Fans of Mercedes-Benz can see some of the brand’s top vehicles at The British International Motor Show as well as seeing some of music’s biggest names.

The London ExCel arena will exhibit the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren as well as the smart ed as visitors look to get their fill of the luxury automobile brand.

Currently on trial in the UK, the smart ed will be on display along with some of the established names in music including Meatloaf and Status Quo.

Also attending The Motor Show Music Festival will be Blondie, Alice Cooper, Squeeze and Deep Purple, as well as US sensations Chicago.

Anyone visiting the concert will also get to take in the motor show and see the Mercedes-Benz World Stand.

Kirsty Perkinson Marketing Director of the event said: "The Motor Show Music Festival combines rock stars and cars within a unique, open-air, intimate venue in an amazing waterfront setting, giving car-lovers even more reasons to visit this year’s British International Motor Show."

Sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars have increased by 17 per cent to 318,000 vehicles in the first three months of this year - a new record for the first quarter.

The smart brand also improved its unit sales from 10,800 to 31,200 cars.

Yet again the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the smart fortwo proved to be particularly popular with customers.

The Mercedes-Benz brand saw 284,000 vehicles, an increase of ten per cent, sold in the first quarter.

Mercedes-Benz Cars’ EBIT also improved by 45 per cent to GBP909 million.

Worldwide unit sales in Mercedes-Benz Cars are expected to increase during 2008 and surpass the levels of previous years.

The full availability of the saloon and estate versions of the new C-Class and the smart fortwo are expected to contribute to this.

Despite the effects of the credit crunch on the global economy, Daimler expects to meet the unit-sales targets it has set for all its divisions during 2008.

The C-Class has been enjoying great success, March represented the best ever sales for the saloon model at 4,930 units while the previous best quarter (April-June 2003) saw sales of 7,125.

Ron Dennis is used to being surrounded by the biggest names in motorsport but during the Spanish Grand Prix he got a visit from one of Formula One’s biggest fans - the King of Spain.

King Juan Carlos was given a guided tour of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes garage last weekend and Dennis was delighted to give him a glimpse into the workings of a Formula One team.

Speaking to autosport.com, he said: "He is not only a regular attender of Spanish Grands Prix, but he is also a genuine Formula 1 devotee.

"I always find conversing with him very stimulating, and last Sunday was no exception," he said.

Following the team’s first competitive visit to Spain, Dennis said he was looking forward to revisiting the country in August for the European Grand Prix, which will be held in Valencia.

"We’re very much looking forward to this year’s European Grand Prix," he said.

This year’s Spanish Grand Prix saw one Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver end up in hospital after a bad crash while the other made it the podium.

Heikki Kovalainen was uninjured after his crash and released from hospital this week while Lewis Hamilton’s third place finish left him in second place in the Driver’s Championship.

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The Mayor of Middlesbrough has described the smart ed as the "most environmentally friendly car in the world".

Middlesbrough Council is aiming to encourage sustainable motoring by introducing electric smart cars as part of a trial set-up by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced several of the vehicles across the UK and the city’s Mayor has been using one for civic duties.

Charged directly from any UK mains socket, the car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other harmful emissions.

"These two smart eds show the council is determined to keep up the fight to cut carbon emissions and to tackle climate change - one of the greatest challenges to the future of our planet," the Mayor told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"It is the car of the future. It is the most environmentally friendly car in the world and it is here in Middlesbrough," he added.

Mercedes-Benz began pilot project in November 2006 that saw about 100 of the smart ed models leased to customers in the UK

Although the smart ed is not available to purchase yet, the regular cars are a smart choice.

Visit www.thesmart.co.uk for more information and build your smart car.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class ranges have now been certified to the international standard ISO 14052 - "Design for Environment".

This makes Mercedes-Benz the only automaker whose products meet this environmental standard.

Responsible motoring and sustainability are key values within Mercedes-Benz and a combination of new production methods, innovative technologies and a whole-life strategy has enabled the firm to achieve this new standard.

The certificate does not just cover emissions; it also looks at the life-cycle of the vehicle meaning the cars must show they are sustainable over longer periods.

Recycling fraction increased by 156 per cent on the A-Class meaning that the number of components made from recyclable materials was very high, for example, plastic surplus from the dashboard can be used in the front wheel arch lining.

A total of 85 per cent of A-Class’s components can be recycled while 95 per cent can be recovered.

Meanwhile, the Rastatt plant that produces the vehicles has innovative environmental measures including the use of water-based paints, clean natural gas and solar energy.

