Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[klier]

I think the EQE is going to get overshadowed by the C-class EV almost instantly.

Yeah they might as well scrap the EQE when the EV C class becomes available. I don't even think they differ much is exterior dimension, but the EQE will likely be a little more spacious inside because of it's weird design. But no-one will care about that.

 

[Design FIRST]

If you’re using an iPhone use the “clean up”. It uses AI to get rid of unwanted stuff on your photos.
If you want to do small photoshopping projects I would recommend using Picsart, and for more professional projects Adobe is the best. Adobe Photoshop requires lots of knowledge though since it’s so complicated.

I managed to get it cleaned up a bit. Well, kinda anyway.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Yeah they might as well scrap the EQE when the EV C class becomes available. I don't even think they differ much is exterior dimension, but the EQE will likely be a little more spacious inside because of it's weird design. But no-one will care about that.

They'll probably keep the EQE around as long as they have them in the supply channels. It wouldn't surprise me if they remove it from factory order around the time of the C-EV launch.

They should offer up some big incentives and just shift as many as they can before then. Take the hit financially. Better to make some money back, than no money back.

 

[MPertz]

I've repeated it several times, and sorry if I insist on this point, but a radical shift in interior design is needed. Unfortunately, that won't be the case for at least five years. All the interiors of future models will take inspiration from the CLA. And here, Dr. Kallenius is responsible.

And that exactly is the problem - taking them 5 years to release a new design.
I'm working for one of the Chinese companies (.... With the dreams in the name) and what I had to learn was the speed in execution and the adaptability to the changes. I've been working for 20 years in an American company, and working for a Chinese company was a shock (and still is) for me.
While the Germans (and to a certain extent the Japanese also) take 3-4 years to release a car, and after that another 3 years to make a facelift, the Chinese can make a new model in 6-12 months. The design is "frozen" until a change must be done, even if that means that the car is already in production for one month.
They adapt and make the changes along the way. In China there isn't such a thing as "frozen design" and they don't touch it for another 3 years.

Chinese are still not at the same quality level as the German ones, but the flexibility and speed of execution is getting them there.
Germans will not be able build cheap cars in China like their competitors, because for that they will have to completely change their way of working, which in the end wouldn't be Mercedes or BMW anymore. But sourcing most of the parts locally in China, will help to decrease the cost.

 

[klier]

And that exactly is the problem - taking them 5 years to release a new design.
I'm working for one of the Chinese companies (.... With the dreams in the name) and what I had to learn was the speed in execution and the adaptability to the changes. I've been working for 20 years in an American company, and working for a Chinese company was a shock (and still is) for me.
While the Germans (and to a certain extent the Japanese also) take 3-4 years to release a car, and after that another 3 years to make a facelift, the Chinese can make a new model in 6-12 months. The design is "frozen" until a change must be done, even if that means that the car is already in production for one month.
They adapt and make the changes along the way. In China there isn't such a thing as "frozen design" and they don't touch it for another 3 years.

Chinese are still not at the same quality level as the German ones, but the flexibility and speed of execution is getting them there.
Germans will not be able build cheap cars in China like their competitors, because for that they will have to completely change their way of working, which in the end wouldn't be Mercedes or BMW anymore. But sourcing most of the parts locally in China, will help to decrease the cost.

Meanwhile, the Model S went on sale that same "many years ago", and he is still trying to sell it. BYD has made like 20 new models since then.

We are completely screwed. It's impossible for Tesla to keep up, let alone the traditional OEMs.
Since BMW introduced the Neue Klasse branding, Chinese brands have launched 100 new models. And the Neue Klasse cars are only hitting dealerships next year.

 

[MPertz]

I believe Mercedes/BMW/Audi/VW sales in China will only go downhill, at best stagnate. The reason for this is that Nio, BYD, Xpeng, Xiaomi, Avatar, etc, they managed to make accessible for the masses what was only available for the rich. They managed to give almost the same technology (if not newer) and luxury like in the premium German cars for half the price.
I think this is enough of a reason for the Chinese buyers to buy the local brands (with all of their quality issues) and not pay at least double the price for the German brands.

Mercedes should stay true to their brand and legacy and offer premium products even in China. They shouldn't dilute the brand just for the sales. If they really want to get the numbers, then probably they should make a new car brand (like BYD's Denza) , associate it with Mercedes and then do whatever they want out of it to be able to compete with the Chinese brands.

 

[klier]

I believe Mercedes/BMW/Audi/VW sales in China will only go downhill, at best stagnate.

Not stagnate. Just downhill.
Betting on China as an EU brand is simply beyond delusional and irredeemable

Just focus on the EU, North America and some other major countries. That will still get you a market of a billion people and is perfectly fine.

