Mercedes-Benz Grows Worldwide Sales in November

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  Last month, Mercedes-Benz achieved sales growth with sales of 198,545 vehicles (+1.5%).

• Mercedes-Benz sold 2,103,653 units in the first eleven months of the year, which is slightly above the high prior-year level (+0.4%).

• With its Mercedes-Benz Cars division, Daimler AG is the first premium carmaker to pass the milestone of 600,000 units sold in China within one year.

• A new high for the Europe sales region: more than 82,000 vehicles sold in November (+2.6%).

• Double-digit growth once again in highly competitive German domestic market (+12.5%).

• E-Class Saloon and Estate achieve a new sales record of over 31,000 units in November with an increase of 6.2%.

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz has once again set a new sales record towards the end of this year despite a volatile market environment: 198,545 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers all over the world last month. Under ongoing challenging conditions, Mercedes-Benz sold more units than ever before in a November (+1.5%). Further progress with vehicle availability, particularly in some international markets, had a positive impact on sales development in the three core regions. In the first eleven months of the year, 2,103,653 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were handed over to customers, which is slightly above the high level of the prior-year period (+0.4%). Last month, the brand with the star maintained its market leadership in the premium segment in markets including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Australia and the USA.

“With more than 198,000 vehicles delivered worldwide, Mercedes-Benz has achieved its best-ever November sales. In a challenging market environment, we’ve been able to increase unit sales slightly also since the beginning of the year,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “In China, we have delivered more than 600,000 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles since the beginning of this year. We are particularly pleased to be the first premium carmaker to achieve this sales milestone in China within one year.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 82,007 vehicles in November, an increase of 2.6% and a new record. In the first eleven months of the year, 850,957 units were sold (-3.3%). The development in Germany was particularly pleasing. Mercedes-Benz sold 29,188 passenger cars with the three-pointed star in its domestic market last month, another double-digit increase of +12.5%. Once again, the new A-Class was very popular in Germany: sales of the compact car doubled compared to last year’s November. In France, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Portugal and Hungary, more cars with the three-pointed star were sold last month than in any November before.

Mercedes-Benz set new records in the Asia-Pacific region: 75,392 vehicles were hand over to customers in November (+1.5%) and 862,419 in the first eleven months (+7.5%). In China, the biggest sales market, 52,151 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were sold last month (+2.6%). In the period of January to November, Mercedes-Benz achieved growth of +11.7% and sold 603,089 units. This November, together with the models delivered by the smart brand, the car division of Daimler AG became the first premium automobile manufacturer to pass the milestone of 600,000 vehicles delivered in China within one year. Mercedes-Benz achieved further sales records in November in the markets of South Korea, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

In the NAFTA region, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 35,842 vehicles in November (-1.8%). In the first eleven months of this year, 340,564 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were handed over to customers in that region (-5.4%). In the United States, a total of 31,022 customers were delighted to receive their new model with the star last month, an increase of 0.6%. This means that a total of 283,943 vehicles were delivered in the United States in November
(-6.0%). In Mexico, Mercedes-Benz set a new sales record in the first eleven months of the year.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Demand for the E-Class Saloon and Estate was higher last month than ever before in November. More than 31,000 units of these two models were sold worldwide, an increase of about 6.2%. The long-wheelbase version of the E-Class Saloon was particularly popular in the Chinese market, posting double-digit growth in November and thus achieving a new sales record.

                                 

  

 The SUVs from Mercedes-Benz continue to sell in record numbers, with about 750,000 units of the models GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class sold in the period of January to November (+2.4%). The sales growth was primarily driven by the GLC, which also set a new record for unit sales last month. And thanks to double-digit growth, the new G-Class posted a new sales record for a November.

Customers’ interest in the Dreamcars from Mercedes-Benz was strong once again in November: Worldwide unit sales increased by 19.8% to the new high of 15,073 units. In all three core regions – Europe, Asia-Pacific and NAFTA – the dream cars achieved growth in unit sales last month. The E-Class Cabriolet was particularly popular, as well as the CLS, which set a new record in November.

smart

In the first eleven months of the year, 118,512 vehicles of the smart brand were sold worldwide (-3.8%). In November, a total of 10,926 customers were pleased to receive their new two- or four-door urban microcar (-6.2%). The smart models were especially popular in Spain, with double-digit sales growth in that market. Worldwide sales of the electric smart models reached a new record level in November and in the first eleven months.

