Currently, it is recognised in the literature that three major trends have shaped the modern essence of competitiveness in global automobile trade; and fresh economic opportunities for the advancement of national car industries have been generated by the same causes. For more than fifteen years now the three fundamentals of foreign car trade changes are: 1) convergence in the industry’s top levels across a brandish of amalgamations and successes in the 1980s and 1990s; and the outcome of which the same group of main players dominate markets internationally; 2) improving the levelling of vendors, which increased the value of a vendor (The 2008 Daimler)
Regardless of the increasing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) boom, many developing countries are facing dilemmas in the automotive sector to date; noticing that the domestic automotive supply industries that have been kept behind tax walls for decades during the import replacement era are not necessarily automatic recipients of supply ties with the new assemblers entering tax walls throughout the import replacement period In general, domestic automotive makers today have a limited global room in which to compete. In current years, however, astonishing efficiency improvements amongst global car manufacturers and their primary level dealers. In terms of new materials, modern systems and communication technology, the rapid movement of technology and architecture is very challenging for indigenous car producers in developed countries to upgrade the technology frontier of the sector, or to participate in global markets without an equity relationship with the most significant players or their essential dealers.
In 2008, Mercedes Benz Canada has launched two new C-Class models, one of which is C2304MATIC. This innovative model made its world exclusive first appearance in the 2008 Montreal Internal Auto Show on January 2008. This model is less expensive compared to the existing C-Class, but presents less standard equipment and include a 2.5 litre V6 gasoline engine producing 201 hp compare to the other C-Class. While this contemporary model offers a more reasonable price as compared to the existing models, its inclusion to the C-Class variety in Canada indicates that six models with V6 gasoline engines have been produced and are now available. The maker believes that the consumer prefers this type of model. Lamm, J. (2007)
Engineering and Design
The C230 4Matic, officially, is rated at 11.9/100 km in the city and 7.9 L/100 km on the highway; and the seven-speed transmission is finely blended to the engine. One can choose comfort by just a button on the console wherein it starts off smoother in second gear, and on slippery roads, or sport, the gear is held a bit longer. The 4Matic delivers torque 45/55 front to rear, wherein it facilitates the C230 to power firmly and totally around curvatures. The brakes are evenly capable to the task, taking the car down from speed in a brief, straight line, with fine pedal experience.
This is a tremendously pleasant car to drive compared to other brands such as BMW and Audi, when one will realize that Mercedes has more heft to it, though it is in no way unwieldy: the competitors appears to be sportier, whereas Mercedes is old-money luxury. The C2304Matics could be the least expensive C-Class, yet it carries all the luxurious feel and silky ride intrinsic to the brand. The numerous modifications to the C-Class design were brought about by the 2008 remake: but is observed that the common shape is still the same, though smoother and with an exuding body line that modernize the car significantly. The most fascinating feature is the latest grille, a gorgeous, AMG inspired front end including enormous three-pointed star. It is a new look that, gradually is being introduced by Mercedes, and one can as well obtain a more conventional undecorated three-bar grille with upstanding hood enhancement on the C230. A 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season performance tires are also included in the package, and C230’s standard rims are 16 inch, sport suspension, AMG-style, upgraded brake callipers and sport steering wheel and aluminium pedals.
If the outside design is magnificent, the inside appearance is even better. The preceding double dash design is modified with a smoother one that flows down into the centre heap. The
Typical eight-way power seats are clothed in man-man leather, which touch so good that one can never realize that it is not a true cowhide unless one checked the specifications, nevertheless, genuine leather can be added as an alternative. The contemporary instrument cluster comprises a needle that drifts around the exterior of the speedometer, with the digital information axis in the middle of it, used through wheel-mounted buttons. (Kavanagh 2007)
Currently, all C-Class models conceal the display screen at the rear of a cover on the dash pushing the button to unlock it and automatically, the stereo comes on, and stays on after the cover is pushed back down. Generally, it is suitable and is very good, with textured, soft-touch materials all over; but the shifter knob and the climate control dials are made of plastic which appears thin and cheap. All controls are illuminated with its soft lighting in the foot wells and door handles. The countless stereo buttons lights up only when the stereo is on; and lights goes out if stereo is turned off, making the dash smoother and decreasing distraction at night.
An MP3-compatible single CD stereo is the standard music system, including an auxiliary music player input jack inside the glove compartment (system such as an upgraded Harman/Kardon may be added); and additional standard features contain Bluetooth integration, heated windshield washers, fog lamps, one-touch up/down express windows, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. These specified C-Class, specifically the C2304Matics, footprint, back legroom is larger than it’s usual making the car more comfortable in all seats. The trunk is adequately sized, having a length of 104 cm; however, a folding back or rear seat is an option. Loading is easy by tapping the control on key and the trunk lid springs up completely open and out of the way. Thus, the most difficult part is finding the button, since the key’s functions are entire black plastic. Adler, D. (2008).
