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Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
The Fanciest Mercedes SUVs On The Block Are Falling Apart
Bad News For Mercedes GLE And GLS Owners It's not every day that you hear of pieces falling off a brand-new car, unless there are loads of Tesla Cybertrucks in your area. Yet that is exactly the issue that has befallen Mercedes-Benz and some of its most expensive SUVs in the U.S., with the NHTSA announcing a new recall for detaching interior cameras and mirrors on numerous trims across the GLE and GLS ranges, including the swanky bouncing SUV with the Maybach badge. According to the recall documents, the issue is similar to that of the Cybertruck: bad adhesive. 0:02 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More Mercedes Blames Supplier Mercedes lays the blame at the feet of AGC Automotive Americas Co. in Michigan, which allowed a production deviation to pass unnoticed, resulting in smart rearview mirrors potentially falling off. Obviously, this creates a bit of a challenge when backing up, but there are bigger concerns. At this end of the market, technological proliferation has even extended to the seemingly basic rearview mirror housing. Thanks to forward-facing multifunction cameras and other sensors, the affected vehicles lose the function of other advanced driver aids, which, as the NHTSA is always quick to point out, could increase the risk of a crash at either end of the vehicle. So is your car affected? Probably not, because only 26 vehicles have been flagged under this recall, but since the spread of potentially affected models is wide, it's worth a look before the recall notice hits your inbox. 2025 AMG GLE 53 4MATIC 2025 AMG GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe 2025 AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC Coupe 2025 AMG GLS 63 4MATIC 2024 GLE 350 4MATIC 2025 GLE 450 4MATIC 2025 GLE 450 4MATIC Coupe 2025 GLS 450 4MATIC 2025 Maybach GLS 4MATIC Source: Drew Phillips New Windshield Comes As Part Of Recall If yours is one of the affected models built between June 5, 2024, and October 12, 2024, you could score a new pane of glass, as the camera elements are embedded. This means you score a new windshield if your rearview isn't great, but it also means you may need to replace an expensive camera system if you suffer from something as minor as a stone chip. It's a pity that Mercedes can't simply glue the multipurpose rearview mirror housing back on, but that would add to the labor costs and potentially result in some subpar finishing. When you're potentially inconveniencing Maybach owners with a letter notifying them of a recall (to be emailed on July 15), it's best to get them back out the door as soon as possible. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Source: Mercedes-Benz
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Strong bidding for Lakeside Drive site amid uncertain economic outlook seen as vote of confidence
The Lakesite Drive site drew a top bid of $608 million from two subsidiaries of City Developments. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE - The state tender for a plot of residential land at Lakeside Drive near the Jurong Lake District closed on June 3 with six bids, in what analysts say is a vote of confidence by developers in private housing demand, especially at sites in established housing estates and near MRT stations. The Government Land Sales (GLS) site, which is expected to offer 575 units and 1,000 sq m of commercial space, drew a top bid of $608 million from two subsidiaries of City Developments. This translates to a land rate of $1,132 psf ppr (per square foot per plot ratio). The strong interest from developers for the Lakeside Drive plot comes after a Media Circle (Parcel B) site drew no bids on April 29 and a Lentor Gardens site drew a mere two bids on April 3. Both these earlier tenders had led analysts to question if developers had turned cautious, given an increasingly uncertain macro-economic outlook. Tariff-related disruptions and turmoil have already caused the Government to revise down Singapore's 2025 GDP growth forecasts, and analysts are watching how the changing global trading environment will affect the economy and, in turn, the housing market. The industry is waiting to see how the GLS programme – the mechanism through which the state releases land for development by the private sector – will be calibrated to deal with the projected downturn. In previous financial crises, the GLS programme was temporarily suspended in a bid to curtail housing supply – as was the case during 1998 and 1999 during the Asian financial crisis, with the exception of some sites. The Government only resumed releasing sites from 2000 when the market showed signs of recovery, said real estate veteran Bond Lam Chern Woon. Mr Lam, who was former head of research and consulting at Edmund Tie, pointed out that the Government took a similar approach in 2008 and 2009 during the global financial crisis. He added that during the pandemic, GLS sites were launched as scheduled in 2020, but the average tender period (from tender launch to tender close) was noticeably longer compared with that in the pre-pandemic years. This timeframe was about 4.5 months for GLS sites launched from 2020 to 2022, compared with 2.7 months from 2017 to 2019. 