Mercedes-Benz wins 2006 luxury car sales crown.

[PC Valkyrie]

Missed this thread earlier. What these results mean to me is very simple and fits with my impression of things:

In the USA, the cheaper 3 series is the major reason why BMW is so successful. When it comes to the higher end models, more people choose the 3 pointed star over anything else.

 

[Merc1]

$42000, what a stupid figure

I agree. This meaningless drivel was originally invented to give Cadillac some type of "title" in the past. If they want to count true luxury car sales then 50K or 60K should be the criteria. The American car fanatics on certain websites live for this type of BS about who sold the most "luxury priced" vehicles. Nevermind that once you pass 60K all Cadillac can do is watch MB, BMW and Lexus print money. Stupid, stupid, stupid distinction here.

M

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Actually, when I look at the prices of cars from BMW and Mercedes in the USA, the $42000 cut off is a nice one to use because it separates the entry level cars from the higher end cars.

The only BMW cars that are sold under $42000 is the 3 series, the X3, and the cheapest Z4 3.0i.

For Mercedes, it's even more straightforward. The only car which sells for under $42000 is the C-class.

Therefore, you may debate the use of the actual number of $42000 to distinguish higher end or lower end luxury market, but a ballpark of around $40-45000 is VERY appropriate to separate the entry luxury segment from the higher end luxury segment.

From my point of view, a 5 series or E-class is in a different league from a 3 series or C-class, in terms of the type of people who can afford them.

 

[Merc1]

All of that may be true, but this was originally conceived for the boasting of GM officials about Cadillac. They've moved the number around so many times its ridiculous. Everyone already knows that the higher the price Mercedes sells the most cars, no need for this irrelevant stat, IMO of course.

M