A selective network of exclusive distributors of China Carlsson will be responsible for the marketing. After the opening of the headquarters in Shanghai in October, the first Carlsson dealer based in Shanghai will make its debut. Then, in early November, the opening of the Carlsson sales office in Guangzhou, China will take place. “We are very proud of our cooperation and, thanks to our expertise in fine-tuning premium cars, we see excellent sales opportunities in the Chinese market”, says Mathias R. Albert, CEO of Carlsson Autotechnik.

Carlsson CS60
The Carlsson CS60 highlights the consistently sporty and elegant development, and it stands for luxury and exclusivity. It is powered by a 12-cylinder engine with 5.5 litres displacement and should appeal to premium customers from all business sections. The most striking modification of the Carlsson CS60 is the aerodynamic package, which consists of high-quality components. Optimized flow with increased contact pressure and improved road grip – these are the modification each vehicle goes through at the manor house “Gut Wiesenhof”. The new front section of the Carlsson CS60 with its characteristic grille insert made of electro-polished stainless steel, four auxiliary headlights (high beams and fog lights), and the vertical LED daytime running lights give the CS60 Carlsson its distinctive appearance.

A new rear spoiler support, a rear spoiler, and a sports rear silencer with four oval tailpipes bring the modifications of the exterior to a full circle. The 20-inch alloy wheels, Carlsson Design 1/10 Brilliant Edition are delivered with high-performance Michelin tyres, size 255/35Z R20 at the front, and 275/35RZ at the rear axle. The interior, too, has been modified in many ways by the automobile manufacturer Carlsson. A plaque with the Carlsson logo, autographed by Chief Executive Officer Markus Schuster, embossed headrests, and blue-illuminated Carlsson scuff plates exude an exclusive ambience. Aluminium pedals and footrests feature the logo of the manufacturer at Gut Wiesenhof. Various leather trims and Alcantara inserts complete the interior’s finishing. Carlsson offers the CS60 with 380 kW/516 hp and the car’s speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The powerful 5.5-liter V12 engine, accelerates the Carlsson CS60 from 0 to 100 in 4.6 seconds.

Carlsson CGL45
The extensive modifications to the Carlsson CGL 45 bestows the luxury SUV its very striking appearance. The front spoiler and the chromed grille with the jumping Carlsson horse logo and the auxiliary headlamps with fog lights and high beams contribute greatly to the new look. The LED daytime running lights in the front spoiler lip complete the new lighting unit. They may also be used as position lamps at night. The design of the electro-polished stainless steel grille inserts in the front apron, the front spoiler lip, and the radiator grille display supreme elegance. New sills provide the powerful side view with its extended wheel arches a much more sporty touch. The rear is dominated by a new tailgate skirt support, which includes the sports rear silencer’s four oval stainless steel tailpipes.

The Carlsson CGL45 comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, Carlsson Design 1/5 Evo Brilliant Edition, and is equipped with high performance Goodyear tyres, size 305/35Z R22. The weight of the elegant design has been optimized for the high load capacity and thus, a wheel with a minimum of unsprung mass was developed that enhances agility and still offers maximum stability. The interior of the Carlsson CGL45 has been extensively refined as well. Even before entering the vehicle, the door sills and their blue-illuminated Carlsson logo manifest the claim of the luxury automobile manufacturer. This is underlined further by details such as the embossed Carlsson logo in the headrests, the door-lock pins, and the aluminium pedals and footrest.

The powerful luxury SUVs Carlsson CGL 45 is equipped with a 4.6 litre V8 petrol engine, reaching an output of 250 kW/340 hp. The top speed is 235 km/h accelerating the vehicle from 0 to 100 in 7.2 seconds.

An extension of the selective distribution network in China is planned for 2012, adding four more locations. Carlsson China is officially registered as an automobile importer and the vehicles have the necessary (Chinese) legal CCC license to operate the vehicles. “The CS60 Carlsson and Carlsson CGL45 are homologated as complete vehicles and therefore comply with all statutory requirements of the Chinese market”, says CEO Mathias R. Albert. “The complete conversion takes place at Gut Wiesenhof in Merzig. Here, we pay special attention to quality and workmanship and meet all ISO certification requirements, and we place high emphasis on the homologation granted by the German TÜV and the Chinese CCC type approval authorities”, CEO Mathias R. Albert continues.

“The founding of BRABUS Middle East lets us serve the Arab market, which is one of our most vital mainstays, even better in the future,” explains Prof. h.c. Bodo Buschmann, CEO of BRABUS Group. “This strategic investment once more demonstrates the exemplary role we play for the entire tuning industry. This step benefits not only our retail customers but also our trade partners in the region, which we can now supply even faster with BRABUS tuning.”

The newly founded company is a subsidiary of BRABUS Group. The modern building of BRABUS Middle East LLC has more than 3,000 m² of floor space and sits on Sheikh Zayed Road, the country’s most important traffic artery.

The Arab headquarters of BRABUS houses a large, representative showroom where the trained sales staff presents the entire BRABUS model line-up and the exclusive tuning program.