'The policy intent of the extended tender periods was to grant developers more leeway to assess market conditions,' Mr Lam said. Will the Government adopt similar measures with the GLS programme this time? Analysts believe an outright suspension of the GLS programme is unlikely because the authorities will likely have to continue to prime sites for new homes, due to the need to supply land to meet housing demand. Furthermore, domestic demand for new non-landed homes continues to be supported for now. On the private property front, housing supply from the GLS programme will be raised to 8,505 units in the first half of 2025, up from 8,140 units in the second half of 2024. PropNex chief executive officer Ismail Gafoor pointed out that the unsold stock of uncompleted private homes, excluding executive condominiums, is much lower now than in previous crises – so there is much less risk of the market crashing because of an oversupply. There were 18,125 such units in the first quarter of 2025, compared with 29,149 units in first quarter 2020 when the pandemic struck, and around 43,000 units in 2008 during the global financial crisis, he said. In the case of Media Circle Parcel B, while this was the second time in about a year where no bids were received for a GLS site, analysts said this could be attributed to site-specific factors including a lack of HDB upgraders and amenities near the site in the one-North precinct. The lacklustre launch in April of the nearby Bloomsbury Residences was also a signal to developers of softer housing demand. However, the better-than-expected bidding interest for the Lakeside Drive site indicates that developers may be saving their bullets for more choice sites. These include those in new housing precincts in Bukit Timah Turf City and the former Keppel Golf Course; Chuan Grove and a mixed-use site in Hougang Central, both of which are close to an MRT station. Developers favoured sites like Lakeside Drive for its ready pool of HDB upgraders from nearby Bukit Batok, Jurong East and West housing estates, and proximity to a substantial industrial employment zone in Boon Lay, Jurong, Pioneer and Tuas. That said, analysts point out that healthy housing demand is contingent on there not being significant job losses and that household balance sheets remain strong. Mr Edwin Loo, real estate consultancy Cistri's associate director, said: 'If current events end up being a trigger for slower income growth and job creation, we can expect demand for private housing to begin to soften gradually.' In such a scenario, he pointed out that buyers who are on the cusp of affording private property are likely to 'act conservatively and opt for the HDB resale market, rather than the lower rungs of the private housing market'. Mr Loo, a former urban planning team lead at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, also said the tariff-related economic instability would affect 'project feasibility assumptions made by private residential developers, especially around potential sale prices, interest rates, and development costs'. He added that he believes the Government is likely 'actively considering a range of economic scenarios' and evaluating how they would impact household incomes, household formation and demand for housing across various price points across the public and private market. Whether that will lead to more state land being alloted for public housing and executive condominiums would bear watching. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
URA puts up second Chuan Grove site for sale; firm bids expected amid steady demand in the area
The 14,514.3 sq m site, which is on a 99-year lease, can accommodate 505 new condominium units. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM GOOGLE MAPS URA puts up second Chuan Grove site for sale; firm bids expected amid steady demand in the area SINGAPORE – A second Chuan Grove residential site has been released for sale under the 2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. The 14,514.3 sq m site, which is on a 99-year lease, can accommodate 505 new condominium units. It is expected to attract firm interest amid steady demand for housing in the area. The release of this plot follows the December 2024 tender launch for a similarly sized adjacent site in the Lorong Chuan area. That tender, expected to yield an estimated 555 units, closes on July 8. Strong sales The two Chuan Grove plots are on the market after a launch in the area recorded strong sales in November 2024. Kingsford Development moved nearly 700 of the 916 units at its Chuan Park project over the launch weekend, making for a 76 per cent take-up rate at an average price of $2,579 per sq ft. OrangeTee & Tie chief executive Justin Quek said: 'With only 168 units left as of March 2025, based on URA monthly developers' sale data, there will be limited new housing options, which may translate to higher demand for future private land sites.' Market watchers expect the latest plot to draw three to six bidders, and a top bid of between $1,000 and $1,350 per sq ft per plot ratio (psf ppr). In 2022, Kingsford acquired the old Chuan Park condo in a collective sale for $890 million, at about $1,256 psf ppr. Before the November 2024 launch of Chuan Park, the last new project in District 19 was Bartley Vue in 2019, noted ERA Singapore chief executive Marcus Chu. Taking in the two sites now being tendered by the Government, 'including Chuan Park, the estate will likely see almost 2,000 units launched in two years', he said. Still, the project would be of relatively lower risk, given the low level of unsold units in the area, said Huttons Asia chief executive Mark Yip. He pointed out that the outside central region (OCR) has 4,361 unsold units in the market as at the first quarter of 2025 – the lowest number since the fourth quarter of 2022. 