experiences sent to us by our customers and we all agreed that we had to find a way to bring these experiences to life and share the stories of survival and perspective. We wanted the stories to be powerful but also authentic and, most of all, we wanted them to share the perspective that these people walked away with.” The campaign, known as “Impact,” which was shot by documentary filmmaker Henry Corra, is accessible via the MBUSA.com home page or directly at (www.MBUSA.com/Impact) beginning today. Once on the site, viewers can roll over the images to bring up the owners and then click to view their stories. Each feature story includes additional content that brings the owners, their families and their extraordinary circumstances to life. Three of the films were previewed on the Mercedes-Benz brand Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzusa) where they sparked a stream ofsimilar experiences from other owners.

If you'd like to join these loyal "survivors" and obtain your own Mercedes-Benz vehicle, contact us at http://www.hendrickmotorsofcharlotte.com/ today.

Mercedes-Benz USA Driving the USTA's Green Misson at the 2010 US Open

Alec Baldwin, celebrity spokesperson for the USTA green initiatives arrives at the US Open on Opening Night in the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL, a hydrogen electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell.

As the Official Vehicle of the US Open, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announces today that it is a driving force behind the USTA’s commitment to green initiatives by providing Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID sedans and Mercedes-Benz F-CELL (Hydrogen Electric Vehicle powered by a fuel cell) vehicles representing 60 percent of the fleet used for player and VIP transportation during the 2010 US Open tournament.

As an innovator in luxury eco-transportation, Mercedes-Benz is dispatching its F-CELL hydrogen fuel vehicles with zero emissions in addition to 75 S400 HYBRID vehicles in an effort to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the US Open tournament. The US Open launched its comprehensive environmental program three years ago and continues to expand green initiatives each year. In 2010, key initiatives include recycling, energy management, composting and utilizing paper products comprised of at least 30% post-consumer waste. In addition, a new green PSA campaign is planned featuring Alec Baldwin.
“We are very excited to participate in the USTA’s environmental strategy and positively impact the US Open green initiatives through the Mercedes-Benz transportation fleet. By tapping our portfolio of eco vehicles, we can provide athletes, staff and officials with green transportation without having to sacrifice luxury or safety,” said Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz is committed to exploring new ways through innovative eco mobility to help the USTA expand their environmental initiatives.”

MERCEDES-BENZ S400 HYBRID
The S400 HYBRID features the world’s first lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive use. The light-weight, high-capacity lithium-ion battery works with a 20-horsepower electric motor and a 275-hp V6 gasoline engine to provide hybrid power with impressive fuel economy estimated at 30 miles per gallon on the highway making it the clear GREEN choice for the US Open transportation fleet.

An added bonus of driving green cars like the Mercedes-Benz Hybrid, beyond not sacrificing space, safety or luxury, is the IRS alternative-powertrain tax credit. The Mercedes-Benz hybrid credit for the S400H is $1150. The current tax credit for the S400 HYBRID is $1150. To view Hendrick Motors of Charlotte's inventory of S400 Hybrid vehicles click HERE.

MERCEDES-BENZ F-CELL
Essentially an electric car that makes its own power on board, the new Mercedes-Benz F-CELL has a range of about 240 miles refueling with refueling taking only a few minutes. Running on compressed hydrogen, the F-CELL boasts an equivalent fuel mileage of 71.3 city-highway combined miles per gallon and water is the F-CELL’s only emission.

ABOUT THE USTA
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game.It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games.The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics, build character and strive for excellence. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

5th AMG 1-2 of the year as DiResta wins DTM Brands Hatch

AMG Mercedes C-Class drivers scored their 5th 1-2 finish of the year in the DTM (German Touring Car Masters) Championship as Paul DiResta drove his AMG Driving Academy C-Class from pole position to a 7.4 second victory over HWA Team mate and series points leader Bruno Spengler at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent in the UK. Abt Audi Sport A4 driver and reigning Champion Timo Scheider finished 3rd while up and coming Spanish youngster Miguel Molina brought his Abt Rookie Sport A4 home 4th. Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class driver Gary Paffett came across the line in fifth. This win is the 158th for AMG Mercedes since joining the DTM in 1986.

Brands Hatch DTM Sept. 5th
1. Paul DiResta- AMG Driving Academy HWA AMG C-Class
2. Bruno Spengler Daimler Bank HWA AMG C-Class
3. Timo Scheider Audi Top Service Abt Sport Audi A4
4. Miguel Molina Abt Rookie Sportline Audi A4
5.Gary Paffett Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class
6.Oliver Jarvis Abt Sportline Audi A4
7.Martin Tomczyk Abt Sportline Audi A4
8.Alex Primat Audi Sport Team Phoenix A4
9. Mike Rockenfeller Audi Sport Team Phoenix Audi A4
10.Jamie Green Junge Stern Persson Motorsport AMG C-Class

Next race is back at Hockenheim on October 17th.

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is your exclusive AMG Performance Center for this area. Click here to visit our website.

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is a proud sponsor of the HeartBright Foundation

HeartBright is a 501 (c )3 charity headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Foundation is committed to educating the community in healthy lifestyles and to fund preventative cardiology programs for economically disadvantaged communities. HeartBright relies on the generosity of local corporations as well as the medical community, and individual supporters who back its efforts and truly understand the mission of HeartBright. Ninety-two cents out of every dollar that HeartBright receives goes directly back into local programs to fight against heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Education is the cornerstone of HeartBright as they Alert, Measure, Educate, and Support the community so that not another person suffers the devastating effects of heart disease.

