Mercedes-Benz connects to Amazon Echo: Alexa, ask Mercedes me to start the car.

Image: Alexa Mercedes Me Skill Page

Mercedes me for Amazon Alexa

This is cool, Mercedes-Benz just added an Amazon Echo skill to connect to your car, via mbrace.

Steps to connect your Mercedes (2016 and newer) to Amazon Alexa

1. Enable the Mercedes me for Amazon Alexa skill.
2. Connect the Amazon Alexa skill to Mercedes mbrace.


Image: Mercedes me iPhone App screen

Alexa Mercedes Me Skill Description

With Mercedes me for Amazon Alexa, you can access your Mercedes-Benz from the comfort of your couch. In order to effectively use the Mercedes me skill, you will need an active Mercedes me account and an active mbrace subscription.*

The Mercedes me skill allows you to:

Remotely lock the doors
Remotely start your engine**
Send an address or point of interest to your in-vehicle navigation
Manage multiple vehicles

After linking your Mercedes me account to the Mercedes me skill, you can ask questions or give commands, such as:

"Alexa, tell Mercedes me to lock the car."
"Alexa, ask Mercedes me to start the car." **
"Alexa, ask Mercedes me to send an address to the car."
"Alexa, ask Mercedes me to find Starcoffee near me."
"Alexa, tell Mercedes me to update my primary car."

* Select mbrace services are free for five years with any new Mercedes-Benz.
** Available on select 2016 and newer model lines. Check with dealer for details. Features subject to network coverage.

Please note:
• The Mercedes me skill on Alexa currently only supports users in the United States;
• The Mercedes me skill on Alexa will send remote service commands to your vehicle, but will not currently confirm the completion of those commands. However, in the case of remote start, you will receive a remote start status text message to the phone number that is linked to your mbrace account. If you update your phone number linked to mbrace, you will also be required to update your primary car in Mercedes me in order to continue receiving text messages;
• You can manage multiple cars within Mercedes me. However, you can only operate one car at a time via Alexa i.e. the primary car that you set via the Mercedes me skill. In order to change/update your primary car, simply say "Alexa, ask Mercedes me to update my primary car.";
• For Mercedes me customer support, call +1 800-367-6372

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Test Drive

Sad to see this one go.



I never thought I'd like a big SUV, but after driving the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 for a few days, using it to run errands and haul kids around, I can totally see the utility of an SUV.

No wonder why they are the top selling style of vehicle these days.

I was surprised by the handling on the GLE 350. I've heard stories about SUVs being hard to turn, but this one, based on a Mercedes E-Class, drove like a car. Plus, with SPORT mode, it has great pick-up.

Driving around in the GLE 350 felt like sitting my living room in a big comfy chair, plus being higher than most other cars on the road, gave me a fun vantage point.

I could get used to it!



SiriusXM




BOB


KIDS


DUNKIN DONUTS RUN


FITS IN GARAGE


Transponder
Update from EzDrivema:
License plate (exterior) transponders are only for vehicles whose windshields cannot support an interior transponder.

They are easily damaged as they are on the outside of the vehicle.



HOME DEPOT


POTTING SOIL
Could have fit 20 of these bags.



65" SUHD TV
You know when you go to Bfs Club or Costco and everything is big? With an SUV, you walk around and say, I could fit THAT in the SUV and take it home!



24" X 36" POSTER FRAMES


Disclosure: Mercedes-Benz of Burlington provided me with a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 for a test drive. I have a financial interest in Mercedes-Benz of Burlington. I was not asked to write anything about the car and was not provided any other compensation of any kind. All opinions I express regarding the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 are my own.

If you are interested in a Mercedes, mention my name to Victor Argueta at Mercedes-Benz of Burlington, Mass, and he will take care of you.

2017 Mercedes-Benz 2017 E300 Test Drive

Got it home. Tried a few new things along the way. I put on my blinker while Drive Pilot was on, and the car switched lanes. I turned on parking assist and the car backed into a space. This is a new feature, above and beyond parallel parking.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Disclosure: Mercedes-Benz of Burlington provided me with a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 for a test drive. I have a financial interest in Mercedes-Benz of Burlington. I was not asked to write anything about the car and was not provided any other compensation of any kind. All opinions I express regarding the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 are my own.

If you are interested in a Mercedes, mention my name to Victor Argueta at Mercedes-Benz of Burlington, Mass, and he will take care of you.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe Test Drive

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe at Larz Anderson Auto Museum.


















Disclosure: Mercedes-Benz of Burlington provided me with a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe for a test drive. I have a financial interest in Mercedes-Benz of Burlington. I was not asked to write anything about the car and was not provided any other compensation of any kind. All opinions I express regarding the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe are my own.

