Mercedes unveils new E500 E-Class

       Mercedes Benz Thailand yesterday moved to preserve its image as the luxury car leader by giving a preview of the E500- the model topping the company's E-Class range - which has already been imported in a right-hand drive version by independent companies over the last two months.
       More than 12 million E-Class saloons have been sold worldwide in the past 60 years, making the E-Class the best-selling Mercedes Benz range, said president Alexander Paufler.
       In Thailand, the current E-Class generation is among Mercedes Benz Thailand's top performers, with a 77%market share of 1,421 units in the first seventh months.
       "Now, with our new E-Class, we're raising the bar yet again - be it in fuel efficiency or environmental compatibility, be it comfort, safety or product quality.
       "At the same time - and despite all innovation - we have stuck firmly to our philosophy that an E-Class is focused not on short-lived hype but on lasting value," he said.
       The new E500 comes with a 5,462cc V8 petrol engine, eight cylinders and a seven-speed automatic transmission and it has a top speed at 250 kilometres per hour.
       E500 cars imported from Germany will go on sale in the fourth quarter this year at slightly more than 10 million baht. Observers said the car was previewed to inform Mercedes Benz Thailand's dealers and customers that the new model is coming to Thailand soon.
       Independent car importers beat the authorised Mercedes Benz distributor in launching the E-Class model because Mercedes Benz Thailand wasted time preparing kits for local assembling, said industry figures.
       Independent importers brought in the smaller-engine models of the E-Class with right-hand drive.
       Mercedes Benz Thailand will assemble the E-Class model in the fourth quarter of this year with both diesel and benzene engines of no more than 2,500cc.
       Bosch debuts no top-up auto battery
       SANTAN SANTIVIMOLNAT
       Bosch has launched asealed maintenance-free battery to strengthen its product lineup in the increasingly competitive auto-battery market.
       The S3 MF is an entirely maintenancefree battery with a labyrinth structure and ventilated cover that is sealed from the factory. The battery therefore requires no topping up over its lifespan of 18-24 months.
       "This will make the battery problemfree for customers and increase their convenience," said Yingyuad Whangprayoat, general manager of Robert Bosch Thailand's automotive after-market division.
       The S3 MF battery also uses calcium production technology, which ensures precise starting power.
       The automative battery aftermarket has heated up this year with manufacturers shifting their focus to the aftermarket as demand from automakers dried up.
       Bosch is aiming the S3 MF battery at almost all Japanese passenger and pickup vehicles.
       But Mr Yingyuad gave no figure for the targeted market share or total value of the market.