The HeartBright Foundation impacts the surrounding community by filling the gaps for chronic care patients. This is done through resourcing individuals by increasing their awareness of their chronic care issues and helping them to reach health goals through consistent care and access to providers. When people get involved with HeartBright they become responsible for sustaining programs that educate all ages in cardiovascular health, from teaching children battling obesity better nutrition and exercise, to the elderly new ways to self-advocate. HeartBright reaches over 4,500 men, women, and children weekly in the Greater Charlotte Area and it is due to the altruism of so many that HeartBright is able to continue to improve the health of our community.

Eight years ago, Claire Blocker founded the HeartBright Foundation and as a survivor of heart disease herself, she is determined to impact awareness about the risks for cardiovascular disease and the measures individuals need to take to be strong self-advocates. At HeartBright, patients learn not only how to self-advocate, but to cooperate with physicians to manage their health and future quality of life. HeartBright’s outreach is expansive as they have a cardiac resource center, educational classes in nutrition and exercise, senior and youth wellness, patient assistance, angel food hosting and so much more. HeartBright is dedicated to healing one heart at a time through education and cooperation with its benevolent team of doctors and other volunteers who offer their time to lower the number of people stricken by heart disease. To find out more about how you can volunteer, donate, or learn more about your own health, contact HeartBright at http://www.heartbright.org/.


Hendrick Motors of Charlotte

Automobile Magazine Loves the C63 AMG- We're not surprised are we?

Check out this review from the folks at Automobile. CLICK HERE

"A car this grown-up yet so juvenile is a beautiful thing"
 
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is the area's only AMG Performance Center. If you are interested in a C63 or any other high performance AMG vehicle, stop by and visit our AMG Studio to experience the ultimate in Mercedes-Benz performance. Also, check out our AMG inventory and our wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles at our website HERE.

Mercedes-Benz.tv: New TV commercial 'Sorry'

Great new commercial about the ground breaking Brake Assist (BAS) on a new E-Class Mercedes-Benz sedan. These state-of-the-art vehicles are now available at Hendrick Motors of Charlotte (website).

WORLD'S FASTEST 3D CAR FILM. MANX MEISTER TRAILER. F1 TAKES ON TT.

David Couthard drives the AMG SLS supercar on the 37 mile Isle Of Man TT course.

AMG Achieves Third Top 3 Sweep

AMG Mercedes Teams in the DTM (German Touring Masters) Championship achieved their 3rd top 3 sweep of the finishing order in the 2010 series as Canadian Bruno Spengler drove his Daimler Bank sponsored C-Class DTM AMG to his second win of the year at the famous Nurburgring. In doing so he extends his lead in the season Drivers points chase over 2nd place AMG driver Jamie Green.

Following Spengler across the line was AMG Driving Academy driver Paul DiResta (just a few hours later first cousin Dario Franchitti would win the Indy Car race at Mid-Ohio), in his C-Class DTM AMG.

In third was Salzgitter driver Gary Paffett in his C-Class DTM AMG. The highest finishing Audi was reigning Champion Timo Scheider in 4th. There were 7 AMG Mercedes drivers in the Top Ten. This win is the 156th for AMG Mercedes since entering the series in 1988.

Race Results:

1. Bruno Spengler Daimler Bank HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
2. Paul DiResta AMG Driving Academy HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
3. Gary Paffett Salzgitter HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
4. Timo Scheider Top Service Abt Sportline Audi A4
5.Jamie Green Junge Stern Persson Motorsports AMG Mercedes C-Class
6. Ralf Schumacher Laureus HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
7. Mattias Ekstrom Red Bull Abt Sportline Audi A4
8. Maro Engel GQ Mucke Motorsport AMG Mercedes C-Class
9. Mike Rockenfeller S-Line Phoenix Racing Audi A4
10. David Coulthard Deutsche Post Mucke Motorsport AMG Mercedes C-Class

Drivers Points Standings:

1. Bruno Spenlger 42
2.Jamie Green 26
3. Gary Paffett 25
4. Paul DiResta 25
5.Mattias Ekstrom 23

The next round is at the historic track on the sand dunes of the North Sea, Zandvoort in Holland on 8/22.

Discussions about the new DTM rules for 2012 continue with the Japan GT Series likely to adopt the DTM rules package for their series allowing DTM spec cars to race there and Japan GT spec cars to race in the DTM, as BMW returns to the series. There are also rumors of Opel evaluating a return to the series. Discussions are also ongoing with Grand American Road Racing in the US about the possibility of DTM spec cars running along side of their Daytona Prototypes in the Grand Am Rolex Sports car series.

For more information on AMG and Charlotte's Exclusive AMG Performance Center visit our website http://www.hendrickmotorsofcharlotte.com/.