If you are interested in a Mercedes, mention my name to Victor Argueta at Mercedes-Benz of Burlington, Mass, and he will take care of you.

My Three Words for 2016: PLAY, FUN, and SURPRISE

I've been doing Chris Brogan's THREE WORDS exercise for New Years for a while now. What's ended up working for me is keeping the same words year to year.

It's become my mantra.

These three words help me focus on what's important to me.

Here they are:

PLAY

Carol and I are Social Media Travelers. Brands and Destinations have us share their story in real time via social media.

That includes sharing our experiences using popular tools like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, while we are expieriencing the brand or destination.

We are always experimenting with how best to tell stories.



Some fun examples from this past year are:

Superbowl XLIX as a #VIPwithGMC

Review: Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island Bahamas

Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard

Boston Public Market

Boston Harborwalk Photowalk with #NX1 for #MPB2B

ROW 34 is a Fantastic Oyster Bar in Fort Point, Boston

Bordeaux: Chateau Reverdi Wine Tasting and Blending Experience

Here's a Bordeaux Hotel for you: Best Western

Sonoma County Tourism

Great Night at Fenway

Please contact me if you'd like to tell a real-time story about your brand or destination.

FUN

I only choose to work with people who are fun. I enjoy helping fun people and companies grow. I'm good at saying NO. If a project isn't going to be fun, I won't do it. ;-)

I had a lot of fun helping my portfolio companies grow this year.

Boomsauce. Loving it! Cheers. @lordhobobrewing

A photo posted by Steve Garfield (@stevegarfield) on Dec 29, 2015 at 2:57pm PST

Mercedes-AMG Elite Center. First in the US. Come by to try it out.

A video posted by Steve Garfield (@stevegarfield) on Dec 15, 2015 at 12:30pm PST

Working with the Mercedes-Benz of Burlington and Lord Hobo Brewing Company social media teams to help guide their storytelling was fullfiling.

I had lots of fun test driving some new Mercedes-Benz cars, the S550 for example, and look forward to what's new in 2016. If you are in the market for a new car, please contact Sean King at the dealership and tell him Steve sent you. You have a friend in the business. ;-)

I also enjoyed taste-testing the new batches of Lord Hobo's Boomsauce throughout the year and think it's gotten to the point where it exceeds some of the best reviewed IPAs. Look for it and Steal this Can in a store or bar near you, (New England States, Colorado and NYC for now), and let me know what you think. I'm excited for the rollout of new beer styles this year including a Session IPA and a Wheat beer. Also, visit the brewery at 5 Draper Street in Woburn for some FREE tastings.

For 2016 I'm going to do more than just go the the driving range. I am going to get out on the golf course again.

SURPRISE

I'm excited for what's next and open to new adventures. Last year's biggest surprise was being invited to the Super Bowl as a guest of GMC. Let's see if anything can beat that this year. ;-) Go Pats!

Do you choose three words to start the year? I'd love to hear them.

2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Test Drive

Note:
Photos shot with Samsung #NX1 in AUTO mode.

Buy on Amazon.com (affiliate link):



Disclosure:
Samsung supplied the Samsung NX1 28.2 MP Wireless SMART Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm f/2.0-2.8 "S" Lens to me on loan to play with and requested a short write-up and/or photos shared with the #NX1 hashtag.

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Roadtrip Photos and Test Drive Highlights

After I did a video review of the Mercedes-Benz CLA250, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Burlington, they asked me if I wanted to take it for a longer test drive.

It was perfect timing since I was planning a road trip to the Finger Lakes in New York. So I accepted without any requirements on my part. They said it would be nice if I could share some photos along the way.

That, I took as a challenge.

ROADTRIP PHOTOS:

Here are some of my CLA250 photos from the trip. I'll be posting a review of all of our stops in a future post.

Taking off from the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline MA


I was excited when the MBUSA Instagram account Re-Instagramed this one!



COOPERSTOWN: OTESAGA RESORT


ITHICA: We Saw Lots of Corn


FINGER LAKES WINE: Glenora


CROTON on HUDSON


BECKETT, MA


BURLINGTON, MA
Turning in the car at the site of the future Mercedes-Benz of Burlington.



After spending 28 hours and 1,100 miles in the car, I can say that we loved everything about it.



