Why aren't Mercedes class leaders?
Discussion
..or rather "should Mercedes' cars be class leaders?"
Just read a road test between the new A-Class, Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series. Mercedes came last. The also gave just 3 out of 5 for the base model.
Look further up the range and both the C & E-Class models loses out (mainly to the better handling, better performing, more economical, cheaper and arguably better finished/built BMW equivalent). Oh, and if that wasn't enough it seems (despite most PH'er opinions) that Audi have been slowly overtaking (pardon the pun) in most areas too.
I suppose the S-Class leads the way, but it's now 7 years old. I know that the new one is coming.
Then we have the SLK, SL and the obscure B-Class. Rivals are better all round performers.
The CLS leads, but then it should, as it created the class.
Now having said all that it may come as a surprise that i'm actually a fan of MB. But you do think that the business strategy just seems to be quantity of models, rather than quality (don't mean build quality there).
Is it just me that thinks Mercedes should be class leading? Like they used to be.
Just read a road test between the new A-Class, Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series. Mercedes came last. The also gave just 3 out of 5 for the base model.
Look further up the range and both the C & E-Class models loses out (mainly to the better handling, better performing, more economical, cheaper and arguably better finished/built BMW equivalent). Oh, and if that wasn't enough it seems (despite most PH'er opinions) that Audi have been slowly overtaking (pardon the pun) in most areas too.
I suppose the S-Class leads the way, but it's now 7 years old. I know that the new one is coming.
Then we have the SLK, SL and the obscure B-Class. Rivals are better all round performers.
The CLS leads, but then it should, as it created the class.
Now having said all that it may come as a surprise that i'm actually a fan of MB. But you do think that the business strategy just seems to be quantity of models, rather than quality (don't mean build quality there).
Is it just me that thinks Mercedes should be class leading? Like they used to be.
Its all subjective to a point, in reality there has never been a time like now where so many cars are as good as they are, there really are no really poor cars on sale.....i expect a barrage of comments off the back of that.
A buddy of mine has had a few BMW 3's back to back and swore by them, now he has got a C class coupe and all of a sudden Mercedes are miles better than BMW's in his eyes. So what is to say that the testers are not all BMW and Audi drivers.....
A few years ago Merc's were a bit rubbish, but they are all much of a muchness now.
A buddy of mine has had a few BMW 3's back to back and swore by them, now he has got a C class coupe and all of a sudden Mercedes are miles better than BMW's in his eyes. So what is to say that the testers are not all BMW and Audi drivers.....
A few years ago Merc's were a bit rubbish, but they are all much of a muchness now.
I think of the German big three, Audi and BMW have gone from strength to strength whilst Mercedes really dropped the ball in the late 90s/early 2000s over quality, reliability, customer service and the distractions of the disastrous Chrysler acquisition. Things are supposedly better now but as a tormented former SLK owner bought nearly new during those dark days I'd never touch a Merc with a barge pole ever again. I loved the car but the never ending reliability issues and inability of the dealer to get its head out if its arse was the deciding factor.
Audi has done nothing special apart from improve their styling dramatically and pay for a lot of product placement in films and on TV. If thats all it takes to overthrow an established brand like Mercedes-Benz then it won't take long before Lexus and maybe Volvo get in on the act.
Also MB was plagued with quality issues so they let themselves down really.
Also MB was plagued with quality issues so they let themselves down really.
Audi joined the market. Until the mid/late 90's, Audi were not seriously considered as a prestige equivalent to BMW and Mercedes. In Germany, they are still derided somewhat, even if the cars are just as good. Mercedes were largely considered 'the best' at making luxury cars and thus had the furthest to fall, which they did spectacularly in the late 90's and early 00's. They were still making great cars at the time (R129/R230 SL, anyone?) but the large numbers of rusty C and E classes of the time did them no favours.
They're back on form again now, making superb cars. I even like the W220 S Class and the new one will no doubt raise the bar again. But things have changed. Audi continued their inexorable rise to 'status' and are now legitimately a worthy player in the German marque wars and the market is that much tougher.
I also think Mercedes did themselves no favours with their huge model range. Some things just didn't need to be there. The A Class, The B Class, the C Class, the CL, the CLK, the S, the SL, the SLK, etc etc...it's a big model range and that's not even the half of it!
They're back on form again now, making superb cars. I even like the W220 S Class and the new one will no doubt raise the bar again. But things have changed. Audi continued their inexorable rise to 'status' and are now legitimately a worthy player in the German marque wars and the market is that much tougher.
I also think Mercedes did themselves no favours with their huge model range. Some things just didn't need to be there. The A Class, The B Class, the C Class, the CL, the CLK, the S, the SL, the SLK, etc etc...it's a big model range and that's not even the half of it!
It's all subjective. I think in the family saloon sector, the three series will always be more fun and dynamic than a c class. However, if I were after a bigger luxury car, I'd probably consider the e class / s class better than a 5 or 7 series. Again, this is just my opinion but I've always found the e class more luxurious and comfortable than the 5 series. The BMW is more fun and a better steer but then luxury cars are not really about that.
Maybe some motoring journalists will never have Merc down as a class leader in any sector but who cares. My BMW is class leading and great to me, to others it's a boring common choice. Each to their own and all that.
Maybe some motoring journalists will never have Merc down as a class leader in any sector but who cares. My BMW is class leading and great to me, to others it's a boring common choice. Each to their own and all that.
Take a look at some basic financial results. I think you'll find that Daimler is far stronger than BMW so I'd contend that they are class leaders. Their revenue is comparable to General Motors and the market cap is strong.
They have much higher average transaction prices than BMW and Audi is the bottom line, as well as a presence in the commercial vehicle market.
Maybach was a hell of a lost opportunity though, seeing where Rolls-Royce and Bentley are for BMW and Volkswagen.
They have much higher average transaction prices than BMW and Audi is the bottom line, as well as a presence in the commercial vehicle market.
Maybach was a hell of a lost opportunity though, seeing where Rolls-Royce and Bentley are for BMW and Volkswagen.
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