VANCOUVER, April 22, 2014 /CNW/ - This month, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers has completed its first year of operation. Since its official launch in the Greater Vancouver Area in 2013, a total of 730 new drivers have taken in 6,100 hours of intensive coaching. These statistics represent very positive results which by far exceeded the original expectations for this new venture's first 12 months in business.
Since its inception, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers has delivered a very comprehensive curriculum which exceeds British Columbia's provincial requirements and also incorporates proprietary best practices established by other Mercedes-Benz driving schools around the world. Very competitively priced at $1,290, the Graduated Licensing course (GLP) provides students with access to a diverse fleet of Mercedes-Benz cars that includes B-Class sports tourers, C-Class sedans, a CLA 250 4MATIC and an SLK roadster equipped with a manual transmission (GLP is $1,390). There are many different driving package configurations available to various levels of proficiency, some starting as low as $99.
The program, which combines classroom, in-car, and online education sessions, pushes well-beyond learning the basic traffic regulations and fundamental driving techniques necessary for novice drivers to obtain their licence. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers' main objective is to coach and empower students by providing them with a set of skills that will allow them to properly and safely address the many demanding and delicate situations that they will face behind the wheel once they become autonomous drivers.
The partnership with Vancouver-based Driving Unlimited continues to be instrumental in the delivery of this high quality program. Due to the increased levels of course registrations, the experienced teaching team has now grown to nine coaches and is comprised of some of the most qualified facilitators, trainers and advanced driving instructors in the industry. These highly motivated professionals ensure that every student receives the highest level of training and enjoys an experience that is truly commensurate with the Mercedes-Benz brand.
"When creating the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers, the team wanted to change the face of driver education and to use an approach that was in line with today's driving environment," said Alexander J. Hobbach, Global Head of Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. "Our methods were developed by road safety experts in a research-based approach and designed to provide the most effective method for both teaching and learning in the realm of driver education and training."
"We are very proud of the impressive success that the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers has experienced in a one-year period. The Driving Unlimited team has worked very hard to launch this revolutionary approach to driver education and training in Vancouver and the enrollment results are extremely encouraging so far," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "Mercedes-Benz is known for its many sophisticated safety and advanced driver assistance systems but we are thrilled to pioneer this type of driver education and training. It is rewarding and comforting to know that the new drivers who have taken any of our programs are definitely better and safer drivers."
To enroll, please contact the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers customer service centre at 604-460-5004 or [email protected].
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,450 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 12 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 43 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 37,018 vehicles in 2013, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca
Image with caption: "This month, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for New Drivers has completed its first year of operation. Since its official launch in the Greater Vancouver Area in 2013, a total of 730 new drivers have taken in 6,100 hours of intensive coaching. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140422_C4669_PHOTO_EN_39514.jpg
SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
JoAnne Caza
416-847-7550
[email protected]
Nathalie Gravel
416-847-7509
[email protected]
Share this article