TODAY 6 FEB Exclusive Mercedes-Benz News

...Sindelfingen also receive good ratings from J.D. Power and Associates. "The quality of our vehicles is at an all-time high. An independent survey for the US market has now confirmed what our internal analyses and European studies have been showing for some time now," noted Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development at Daimler AG, in response to the findings of the current IQS study ("Initial Quality Study") conducted by J.D. Power. The study surveyed US customers with vehicles from model year 2010. Mercedes-Benz has achieved a further marked improvement in comparison to 2009, rising by three places in the brand ranking to 3rd place. This is the best IQS result for Mercedes since 1990.

Particularly gratifying is the showing by the C-Class, which took first place in the premium entry-level segment. The new E-Class got off to an excellent start in both its saloon and coupé versions, notching up a second place, as did the facelifted S-Class.

Two Mercedes-Benz plants among the top 3 in Europe/Africa.

It is not only Mercedes-Benz's models which fare well in the J.D. Power study - the production plant in East London/South Africa tops the production plants both worldwide and in the Europe/Africa country category.

The plant receives the J.D. Power Platinum Plant Quality Award for its first place – the highest distinction available from the market researchers. The South African plant already topped its country category back in 2009, scooping the Gold Plant Quality Award.

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen also ranked among the top 3 for 2010 in Europe/Africa. The brand's largest car production plant worldwide claimed this year's J.D. Power Bronze Plant Quality Award.

About the study: The IQS study is based on the responses from around 82,000 buyers and lessees of new vehicles from model year 2010. It was conducted 90 days after delivery of the vehicles.

The questionnaire covers 228 questions/problem areas from the categories exterior, driving experience, equipment/operation/displays, audio/entertainment/navigation, seating, heating and air conditioning, interior and engine/transmission.