The new improve safety, making 70 percent of the 2008 C-Class, C2304MATIC, new body shell is made with superior-strength steel. Usually, a complement of seven airbags, which includes the curtain-type head shield bags that extend from the A to C pillar in a side impact. The engineering procedure was accelerated with far-reaching computer modelling; and the company’s digital prototyping guarantee a faster achievement of quality during the improvement. Several advantage can be observe in the weight of the new car, per Thomas Weber, an engineering principal with Daimler Chrysler, who made a manifestation that the weight of the new, larger car has remained at the level of its forerunner. Jason Kavanagh
Marketing
The Mercedes Benz awesome C2304MATIC made its World Exclusive first appearance to Canada at the Montreal International Auto Show on January 2008. The most recent addition to the extremely flourishing C-Class family offers a car with a superior emphasis on value, agility, comfort and safety. The introduction of the new mid-size Mercedes design is characterised by an edgy interplay of firm lines and large, rounded exteriors. Updated suspension and steering help build the new C-class that is notably more agile, along with the latest six-speed manual transmission for the C230 rear-wheel – drive variant and the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission for the C2304MATIC.(Deslauriers 2008)
Part of their marketing campaign is to provide the option of Mercedes Benz C230 value parts and its C230 attachments used in C2304MATIC to change vehicles, trucks and SUVs. Discounts are often provided on the Mercedes Benz C230 value parts and accessories as seen on their website, clearly, their C230 parts are available below the retail price.
As they strive to market the product and serve consumer well, every Mercedes Benz C230 parts purchase offers a no hassle return policy. That is, if the consumer is not satisfied with the Benz C230 parts, simply return it and get a refund. This service is offered as they are completely confident that the consumer will be totally pleased with the Mercedes Benz C230 purchase.
The C230 is not offered in the United States, only in Canada and in some European countries. Its feature power-driven, a 24-valve, 2.5 litre inline-6 that improves 201 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, which is too much a car test, and equipped with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive hardware and 7-speed automatic, and definitely reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The new
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for sales, promotion and operation of Mercedes-Benz Canada the brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada (i.e. 2008 Mercedes Benz C2304MATICS. The Mercedes-Benz Canada is based in Toronto, Ontario and employing nearly 1000 employees in 19 places throughout Canada. Mercedes-Benz Canada delivered 18,547 cars in 2007, the strongest year ever recorded for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. (Mercedes Benz 2008) via a national network of 14 Mercedes-Benz-owned distribution operations and 39 registered dealerships.
With the available sports kit, the C230 4MATIC can be ordered and is simply differentiated by the AMG body-styling, deeper front and rear aprons, as well as under-door rocker panels, fixed star grille, and spaced diameter multi-speaker 17-inch wheels.
The car also has sports shocks and springs that offer a crisper ride and a lower ride height of 15 mm, 0.6 inches. Instead of the four-spoke wheel and Calypsos wood trim, interior versions have a three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium trim. The versions are further discriminated by a gadget cluster of titanium-colored backgrounds and rubber-studded aluminium pedals.
It is noted that more Mercedes-Benz cars are sold in the state of California compared to any other place in North American. As a matter of fact, California is selling more Mercedes Benz vehicles than of Canada, so it was a outlandish consideration that the 2008 Mercedes Benz
C2304Matic was introduced as a Canada model only. In spite of the motivation behind presenting the Canada-only Benz C2304Matic, most reports do declare that it is a reliable sedan. The price tag is about $39,500 for the basic model with no extraordinary features included.
Generally, drivers who tested it realized that C2304Matic is a nice car to drive with excellent handling; as Canadian Driver.com noted that it has more heft than BMW and Audi and that it definitely had a silky ride. Reasonably, the C2304Matic may well be the finest choice for Canadians looking for a piece of luxury while not giving up any of the speed or horsepower. Also, the design of the car is striking, particularly with a latest grille and an AMG-inspired frond end. The design of the car is striking, particularly with a new grille and an AMG-inspired front end. A sport kit may be attached to the C2304Matic for additional cost that would offer a more conventional grille on the front, complete with an upright hood decoration and three-bar design The Canada-only Mercedes-Benz C2304Matic is a sharp car offered for those Benz lovers north of the border. Other Mercedes-Benz styles are made available for test drive as well, but for those interested in rather a little sportier and definitely more Canadian, the C2304Matic may well be the perfect fit. McIntosh, J (2008).
Conclusion
It is obvious that the fourth-generation C-Class will hide the success of its predecessors and strengthen further its function as a core product with the respected Mercedes-Benz family. The latest four-door, C2304Matic, regenerate highlight on safety, agility and comfort, in tandem with a moderate amount of useful technology, the C-Class, C2304Matic should ascertain to be more popular. The consummate illustration of a two-pronged marketing strategy, the C-Class and Luxury models harmonize each other while increasing the appeal of the new car. With its visual differentiation and performance, the Sport models are expected to turn heads among car enthusiasts and bring about new, younger consumers to the brand.
Social change is altering the auto business, and consumers are searching for more communally responsible options for their personal transportation. Many would agree that C-Class four-door C2304Matic is the new right-size, and the flex-fuel ability supports the country’s current environmental initiative. If consumers demonstrate sufficient interest, a clean diesel power plant is undoubtedly with the realm of C-Class potentials for the market. On the other hand, with the new-generation C2304Matic, the company is well placed for the future. (Zoellter, J. 2007)
