Latest news with #GLA
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Leadership Transition: Jee-Seop Kim to Succeed Heike Scheuble as Head of Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Vans North America
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mercedes-Benz today announced a leadership change to its North American operations. Effective September 1, Jee-Seop Kim will assume the role of Head of Sales & Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Vans North America. Jee-Seop will succeed Heike Scheuble, who will retire on September 2, after more than 40 years with Mercedes-Benz. 'We thank Heike for her outstanding commitment and significant contributions to the brand throughout her tenure. We wish Heike all the very best in her retirement and look forward to welcoming Jee-Seop into this crucial role. We are confident that his professional expertise and proven leadership skills will help drive continued success for Mercedes-Benz Vans in North America to best serve the needs of our dealer partners and customers.' Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA Heike Scheuble retires after a career with Mercedes-Benz that began in 1980 at Daimler-Benz. Throughout more than four decades, Heike held a series of pivotal leadership roles in both Europe and the U.S., including key positions in warranty, product management, and aftersales. Since joining the Mercedes-Benz USA Vans team in 2015, Scheuble drove continuous profitable growth, built a high-performing and diverse team, launched new aftersales strategies, and played an essential role in strengthening customer and dealer relationships. Jee-Seop Kim transitions into the role of Head of Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Vans North America, with more than 20 years of international leadership experience with the brand. Since joining Mercedes-Benz in 2002, Jee-Seop has held key roles in sales, aftersales, and customer service in the U.S., Germany and Korea. As Head of Customer Services at Mercedes-Benz Korea, he led significant aftersales growth and won multiple service quality awards. Since 2023, Kim has led the Customer Services organization at Mercedes-Benz USA, driving stability, growth, and enhancing trust and performance in the U.S. dealer network during a period of significant change for the automotive industry. About Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 18 model lines ranging from the sporty GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the dynamic all-electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at and To learn more about all Mercedes-Benz entities in North America, visit
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
London mayor agrees 22% cut in affordable housing target
London's mayor and the government have announced a cut of more than 6,000 homes to the affordable homes Greater London Assembly (GLA) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said an agreement had been reached "to adjust London's target for the Affordable Homes Programme for 2021-2026 from the previous range of 23,900 to 27,100 starts".The reduction – with a new target range of between 17,800 to 19,000 - represents a cut of 22%.Deputy mayor for housing, Tom Copley, said Sir Sadiq Kahn was "taking the hard decisions to improve housing supply of all tenures". London is "by some accounts" the most expensive city in the world to build in, the GLA said the decision "responds to the difficult conditions London currently faces and will allow the GLA to ensure the delivery of more schemes and complete the maximum number of affordable and social homes in the 2021-2026 programme".The GLA said it intended to deliver "at least the mid-point of target range" of 17,800 to 19,000 new homes by 2026. 'More expensive to build homes' Copley blamed the "horrendous legacy of the last government", as well as high interest rates, spiralling building costs and "the lasting impact of Brexit" for the cut in the said those factors "made it harder and more expensive to build homes".The GLA said policy issues that arose under the previous government, including delays receiving sign off with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), has driven up the cost of building the builds in London tend to be denser and taller buildings, which are costlier per unit. The GLA said while the BSR "was created to drive well intentioned improvements to building safety, the government has acknowledged that the BSR's current approach has also made it significantly slower to build new homes". In November it was reported that the number of affordable homes started in London had fallen 88 per cent, new statistics have to government data, 3,156 affordable housing builds began work across Greater London between April 2023 and March 2024, down from 26,386 starts in the previous 12 months.
India.com
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
Mercedes-Benz India Announces Two-Stage Price Hike Amid Forex Pressures
New Delhi — Mercedes-Benz India has announced a two-phase hike in the ex-showroom prices of its models, citing sharp fluctuations in foreign exchange rates as the primary driver behind the move. The luxury automaker will implement the price revision in two stages: the first effective from June 1, 2025, and a second increase of up to 1.5% on September 1, 2025. According to the company, the decision was made to help customers plan their purchases more effectively and minimize the financial burden through flexible financing solutions offered by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS). The phased revision comes as the Euro-INR exchange rate has depreciated by approximately 10% in the past four months, substantially raising the cost of imported components and Completely Built Units (CBUs). 'We have been absorbing the brunt of the forex impact so far, and increasing localization efforts. However, due to sustained operational cost pressures, we are now compelled to pass on a minimal portion of these increases to the market,' said Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India. Despite the price hike, the company is assuring customers that monthly Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) will remain largely unaffected, thanks to innovative financing plans like STAR AGILITY and other flexible ownership programs. For example, EMI differences on popular models such as the GLA and GLC are expected to be under Rs 2,000. The second phase of the price correction will see an additional increase of up to 1.5% across the model lineup starting September 1, 2025. Mercedes-Benz emphasized that despite the price adjustments, its continued focus on localization and value-added services will ensure that luxury car buyers face only a minimal increase in ownership costs.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Ask the expert: What can replace my Mercedes now that the dealer is closing?
