Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[Centurion]

We recently looked at BYD to get an affordable second car and I was so surprised at how good the interior designs and qualities were on certain models. There’s this model called Han, which is a 5er and E-Class “competitor” I guess, and it was just amazing. Everything felt extremely solid, and it was covered in leather pretty much everywhere. No hard plastic at all. It also had amazing tech. All of that for half the price is a really good deal imo. They’re no means “enthusiasts” cars, but still. Such a great package for the regular folks.

Premium is being commoditised. MB could up their game by increasing the levels of customisation.

 

[Design FIRST]

You can’t get any of that equipment for the same price on German manufacturers. What’s not to like? It’s a great solution for regular people.

This !

And "regular people" who, at best, only casually follow events in automobiledom make up the vast majority of consumers and their numbers appear to be becoming even greater. The "nuts, bolts, petrol" demographic will progressively decrease in numbers and automobiles will all the more become appliances, "devices". And leasing, subscriptions, flexible rental will progressively replace purchasing. The "de-emotionalization" of the automobile is well underway.

 

[Uygar]

All this is interesting but this is the what next thread for Mercedes cars.
We need a separate thread for Chinese vs German cars.

This !

And "regular people" who, at best, only casually follow events in automobiledom make up the vast majority of consumers and their numbers appear to be becoming even greater. The "nuts, bolts, petrol" demographic will progressively decrease in numbers and automobiles will all the more become appliances, "devices". And leasing, subscriptions, flexible rental will progressively replace purchasing. The "de-emotionalization" of the automobile is well underway.

Exactly. Enthusiasts like us are the minority. Regular people simply don’t care and go in detail as much as we do, therefore Chinese models appeal to them.
Luxury manufacturer feel + so much tech at a super affordable price, gotta love it.
It’s more obvious here, don’t know what’s the case out there in Europe and US. Is it the same?

 

[leylandi]

They’re offering the 5er/7er level tech for almost a 3er money, or sometimes even less.

What technologies? The S-Class and 7 Series already have competitors from Japan and other countries. Who cares? The Chinese are just trying to make their copied designs look better with visual trickery, that's all. The technologies they advertise have already been done or tried. They haven't added anything to the industry. They're just bouncing cars or submerging them in water to show off. In reality, nobody would spend money on such nonsense.

You can’t get any of that equipment for the same price on German manufacturers. What’s not to like? It’s a great solution for regular people.
Those BYD SUV’s offer so much tech and luxury touches for a third of the price of an X3. We saw how horrible that X3 interior was. All plastic and dull looking. It would make no sense to get the BMW, especially in Turkiye, where they all have the smaller 1.6 engines because of the taxes. Of course people in Europe and US finds this argument “silly” or even “ridiculous”, but this is the reality for Turkiye unfortunately.

The plastics in the cabin are better, but the cars themselves aren't.

 

[Design FIRST]

Luxury manufacturer feel + so much tech at a super affordable price, gotta love it.
It’s more obvious here, don’t know what’s the case out there in Europe and US. Is it the same?

The drift that I am capturing here in Germany is, in essence, that consumers are demanding more affordable cars that offer competitive tech and amenities from German manufacturers. The realization that manufacturing in Germany is always expensive and very often inefficient is widespread, hence consumers remain prepared to pay a reasonable surcharge in favour of a sense of "familiarity" perceived when leasing or purchasing a German brand vehicle. But this acceptance has it's limitations and in light of our increasingly reeling economy, it will evaporate. And cash grabs by German manufacturers as well as exorbitant boni afforded to directors for jobs not well done are pissing consumers off. A potential perfect buffet is being served to Chinese manufacturers. Case in point, my wife and my electronic devices are predominately of Asian origin. One of which purchased just over one year ago is from a German manufacturer. It will be our first and last purchase from that manufacturer. The "intuitive user friendliness" is simply overly complicated and, quite frankly, piss rotten. We are perfectly satisfied with our Asian products.

 

[Uygar]

What technologies? The S-Class and 7 Series already have competitors from Japan and other countries. Who cares? The Chinese are just trying to make their copied designs look better with visual trickery, that's all. The technologies they advertise have already been done or tried. They haven't added anything to the industry. They're just bouncing cars or submerging them in water to show off. In reality, nobody would spend money on such nonsense.

The plastics in the cabin are better, but the cars themselves aren't.

As someone who experienced pretty much all 3 Germans and owned several BMW’s + other premium brands, I would say I know what I’m talking about. Plus, I’m referring to the series models, not the high-end flagship models.
And lastly yes, those Chinese vehicles offer everything S-Class and 7er offers, sometimes even more, for much less money.
It’s funny you mention bouncing cars and other gimmicky stuff yet Mercedes have done the exact same with 360 spin stuff on the G-Wagon, and I’m not even talking about the bouncing GLE/GLS models.

 

[Matski]

The Chinese know their market

 

[leylandi]

As someone who experienced pretty much all 3 Germans and owned several BMW’s + other premium brands, I would say I know what I’m talking about. Plus, I’m referring to the series models, not the high-end flagship models.
And lastly yes, those Chinese vehicles offer everything S-Class and 7er offers, sometimes even more, for much less money.
It’s funny you mention bouncing cars and other gimmicky stuff yet Mercedes have done the exact same with 360 spin stuff on the G-Wagon, and I’m not even talking about the bouncing GLE/GLS models.