Top Auto Brands As Reviewed By Women

2010 Semi-Annual Report Shows Women rank Mercedes, Jeep, Lexus, BMW and Chrysler Highest

PITTSBURGH- Women-Drivers.com has released its semi-annual 2010 report showing the Top Auto Brands as rated by women’s dealership reviews. Each year, the company tracks thousands of consumer reviews with regards to women’s Purchasing, Browsing and Service experience at car dealerships in the United States.
The consumer review website connects women and families to women-friendly car dealerships by showcasing dealers in a respective zip code radius with the highest scores. Getting reviews from female consumers is free for all dealerships.
On the site, individual dealerships’ scores range from 1.0 - 5.0. Dealers with Women Satisfaction Index, or WSI® scores between 3.80 – 5.0 are recognized and marketed as Certified Women-Drivers Friendly™. Dealers use this online reputation management tool to distinguish and leverage their business. Reviews are optimized for search engines.
The WSI® data comes from audited consumer reviews. Women now account for over half of all car purchases; however, they influence and initiate almost 80%. When shopping for a new vehicle, more than half of women buyers visit three or more dealerships; one of the critical reasons the company captures ‘browsing’ experiences. Browsing is a key indicator of whether she will return to this dealership.
“Car manufacturers and dealerships that highly engage and support women during the purchase process are placing themselves in a strong position to convert more browsers to buyers, and, to get more referrals—all translating to increased sales. Credit the top performing brands; clearly these companies and dealerships are doing a great job with customer engagement “, said Anne Fleming, President & Car Buying Advocate of the company.
WSI® scores in the report are placed into the four (4) categories: Overall, Purchasing, Browsing, and Service.

The following are the Top 10 OVERALL* Brands with the average WSI Score being 4.05:

Mercedes: 4.68
Jeep: 4.41
Lexus: 4.37
BMW: 4.36
Chrysler: 4.35
Acura: 4.19
Honda: 4.18
Buick: 4.15
Dodge: 4.13
Nissan: 4.11

The next tier of Top 10 brands is:

Mazda: 4.03
Hyundai: 3.94
Chevrolet: 3.93
Subaru: 3.91
Ford: 3.86
Lincoln: 3.86
Toyota: 3.85
Volkswagen: 3.73
GMC: 3.70
KIA: 3.49

* Some brands are not represented in this report because they are no longer being marketed and sold in 2010 and beyond, or due to lack of statistically significant data.

The Top 10 Brands for PURCHASING experiences at dealerships:

Mercedes and Dodge dealers received the highest WSI® ranking among women buyers with a 4.83 score for Purchasing a vehicle. The average WSI® score for all brands in this category was 4.27. These top brands ranked consistently high with women customers who were very satisfied with the engagement and treatment by the sales person, their overall dealership experience, as well as the financing process.

Mercedes and Dodge: 4.83
Lexus: 4.78
Chrysler: 4.64
KIA: 4.62
Jeep: 4.45
Buick: 4.44
Toyota: 4.32
Mazda: 4.30
Nissan: 4.29
Chevrolet: 4.25
The Top 10 Brands for BROWSING experiences at dealerships:

Mercedes dealers scored the highest, with a WSI® of 4.52 score among women customers who went into the dealership but did not purchase that day. The average WSI score for all brands in this category was 3.72. These top brands ranked consistently high with women customers who were very satisfied with the engagement and treatment by the sales person and their overall dealership experience.

Mercedes: 4.52
Mazda: 4.15
Nissan: 4.09
KIA: 4.07
Jeep: 4.03
Chevrolet: 3.92
Dodge: 3.91
Chrysler: 3.79
Acura and Ford: 3.75
Volkswagen: 3.73

The Top 10 Brands for SERVICE experiences at dealerships: Acura dealers scored the highest from women having their car serviced with a WSI® score of 4.80. The average WSI® score for all brands in this category was 3.91. These top brands ranked consistently high with women customers that had an easy time scheduling a service visit, received an estimate prior to work being completed, had alternative options provided, felt they were treated respectfully and paid an amount consistent with what was quoted.

Acura: 4.80
BMW and Mercedes: 4.57
Honda: 4.54
Chrysler: 4.47
Lexus: 4.29
Buick: 4.25
Subaru: 4.05
Nissan and Volkswagen: 3.88
Toyota: 3.76
Chevrolet and Ford: 3.58

About Women-Drivers.com

Women-Drivers.com connects women & families with certified Women-Drivers Friendly™ dealerships. Consumers rate their Browsing, Purchasing and Service experiences at 16,500 dealerships in the United States. The company markets Women Satisfaction Index™ subscriptions which provides personalized analytics showing what women really experience, allowing dealerships to improve their level of service to this powerful purchasing group.


Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS ACHIEVE HIGHEST RANKING IN PROSPECT SATISFACTION INDEX

MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS ACHIEVE HIGHEST RANKING; DETROIT BRAND DEALERS MOST IMPROVED IN 2010 PIED PIPER PROSPECT SATISFACTION INDEX®

Annual auto industry benchmarking study measures how each brand’s dealerships treat car shoppers

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA – July 12, 2010 – Mercedes-Benz dealerships ranked highest in the newly released 2010 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index® (PSI®) U.S. Auto Industry Study, one of a series of unique national benchmarking studies using “mystery shoppers” to measure and compare how consumers are treated when shopping.

Detroit brands led the way in 2010 for most improvement, with Ford, Lincoln and Chevrolet scoring above the industry average for the first time since PSI auto industry benchmarking began four years ago.

The independent study sent 3,658 hired anonymous “mystery shoppers” into auto dealerships nationwide, then used the patent-pending PSI process to compile the results into an accurate measurement of how each brand’s dealerships treat car shoppers.

