Vs BMW USA vs. Mercedes-Benz USA

[ZicZachZo]

*Caution: The headline for this thread is meant to grab your attention not to incite you to participate in a petty fanboy brand feud!*

Hi Fellas,

I was running on the treadmill at the gym today and saw a new 4-series GC in the parking lot down below. It looks stunning but that is for another thread.

It made me think and ponder the differences in strategy between BMW and Mercedes-Benz here in the states.

BMW has gone all out, gang-busters, with models seemingly filling gaps where nobody ever even saw the need for a gap to be filled. Mercedes has been slow to respond to this though I know that there are several competitive cars in the pipeline... But I'm wondering if it's fair to assume that Mercedes-Benz and MBUSA in particular are a good deal more cautious with what models they send here than BMWUSA?

The best example of this is the 3/4-series line. Here in NA you can buy 5 different models (not counting the M models). It looks like we'll only see 3 C class models here.

Which leads me to my general question. How does it make sense for BMW to sell the 3 series wagon, 4GC and the 3GT (which all more or less compete with each other) and yet MBUSA has cold feet about bringing the C class wagon over here? Is this just a different product strategy at play? Why is BMW seemingly more eager to introduce low volume models than Mercedes? They should both be under the same import regulations/currency conversions etc.

So what gives? My only real guess is that MB is the more cautious brand and unwilling to take as many risks as BMW.

Care to chime in?

-zach

 

[Betty Swollocks]

To me "NA" means "normally aspirated", not North America. I thought this was a question about comparing both companies NA engines, of which BMW doesn't offer any.

 

[Rainer271]

To me "NA" means "normally aspirated", not North America. I thought this was a question about comparing both companies NA engines, of which BMW doesn't offer any.

My Dictionary knows only "naturally aspirated" in the context of engines. Does it means the same like "normally aspirated"?

Sorry for the possible stupid question.

 

[mini_cooper4]

My Dictionary knows only "naturally aspirated" in the context of engines. Does it means the same like "normally aspirated"?

Sorry for the possible stupid question.

He means naturally aspirated. What's normal to me and Betty isn't always the "norm" for others

ON Topic: MB is not more cautious. A 3GT and 4GC type of cars are in the pipeline for MB.
Also both brands have a slightly different customer base so they set different priorities first.
In the end both MB and BMW will cover "all" niches it's just that their timing is different.

 

[ZicZachZo]

touchy crowd. fixed

 

[Betty Swollocks]

My Dictionary knows only "naturally aspirated" in the context of engines. Does it means the same like "normally aspirated"?

Sorry for the possible stupid question.

Normally/naturally is completely interchangeable and means the same thing.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Normally/naturally is completely interchangeable and means the same thing.

Isn't naturally more fitting as in the nature's air

 

[Rainer271]

Thank you, m_c 4 and Betty.

 

[DexterMorgan]

This is an interesting thought you bring up @ZicZachZo. And with the exception of the proliferation of the 3/4 series with the current generation, I think MB has the more robust portfolio for the US market.

Case in point: SUVs. These are essential for the American market and MB offers something for every kind of buyer from the soon-to-be-released GLA for the first-timers, to the GLK and ML for the conventional types and the 7-seater in the GL. The X5 doesn't count as a 7-seat SUV since the 3rd row is virtually unusable. And if they could find a way to bring the V-class to the US to replace the R, it would cover all segments of the SUV/crossover market.

BMW also lacks 'halo' cars. Whereas, MB has the SLS AMG, G-class and the S63/S65 sedans and coupes.

 

[ZicZachZo]

@DexterMorgan I see your point about the SUVs and with that in mind it does seem that Mercedes seems to have focused on what really does sell in the US market. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Merc1]

I can see the V-Class coming here in a few years.

M

 

[W201]

How does it make sense for BMW to sell the 3 series wagon, 4GC and the 3GT (which all more or less compete with each other)

It's always better that the sales of your product A are 'stolen' by your other product B, than by competitor's product. In other words, product cannibalization is not a great thing, but sure is better than compared to your competitor gaining share with his products.

 

[klier]

To me "NA" means "normally aspirated", not North America. I thought this was a question about comparing both companies NA engines, of which BMW doesn't offer any.

Weird, when he says "here in NA". That can only mean one thing in the context.

Edit, aah, he edited. Never mind me.