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☆ Mercedes-Benz flags market uncertainty despite 2022 earnings boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Mercedes star logo is seen in front of the Mercedes-Benz customer center in Sindelfingen, southwestern Germany, on February 13, 2023. Mercedes-Benz Group on Friday beat analysts' forecasts with annual earnings of 20.5 billion euros ($21.80 billion), but the premium carmaker warned of lower earnings this year due to economic uncertainty. The company hit its forecast of a 13%-15% adjusted return on sales in the cars division, reporting a 14.6% margin for 2022. But it forecast a lower adjusted return of 12%-14% on sales for the cars division in 2023 and group earnings slightly below 2022, even though sales at the Mercedes-Benz Cars business are expected at the same level. Roughly 50% of the company's annual portfolio is financed, he said, meaning that higher rates will have an impact.

☆ Why I'd buy a Tesla Model Y over the Mercedes EQB after driving both electric SUVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderTesla's always been the one to beat when it comes to range. The Model Y serves up an EPA-estimated 330 miles of driving per charge, making it one of the industry leaders. The 2022 EQB carries a comparatively weak 243-mile rating, which drops to 227 miles in the quicker EQB 350 model I tested. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderTeslas are refreshingly minimalist and uncluttered, but not nearly as conventionally luxurious as BMWs and Benzes. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderIn the Model Y, technology takes center stage in the form of a big, feature-packed display.

☆ Mercedes-Benz's new self-driving tech is turning up the heat on Tesla at the worst possible time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Its Drive Pilot feature allows drivers to not pay attention to the road in certain situations. Drive Pilot is a "really big deal," Bryant Walker-Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who specializes in autonomous vehicles, told Insider. But at one level higher, Mercedes' Drive Pilot allows a driver's attention to wander to other tasks in certain situations. There are some caveats: When Drive Pilot hits roads later in 2023, it will only work on certain freeways in Nevada and only at speeds under 40 mph. Still, Drive Pilot isn't sparking a revolution in the way people drive — or don't — just yet.

☆ Republicans are mostly ignoring a $9.4 million sexual assault lawsuit against the Trump-aligned head of CPAC
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

A GOP staffer accused CPAC head Matt Schlapp of sexually assaulting him, filing a $9.4 million lawsuit. A screenshot of the staffer's texts with Matt Schlapp on the morning after the assault on October 20, 2022. "I had a private life before Matt Schlapp, and I want to have that life post-Matt Schlapp," he said. "Those are simply allegations, and I'm not going to comment on them," said Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. "All matters pertaining to CPAC, I leave to CPAC internally," he said when asked if Matt Schlapp should remain atop the organization.

☆ I was obsessed with my Tesla but Elon Musk convinced me I'd rather drive an electric Mercedes-Benz
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Christine Orita was a loyal Tesla fan for years but recently ditched her Model S for an electric Mercedes-Benz. A 2013 Tesla Model S. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, FileI took delivery of my car in early 2013. The Mercedes EQS is a superior productI looked at Audi and BMW's electric cars, and their range was just not where I needed it to be. The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+. I feel so much better to be rid of the Model S.

☆ Mercedes is the first automaker to deploy actual
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Mercedes’ Drive Pilot system is designed to work on highways in dense traffic at speeds of less than 40 miles per hour. The Mercedes system is considered Level 3 Automation, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Even Tesla’s Autopilot and so-called “Full Self-Driving” technologies require that the driver pay attention to the road outside the car at all times. Among other technologies, the Mercedes system relies on lidar, which is similar to radar but uses laser light, rather than radio waves, to detect objects in its surroundings. The Mercedes system also uses a rear-facing a camera in the back window, a microphone to listen for emergency vehicles and road wetness sensors inside the wheel well.

☆ Man accusing Matt Schlapp of sexual battery claims in suit the former Trump advisor's wife defamed him by telling a neighborhood group chat he was a 'troubled individual'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An anonymous accuser claimed Matt Schlapp and his wife defamed him, per a lawsuit filed Friday. The accuser came forward with allegations of sexual battery against Schlapp to the media. In one text purportedly sent by Schlapp's wife, she calls the accuser a "troubled individual." The complaint filed Tuesday and reviewed by Insider accuses Schlapp of sexual battery and he and his wife, Mercedes Schlapp, of defamation and conspiracy against the accuser. Spies did not verify the veracity of the message said to have been sent by Schlapp's wife.

☆ Matt Schlapp slapped with a lawsuit after an allegation of fondling a GOP operative
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

In an interview with NBC News earlier this month, the operative said Schlapp invited him to meet at an Atlanta bar. As the operative drove Schlapp to a hotel near the Atlanta airport at the end of the night, Schlapp put his hand on operative's leg, the operative said. Eventually, the operative said in a video he recorded later that night, Schlapp "grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length." When Schlapp texted to say he was in the lobby ready to be driven, the operative replied with language suggested by campaign officials. I would appreciate it,” Schlapp texted, according to the suit.