Overall auto industry performance improved notably from 2009 to 2010, with 25 of the 34 major auto brands achieving higher PSI scores. Although luxury brands continue to lead the industry for treatment of car shoppers, the improvement of mainstream brands has been striking. For example, when comparing the 2010 Ford shopping experience with that of 2007, we find that the typical Ford salesperson was 52% more likely to discuss vehicle features unique from the competition, 29% more likely to introduce him or herself and 65% more likely to proactively mention the availability of different financing options.

Despite the widespread and continual improvement in how cars are sold, there is still plenty of room for improvement, although not necessarily in the expected areas. For example, the stereotypical car shopping experience of having an overbearing salesperson happened far less often (6% of the time) than the opposite: a salesperson who simply was not helpful enough and did not devote enough time and attention to the car shopper (18% of the time). Another area of potential disappointment for car shoppers has been the decision by some brands and dealerships to limit or discontinue offering brochures. Industry wide, salespeople proactively offered a brochure following a visit only 57% of the time; the lowest level in the last three years.

Substantial variation in shopper treatment by brand continues. For example, both Volvo and BMW salespeople mentioned their brand’s maintenance program and associated costs 80% of the time or more, while shoppers looking for a Scion, Mitsubishi or Dodge heard about it less than one-third of the time. Lexus and Porsche salespeople reviewed the vehicle’s features and controls 95% of the time before leaving on a test drive, but BMW salespeople reviewed it only 74% of the time. At Land Rover, Smart or Mini dealerships, salespeople nearly always handled the entire visit themselves and rarely introduced shoppers to dealership management. In contrast, at Suzuki, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota and Infiniti dealerships the salespeople introduced shoppers to dealership management to help close the sale 40% of the time or more. Salespeople who work for dealerships selling Nissan, Mazda, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota or Volkswagen were most likely to follow-up with shoppers within 48 hours after the initial visit, while salespeople who work for dealerships selling Buick, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Acura were least likely to follow-up with shoppers after the initial visit.

“Today’s car shoppers are armed with far more vehicle and pricing information than ever before,” said Fran O’Hagan, CEO of Pied Piper Management Co., LLC. “Successful brands and dealerships have responded by acting as helpful enablers for today’s shoppers. At the most successful dealerships, the stereotype of the old-fashioned car salesperson no longer exists.”

The 2010 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Auto Industry Study was conducted between July 2009 and June 2010 using 3,658 hired anonymous “mystery shoppers” at dealerships located throughout the U.S. Examples of other recent Pied Piper PSI studies are the 2010 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study, in which Polaris Industries, Inc’s Victory brand was ranked first, and the 2008 Pied Piper PSI U.S. RV Industry Study (Class A), in which Winnebago’s Itasca brand was ranked first. Complete Pied Piper PSI industry study results are provided to vehicle manufacturers and national dealer groups. Manufacturers, national dealer groups and individual dealerships also order PSI evaluations as a tool to improve the sales effectiveness of their dealerships. For more information about the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, and the patent-pending PSI process, go to www.piedpiperpsi.com.

About Pied Piper Management Company, LLC

Pied Piper Management Company, LLC is a seven year old Monterey, California company that develops and runs sales and marketing programs to maximize the performance of dealer networks. Go to www.piedpipermc.com.

Green Makes it 3 in a row at Norisring DTM-Spengler still leads the points

AMG Mercedes continued their roll towards the 2010 DTM Championship, and Jamie Green made it a hat-trick with his 3rd win in a row at the famous Norisring circuit in Nuremburg on Sunday.

Green's Junge Stern AMG C-Class DTM finished 0.591 seconds ahead of Abt Sport Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom after 89 laps on the ultra fast city circuit. Canadian Bruno Spengler finished 3rd in his Daimler Bank AMG C-Class further cementing his lead in the Championship. Salzgitter AMG C-Class driver Gary Paffett ended up 6th. After setting fastest time in qualifying Lauerus AMG C-Class driver Ralf Schumacher suffered a drive thru penalty after jumping the start and finished 11th.

The next round of the DTM is at the Nurburgring on August 8th.
1. Jamie Green Junge Stern Mucke Motorsport AMG C-Class DTM
2. Mattias Ekstrom Abt Sportline Audi A4 DTM
3. Bruno Spengler Daimler Bank HWA AMG C-Class DTM
6. Gary Paffett Salzgitter HWA AMG C-Class DTM
9. Maro Engel GO Persson Motorsport AMG C-Class DTM
10. Paul Di Resta AMG Driving Academy HWA AMG C-Class DTM
11. Ralf Schumacher Laureus HWA AMG C-Class DTM
 
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

AMG 6.2 liter V-8 Wins "International Engine of the Year Awards 2010"

AMG M156 6.2 liter V-8 has for the second year in a row, earned the coveted Best High Performance Engine Award

Mercedes-AMG builds the best sports engine


Stuttgart/Affalterbach – The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine took away two top accolades as part of the coveted "International Engine of the Year Awards 2010": the high-revving naturally aspirated engine developing up to 386 kW/525 hp comfortably took top spot in the "Best Performance Engine" and "Above 4 litres" categories. This is the second year running that the eight-cylinder engine from AMG has beaten off the competition.