Dear Alex, I turn 88 this year and had planned to keep my 2018 Mercedes GLA until I can no longer drive. However, my local Mercedes dealership is closing soon, which means a fairly long drive to the next nearest. I am therefore considering swapping the GLA for one that can be serviced locally (BMW, Mini, Toyota, Honda or Kia). I only do 2,000 miles annually; I have read that hybrids are not suitable for such a low mileage, while an EV is not viable as I would be unable to charge it at home. The Mercedes has a trade-in value of about £14,000 and I can add £7,000. What would you advise? – SR Dear SR, Before you get rid, have you looked into whether there's a reputable independent specialist nearby? Mercedes is one of the brands that is best catered-for in terms of good independent garages. Most will use genuine Mercedes parts, giving you a fairly comparable quality of service as that from a dealer. It will be cheaper, too. Otherwise, a BMW X1 is probably the closest to your current car. Steer clear of the stiff suspension and large wheels of an M Sport model, though. I found a 2020 X1 20i xLine with a full history and 43,000 miles for £20,440. BMW's reliability record has improved dramatically of late, which means the brand finished higher than Kia in the last What Car? Reliability Survey. But if you'd rather the peace of mind of Kia's seven-year warranty, a Sportage would be a fairly safe bet. A 1.6 T-GDi 3 will have plenty of equipment and your budget gets you an approved used example from 2022 with 36,000 miles. It won't feel quite as posh as your Merc, but the Sportage is solidly built. A hybrid isn't out of the question. You would probably need a solar trickle charger to prevent the battery going flat if it's not being used for a while (of course, that will only work if your parking space isn't covered). But if you can make it work, a Toyota C-HR will probably deliver the greatest peace of mind. Toyota has a brilliant reliability record, while if you use a dealer for all servicing, they'll warrant it for up to 10 years. A top-of-the-range 2022 1.8 Hybrid Excel will be loaded with equipment. I found a 21,000-mile example for £21,000.
Time Out
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The London suburb getting 6,000 homes for first-time buyers
Housing in London is a truly depressing topic of conversation, especially if you're trying to get on the property ladder. The average price of a home in the city is £556,000, way above the UK average of £330,000. That's a loooot of cups of matcha latte (more than 139,000 actually). It all seems pretty hopeless, unless you've got a rich relative on their last legs, or you win that mad competition for a big house in Borough. And money's only half the issue – the Greater London Authority (GLA) estimates that London needs around 66,000 new homes annually, with two-thirds being affordable, but construction has fallen significantly short of this target. But fret not. A long overlooked northwest London suburb may just be the housing hero we've been waiting for, and it's on the Piccadilly line. Alperton in Brent is set to become the next hub for hopeful young buyers, with 6,000 new homes being delivered this year. It was designated a Housing Zone by Boris Johnson way back in 2015 when he was Mayor of London and is a key Growth Area for the borough. The suburb is just 30 minutes away from Green Park, and situated right next to the Grand Union Canal – so it's perfect for chilled out strolls, with two local parks, One Tree Hill and Barham Park, on its doorstep. The area will is currently undergoing improvements to infrastructure including new community facilities and better access to public transport. There are several new developments at different price points being built in the area, where average house prices are less than neighbouring Wembley and Ealing. The Grand Union neighbourhood will feature 3,350 new homes, including in new building Peninsula House, where studios and one, two or three bed properties feature full length windows and terraces overlooking the canal. It's also going to have exclusive access to a fancy co-working space called The Lock, which also features a two-lane bowling alley, as well as its own crepe and coffee shop aboard a narrow boat. Sounds pretty bougie. Prices start from £385,000. For those looking for something more affordable, the One Hundred development of one, two and three bed flats with balconies or terraces for each property is available starting at £85,000 for shared ownership. Alperton and Stone Bridge stations are just 15 minutes away on foot. And if you've got some serious cash to splash, you could nab a spot in Pear Tree Court, a gated community where a three storey maisonette will set you back £550,000. There are only three of them left, so you'd have to act fast. There's also going to be another new development of both shared ownership and outright sale homes, Twyford Park, in parkland between Alperton and Hangar Lane, but the details and dates for that haven't been unveiled yet. Renters will be able to shack up in Alperton Depot from next year, when the new purpose built site redeveloped from an old bus depot opens with 306 flats, a concierge service, gym and landscaped roof terraces. But with the average rent in the area coming to £1,953, it's pretty unlikely it'll fulfil the need for affordable options. So… perhaps not the most thrifty of places to settle in – but if you can wangle a good mortgage and fancy living down the road from Wembley Stadium, you're in luck.