Overview of Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales

	November 2018	Change in %	Jan. – Nov. 2018	Change in %
Mercedes-Benz	198,545	+1.5	2,103,653	+0.4
smart	10,926	-6.2	118,512	-3.8
Mercedes-Benz Cars	209,471	+1.0	2,222,165	+0.1
Mercedes-Benz unit sales in the regions/markets
Europe	82,007	+2.6	850,957	-3.3
- thereof Germany	29,188	+12.5	276,334	-2.0
Asia-Pacific	75,392	+1.5	862,419	+7.5
- thereof China	52,151	+2.6	603,089	+11.7
NAFTA	35,842	-1.8	340,564	-5.4
- thereof USA	31,022	+0.6	283,943	-6.0

AGBAJE BEGINS CAMPAIGN, PROMISES TO RESTORE FREEDOM, DIGNITY TO LAGOS

It was a rainbow coalition of various social, political and cultural groups as Olujimi Agbaje, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos State governorship candidate for the 2019 election kicked off his campaign.

The crowd came from different localities in the state including Ajegunle, Mushin, Ikorodu, Agege, Badagry, Ikeja and several other areas to witness the grand event in Lekki Lagos.

At the interactive ceremony, the PDP candidate promised to restore the dignity of Lagos and give the residents the much-desired freedom to determine their fate rather than being muzzled by a Godfather as it has been the case in the last 20 years.

Amidst applause from representatives of various ethnic, social, political groups and civil society from all parts of Lagos, Agbaje assured that the thrust of his administration will be anchored on believability, power and healthcare.

According to him, 1000 megawatts of power would be targeted in four years to muscle up and boost the economic fortune of the people. He said the plank of his health care programme would be built around health insurance schemes.

The PDP candidate also promised to restore the glory and standard of education in the state by providing more access to quality education as opposed to the current ineffective system.

“I am running a believable administration and I am in the race for service not for self. They are in politics for selves. They have said that I am their ‘customer’. But I want to tell them that the customer is the king and he is always right. By March 2019, the rest will be history because this election will be decided by the people of Lagos who yearn for freedom, and not by political parties,” he told the enthusiastic supporters.

He also used the opportunity to introduce his deputy, Mrs. Haleemat Oluyemisi Busari and promised that they would “carry the load together” instead of the culture of making the deputy a “spare tire”.

The duo promised to hold more town hall meetings in the days ahead to engage supporters and voters on the programmes for the state.

“We need a governor that the buck stops on his table. I promise to be that governor. The buck will stop on my table and Lagos will go back to his glory as the future is bright,” he said amidst thunderous applause.

Applications for TEF Entrepreneurship Programme 2019 Opens on TEFConnect by Jan 2019

On the 1st of January 2019, at 12am, WAT, the Tony Elumelu Foundation will begin accepting applications for the fifth cycle of its Entrepreneurship Programme. 1,000 selected applicants will join the current 4,470 beneficiaries of the Programme.

Since 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme – the only African-funded entrepreneurial catalyst of its kind – has empowered 4,470 African entrepreneurs, with seed capital of $5,000 each; twelve weeks of accelerated online business training; access to experienced mentors; and membership of Africa’s largest entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Beneficiaries of the Programme have been profiled in global media, including the Forbes [Africa] 30 Under 30 list. They have attracted the attention of investors, as well as have been recipients of awards, including the Google Impact Challenge and the Chivas’ “The Venture” Award for Social Entrepreneurs.

The Entrepreneurship Programme has facilitated exchanges between African entrepreneurs and local and global public sector leaders, investors and development partners, raising their business profiles, scaling their opportunities, showcasing their innovation and identifying ways to further strengthen the business environment in Africa. In June 2018, the Foundation convened a forum with President Emmanuel Macron of France and young African entrepreneurs. In October 2018, the Foundation was proud to have President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya address the gathering of young African entrepreneurs at the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

The Foundation’s investment, impact, and commitment to advancing entrepreneurship is predicated on the belief that Africa’s entrepreneurs hold the key to unlocking the potential of the continent and facilitating the transformation of Africa.  With this objective, the Tony Elumelu Foundation launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, its US$100 million flagship programme to identify over a period of 10 years, 10,000 African startups and entrepreneurs, with ideas that have the potential to transform the African continent. Its goal is to invest in businesses that together can generate at least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.