TEST DRIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

- The CLA250 is fun to drive. Side view mirrors are BIG and helped see blind spots.
- Has great pick up from a stop, and goes really, really fast when you need to pass. ;-)
- Air conditioning was very good, with dual controls for each passenger.
- This test drive came with SiriusXM. I always enjoy that when I get it in a car.
- Bluetooth connectivity to my iPhone was easy to connect. Plays music seamlessly.
- The seats are very comfortable. After 1,110 miles in it, I have no back problems at all.
- Headlights were very bright on the Western Mass back roads, and the Mass Pike where it was very very dark.

Questions:

- When we were on the highway and a large truck blew past us, the car shook.
- There wasn't a spare tire in the CLA250. Do cars come with spare tires any more? Answer: AMG’s and CLA/GLA don’t have them. They usually have Extended Running tires.
- It took a while to figure out how to use the control knob for the multimedia display.
- We had trouble finding a good place for an the iPhone running the Waze navigation app. Would be nice if Apple CarPlay gets integrated in the 2015 CLA250. I'd give Apple Maps a try. Otherwise, an iPhone holder would need to be purchased.

Disclosure:
Thanks to Mercedes-Benz of Burlington partner, Craig Meece, from Allbrandautos.com, for arranging delivery and pick-up of the car. Craig is great. If you need help purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, or any make of car, contact Craig.

Thanks to the future Mercedes-Benz of Burlington for the test drive. Looking forward to a future partnership. Stay tuned.

[Video] The CLA Project part 3 of 4 by Casey Neistat for Mercedes-Benz USA

"This is basically a movie trailer for a car commercial. I hope, but can't promise, that the actual commercial will be as good as this trailer for that commercial. I give it a few hours before Mercedes-Benz asks me to change this description." Casey Neistat

This is a great example of everything. ;-)

The Mercedes CLA Project Part 1 of 4. Casey Neistat's NEW MOVIE!

Casey Neistat is one of my favorite film makers. He's got a new project and it starts with this video.




Image: The Mercedes Project


Image: Casey Neistat


Image: The CLA

Nice promotion. As seen in USA Today:

Image: USA Today - TV on the Web: Casey Neistat's new Mercedes

[Video] Mercedes-Benz 2013 Super Bowl Commercial (Extended Cut): "Soul"

It's an ad for the new CLA, but when you visit the Mercedes website, you can't configure it on the Build Your Own page..


Image: Mercedes Build Your Own

I let them know.

@stevegarfield We'll let you know. Keep your eyes on our Facebook page: mbenz.us/CLA_FB

— Mercedes-Benz USA (@MBUSA) January 30, 2013

They'll get back to me. ;-)

[Video] Mercedes Benz the New CLA

Mercedes Benz Fashion Film Featuring the CLA

As He Likes It:

In the latest Ryan McGinley film, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is showcased in all its headstrong splendour alongside top model Karlie Kloss in Chloé and under the creative direction of Jefferson Hack.

When you see a driver and a car you expect clearly assigned roles: the driver is in control of the vehicle and the vehicle does what it is told. For the film of the Mercedes-Benz key visual Autumn/Winter 2013 Ryan McGinley turns this logic upside down. Rather than showing the new CLA as a perfect design object and a perfectly agile car, he allows the four-door style rebel to have a mind of its own.

McGinley is a perfect match for this free-spirited and unconventional production. Nature and natural beauty are integral parts of his work. His set is a deserted landscape in California and the CLA shares the screen with an unusual protagonist: a mysterious white horse. As the female lead he chooses top model Karlie Kloss who is known for her classic beauty and more so for her exceptional expression. The 21 year-old has been working with clients like Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs for the past seven years. She doesn´t just wear her pretty Chloé outfit in all white – she actually brings it to life.

For the past twenty years Jefferson Hack has made his mark on the Zeitgeist, having worked on magazines such as Dazed&Confused and AnOther Magazine.

As the Creative Director of the Mercedes-Benz fashion film, he and McGinley have produced an imagery that shows the CLA and Karlie Kloss as a team rather than car and driver. Together they cruise through the golden steppe, the sky above them clear and open, until Katie Kloss spots the horse by the side of the road, slows down and stops the car. As she gets out and approaches the horse, the CLA takes off by itself. What ensues is a cat-and-mouse game that McGinley describes as "punk". Just as Karlie is about to give up and, defeated, sits down on the curb, the car returns to her and opens its passenger door invitingly. In the final scene of the film they can be seen driving off together as the CLA takes control of the steering wheel and Karlie Kloss relaxes and lets the wind sweep through her hair.

The Mercedes-Benz fashion film Autumn/Winter 2013 is both poetic and unconventional. Ryan McGinley and Jefferson Hack bring the CLA to life with a mind of its own while staying true to its ethos: The CLA is provocative and nonconformist.

Image: Mercedes CLA and top model Karlie Kloss Courtesy Mercedes