☆ Conservative leader Matt Schlapp is accused of fondling a male campaign staffer in Georgia
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

"He reached in between my legs and fondled me," the former Walker staffer told NBC News in a telephone interview Thursday night. Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, is married to former Trump White House aide Mercedes Schlapp. A senior official on the Walker campaign confirmed that the aide shared the allegation with his supervisors at the time. "The whole thing makes me physically ill," said the senior Walker campaign official. Both the staffer and the senior campaign official said the Walker campaign made legal counsel available to the staffer to discuss his legal options and indicated the campaign would support whatever decision he made.

☆ Herschel Walker staffer accuses CPAC head Matt Schlapp of 'groping' and 'fondling' him without consent
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A staffer for Herschel Walker's Senate campaign has accused CPAC head Matt Schlapp of groping him, per NBC and the Daily Beast. "Matt Schlapp of the CPAC grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length." The next morning, Schlapp texted the staffer, who was set to also drive him that following day. "I did want to say I was uncomfortable with what happened last night," the staffer texted Schlapp. "If he had made a polite pass at me and left it that," the staffer told NBC News.

"There are grave medical concerns," Erin Hyde told a federal judge in Orlando on Wednesday, according to a transcript of the hearing obtained by NBC News. Things took a stranger turn when the judge turned his attention to Josh Edwards, who did appear in the courtroom. Josh Edwards is taken into custody outside the Edwards family’s New Smyrna Beach home on Wednesday. Jon Levy / AFP via Getty ImagesThe 13-minute hearing ended with Evan Edwards’ lawyer telling the judge there were grave concerns around his health. The case centers on a Paycheck Protection Program loan application Josh Edwards filed in April 2020.

ASLAN International was ultimately approved for an $8.4 million loan. Agents escorted Josh Edwards out of the home and into a law enforcement vehicle, his hands cuffed behind his back. Josh Edwards is taken into custody outside the Edwards family’s New Smyrna Beach home on Dec. 14, 2022. The Edwards family did missionary work in Turkey for many years before moving to Florida in 2019. The Edwards family did not challenge the seizure.

☆ Rivian halts plans to build electric vans with Mercedes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Rivian said Monday it would no longer pursue a deal with Mercedes to build electric vans for businesses in Europe. “At this point in time, we believe focusing on our consumer business, as well as our existing commercial business, represent the most attractive near-term opportunities to maximize value for Rivian,” Scaringe said. A memorandum between Rivian and Mercedes was agreed just three months ago. They had planned to produce two large vans — one based on Mercedes’ engineering and another with “second-generation” Rivian engineering. Rivian, which is known for its electric trucks, generated huge hype when it made its public market debut in 2021.

☆ Mercedes will unlock your $100,000 electric car's full power — for an extra $1,200 per year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mercedes-Benz will offer a $1,200-per-year "acceleration Increase" feature for some electric cars. Customers who pay the fee will unlock between 20% and 24% more power output from their electric Mercedes. The upgrade will also boost torque and shave up to one second off of a vehicle's zero-to-60-mph time, Mercedes says. Three-quarters of consumers aren't willing to pay a subscription fee for most car features, according to an April survey from Cox Automotive. Have a story about car subscription features that you'd like to share?

☆ European shares pulled down by Mercedes, defence stocks up after Poland blast
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Mercedes slides on report of China EV price slashesEuropean autos sector eyes worst day in nearly 7 weeksBiden says missile that hit Poland may not have come from RussiaNov 16 (Reuters) - European shares fell on Wednesday, with Mercedes Benz Group leading losses in automobiles stocks, while a blast in Poland kept sentiment subdued and pushed up defence stocks. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) index fell 0.4% by 0924 GMT. Auto stocks (.SXAP) tumbled 2.8% to lead sectoral declines, and were headed for their biggest one-day percentage fall in almost seven weeks. The European aerospace and defence (.SXPARO) sector climbed 0.9% following news of the blast. Multiple data points signalled a euro zone recession amid the European Central Bank's aggressive monetary tightening cycle to control record-high inflation.

☆ Ronna McDaniel says she will seek re-election at RNC as rivals eye her job
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said Monday that she will seek re-election to a fourth term, even as potential rivals are being encouraged to mount campaigns for the post. McDaniel made the announcement on a call with RNC members from around the country, a person familiar with her remarks confirmed. Mercedes Schlapp speaks alongside her husband Matt Schlapp at CPAC in Dallas on Aug. 4, 2022. “We have fielded calls,” Matt Schlapp told NBC News Monday. The RNC chair election is slated for the party’s winter meeting in January, where the 168 members of the committee vote on their next leader.

☆ I tested six-figure electric cars from Porsche and Mercedes. I'd buy one for its stunning quickness and the other for its opulent interior.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The $209,000 Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo Porsche lent me is the highest-performance Taycan available and the hatchback edition. Tim Levin/InsiderThe Mercedes smacks you right in the face with a plush, spacious interior filled with leather and high-end materials. Tim Levin/InsiderThe Porsche also has a long list of luxurious options, but it gives off a sportier vibe. VerdictThe 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. Tim Levin/InsiderThe Taycan Turbo S blew me away with its ridiculous quickness and fantastic handling.