In addition, drive innovations in engines and bodywork as well as natural gas drive and the ECO start-stop function have all helped to reduce the Blue Efficiency model’s impact on the environment.

The new A and B-Class models come to the UK later this year. Visit the model showroom to compare current cars

Heikki Kovalainen could be back to race in the Turkish Grand Prix next month after he was released from hospital following his crash in the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Finnish racer was taken to hospital after crashing into the tyre barrier at 150mph, experiencing 27g of decelerations.

CT scans revealed no lasting damage and a "slight headache and a stiff neck" appear to be his only injuries.

Speaking to mclaren.com, the recovering driver said: "I don’t remember anything from the accident or what happened afterwards but would obviously like to thank all the circuit emergency staff, the FIA medical team at the track and the doctors at the hospital for all their efforts in looking after me.

"The team told me that the left front wheel rim might have broken which could have lead to the sudden deflation of the tyre. However we have to wait for further inspections to be able to confirm the exact cause," he added.

Kovalainen must now pass the FIA medical inspection that will allow him to race in Turkey.

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Lewis Hamilton moved up to second in the drivers’ championship table after a third placed finish at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Brit is on 20 points in the drivers’ championships while team mate Heikki Kovalainen is sixth on 14 points after hitting the tyre barrier on lap 22 of the Circuit de Catalunya forced him out of the race.

Hamilton was delighted to hear his new team mate escaped the crash ok and said it was a "great relief" to here Kovalainen was safe.

But he was also pleased to be back on the podium and said: "After qualifying, we knew it would be a difficult Grand Prix so I am actually pleased to be third.

"We did a good job today, but there are areas where we definitely need to improve, but it’s comforting to know that we are relatively close to Ferrari," he added.

After the race, Ron Dennis said that Kovalainen was recovering well.

"He has no broken bones and CT scans performed at the hospital confirm that he has no head injuries and the team is optimistic that he will make a full recovery over the next few days," Dennis said.

Meanwhile, the cause of the accident is still unknown although Dennis thinks the likeliest explanation was a "wheel rim failure".

Find out more about Mercedes-Benz motorsport.

Lewis Hamilton was the third fastest car on the Circuit de Catalunya as the Formula One teams completed their first Friday testing session ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Brit registered a fastest lap time of 1:21.192 as he aims to win his second Grand Prix of the new season.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s team-mate, Heikki Kovalainen came fifth with a best time of 1:21.758 after taking in ten laps of the circuit.

Hamilton completed 20 laps in the first session of the day with the teams scheduled to take to the track at about 14:00 for the second period of practice.

A third period of practice takes place on Saturday morning before the teams have an hour of qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Last year, Hamilton qualified in fourth position on the grid and went on to climb two places to finish second.

In the build up to the fourth Grand Prix of the season, Martin Whitmarsh, the team’s chief executive officer, said: "We will need to wait for the race to establish how the MP4-23 will fair."

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Kim Cattrall, star of Sex and the City, has admitted her love for the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Award 2008, the star talked of her "romantic love affair" with Mercedes-Benz even when she was a struggling actress.

Now she is a well known megastar, Cattrall revealed her happiness to own a Mercedes-Benz herself.

"I just ordered an SL… I am so happy that I am successful enough to own one myself," she said.

"I think that the Mercedes is made by very, very smart, passionate people. I’ve been playing this very passionate character for a very long time - I think it goes very well hand in hand, with me as a person and with me as an actor," she added.

Cattrall has extended her relationship with Mercedes-Benz even further after she appeared at the North American Auto Show and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The new facelift SL-Class model has just launched in the UK, Explore more online.

In 2006, Mercedes-Benz used its stand at the British International Motor Show to launch Mercedes-Benz World and in 2008 the experience will feature again.

Dubbed by many as the "motor show every day of the year", Mercedes-Benz World has seen over 440,000 guests pass through its doors since it was opened in October 2006.

Over 15,000 children have enjoyed their first taste of driving thanks to the Kid’s Driving Experiences programmes which allow kids to drive in a brand new Mercedes-Benz on the original surface of the hallowed Brooklands Circuit - if they’re tall enough to reach the pedals.

Visitors to the 2008’s motorshow will be able to see another stand for Mercedes-Benz World and Gordon Freshwater, corporate events manager at Mercedes-Benz UK wants to see as many people at the event as possible.

"But if they can’t make it to London, people can see our latest models and services at their local retailer. As well as Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands we’ve over 150 state-of-the-art facilities all over the country, and of course they’re open year-round," he added.