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Aston Martin and Daimler continue talks on SUV project, CEO required

The Aston Martin Lagonda SUV concept revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show didn't earn the plaudits the company is used to when it reveals new models, and it has lived an uncertain life ever since. Thought to have been scrapped along with the entire revival of the Lagonda brand, then thought to have been resurrected due to Chinese, Middle Eastern and Russian demand, another year passed before we heard more definitive talk about an Aston Martin expansion when AutoCar reported that the Lagonda could be built on one of Mercedes-Benz's AMG SUV platforms.
A report in Automotive News Europe indicates plans have gotten serious, its unnamed sources saying that the English carmaker is talking to Daimler "to extend their cooperation to building an SUV." Neither Daimler, Aston Martin nor Investindustrial, the managing partner among Aston Martin's ownership consortium, would comment. But with Investindustrial having pledged to expand the range, competitors like Bentley, Maserati and Lamborghini getting into the SUV racket and clear demand from current and future customers, it's easy to believe Aston Martin is working hard to put the pieces together.
One further potential bump on the road to an Aston SUV is the company's search for a new CEO. Ulrich Bez relinquished to top spot at the company at the end of 2013, and Aston reportedly will not finalize its model strategy without a new CEO in place.

Jalopnik and Consumer Reports see who can pull off the best snow drift

The weather throughout much of the United States is pretty awful at the moment with some combination of extremely low temperatures, inches of snow and maybe some ice underneath it all. The folks at Jalopnik and Consumer Reports are making the absolute best out of a difficult situation by heading to CR's snow-covered test track and attempting to make the longest drift in a quartet of very different performance vehicles. Jalopnik brought along a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Wagon, a Subaru WRX STI, a BMW 228i and a 1973 Volkswagen Baja Bug (heck yeah!) for the challenge. Also, the track was perfect for this group, with a mix of packed snow in places and still a few inches of unsullied powder in spots too. Ostensibly the goal was to get the tail to step out through a particular corner, but in reality this was more about having hilarious fun in the snow with fast cars. The result just looks like the best time humanly possible in this weather.

Mercedes-Benz USA confirms relocation to Atlanta

Porsche, you no longer have Atlanta to yourself. Mercedes-Benz USA has confirmed that it will be moving its corporate headquarters (shown above) from Montvale, NJ, to Georgia's most populous city. This is the second high-profile corporate relocation in the past year, as Mercedes follows in the footsteps of Toyota, which announced its relocation from California to Texas back in April (Subaru also announced a relocation, but it was just four miles away from its old offices). According to the German company, executives and their staff will relocate to an interim facility in the city's Central Perimeter until a brand-new, long-term home is completed in 2017. Around 1,000 employees will be impacted by the move, although Mercedes didn't mention if any employees would be let go as a result of the relocation. The company won't be abandoning New Jersey completely, as it will retain "several operational areas" in both Montvale and Robbinsville, NJ. As Mercedes USA CEO Steve Cannon explains, there are a number of good reasons for the company's relocation. "Atlanta is a premier city which places us closer to our ever-growing Southeast customer base, our port in Brunswick, Georgia, and to Mercedes-Benz US International, our Alabama manufacturing facility, which accounts for half of the vehicles we sell here in the US," Cannon said in a statement. "For our employees, Atlanta offers a strong quality of life, terrific schools and wonderful cultural and recreational opportunities." Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Move of Corporate Headquarters to Atlanta Several operational areas to remain in New Jersey including Parts Distribution Center and Regional Office January 06, 2015 - MONTVALE, N.J. Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia, in a move designed to better serve its growing customer base and strengthen the company's position for long-term, sustainable growth. MBUSA executives and staff will relocate from its primary facility in Montvale, New Jersey, to a temporary facility in Atlanta's Central Perimeter on an interim basis. The company will construct a new, state-of-the-art headquarters expected to be completed in early 2017. MBUSA plans to begin moving employees starting in July 2015. The move, which will affect approximately 1,000 employees, will be phased to help minimize any disruption to business operations. Several operational areas will remain in both Montvale and Robbinsville, New Jersey.