This includes the BRABUS 700 Biturbo WIDESTAR, the ultimate evolution of the Mercedes SLS gullwing, and the tuning versions of the Mercedes SUVs. The spectrum ranges from customized G-, GL-, GLK- and M-Class models to the BRABUS 800 WIDESTAR. This special model is based on the Mercedes G-Class and features a twelve-cylinder biturbo capacity engine with 800 hp (788 bhp) / 588 kW, making it the world’s most powerful off-roader.

Also on hand are customized luxury sedans such as the BRABUS 800, an 800-hp (788-bhp) / 588-kW version of the Mercedes S 600 with a top speed of 350 km/h (219 mph), and refined versions of the Maybach.

BRABUS Middle East in Dubai not only sells these exclusive high-performance automobiles, it also offers special VIP services for their owners.

In addition to the showroom and the offices for sales, distribution and administration, BRABUS Middle East also operates a large logistics center for the fast supply of BRABUS tuning components to customers and dealers on the Arabian peninsula.

The BRABUS team in Dubai is comprised of German and domestic specialists that supply the discriminating clientele with new vehicles and parts. But that’s not all: the BRABUS factory-trained technicians and upholsterers operate in a modern workshop where they can install all BRABUS tuning components and perform all scheduled maintenance.

The fully equipped company upholstery shop crafts exclusive interiors from the finest leather and Alcantara at the same high level of quality as BRABUS headquarters in Bottrop.

The participants in the reader poll were asked to name those tuners whose products they deemed especially convincing. More than half of them – exactly 52.9 percent of all respondents – picked BRABUS as their top choice.

“We are deeply honored by this important title bestowed upon our work by the readers of ‘auto motor und sport’ for the fourth consecutive time,” said BRABUS CEO Prof. h.c. Bodo Buschmann. “Being voted ‘BEST BRAND 2009’ for being the best tuning brand is more than just an honor. It is also the ultimate motivation for us at BRABUS to continue to develop high-performance automobiles and tuning components that meet and exceed the high expectations our customers, the media and the general public place on us.”

Anyone who appreciates special features has been able to have their two or four-seater tuned by the family-owned company Sportservice Lorinser for over 30 years. Regardless of whether the convertible is the SLK, SL, CLK or G-model or the Smart: in every class Lorinser is able to enhance the experience with individual accents. Be it the unfiltered tubes of the sports exhaust, the intoxicating acceleration power thanks to a performance improvement or the light metal alloys and components which reflect in shop windows. And because with the top down you catch a look at the driver quicker than usual, the Mercedes specialist from Winnenden now offers its own, stylish collection of clothing, which carries the characteristic style of the designer Nina Lorinser.

As in previous years, the USA was the strongest market for AMG with a share of 38 per cent of total sales. Germany came in second place (13 per cent), followed by Japan (8 per cent). The German market has developed very positively with a clear increase of 34 per cent compared with the previous year. The greatest growth markets of 2008 include amongst others China and Brazil with rates of increase of 260 per cent and 565 per cent respectively. With these figures AMG confirms its leading position amongst high-performance vehicle brands and at the same time further expands its market share in the high-performance segment.

The C 63 AMG made a considerable contribution to the success of 2008 with 8100 vehicles delivered. The C 63 AMG, available as a saloon and as an estate, is thereby the most successful AMG automobile of all time. The new SL 63 AMG also developed positively, with 3,050 enthusiastic purchasers in 2008.

In addition, a further chapter of the Black Series success story was relayed to the world with the SL 65 AMG Black Series, limited to 350 units – and enchanted the media and demanding AMG customers alike.

Successful: AMG sports package and AMG Driving Academy

The AMG sports package also made a positive contribution to the year’s success. The striking sporty equipment packages are available for numerous Mercedes lines and were sought after by more customers than ever in 2008; the increase over 2007 amounted to 73 per cent.

The AMG Driving Academy, founded in 2007, registered twice as many applications as in 2007. The strength of demand for high-class racing circuit training and events has led AMG to undertake a considerable expansion of the AMG Driving Academy options for 2009.

Individual customer attention and first class customer care also played a crucial role in AMG’s continually increasing success. Hence AMG is to establish 175 new AMG Performance Centers worldwide by the end of next year: its engagement in intensifying customer relations now covers 15 countries in total.

Environmentally compatible vehicle development initiatives

In addition to its passion for high-performance sports vehicles, Mercedes-AMG GmbH is also committed to social responsibility and is intensifying its engagement in the development of environmentally compatible vehicles. AMG is already “Best in Class” amongst its performance car subsidiary and sporting brand competitors in the field of consumption. All AMG vehicles will surpass the EU-5 standards which come into force from 2009 and also the EU-6 standards which will apply from 2014. To reduce consumption, AMG is shortly to introduce efficiency-increasing engine-generator management as well as regulated oil and water pumps. From 2010 AMG will equip its vehicles with direct petrol injection and with start-stop function. Through constantly increasing efficiency, AMG will from 2012 achieve a reduction in consumption of 30 per cent in comparison to present levels.

