Mercedes-Benz scoops three regional awards

The Middle East and Levant's leading German luxury automaker took the Compact Executive Saloon of the Year award with its new C-Class, the SUV of the Year with it's seven-seater GL-Class and, in the Industry Section, received the award for the Best Car Launch with its Dubai-based SLR 722Edition and Maybach 62 S driving event held in February.

In presenting the awards, held under the patronage of Mohammed Ben Sulayaem, magazine editor Shahzad Sheikh said about the new C-Class: 'It was always going to win this award, we might as well have called it the 'Mercedes C-Class award'. The new baby saloon from the three-pointed star has reinjected a dose of quality and prestige. And with its elegant styling echoing the flagship S-Class, this no longer feels like the poor man's Merc.'

He added that the jury decided that the GL-Class has impressive ability for something of its size, and is dead easy to drive. This is a car that can off-road with the best of them, fits all the family in, and earns kudos in the school car park by dint of the three-pointed star.

'The 9th Middle East International Motor Show has been a tremendous success for us with the car of the show, the Maybach Landaulet design concept receiving considerable interest at its world premiere. We also had the regional introductions of the SLR Roadster, the C 63 AMG super saloon and the CLK 63 AMG Black Series that is based on the Formula One safety car,'

said Johannes Fritz, Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East and Levant.

'These awards emphasise our market leadership and confirm Mercedes-Benz as the luxury manufacturer that most closely meets the design, technological and performance aspirations of our customers across the region.'

With excellent October results and deliveries of 1,538 new vehicles, an increase of 25.8% over last October (1,221), Mercedes-Benz Cars in the Middle East and Levant is well on track for another record year.

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