Bearing the internal designation M 156, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine with its displacement of 6208 cubic centimetres produces between 336 kW (457 hp) and 386 kW (525 hp), develops up to 630 Nm of torque and features in various AMG models, including the C 63 AMG, the E 63 AMG and the SL 63 AMG. The basis for the agile power delivery is the consistent technology transfer from motorsport, which has been an inseparable part of the company philosophy at Mercedes-AMG for over four decades. The verdict of juror Jason Cammisa from Automobile Magazine (USA): "The absolute epitome of a German hot rod V8 engine!" Carl Cunanan, editor of C! Magazine (USA): For its fantastic engine sound alone it deserved first place!"

The great potential of the award-winning AMG V8 is also reflected in its character-packed, powerful evolution: the engine – dubbed the M 159 – for the SLS AMG super sports car is based on the M 156; in the gullwing the AMG high-revving naturally aspirated engine develops 420 kW (571 hp) and delivers maximum torque of 650 Nm. Another outstanding vehicle is the C 63 AMG with Performance Package Plus and maximum output of 358 kW (487 hp). The overhauled features inside the engine are responsible for the increase in output: the forged pistons adopted from the SLS AMG together with new connecting rods and a lightweight crankshaft make the engine three kilograms lighter. The reduced inertia enhances the agility of the eight-cylinder unit, which offers even more exhilarating responsiveness.

Mercedes-AMG beats off established rivals

The "International Engine of the Year Awards" rank among the most prestigious honours in the automotive sector and have been organised by specialist UK publisher, UKIP Media & Events, since 1999. An independent jury of 65 renowned motor journalists from 32 countries chooses the best engines of the year. Follow-ing on from the success in 2009, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine also managed to beat off prestigious rivals from Germany, Italy, the UK, USA and Japan this year, enabling Mercedes-AMG to demonstrate once again its consummate expertise in developing and producing exhilarating high-performance engines.

Friedrich Eichler, Head of Engine & Powertrain Development at Mercedes-AMG:

"Our renewed success this year in the two categories is testimony to the out-and-out positive test results for the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in all the media. The top spots also reflect the great enthusiasm of our customers."

To find your AMG vehicle, click HERE

Mercedes-Benz Continues Move Up the Charts With #3 Ranking in J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study

The following is a exerpt of a report released June 17, 2010 by J.D. Power regarding Initial Quality Survey. You may click link at bottom of page to see entire article.

The Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. The study is used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles and by consumers to help them in their vehicle purchase decisions. Initial quality has been shown over the years to be an excellent predictor of long-term vehicle durability, which directly impacts consumer purchase decisions. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories—design-related problems and defects and malfunctions.

Mercedes-Benz USA Chief Executive Officer speaks about just released J.D. Power ranking HERE.

2010 IQS Ranking Highlights

Porsche leads the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 83 PP100. Following in the rankings are, respectively, Acura (which moves from 14th rank position in 2009 to second in 2010), Mercedes-Benz (which improves from sixth rank position in 2009 to third in 2010), Lexus and Ford (which moves into the top five for the first time since the inception of the study). MINI posts the largest improvement in 2010, reducing problems by 32 PP100 from 2009. Toyota's problem count increases by 16 PP100, moving it from sixth rank position in 2009 to 21st in 2010. "Clearly, Toyota has endured a difficult year," said Sargent. "Recent consumer concerns regarding Toyota's quality are reflected in the nameplate's performance in the 2010 study. That said, Toyota's success was built on a well-deserved reputation for quality, and there is little doubt that they will do everything possible to regain that reputation."
Ford and Lexus each garner three segment awards. Ford captures awards for the Focus, Mustang and Taurus, while Lexus receives awards for the GS, GX and LS models. The Lexus LS has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 55 PP100.
Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota receive two awards each. Chevrolet models earning awards are the Avalanche (in a tie) and the Tahoe. Honda receives awards for the Accord and the Accord Crosstour, while Toyota receives awards for the FJ Cruiser and Sienna.
Also receiving segment awards are: Acura RDX, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra LD (in a tie), Hyundai Accent, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Frontier, Scion xB and Volvo C70.
The 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 82,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identification of problems and to drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2010. Visit the J.D. Power Business Center for additional information on J.D. Power's automotive research.

2010 Nameplate IQS Ranking
Problems per 100 Vehicles
Porsche 83
Acura 86
Mercedes-Benz 87
Lexus 88
Ford 93
Honda 95
Hyundai 102
Lincoln 106
Infiniti 107
Volvo 109
Industry Average 109
Ram 110
Audi 111
Cadillac 111
Chevrolet 111
Nissan 111
BMW 113
Mercury 113
Buick 114
Mazda 114
Scion 114
Toyota 117
Subaru 121
Chrysler 122
Suzuki 122
GMC 126
Kia 126
Jeep 129
Dodge 130
Jaguar 130
MINI 133
Volkswagen 135
Mitsubishi 146
Land Rover 170

See Complete Report HERE

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte

It’s Back! The Annual Hendrick Luxury Tent Event

Looking for an Incredible value on a New, Certified Pre-Owned, or top-quality luxury vehicle? The Hendrick Luxury Tent Event is for you.

Exceptional Pricing during this Spectacular Sales Event!

• New and Pre-Owned vehicles specially marked with Red-Tag prices

• Interest rates as low as 1.99% APR* on some models plus special lease incentives on many new vehicles

• Over 300 vehicles available and all are on SALE

• 90% of Pre-Owned Vehicles - CARFAX one-owner

Look for the HUGE Tent in front of the dealership and under it you’ll find the season’s best deals. If you've been waiting for the Right Time, the Right Luxury Vehicle, and the Right Deal you must take advantage of this special event.


