I'd suggest leaving the type ID to the experts.

Cheers, Si

I know Arial a mile away.

Just to make it clear: Left is what it SHOULD be, right is what it is.

Not sure what you mean, but the standard Merc typeface is not Arial, and it is Arial on the gearknob.

>Just to make it clear: Left is what it SHOULD be, right is what it is.

That explains it. Thanks.

You can't help but wonder how this kind of thing could happen...
Working as a desktop publisher, I've seen my share of wrong type usage & in 6 years I've only had one (!) housestyle instruction list sent along with the logo (this was for a big bank in Belgium that even has 2 different logo's; one to use if it ends up getting smaller than 2cm wide (if I remember correctly) & another to use otherwise). The instruction list for correct usage of the logo was over 3 pages, but even having used this logo practically daily, I've only seen it once. Another horrible example is -also from a (big) bank- who sent along an advertisement we had to remake with the wrong type. I was very tempted to correct this, but after adressing my boss, I still had to use the wrong logo. It was a pretty obvious wrong logo as well... In case of a bank that is often run on "independent" terms, I can somewhat understand how this kind of thing could happen, but as for your Mercedes example, I just don't see hòw it could've happened. It's an unforgivable mistake! Get a BMW just in spite ;-)

Or a Volvo. Their type is much better :)

Sadly, I don't think the corporation would care enough to take the letter seriously. Besides voicing your disgust, what else did you put in the letter? It probably doesn't matter anyway. Who would care besides fellow typophiles? Face it, we are a hopeless minority.

You could write to Andreas Dahms
via http://designnavigator.daimlerchrysler.com/index.php

From the website's typography page:
"Should Corporate S not be available, the typefaces Arial or Times may be used. This particularly applies if the use of Corporate S is not recommended, e.g., in the case of data transfer with external partners."

Combined with:
External partners can order Corporate ASE from the manufacturer URW++ in Hamburg in exchange for a corresponding license fee

Hmmm, this is what more than likely happened I'm afraid. I imagine they subcontract the gearbox manufacturing. The keyword in the last quote is can I suppose... :(

Now that is simply shocking. My initial thoughts were that they subcontracted and didn't notice that the subcontractor messed up. Those terms shouldn't apply for type on the vehicle itself. In fact, I think those terms should not apply for anything. Guess that's the way it is: The end of the world is nigh.

I could see them doing this on the C-class line, but on the E-class? I hope they’re at least getting it right on the S-class.