* General Distributor launches latest global brand campaign in Sri Lanka 

Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), the General Distributor for Mercedes-Benz locally, announced the launch of the global Mercedes-Benz brand campaign here in Sri Lanka.


Starting right now, Mercedes-Benz will once more set benchmarks in the efficiency of modern product and technology innovations, supported by a wide-ranging communications offensive, the focal point being the new brand claim “The best or nothing.” – The principle from the company’s founding father Gottlieb Daimler.


According to Mercedes-Benz, the new brand claim is not only reflected in the core brand values of perfection, fascination and responsibility, but is also a living, breathing part of corporate culture. It was Gottlieb Daimler who formulated the motto “The best or nothing”, and until this very day, this leadership expectation remains fundamental to the thoughts and actions of every single Mercedes employee. Therefore, it was no surprise that this theme was enthusiastically adopted by the local agent as a motivating internal rallying cry and call to top performance.


For DIMO, who has already built a name for itself as a provider of first class after sales service, staying with this notion will further guarantee their Mercedes-Benz customers nothing but the best in terms of service, innovation, safety and technology. “Mercedes-Benz customers in Sri Lanka can use their vehicles with the peace of mind that only the very best items have been used in the manufacture of their vehicle, delivering the levels of perfection expected by the customer. We take the concept of ‘the Best or Nothing’ very seriously and constantly strive to provide our customers with an unmatchable quality of service,” averred Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman of DIMO.


Boasting one of the most advanced workshops in the country, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, DIMO also has a large warehouse constructed according to the stringent standards set by Mercedes-Benz, which holds over Rs 50 million worth of spare parts, guaranteeing 90% availability of any part required by a customer at any given time. Furthermore, according to Pandithage, the Service Advisors at the workshop periodically fly to Daimler AG in Germany for training, with officials from Germany also visiting Sri Lanka and conducting training programmes for the local DIMO engineers and technicians periodically.


According to the sole agent, Mercedes-Benz is in the fast lane. Since the beginning of 2010 Mercedes-Benz has sold 16 percent more cars worldwide than in the same period last year. And the groundwork has already been laid for further growth thanks to the current model offensive. Reflecting the brand’s ambition to lead now and in the future, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch 16 new or upgraded models globally during 2010 and 2011, including two vehicles in a soon-to-be family of four in the compact segment. With the smart fortwo electric drive, the B-Class F-Cell and the A-Class E-Cell, the new model launches will include three series production vehicles with alternative drives and zero local emissions. End 2010 will see Mercedes-Benz once more set benchmarks in the efficiency of modern internal combustion engines. All-new V6 and V8 engines consume up to 24 percent less fuel than their predecessors. These BlueDIRECT powerplants are the perfect complement to the four-cylinder units already available on the market and turning in exceptionally low fuel consumption figures. Also in the last quarter of 2010, Mercedes-Benz will introduce its ECO start/stop function as standard throughout its model line-up.


According to Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing, “we invented the automobile and originated technologies that are now taken for granted – from the safety cell to ABS, the airbag or ESP®, and unique technological highlights such as ‘PRE-SAFE®’.”


“Based on this tradition, our customers expect nothing less than technological leadership. For us, that means we want to deliver the very best in all areas – be that in research and development, production, sales, service and aftermarket business or in purchasing,” he added.


This ambition to lead will also be evident in the visual depiction of the brand through greater proximity between the badge on the vehicle and communication. The star – one of the world’s most valuable and best known logos – receives a three-dimensional appearance and a highly polished chrome finish, and in communication activities, the brand name and logo will be used together and augmented by the “The Best or Nothing” brand claim.