Click Here to view our entire pre-owned inventory.

AMG Mercedes Teams Score First Win of Season in German Touring Car Series

It couldn't have gone any better for the AMG Mercedes Teams at the opening race of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) at Hockenheim this weekend. AMG Mercedes Teams scored the first win in the championship opening race since 2006 in style.

HWA-AMG Salzgitter C-Class driver Gary Paffett qualified on the pole and romped to his third victory at the circuit followed by Daimler Bank HWA AMG driver Bruno Spengler in second, Junge Stern Persson Motorsport AMG driver Jamie Green third, and AMG Driving Academy HWA driver Paul Di-Resta fourth. The highest finishing Audi was fifth.

AMG Mercedes Deutsche Bank Mucke Motorsport driver David Coulthard opened his DTM history with a solid 12th place finish.

The rules for the series have been frozen with no new cars being constructed for the 2010 season ahead of a new rules package for 2011.

AMG-HWA and Audi Abt Sportline Teams run 2009 spec cars all other Teams run 2008 spec cars.

The next race is May 2nd in Oscherslaben, Germany

1. Gary Paffett- Salzgitter HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
2. Bruno Spengler - Daimler Bank HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
3. Jamie Green- Junge Stern Persson Motorsport AMG Mercedes C-Class
4.Paul Di Resta -AMG Driving Academy HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
5.Mike Rockenfeller- Audi Sport Team Phoenix Audi A4
6.Mattias Ekstrom- Audi Sport Team Abt Sportline Audi A4
7.Tim Scheider -Audi Sport Team Abt Sportline Audi A4
8. Miguel Molina- Audi Sport Team Abt Rookie Audi A4
9. Ralf Schumacher- Laureus HWA AMG Mercedes C-Class
10, Alexander Premat -Audi Sport Team Phoenix Audi A4

HENDRICK MOTORS OF CHARLOTTE

We Are Pleased To Announce The 2010 AMG Driving Academy

As a true performance driving school, the AMG Driving Academy offers participants custom-designed, hands-on lessons in dynamic, high-performance driving by world-class professional driving and racing instructors. Unlike competitive manufacturers’ programs, the AMG Driving Academy is the only program offered coast-to-coast at two of the nation’s premier race tracks: Road Atlanta in Georgia and Laguna Seca Raceway in California.

The AMG Driving Academy will offer three distinct programs this year, pushing participants to the limits of the performance envelope in select AMG vehicles, including the 2011 SLS AMG, the most-advanced AMG vehicle ever built.

Course descriptions are as follows:

Basic ($1,795): Intense, one-day track program focuses on performance driving dynamics. In the morning, participants learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises. Once participants perfect car control and handling, they progress in the afternoon to a set of high-speed exercises that make use of the entire track.

Advanced ($3,295): Two-day program picks up where Basic leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. Onboard diagnostics and data capture enable detailed computer analysis and evaluation. Advanced is offered to drivers who have completed either Basic, AMG Challenge, European Driving Academy program or equivalent courses.

Pro ($3,995): The pinnacle of the AMG Driving Academy curriculum, the Pro program offers increased instruction while challenging and improving capabilities and skills to a much greater degree. During the three-day program, participants will train on the legendary Road Atlanta circuit. As speeds increase and skills improve, open lapping provides the maximum challenge and thrill. With an intense curriculum, AMG experienced instructors prepare participants to confidently welcome the challenges of Road Atlanta.

Should you wish to learn more about the AMG Driving Academy, please visit http://www.amgacademy.com/.

Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

David Coulthard Joins Mercedes-Benz Touring Car Championship Team

As the 2010 season of the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) gets closer there's some big news to report.

The AMG Mercedes C-Class driver squad for 2010 will be joined by yet another former winner from Formula One- Scotsman David Coulthard.

The very popular and charismatic former McLaren Mercedes and Williams F1 driver won 13 Grand Prix in 246 starts, 12 of those wins in Mercedes powered McLarens, so it is a return to the family of sorts. He finished second in the World Driving Championship during his McLaren years. Coulthard retired from F1 in 2007 while still competitive in the Red Bull F1 Team. After a couple of years in the commentary booth he tried an AMG C-Class DTM in testing and was immediately comfortable. In the interim he has been a Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador driving historic Mercedes racers at various events around the world.
He joins returning ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher in the AMG Mercedes DTM line-up, which also includes current F1 Test Drivers Paul Di Resta (Force India) and Gary Paffett (McLaren). Other AMG Mercedes DTM drivers for 2010 should include Bruno Spengler, Susie Stoddard and Jamie Green.
The DTM season kicks off on April 25th at Hockenheim and can be followed at http://www.dtm.com/ or www,autosport.com. The televised races are usually carried by SPEED Channel later in the year check local listings.
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

2011 SLS AMG Price Released

Relase from MBUSA

April 7, 2010

We are pleased to inform you that the base price of the 2011 SLS AMG was officially announced during last week's Mercedes-Benz press conference at the New York International Auto Show.