☆ Mercedes tell Hamilton the seat is his to race into his 40s
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It's 100% his seat," team boss Toto Wolff told reporters at the Mexico City Grand Prix when asked whether Mercedes, who have Britain's George Russell in their other car, might consider anyone else. Mercedes still harbour hopes of overtaking Ferrari for second place overall in a year dominated by Red Bull and Max Verstappen. The oldest race winner of the modern era remains Nigel Mansell at 41 in 1994, with Kimi Raikkonen also a winner at 39 in 2018. "As long as you continue to look after yourself and develop your cognitive sensors, I think he (Hamilton) has many more years in him. I'm pretty certain that's going to be the case here in the team," said Wolff.

☆ Mercedes-Benz to sell shares in Russian subsidiaries to local investor
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) said on Wednesday it would withdraw from the Russian market and sell shares in its industrial and financial services subsidiaries to a local investor, becoming the latest carmaker to exit the country. A Mercedes spokesperson said the company's stake in Russian truckmaker Kamaz (KMAZ.MM) would not be affected by the intended transaction and should be transferred to Daimler Truck this year as planned. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mercedes-Benz to quit Russian market, sell shares to local investor
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The Mercedes-Benz logo is seen on a car at a new Mercedes-Benz plant's cornerstone laying ceremony in the town of Esipovo outside Moscow, Russia, June 20, 2017. REUTERS/Tatyana MakeyevaBERLIN/MOSCOW, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) said on Wednesday it would withdraw from the Russian market and sell shares in its industrial and financial services subsidiaries to a local investor, becoming the latest carmaker to exit the country. Mercedes-Benz Russia said shares in the local subsidiaries would be sold to car dealer chain Avtodom. "Final completion of the transaction is subject to the authority's approval and the implementation of contractually agreed conditions," he added. The Association of European Businesses (AEB) said 9,558 Mercedes vehicles were sold in Russia from January to September, down 72.8% from a year earlier.

☆ Energised Hamilton says he will return Mercedes to the top
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain waves to the fans after the running of the U.S. Grand Prix F1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"We are much closer now, the upgrade worked and we were racing for a win," said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Hamilton has had two other runnerup results this season in France and Hungary but it was the manner of the fight in Texas that had both the Englishman and his Mercedes team looking ahead to next year. "What's happened this year in terms of our performance and everything to get a win would be a huge triumph for us," said Hamilton. "I felt amazing to even just be in shooting distance of Max for some parts of the race," said Hamilton.

☆ Sainz on pole in Austin as F1 mourns Mateschitz
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I think for tomorrow Red Bull are still the favourites and they normally have the better race pace," he added. The Monegasque was 0.065 slower than Sainz's pole time of one minute 34.356 seconds in a windy session at the undulating circuit outside Austin. "The last lap wasn't the best, Carlos did a better job today and deserves to be on pole," said Leclerc. Ferrari need to score 19 points more than Red Bull, who have won the last seven races, to keep the constructors' championship alive with three rounds remaining. Aston Martin's four times world champion Sebastian Vettel, who won his titles with Red Bull, starts 10th.

☆ Can Max Verstappen and Red Bull become Formula One’s new dynasty?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —For much of the 2022 Formula One season, Max Verstappen’s inevitable march to a second consecutive world championship felt more like a procession than a competition. “We note the findings by the FIA of ‘minor overspend breaches of the financial regulations’ with surprise and disappointment,” Red Bull said in a statement earlier this month. The FIA has yet to announce how Red Bull will be penalized for breaching the cost cap. “But Red Bull have not only made the best of the new regulations, but they seem to have a driver in Max that is driving at a level that I’ve not seen since Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen celebrates becoming F1 world champion with his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.

☆ Mercedes signs 1.5 bln eur deal with Rock Tech Lithium to push e-car drive
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) has signed a supply agreement with Canadian-German Rock Tech Lithium Inc (RCK.V) to receive on average 10,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide per year, the German carmaker said on Thursday. The deal allows the luxury carmaker to supply its battery partners with raw material, starting in 2026, including a qualification period, in order to rapidly scale up production of fully electric vehicles, it said in a statement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"This significant amount of lithium sourced directly from Rock Tech will help Mercedes Benz to advance localization of European production of state of the art battery cells," Mercedes-Benz management board member Markus Schaefer said. As part of the deal, Rock Tech Lithium plans to supply Mercedes-Benz battery partners from a converter based in Guben, Germany, helping the German luxury carmaker to go fully electric by the end of the decade where market conditions allow. ($1 = 1.0217 euros)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterWriting by Rachel More and Christoph Steitz; Editing by Maria SheahanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mercedes signs deal with Rock Tech Lithium to push e-vehicle drive
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BERLIN, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz has signed a supply agreement with Canadian-German Rock Tech Lithium Inc (RCK.V) to receive on average 10,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide per year, the German carmaker said on Thursday. The deal allows the luxury carmaker to supply its battery partners with raw material, starting in 2026, including a qualification period, in order to rapidly scale up production of fully electric vehicles, the company said in a statement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterWriting by Rachel More; Editing by Maria SheahanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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