Mercedes should stay true to their brand and legacy and offer premium products even in China. They shouldn't dilute the brand just for the sales.

Exactly! Focus on the markets I mentioned above, and try to sell what you can in China. Focus! Many Chinese will appreciate that even, particularly when their market matures further and people want something non-Chinese.

 

[Swissbob]

China is a dead horse for all European car companies.

 

[Merc1]

I believe Mercedes/BMW/Audi/VW sales in China will only go downhill, at best stagnate. The reason for this is that Nio, BYD, Xpeng, Xiaomi, Avatar, etc, they managed to make accessible for the masses what was only available for the rich. They managed to give almost the same technology (if not newer) and luxury like in the premium German cars for half the price.
I think this is enough of a reason for the Chinese buyers to buy the local brands (with all of their quality issues) and not pay at least double the price for the German brands.

Mercedes should stay true to their brand and legacy and offer premium products even in China. They shouldn't dilute the brand just for the sales. If they really want to get the numbers, then probably they should make a new car brand (like BYD's Denza) , associate it with Mercedes and then do whatever they want out of it to be able to compete with the Chinese brands.

Very well said IMO. I wouldn't have agreed with this just a few years ago, but I think if Mercedes wants to truly compete in China then another brand would be the way forward, one that is leaner, faster and more youthfully tech driven that can solely cater to the Chinese market. Then focus on getting Mercedes back to what it used to be. Here's the thing, I think that if Mercedes really went back to building the best cars possible, their sales in China would recover to a degree anyways. The separate brand strategy would allow them to focus on a Mercedes being a Mercedes, because a Chinese looking Mercedes isn't going to work everywhere else. I actually think the Chinese want an authentic Mercedes too, one that doesn't pander. Rolls, Bentley, Porsche all seem to be unapologetic on what they sell in any market around the world. The biggest problems would be deciding on what this new brand should be and which Chinese partner to go with. I personally don't think the Chinese know shit about cars so it's kinda like no matter what you do, the tech/screens/price will always win now. I mean Buick is a treasured brand in China and a joke in it's home country, the USA. Speaks volumes.

M

 

[klier]

Here's the thing, I think that if Mercedes really went back to building the best cars possible, their sales in China would recover to a degree anyways. The separate brand strategy would allow them to focus on a Mercedes being a Mercedes, because a Chinese looking Mercedes isn't going to work everywhere else.

Exactly. And moreover, they have plenty of Chinese looking Mercedes wannabe brands already. Making an actual old school vault like properly engineered Mercedes from Germany is what will attract many potential Chinese buyers in the future, simply because they can never create that themselves no matter what happens..

 

[Esp5]

they should make a new car brand (like BYD's Denza) , associate it with Mercedes and then do whatever they want out of it to be able to compete with the Chinese brands.

They already did it, it was precisely Denza, but they got rid of it for some reason and now it's starting to become successful.

"Denza is a luxury vehicle brand originally created in 2010 by a joint venture (50/50) between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, but is now wholly owned by BYD"

 

[Uygar]

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

I think the grille might be a bit more angular maybe based on the camo. And the tail lights slimmer. But I think this is kind of close?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I hope the grille isn't that massive.

 

[Uygar]

I think the grille might be a bit more angular maybe based on the camo. And the tail lights slimmer. But I think this is kind of close?

I can’t tell if it’s gonna have E-Class type of layout where the grille and headlights are placed in a black piece, or it’s gonna be the same just with a bigger grille and different bumpers. Camo is fooling us at the moment.

 

[Uygar]

I hope the grille isn't that massive.

Spy shots suggest otherwise.

 

[Jacke]

You did a better job on the upcoming 7 series im thinking why you didnt do as a good job on the S Class… it looks more fakeish, while the 7 looked bang on as if it was posted by BMW themselves

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Spy shots suggest otherwise.

Its bigger, but not THAT much bigger. And yeah, it does look a bit more angular than the previous grille. And the headlights are bigger.

 

[Uygar]

Its bigger, but not THAT much bigger. And yeah, it does look a bit more angular than the previous grille. And the headlights are bigger.

Considering how big of a grille the GLC EV is getting, this is normal for an S-Class imo. But like I said, the outlines in the spy shots suggest a much taller grille. It’s the same width though, just got stretched.
You’re right about the headlights though. They look bigger than the pre-FL.

 

[Uygar]

You did a better job on the upcoming 7 series im thinking why you didnt do as a good job on the S Class… it looks more fakeish, while the 7 looked bang on as if it was posted by BMW themselves

Cause I sketched that 7er myself mate. This is just AI rendering that was done with my prompts. I just added the star shaped DRL’s with photoshop.