2011 SLS AMG MSRP: $183,000*

This price point represents an extremely aggressive position in our endeavor to compete directly with the competitive models from Ferrari and Lamborghini. While the wonderful press reports on the SLS AMG have almost universally estimated a price around $225k, we feel that this sub-$200k price point represents incredible value in this competitive segment.
Proven by its performance statistics, the SLS AMG enters the super sports car segment not just to participate, but to win. What is most impressive is that our new Gullwing flagship delivers this stratospheric level of performance without compromising the refinement, comfort and technology expected of a Mercedes-Benz. It is the everyday supercar.
Launch of the 2011 SLS AMG is still scheduled for early May, 2010.

* price does not include transportation, taxes, dealer prep charges or license fees.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

The victorious Mercedes-Benz 300 SL of 1952 leaves the Mercedes-Benz Museum for Mexico

Joining the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG along a stretch of the original race route

The original winning car from the 3rd Carrera Panamericana Mexico in November 1952 is to return to the scene of its great triumph. The 300 SL racing sport car (W 194) will temporarily be removed from the “Races and Records” display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, in order to join the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and set off once again along a part of the original route through Central America.


The 3rd Carrera Panamericana was one of the top international races of the 1952 season. The double victory achieved by Mercedes-Benz there ranks as one of the brand’s most spectacular successes. Karl Kling and co-driver Hans Klenk won the race, a long-distance event covering 3111 kilometres, against strong international competition at an average speed of 165.011 km/h. Second to cross the finishing line, also driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, were Hermann Lang and co-driver Erwin Grupp.

Kling’s collision with a vulture at 250 km/h, which left his car with a smashed windscreen and Hans Klenk with head injuries, went into the annals of racing history. In addition to replacing the screen, the mechanics also immediately fitted eight thin vertical metal bars to protect vehicle and driver in the event of a similar collision – still the vehicle’s most distinguishing feature.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

SLS AMG GT3 Race Car Debuts

Mercedes-AMG revealed the SLS AMG GT3 at La Carrera Panamericana in Mexico on March 23, 2010. The race car makes its Auto Show competition debut in New York City.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

New E-Class Cabriolet Trailers Released

MBUSA has released a video of raw footage of the new 2011 E-Class Cabriolet. To view it click HERE.
They have also just relased a video trailer about this new vehicle. It can be viewed HERE.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

Start of Formula 1 Season Upon Us

Don't forget this weekend's opening round of the Formula One World Driving Championship from Bahrain, broadcast live on SPEED channel Sunday, March 14th at 7:30 am EDT, (remember the clocks jump forward this Saturday night), and look for the SLS AMG Safety car sitting proudly at the front of the grid. Catch live coverage of practice at 6:00 am Friday and qualifying Saturday at 7:30 am on SPEED.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

Road and Track Picks SL63 AMG over V-8 Vantage

Check out this link and pick up a copy of the April issue of Road & Track to have around.
They have a comparison test of the SL63 AMG vs the Aston-Martin V-8 Vantage.

" In the mean time I'll take the SL63- I just can't resist its big old rip-snortin V-8."
"Going into this test I was positive that I would pick the Aston-Martin.... but the Mercedes SL63 AMG offers so much more than the Vantage Roadster"

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

New S400 Hybrid Commercial

Check out the latest video from Mercedes-Benz for the new S400 Hybrid.

Click HERE for video.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website 

What Will Drive Us In The Future?

Mercedes-Benz What will 'drive' us in the future? Since 1991 Mercedes-Benz has created "F" models - research vehicles - to find out. Enjoy first impressions of the latest F-model, the F800, that will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March
Click here to view video

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

Check out Mercedes-Benz TV

If you haven't checked out Mercedes-Benz TV here's a link for you.

http://www.mercedes-benz.tv/

This site is full of interesting and fun articles and videos for your enjoyment. You can also download some up and coming new artists music MP3's for free.

SLS AMG is the new F1 Safety Car

When the new Petronas Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Team, the first factory Mercedes GP Team since 1955, makes its debut at the season opening Bahrain GP on the 14th of March a new AMG car will be sitting at the head of the grid in its position as Official Formula One Safety Car... the SLS AMG.

Driven by our friend and AMG Driving Academy Team member Bernd Maylander, the SLS AMG F1 Safety Car is only modified slightly from the street version that goes on sale in the US this spring.

With 571 hp (DIN) it is the most powerful F1 Safety Car yet in a tradition that goes back to 1994 when AMG supplied the first Safety Car for F1, a C36 AMG. Again created in the AMG Performance Studio the SLS AMG F1 Safety Car features AMG Carbon Ceramic brakes which are also available on the street car. Unfortunately the special LED lighting system is not.

Again for 2010 a C63 AMG Wagon serves as the F1 Medical Car that follows the field around the first lap and is available for quick response to an accident scene during the race as well.

Along with the SLS AMG F1 Safety Car, and C63 AMG Medical Car there will be 6 Mercedes powered race cars in the field:

Petronas Mercedes GP- drivers: Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes- drivers: Lewis Hamilton, World Champion Jenson Button

Force India Mercedes: drivers: Adrian Suthil, Vitantonio Liuzzi with AMG DTM driver Paul Di Resta as reserve driver.

All Formula One races are televised in the US on Speed Channel. Check local listings.

The AMG Teams will be kicking off their season in the DTM at Hockenheim on April 25th.