The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to citizens and legal residents of all African countries, who run businesses based in Africa that are less than three years old. Business ideas that are yet to launch are also encouraged.

The 2019 Applications will be hosted on the largest digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs – TEFConnect on www.tefconnect.com.

Bigwigs Honour NDDC Legal Director, Moljengo Kaltungo’s Daughter, Genesis, Call To Bar Dinner In Abuja

Journalist Nabbed Over Malicious Content In Uyo

Obong Ndutim, the publisher of an online news portal, FactsReporter.com, a local content publishing website, based in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.

It was learned that men of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested him around the early hours of Monday, 3 December 2018.

The spokesperson for the Police Command in Uyo, DSP Odiko MacDon confirmed the arrest.

Odiko said Obong Ndutim was arrested in connection with an alleged publishing of fake and damaging stories-cum-blackmailing of a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio.

It was gathered that the arrest followed a petition written by Senator Akpabio, alleging that Obong Ndutim’s website published an offensive and libelous story alleging that the senator was involved in money laundering with some Nigerian banks: titled ‘CBN probes Akpabio’s N865b unrecorded despites in three banks.’

The police said the senator had earlier filed a complaint against the accused at the Uyo Police Command weeks back. _‘Based on the statement and published story by the accused, we have thus arrested him at his residence on Monday,”_ a senior police officer said.

An insider also added that Obong Ndutim’s platform, (FactsReporters.com) has been using as tools to fuel negative information to the public to propagate false allegations on Senator Akpabio and his political associates.

_‘This is not the first story; there are several other news mentions published on the platform ditto: Akpabio, Ekere plot to sponsor an attack on Gov’s billboards, instigate insecurity uncovered published on October 25, 2018, by Michael Asanga. Mr. Emmanuel: Senator Akpabio is set to destroy Oro Nation; published on October 8, 2018, by Ulap Kingsley Offiong. Essien Udim chaos, Akpabio abducts AKHA aspirant for opposing cult group; published on October 3, 2018, by Editor; Senator Godswill Akpabio: The Demystification of a Political Godfather; published on August 13, 2018, by Ikennna Ekezie, from Port Harcourt.’_ Source disclosed.

Obong is now accordingly remanded in police custody, awaiting prosecution in a court of normal jurisdiction, and if found guilty, will be sentenced in line with Nigeria’s Constitution.

Akwa Ibom's Overrated Young Politicians and The Burden of Governance

But understand this that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, and disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy. 2 Timothy 3:1-2.

The Holy Bible is an encyclopedia of knowledge and true reference to our past, present, and future.  

When you look at the above verse, you will agree with me that the ugly events that enveloped Akwa Ibom State in the last two weeks can be attributed to the youthful exuberance of the state governor and his lieutenants. 

That is the catastrophic result of promoting an individual above his competence. When something goes wrong, you do not rush to blame others.  

Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. 

When Governor Udom Emmanuel threw decorum to the gutters by referring to his former boss, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as a man of no second address, one needs to ask him how come Senator Akpabio has no second address after holding a commissionership position for six years and being Governor for eight years? 

Interestingly, the man he described as a man of no second address has been Senator for three and a half years, solicitor and advocate for 31 years.  

Haba! One begins to wonder if it is only a former staff of Mr. Jim Ovia of the Zenith Bank fame that has second addresses in Nigeria. 

In Yorubaland, we believe that the boss is not always right, but he is always the boss. Have you ever seen Governor Ambode of Lagos abusing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu publicly like Udom did to Senator Akpabio last week?  

Our orientation and training in Yorubaland will not allow us to descend that debasing low. 

This clearly shows Udom Emmanuel's naivety, as well as his being unworthy of the executive office he presently occupies. 

You can only see people's true colors when they think you are no longer beneficial to their lives. Isn't it pathetic how we waste so much time on certain people and in the end they prove that they weren't even worth a second of it? 

