Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[Rainer271]

Mercedes to invest 1 billion euros into next-generation of compact models

Mercedes has announced plans to invest approximately one billion euros into their Rastatt plant to support the production on their next-generation of compact models.

The company declined to say when the next-generation models will arrive but confirmed the investment will be made between now and 2020. The funds will be used to "significantly increase" production capacity as well as hire 250 new permanent employees.

In a statement, Mercedes board member Markus Schäfer said "With our transformation plan for the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant we have laid the foundation for the successful production of the next generation of our compact cars. We will achieve significant gains in flexibility and efficiency. At the same time, we will strengthen the role of the location as the lead plant for compact cars within our global production network."

Source: Mercedes-Benz

 

[Merc1]

Hopefully the next generation will give buyers a taste of what a real Mercedes-Benz is from a build quality stand point. I get these cars have to have 4-cylinder engines, but they need to be much better built inside and out, and be way more refined. Refined doesn't mean that they can't be sporty. Mercedes needs to get out of this mindset about a firm ride = sporty. Whoever signed off on the CLA's ride should be fired. NO Mercedes should ever ride like that unless it is a race car.

M

 

[Merc1]

That said, what the hell is coming???? AMG GT GTXXX, C Coupe, S Cabrio??? Mercedes should take a page out of Alfa's book though and introduce the C63 Coupe first, that would grab headlines like a MF. Can you guys imagine that, the C63 Coupe comes out first?!?

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Hopefully the next generation will give buyers a taste of what a real Mercedes-Benz is from a build quality stand point. I get these cars have to have 4-cylinder engines, but they need to be much better built inside and out, and be way more refined. Refined doesn't mean that they can't be sporty. Mercedes needs to get out of this mindset about a firm ride = sporty. Whoever signed off on the CLA's ride should be fired. NO Mercedes should ever ride like that unless it is a race car.

M

Despite their shortcomings, the current range of compacts have done what they needed to do and have been a remarkable market success. They have shifted the Mercedes buyer demographic to ensure that the brand attracts the younger buyers it so desperately needed. When you speak to people, it's now Mercedes that they refer to as stylish, fresh and exciting, not Audi or BMW. This is an incredible achievement given that barely 5 years ago there was nary a sub 30 year old fawning over a Mercedes within their budget.

While the next generation will undoubtedly be better, it seems like the build and ride issues have been addressed on the facelifted A-class.

 

[Merc1]

Despite their shortcomings, the current range of compacts have done what they needed to do and have been a remarkable market success. They have shifted the Mercedes buyer demographic to ensure that the brand attracts the younger buyers it so desperately needed. When you speak to people, it's now Mercedes that they refer to as stylish, fresh and exciting, not Audi or BMW. This is an incredible achievement given that barely 5 years ago there was nary a sub 30 year old fawning over a Mercedes within their budget.

While the next generation will undoubtedly be better, it seems like the build and ride issues have been addressed on the facelifted A-class.

I agree, they have been a huge sales success. I just worry that a lot of these first time buyers will judge every Mercedes by the quality of their A/B/CLA/GLA experience and not move further up the line as they earn more money. I just hate the obvious cheapness of the these cars vs the new C-Class. It is a noticeable gap to say the least. I also agree though, pulling in younger buyers is the key as they are the holy grail. I hope that the U.S. market CLA's ride will be fixed. It just awful with the sport suspension.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

Some kind of top secret prototypes were spotted recently in Sindelfingen?

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Bilder/ Video: Jens Walko / www.walko-art.com

 

[SKY]

I think the second car is an E-Class.

 

[Wolfgang]

Suspect these two are GLSes? They are supposed to celebrate their premiere this November. They seem to be taller than the GLC to the left, and the GLE on the right.

/ www.walko-art.com

 

[Amat46]

Any idea on that high riding SUV Wolf?

 

[Mick Briesgau]

@Wolfgang, when do you think we can expect spyshots form the W/V222 Mopf? I reckon the design is allready definitive and it shoud be for sale end of 2016.
Thanks

 

[hannaz]

From the above spy pics, the car on trailer seems to be either a coupe or a convertible and most probably it would be the new C coupe.

But in case of the higher sitting SUV, look like it is build of ladder frame, mainly due to the higher stance and the rear solid differential which is much different from any Merc of present era. And the rear tail light, bulged front & rear fenders look very similar to new Nissan X trail and differential is similar to Navara pick up. So this could either be a new SUV based on X-trail or test mule of forth coming Pick-up model.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

From the above spy pics, the car on trailer seems to be either a coupe or a convertible and most probably it would be the new C coupe.

It's not a C-Class Coupe or Convertible. You can see the indicator lights lower down, and the C-Coupe doesn't have that. The indicators are WITHIN the tail lights.

It's an E-Class.

 

[hannaz]

It's not a C-Class Coupe or Convertible. You can see the indicator lights lower down, and the C-Coupe doesn't have that. The indicators are WITHIN the tail lights.

It's an E-Class.

That could be right. My eye got struck on this mysterious SUV

 

[Wolfgang]

@Wolfgang, when do you think we can expect spyshots form the W/V222 Mopf? I reckon the design is allready definitive and it shoud be for sale end of 2016.
Thanks

Yes, we might see spyhots in 2016. The 9G-Tronic should become available to order this October, also including the gassers and 4Matic, unless it slips again.

 

[Wolfgang]

MercedesBlog

 

[ThroughandThrough]

^ I'm wondering why there are both a "GLE-Class" and "M-Class" box in the above photo.

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Just clicked on them to find out. GLE-Class links to the newer stuff including the coupe, while M-Class leads to the older model.

 

[Amat46]

MB forums are on fire! C coupe, C coupe AMG, AMG GTXX, E class, E 63, GLC coupe, S coupe/Cobrilotlet, GLS thats quiet lot of cars we are going to see in next couple of months..

 

[Merc1]

I just hope they don't let quality slip any further than they already have in this product race. That said, Frankfurt is going to be really something this year.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes considering Allroad variants of the C- & E-Class Estate

Mercedes is reportedly considering a competitor to the Audi A4 and A6 Allroad.

In an interview with Motoring, Mercedes' Matthias Luhrs said "We are looking at every single niche" and this includes off-road focused wagons. The executive said nothing has been decided but "we are looking obviously at [the] C-Class and [the] E-Class."

However, Luhrs noted the popularity of crossover-inspired wagons is largely market dependent. As he explained, they're virtually a no-go in Germany and northern Europe and American's "don't like station wagons" regardless of how long, short or high they are.

Luhrs also downplayed the possibility of an Volvo S60 Cross Country competitor by saying an off-road inspired sedan is something they are not studying.

Source: Motoring

Bad idea IMO. Those don't sell enough to warrant the expense IMO. I'm sure the worldwide numbers look better for these vehicles.

M

jesmb may have found a C-class offroader, based on the limo instead of the Estate.

Photos: Michael Meyer via jesmb.de