The AMG and Mercedes-Benz Motorsport tradition continues.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

Jay Leno Drives the new SLS AMG

Talk show host Jay Leno is in the SLS AMG in search of Los Angeles’ hidden race track. Leno, who describes himself as a ‘car nut’ was inspired by the short film 'Rendezvous' with a gripping car chase through Paris. With camera angles at a dynamic perspective just over the asphalt the viewer really experiences the ride through the ‘unknown’ side of Los Angeles and the Hollywood hills.

Click here to see the full video:
http://mercedes-benz.tv/en/clip-1124/Jay+Leno%27s+hidden+street+circuit

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website

Hendrick lends plane to Haiti relief effort

January 18, 2010 HMS Bulletin

Following is an update on the efforts Hendrick Motorsports’ aviation department is making in assisting with Haitian earthquake relief. The devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in Haiti close to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 12.

In 2005, to support relief after Hurricane Katrina, Carolinas Medical Center dispatched their first of its kind mobile hospital called MED1 to New Orleans. Mr. Hendrick knew several of the hospital personnel supporting this effort, and learned their medical teams had a 16 hour one way bus ride to get to their site near in Waveland, MS. Hendrick Motorsports began operating flights for MED1 which allowed the personnel to cut their transit time to two hours.

With that in mind, Mr. Hendrick directed us to find a way Hendrick Motorsports could help with this Haitian
disaster as well, and we began trying to connect with groups that needed to get into Haiti. We reached out to
CMC and several other aid organizations. Most were just ramping up their response efforts. We read about a group called Missionary Flights International (MFI) that had made one of the first relief flights into Haiti the
morning after the earthquake. MFI operates three DC3 cargo planes, with limited passenger seating, so they said this capability we provided to move a lot of people was critical and well-timed.

Our aviation director, Dave Dudley, connected with MFI on Thursday. We learned they have been providing
regular aviation missions to Haiti for decades, and are experienced and knowledgeable with that operating
environment, as well as the processes used to plan and coordinate needs with the agencies controlling relief for this disaster. At the same time, Hendrick Motorsports received authorization from the FAA to operate aircraft in that area.

Volunteers from our aviation department stepped forward, including two complete flight crews and an aircraft mechanic. On Friday, they took the first Saab to MFI's base in Fort Pierce, FL, and received briefing information that afternoon from the MFI operations team. Our first relief flight departed Fort Pierce at 5:00 am on Saturday, carrying in 35 medical and search/rescue personnel and evacuating 27 US citizens. The second Saab arrived Saturday afternoon, and, since Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports has been operating two round-trips per day, with the capability of transporting 180 total passengers.

The trips originate at MFI's hangar at St. Lucie County International Airport (Fort Pierce, FL). From there, a two hour flight is made to Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos, to top off the fuel tanks because there is no fuel available in Haiti. After departing Providenciales, the flights arrive in Port?au?Prince, Haiti, forty minutes later.

The return flight to Fort Pierce, FL, may include a fuel stop in Exuma, Bahamas, depending on wind conditions. Total roundtrip time is approximately eight hours. Our crews are staying overnight in Fort Pierce and will return home at the end of this week when the surge passenger demand is expected to subside.

Fortunately, Missionary Flights’ staff is well connected to aid organizations with the right personnel who need to go in, and to those who need to get people out. This has allowed our team there to focus on the flying. Those going in are primarily medical and search/rescue teams who were either already involved in prior, established relief efforts in Haiti, or have been specially trained for response to natural disasters. The evacuees are people who were in Haiti on missions when the earthquake struck, including many women and children, as well as church groups who had been there doing good works.

Just yesterday, one of our planes carried in a medical team of thirty-three, including trauma surgeons, internists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and EMTs. Their equipment arrived in Haiti at the same time on one of MFI's cargo planes. By the time our first plane arrived back in Florida, the medical team was set up on a street in Port-au-Prince operating on injured people. They are going to be operating there around the clock.

Another passenger that flew in with us was a Haitian teacher who worked in an orphanage there. A few days
before the earthquake struck, she'd taken her first vacation in fourteen years to visit her mother in Wilmington, N.C. Of the fifty orphans she served there, only one was still alive after their building crumbled, and she was returning to help.

On one of the return flights yesterday was a youth group that had gone to Haiti before the earthquake on a
mission trip from their US church. They'd been stranded, and reported there was no means for them to get out since all commercial air service is cancelled. MFI arranged for them to be on one of our planes. A 17 year old high school student among them said since the earthquake hit she'd helped deliver two babies and assisted with amputations on other victims.

Our aviation team there reports being absolutely humbled to provide this support. The schedule is rigorous, but the stories of relief their work is providing have kept their spirits up.

Those who have been there since Friday are:
Scott Amidon, pilot
Dave Dudley, director
Becky Eidson, attendant
Jim Klepper, pilot
Robb Patton, pilot
Laura Shockley, attendant
Chad Spoon, technician
Allan Wrinkle, pilot
Pilots Tom Empie and Stormy Thomas are arriving today to provide additional support.

If you would like to send a note of appreciation or a few words of encouragement to the HMS team there, please email that to bulletin@hmsracing.com. These will be gathered together and shared with them right away.

More information about Missionary Flights International, a non-profit organization, is available at
http://www.missionaryflights.org/. They are in need of financial donations to support their relief work if you are so inclined, and these can be made online under the Support Our Work tab.

CLICK HERE for Hendrick Motors of Charlotte Website