For those of you eagerly awaiting the news as to whether or not the Mercedes Ocean Drive concept will ever see production, Motor Trend reported over the weekend that the convertible S-Class will indeed enter the market, debuting in the 2011 model year. Aside from the fact production has been confirmed, little else is revealed, other than the fact that it could be powered by anything from the current 5.5-Liter V8 to an AMG-tuned V12.

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen; I hope you all had a fantastic June weekend and took advantage of the balmy temperatures blanketing much of the country. To kick things off this morning comes a story we missed last week, one which reveals a marked improvement in Mercedes’ J.D. Power rankings. In the latest customer survey, the luxury brand managed to jump some 20 spots from 25th to fifth, and in addition earned a silver J.D. Power award for their plant. Even more notable, three Mercedes models – the S-, SL- and E-Class – each received gold J.D. Power awards for quality in their respective classes, a clear indicator that Mercedes’ initiative to improve customer satisfaction and product quality is indeed having an impact.

With a daring, unconventional design, the ‘Collection for the smart 2007’ captures the attitude to life that is unique to smart enthusiasts and individualists. The cult bags, fashionable clothing and attractively designed utensils are just the thing for picnics, parties or any other occasion. The ‘smart fortwo edition 2007’ products were created specially for the new fortwo. smart drivers are smart by nature and have a weakness for unusual design. And they wonÂ’t be disappointed by the current ‘Collection for the smart 2007’, now available from smart partners. The ‘digital’ and ‘analogue’ watches not only boast a modern design but also precision – either square with a striking LCD display or round with luminous hands and date window. Made from brushed stainless steel, the solid casing forms a striking contrast with the cheerful green or vivid red textile strap. The watches come in a round neoprene case and a unique feature is that the bag has compartments inside and can later be used as a CD case.

The smart fortwo is a car’s length ahead of its time and lends a new, modern dimension to urban mobility. The smart’s clever vehicle concept remains unrivaled in its second generation as well, a fact also reflected by the new ‘Accessories for the smart 2007.’ The extensive range of features, which are based on intelligent ideas and sophisticated detailed solutions, include everything from practical storage elements to functional foot mats, effective navigation systems, and outstanding sound systems. The new bicycle, ski, and snowboard racks impressively demonstrate how large equipment items can be stored in the smallest possible space — it’s truly intelligent cargo management à la smart.