AMG was founded in 1967 by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher and is considered to be a pioneer in the field of motor sport and refinement. The cooperation contract agreed with Daimler-Benz AG in 1990 was followed in 1999 by gradual integration into the then DaimlerChrysler AG. On 1 January 2005 DaimlerChrysler AG took 100 per cent of the shares. Today Mercedes-AMG GmbH is a vehicle manufacturer and AMG is the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars. The subsidiary firm of Daimler AG is uniquely specialised in the field of high-performance vehicles and, with its sporty saloons, coupés, cabriolets, roadsters, SUVs and specially produced one-off vehicles, offers a product portfolio which leaves no customer wish unfulfilled. Mercedes-AMG possesses overall responsibility for design, aerodynamics and interior as well as drive system, engine, chassis, brakes and electronics, and ultimately for the final release of the AMG complete vehicle. In addition, marketing and sales-related aspects are handled independently.

While lots of other companies in the automobile industry are severely reducing their activities in light of the current difficult economic climate, the Swabian vehicle tuner is concentrating on expansion. “Right now we are looking for new trading partners, who want to be a part of the worldwide success of our brand”, says the entrepreneur. For this purpose they have started their own small campaign, under the slogan “drive it – sell it” which is intended to expand the German and International sales network. For interested car dealerships the sale of complete vehicles and accessories from Lorinser opens up completely new sales opportunities and the chance to gain new customers.

The wide product range of the vehicle tuner is thereby made available to them: Lorinser does not just cover the luxury end of the market, but also offers an extensive range of products for vehicles such as the A and B-Class or Smart. These are cars which, particularly today, enjoy high demand and excellent social acceptance. The extensive product range of Sportservice Lorinser comprises interior and aerodynamic parts as well as performance improvements for petrol and diesel engines, suspension systems and a large range of high-quality light metal rims. The company is therefore much more than just a “tuner”, as the status of the family company as a vehicle manufacturer impressively shows. With its expansion policy Lorinser wants to set a positive example for the industry.

Big tyres and bulky aprons? They may look attractive on a car. But the worldly woman prefers to snuggle into the sexy combination by Lorinser Lady Pant and Zip Jacket, which form together a stylish suit. Thanks to its comfortable cut and soft, robust material made of 92 percent cotton and 8 percent spandex, the outfit cuts a good figure even when changing a tyre. As you can see in our press photo. Anyone looking as unashamedly good as this won’t have to wait long for her helpful knight in shining armour. And as a thank-you you’ll be able to escort him into a trendy restaurant without having to change the Lorinser Look.

But now to the fashion details: the sporty waisted Zip Jacket does without too much playfulness, but was created by designer Nina Lorinser with a lot of lavish details worked in: like the big Lorinser lettering on the right arm, the Lorinser family coat-of-arms patch on the left breast and the fashionable stand-up collar with draw-ribbon in the neck. The colourfully highlighted waist flow provides a slim look. The ideal fashion partner is the Lady Pant, which accentuates a great figure in the most comfortable way: a hip cut and the sewn-in piping on the side seam make for the perfect fit. The discreet Lorinser logo on the front and coat-of-arms on the bottom convey that something extra. But what does our lady wear underneath? Well, the trendy Lorinser T-Shirt with Raglan sleeves, fitted at the waist of course. Subtle side inserts guarantee a feminine figure contour. After all, when it comes to style, Lorinser has always had a keen eye.

www.sportservice.lorinser.com

For Carlsson, the professional racing driver Ellen Lohr will be primarily involved in the setup and development of Carlsson complete vehicles and will have the task of representing the company internationally. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work together with such a professional from the motor racing and media scene as Ellen Lohr, and are proud of the fact that she will be representing Carlsson worldwide as brand ambassador”, says Markus Schuster, CEO of Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH.

Ellen Lohr was the most successful female touring car driver of the nineties. By claiming victory in the 1992 DTM (German Touring Car Masters) race in Hockenheim, the highlight of her six-year DTM career, she became the only woman so far to overcome the male phalanx of this top racing series. As a motor racing expert for German public service broadcaster ARD and co-commentator of the DTM, Ellen Lohr became known during the years 2000 to 2004 to many Germans as a likeable and eloquent motor racing expert. She also worked for over 8 years as Mercedes factory driver and will still be supported in her current Dakar rally engagement by Mercedes Benz with service vehicles.

Markus Schuster, CEO of Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH and Ellen Lohr have worked together before in motor racing, back in 1990. Back then, Ellen Lohr was driving with Team Bertram Schäfer Racing in the German Formula 3 series. Markus Schuster was working as a mechanic in the same team. In 1999, the paths of Ellen Lohr and Carlsson crossed again: at the 24h race at the Nürburgring circuit, when the Carlsson women’s team with Ellen Lohr won in the 2.0l class and came 7th in the overall ranking. “I am delighted that we can work together again today”, says CEO Markus Schuster.