Mercedes-Benz: Still most preferred vehicle

A majority of Filipino businessmen who have reached a certain level of wealth continue to look at the Mercedes-Benz as the ultimate in “status symbol” connoting success. The European brand has many models with varying prices and features depending on an individual’s preferences, with the most expensive (SLR Maclaren) going for several millions of dollars and the B-Class which is not necessarily the most high end model but still more expensive than most other vehicle brands in the market today.

The 2013 B-Class is the latest vehicle to reach the Philippine car market with stylish features that would impress the luxury conscious individual with a more sporty design, smooth interiors, climate-responsive controls, auto-braking system, efficient fuel consumption and other intelligent features that make it attractive to young, up-and-coming businessmen.

According to our friend Felix Ang, CEO of Cats Motors (the authorized distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the country), one of the most closely guarded secrets of MB nowadays is a proprietary mobile app known as “mBrace” with state-of-the-art technology for emergency and safety purposes. While MB cars are equipped with an immobilizer that stops the vehicle from starting without the correct key inserted in the ignition, mBrace takes “anti-theft” to a whole new level.

Owners will know if somebody tries to steal their vehicles (or attempts to tamper with their parked MB) because an anti-theft alarm signal will be automatically triggered. The signal is then transmitted to the centralized Mercedes-Benz mBrace response center, which in turn notifies the owner (via text, call, email or any of his preferred form of communication) that the anti-theft alarm signal sounded off.

In case the thief succeeds in driving off with the MB, the owner can remotely disable the car through his mobile phone or else access the built-in GPS system to help authorities track down the vehicle. In fact, owners who have difficulty remembering where they parked their cars only have to look at the map on their smart phone to pinpoint the location.

MB also offers roadside assistance and in fact, it was the first manufacturer to do so – which can be particularly convenient during emergencies like flat tires, dead batteries or accidents since a simple touch of the iButton in the car or the mBrace mobile app from an iPhone, iPad or Blackberry can transmit your location and alert the nearest technicians for emergency service. 

It’s like every Mercedes-Benz has a virtual birth certificate, Felix Ang tells us, with all the details (the owner, car model, color, when and where it was bought, etc.) stored in a centralized, accessible database – with this advanced technology used extensively by Mercedes Benz cars, by far the most preferred car in the country.

The ‘Black Snake’

Still on cars, Latvian armored vehicle manufacturer Dartz Motorz Company is shifting to luxury cars via the “Black Snake” – a Mercedes GL 63 AMG-inspired vehicle that is targeted for the Chinese market. The all-wheel drive with a diamond-encrusted hood decoration and a body made up of space aluminum which, reports say, utilizes the Russian “kapsula” technology first used on Joseph Stalin’s armored vehicle.

This Chinese model with a gold and green design reminiscent of a snakeskin – obviously in commemoration of the Year of the Snake – will make the driver literally sit in the lap of luxury as seats are made of leather preferred by the owner – snake, alligator, whatever – and the interiors done in “snake wood.” 

According to Dartz – known for making armored vehicles for Russian leaders (like Lenin, Trotsky, and even Czar Nicholas II) and armored tanks with luxurious fittings such as whale skin leather – the Black Snake is a “21st century masterpiece” and a bulletproof investment. Tag price: $1 million.

6.5 and up

There are a lot of indicators that the economy will pick up this year, with more “rosy” outlooks predicted by credit rating firm Moody’s as it hailed the country’s impressive growth last year, with the last quarter growth pegged at 6.5 percent. Moody’s has also attributed a “more friendly” business environment to the administration, due in large part to the government’s efforts to level the playing field.

For sure, there will be more vigorous business activity considering the renewed interest from the international community, with foreign investors taking a closer look at the Philippines which has been dubbed (once more) as a new tiger economy.  A couple of days ago, Maybank (Malayan Banking) injected an additional $100 million capital to expand its operations here in the Philippines, launching its new corporate headquarters and disclosing plans to double its branches to 100 by next year.

Maybank said the capital infusion was made in support of its operation and in anticipation of the continued boom in the economy, with increased trade and investment flows within the Asean region. Maybank also said it expects substantial demand for financial services that its stockbroking subsidiary Maybank ATR Kim Eng can provide, noting that assets have grown to over $1.3 billion since 1997.

Of course, more economic activity will mean more success for businessmen, with the “newly-made” boys most likely buying new “toys for the big boys.” But of course, all this only after paying the right taxes.

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