I understand you're more interested in the design side of cars.

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[Uygar]

I understand you're more interested in the design side of cars.

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Please. While design part is true, that doesn’t change the fact that these are still gimmicks. Sharing a video of it doesn’t change anything I fear. It’s the same story for both Mercedes and other Chinese manufacturers. How many people are using Merc’s 360 turn feature, or bouncing their cars to get rid of sand? Same story with these Chinese brands too, no one will ever take their SUV’s to the f*cking sea, though it’s good to know these cars can escape from these situations I guess.

 

[leylandi]

This is a functional innovation, not marketing. The Chinese making their hypercar jump is marketing. They are two different things.

 

[Uygar]

This is a functional innovation, not marketing. The Chinese making their hypercar jump is marketing. They are two different things.

Oh please. Mercedes used EQG’s 360 turn as a marketing strategy too. It was more talked about than the car itself, especially on social media. All of these “gimmicks” have some sort of a purpose if you really think about it. It’s “cool” and “innovative”when big names do it, but tacky when Chinese do.

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[Esp5]

The 360 turn is pretty useless, jumping to get out of the sand is totally useful and, depending on the area of the world with beaches accessible to vehicles, it's especially useful.

 

[Swissbob]

Exactly. Enthusiasts like us are the minority. Regular people simply don’t care and go in detail as much as we do, therefore Chinese models appeal to them.
Luxury manufacturer feel + so much tech at a super affordable price, gotta love it.
It’s more obvious here, don’t know what’s the case out there in Europe and US. Is it the same?

It depends which background you have and where you live.

If you live rural or your background is from the Balkans or Bosphorus you’re usually a carnut.

That’s in Switzerland the case. And they’d rather call a taxi instead of an EV.

 

[Uygar]

It depends which background you have and where you live.

If you live rural or your background is from the Balkans or Bosphorus you’re usually a carnut.

That’s in Switzerland the case. And they’d rather call a taxi instead of an EV.

I don’t know so many car nerds in my city, and the ones I know are usually just brand loyalists rather than a proper enthusiast. Also, since I live in a coastal city there are ridiculous amounts of coupes and cabriolets.
I would say the top vehicles are Model Y, BYD Seal U, i7/i5 and 4er coupe/cabrio. Plus, lots of Chery vehicles, like, lots.

 

[Swissbob]

Thank you very much for the information

Yes we do have also brand loyalists. I agree.

This was a big problem with Subaru and Mitsubishi Owners, after they killed the STis and EVOs.

 

[Merc1]

The problem for the Germans is that many think that features and so called “tech” is what solely makes something a luxury car or something comparable. The way it all comes together, functions, feels is lost and forget any type of conversation in the nuts and bolts. When you can’t talk or differentiate engines or performance, just features for the dollar and cover everything with leather the typical buyer will but some else.

M

 

[Swissbob]

The problem for the Germans is that many think that features and so called “tech” is what solely makes something a luxury car or something comparable. The way it all comes together, functions, feels is lost and forget any type of conversation in the nuts and bolts. When you can’t talk or differentiate engines or performance, just features for the dollar and cover everything with leather the typical buyer will but some else.

M

You’re absolutely right.

I’d rather prefer less screens and thicker seats. More wood, or even analog dials.

 

[kiki voinea]

jumping to get out of the sand is totally useful and, depending on the area of the world with beaches accessible to vehicles, it's especially useful.

Yea , like, look at all that sand dunes laying around everywhere...

Come on , this is stupid and pointless. Nobody is taking a MB in the desert. I have been with different SUVs in different parts of the world where sand is ( Emirates , Saudi and Jordan ) , and have never seen a MB doing something there. Toyotas , Nissans , etc.

And driving on the beach? Where is that not forbidden in this days?

 

[Esp5]

Yea , like, look at all that sand dunes laying around everywhere...

Lol

And driving on the beach? Where is that not forbidden in this days?

There are many places in this part of the world where beach access involves driving your car through the sand, and you'd be surprised how many get stuck. But I agree that these are very specific cases that might happen once, twice, or three times during your entire ownership. Perhaps it could also be useful for getting through mud in the countryside...

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Yea , like, look at all that sand dunes laying around everywhere...

Come on , this is stupid and pointless. Nobody is taking a MB in the desert. I have been with different SUVs in different parts of the world where sand is ( Emirates , Saudi and Jordan ) , and have never seen a MB doing something there. Toyotas , Nissans , etc.

And driving on the beach? Where is that not forbidden in this days?

This is such a stupid argument.
Nobody gives a shit when people buy a 500+ horsepower 180mph sports car that they exclusively drive around the boulevards of LA or maybe a "fast" drive around a canyon road that would be served just as effectively by a Miata with a fraction of the weight, power and cost.

A tiny fraction of buyers of sports cars actually track them. And similarly a tiny fraction of SUV owners take their cars off-road.

Launch control is just as much a gimmick as bouncing to get out of sand, but nobody gives a shit about that.

Expensive cars are mostly status symbols and that is a fact. So please enough of the pearl clutching.