Autoline #1236: 5-4-3-2-1


Oct 03 2008 22 mins  
5-4-3-2-1

For most observers, the word "launch" conjures up images of rockets and echoes of countdowns from the space race forty years ago. However, if you happen to be a member of the automotive press, "launch" means something totally different. To many in that crowd it means "Pay Attention" because a manufacturer is about to invite you to an exclusive activity surrounding its newest vehicle. This is one of the major ways stories and reviews of the latest cars and trucks appear in your local newspaper, favorite television shows or popular websites -- before or just as that vehicle arrives on local dealer lots. And depending on the importance of the vehicle and the number of media invited, manufacturers can spend more money and effort than they care to think about to shine a brief spotlight on their newest product.

On this week's program, an Autoline Exclusive -- John McElroy takes you behind the scenes of a new car press launch. From the international phone calls to developing the drive routes to building vehicle displays and much, much more ... you'll be right there with the media learning and experiencing everything about this brand new vehicle. And the vehicles that you'll see "launched" are Mercedes-Benz’s new 50-State Clean Diesel SUVs.

And don't forget to check out Autoline EXTRA, available on our website (http://www.autoline.tv/) where you can catch every interview we did for this documentary in its entirety 24/7.

So join John, a number of his media colleagues and the Mercedes-Benz team as we go "Behind-the-Scenes" in Manchester Village, Vermont for the 50-State Clean Diesel Launch this week on Autoline.