'With an annual average sales of 3,019 units in the OCR in the last five years, this unsold supply can be easily absorbed by the market in slightly more than a year,' Mr Yip said. OrangeTee's Mr Quek expects demand in the Lorong Chuan area to be supported by home owners looking to upgrade from Housing Board flats or downsize from landed properties. He noted a 'large catchment' of HDB upgraders in the nearby areas of Serangoon, Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, as well as many landed homes in Serangoon Gardens and Lorong Chuan. Desirable location The location is also desirable, thanks to its proximity to educational institutions and Lorong Chuan MRT station, said chief research officer Nicholas Mak. 'The current economic outlook, which would affect property market sentiment, is murky due to the ever-changing tariff stance of the US Trump administration. But by the time this new condominium is ready to be launched in 2027, there could be more clarity on the economic front.' The tender for the Chuan Grove site closes on Sept 4. THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
URA puts up second Chuan Grove site for sale; firm bids expected amid steady demand in the area
[SINGAPORE] A second Chuan Grove residential site has been released for sale, under the 2025 government land sales (GLS) programme. The 14,514.3 square metre (sq m) site, which can accommodate 505 new 99-year leasehold condominium units, is expected to see firm interest amid steady demand for housing in the area. The latest plot released comes after an adjacent similar-sized site in the Lorong Chuan area was launched for tender last December. The tender for the first Chuan Grove site, to yield an estimated 555 units, closes on Jul 8. Strong sales The two Chuan Grove plots are also on the market after a new launch in the area saw strong sales last November. Kingsford Development moved nearly 700 of the 916 units at its Chuan Park project over the launch weekend, making for a 76 per cent take-up rate at an average price of S$2,579 per square foot (psf). OrangeTee & Tie's chief executive Justin Quek said: 'With only 168 units left as of March 2025, based on URA monthly developers sale data, there will be limited new housing options, which may translate to higher demand for future private land sites.' Market watchers expect the latest plot to draw three to six bidders, and a top bid of between S$1,000 and S$1,350 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr). A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up In 2022, Kingsford acquired the old Chuan Park condo in a collective sale for $890 million, at about S$1,256 psf ppr. Before the November 2024 launch of Chuan Park, the last new project in District 19 was Bartley Vue in 2019, noted ERA Singapore's chief executive Marcus Chu. Taking in the two sites now being tendered by the government, 'including Chuan Park, the estate will likely see almost 2,000 units launched in two years,' said Chu. Still, the project would be of relatively lower risk given the low level of unsold units in the area, said Huttons Asia's chief executive Mark Yip. Yip noted that the outside central region (OCR) has 4,361 unsold units in the market as of the first quarter of 2025 – marking the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2022. 'With an annual average sales of 3,019 units in the OCR in the last five years, this unsold supply can be easily absorbed by the market in slightly more than a year,' explained Yip. OrangeTee's Quek expects demand in the Lorong Chuan area to be supported by homeowners looking to either upgrade from current Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats or downsize from landed properties. He noted a 'large catchment' of HDB upgraders in the nearby areas of Serangoon, Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, as well as many landed homes in Serangoon Gardens and Lorong Chuan. The location is also desirable, thanks to its proximity to educational institutions and the Lorong Chuan MRT station, said chief research officer Nicholas Mak. 'Although the current economic outlook, which would affect property market sentiment, is murky due to the ever-changing tariff stance of the US Trump administration, by the time this new condominium is ready to be launched in 2027, there could be more clarity on the economic front,' added Mak. The tender for the Chuan Grove site closes on Sep 4.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Mercedes to add GLC SUV production at Alabama plant
Mercedes executives on Monday said the company will add production of its GLC SUV for North America at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Earlier this month, the German carmaker said it would bring a new vehicle to the Alabama plant in 2027 that would "deepen our commitment to the US". Foreign-made cars have been a main focus of President Donald Trump's global trade war. In early April, the Trump administration implemented 25% tariffs on vehicle imports. Mercedes' GLC is built at the Bremen, Germany, plant, which has 10 total models. A Mercedes spokesperson said on Monday "no significant changes to the average total production figures in Bremen are expected in the medium term. Bremen will produce the GLC for the rest of the world", and the Alabama plant "will localise GLC production for demand in North America". The move will expand production at the Alabama plant, the carmaker's hub for its SUVs, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe and Maybach GLS. Mercedes executives on a Monday call with media did not say how much the carmaker will invest to build the GLC at the southern plant since it is in planning phases.
