Mercedes-Benz leads over BMW in January 2012 US sales

[Merc1]

I'm getting a "5-Series", don't care what any of you all say! Ha.


M

 

[K-A]

Guys, platform sharing is THE future.

Mind BMW Group will only have 4 different modular platforms for ALL its products:

- FWD platform (MINI + BMW FWD cars + FWD-based SUVs & crossovers)
- RWD platform (all BMW RWD cars + RWD-based SUVs & crossovers + RR Ghost family),
- RR Phantom ASF platform
- BMW i LifeDrive CF-alu platform

Supermini MINI (the Rocketman) will most probably share platform with Toyota & Peugeot-Citroen superminis (Aygo, C1, 10x). More info on this subject coming later this year.

Same case with Audi - using a few modular platforms only (MQB, MLB etc) also shared with other VAG brands.

And expect MB to go the same way - otherwise they won't be able to keep the costs down as much as BMW AG & Audi AG - meaning MB profit margins will be much thiner.



Regarding design similarities:

Pre-Bangle BMWs were very alike - and were selling great.
So are Audis of today - all very similar to each other, selling extremely well.
And BMW don't have any problems with selling current 7er, 6er, 5er, new 3er - despite all similarities.
And so are MB cars - with more design differences ... selling very well.

I'm not sure the majority of customers bother much about interclass design similarities.
The major on "too similar interclass design" criticism comes from the press & design community, not from the customers!

Most customers buy the badge, aren't we enthusiasts?

I don't buy a car due to how well it sells. In fact, I'd rather my car not be so common.... but again, a good car will be common.

I'm not in the car business, I'm not a Shareholder of any of these companies.... I don't judge my car based on how well it sells!.... And if I did, I'd be a happy camper anyway.

I want my car to stir my senses. A car that looks like every other car from its brand just doesn't do that for me. I need at least something bespoke. I'll criticize M-B where it's due, but they are doing the best at individualization. I appreciate that because it makes my car feel less like a "number", i.e "Platform 1, size 2", and more like a car that was crafted with its own identity and care put in. That's simply how I feel, and my wallet voted on that this time around.

As for Platform Sharing, that's different than Design sharing.

 

[EnI]

Oh, c'mon ... Audi, Lexus, MB, BMW, Acura, Infiniti are hardly exclusive ... If you go for exclusivity, pick some more exotic luxury brand. Even Jaguar XF would do.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

Haha..so all the rich people driving Es in EU are average too?

I'm sorry but if you think that the average people can't see the difference between basic E/5er and sport packed siblings then you should get your eyes checked.

So you should be sorry.

You'll be surprised, your average person (who isn't a car guy) won't be able to tell the difference. Believe me, they wouldn't even know what a sport pack or an AMG body-kit is. It's not really a question of "eyes", your average person just doesn't know these things - nor do they really care.

I also think you didn't read my statement very well. I'm not saying an E-Klasse owner is average. I'm saying that an average person can mstake a white E-Klasse as a taxi.

 

[klier]

That's an interesting/good question. If I lived in Germany, I wouldn't buy an E-Class.

In the U.S, I wouldn't (or at least, haven't yet) buy an F10.

Classical badge whore.
That might be one of the reasons we crash so often....

 

[Human]

Ok, we all have our doubts now and then. Today I scored 100% on my personal test. I talked to a female driver of an M6 about how she came about purchasing the car? She simply said that her husband (farmer in my community who drives a Landcruiser VX V8) bought her the car. My instant thought was 'typical'. She knows sh!t about the cars capabilities, nor how to drive it properly!

I will not buy an M6 for the bragging rights, no! I will buy it to enjoy the car for it's intended use. It's a car for purists, for the connoisseur of a fine driving machine to be enjoyed and savoured on a track in controlled conditions when the opportunity arise and let her rest in the garage whilst I drive my X6 M on a more regular basis. That is why /// M entered the SAV market or more diversifying more and more. Making ///M for daily use and ///M for the track

See!? You drive a BMW because you simply love driving in it's purist form this side of Super cars. Or you are a brand whore or snob if, as in the case I had today IMO that is. I mean there are more exclusive, larger, more practical and cheaper cars out there. All the same goes for luxury etc.

 

[K-A]

Oh, c'mon ... Audi, Lexus, MB, BMW, Acura, Infiniti are hardly exclusive ... If you go for exclusivity, pick some more exotic luxury brand. Even Jaguar XF would do.

I already explained that. And I'm not looking for an "exclusive car", however, I at least want my cars design to be exclusive within its corporate range. Benz Sedans are, Bimmer Sedans are not, simple. Maybe some like it, but it's not alluring to me.

Classical badge whore.
That might be one of the reasons we crash so often....

Explain this nonsensical statement and how it applies to what I said. Possibly not wanting to own a car in a Country where you see them as Taxi's everywhere makes you a "badge whore".... hmm, never said I'd pick another badge. I wouldn't own an F10 because the design is homogenous and redundant to my eyes.... it ain't because the badge is.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

That's where you an me differ. To me, i have no problems with my manufacturer sharing platforms and cutting costs when:

1. There is no compromise to the product
2. There is no disadvantage to the customer

To me, the F10 5er is still a brilliant product despite the strong level of commonality with the 7er and 6er. The outstanding sales figures will attest to that.

Ultimately, it's a win-win for both BMW and it's 5er customers. And that is how you conduct good business.

I just wanted to share that BMW's been cost cutting left and right. There has been a compromise to the product they are producing and the customer ultimately pays because they are paying for less but BMW still decides they need to increase the price of the car year after year. I can list you a number of things BMW has cost cut. I rant about this all the time though so I won't do it here.

 

[Monteverdi]

Observe the sale race "live" on the Auto Sales. Dont know why Ferrari isnt listed, since brands like Maseratti or even Bentley, Rolls are. Dont go into other sections, if you are an American, otherwise you will get depressed.