How fast people misbehave towards their mentors when they assume they have grown in importance! Power indeed intoxicates. 

This is how a man can descend so low to bite the fingers that fed him, and as they say, fire burns and most disastrously too, and it will surely do same for Udom Emmanuel at the fullness of time. Udom Emmanuel is a sinking ship.

The New A-Class debuts in Nigeria.

 

The new A-Class is the benchmark of the compact car class. It remains youthful and dynamic as ever and is grown-up and comfortable like never before. 

Courtesy of the authorized general distributors of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Limited; the new A-Class is now available in the Nigerian market. 

Since its world premiere in March 2018, the new A-Class has solidified its position as the top choice for compact and comfort-oriented vehicles with more revolutionizing technology and an increased appeal to comfort and connectivity.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class completely redefines modern luxury in the compact class and revolutionizes interior design. 

All models of the new A-Class are also powered by new, efficient petrol engines. And although Mercedes-Benz has retained the sporty appearance, the utility value has increased. Technologically the A-Class stands out among its competitors with MBOX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience, 

it offers a number of functions that were previously the preserve of the luxury class. Here are some key facts and features of the new A-Class.

The completely new multimedia system MBOX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) in the A-Class creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver, and passengers. 

It is enhanced with an inbuilt learning capability thanks to artificial intelligence and can also be personalized to the taste and needs of the driver. 

The MBOX multimedia system comes with a comprehensive touch operation by touchscreen, touchpad (optional) on the center console and touches control buttons in the steering wheel, there is also an optional Intelligent voice control with natural language comprehension and activation using the keyword "Hey Mercedes". 

Other key features of the MBOX include a navigation display with MBUX augmented reality technology and new “Mercedes me” services.

The A-Class is highly distinguished in its segment with the intelligent drive system, for the first time, the A-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain driving situations. 

It has also been able to achieve the highest safety standard in this segment thanks to extended driving assistance systems with S‑Class functions as optional equipment. 

Other features like the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now support the driver even more conveniently in keeping a safe distance and steering, the vehicle speed is now also automatically adjusted on bends, at road junctions and on roundabouts. PRE-SAFE® PLUS can recognize an imminent rear-end collision.

 If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the brakes of the vehicle when stationary, thus minimizing the risk of injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear. T

here are also other additional features like the Active Emergency Stop Assist and the intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist.

Drivers are in for a treat as the A-Class is enhanced to give more driving pleasure and ride comfort compared to its predecessor. 

There is further improved suspension with MacPherson front suspension with aluminum transverse control arms and multi-link rear suspension. 

This is also further enhanced with 4MATIC and more powerful engine variants: four-link rear suspension. 

The active damping adjustment comes as an optional equipment with electronic control: in conjunction with the standard DYNAMIC SELECT (four driving modes), there is a choice of comfortable or sporty damping characteristics.

Modern luxury is redefined in the A-Class. 

The Avant-garde styling of the dashboard and a cockpit with no cowl create a unique architecture, the two displays measuring up to 10.25 inches (26 cm) each blend together under a shared glass cover (except with the basic variant with two 7‑inch displays) to form a completely free-standing Widescreen cockpit. 

There is also ambient lighting with 64 colors and illuminated air vents in a turbine look, this comes as an optional extra. There is more shoulder room (+9/+22 mm front/rear), elbow room (+35/+36 mm) and headroom (+7/+8 mm), as well as easier entry to the rear.

Speaking on the arrival of the new A-Class, MD/CEO Weststar Associates Limited, Mr. Mirko Plath declared; “

The new A-Class takes personalization and social interaction to a whole new dynamic, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) gives drivers a whole new experience with the voice control feature and an inbuilt learning capability personalized to the taste and needs of the driver. 

The safety systems in the new A-Class are also best in its class with even more technological advancements and there is increased spaciousness in the front and the rear in comparison to its predecessor”.

With the fourth generation of the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz is redefining modern luxury in the compact class opting for a combination of uncompromisingly dynamic design and an intuitive operating concept. 

By focusing on people and making their lives easier, the A-Class becomes an emotively appealing and intelligent companion.