E-Class (W212/C207/A207) [Official] Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)

[coolraoul]

^^ Not to mention the Maybach which is almost exclusively ordered as a four-seater despite its 6.20m...

However, this config could jeopardize the S-Class, as downsizing in pretty much trendy those times, and that this seating configuration allows a great comfort that could make some CEOs downgrading...

I think Benz will sell it in the US too, better to sell an E instead of an S than seeing the client going to the competition.

 

[Untertürkheim]

^^ Not to mention the Maybach which is almost exclusively ordered as a four-seater despite its 6.20m...

However, this config could jeopardize the S-Class, as downsizing in pretty much trendy those times, and that this seating configuration allows a great comfort that could make some CEOs downgrading...

I think Benz will sell it in the US too, better to sell an E instead of an S than seeing the client going to the competition.

Agreed!

Another reason to offer the 4-place seating besides luxury is that it could be marketed as a more sporting option, which would actually give MB an edge over the competition in the US.

 

[Bartek S.]

E63 amg

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090319...des-e63-amg-sedan-spied-with-exposed-rear-end
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090319...des-e63-amg-sedan-spied-with-exposed-rear-end
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090319...des-e63-amg-sedan-spied-with-exposed-rear-end
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090319...des-e63-amg-sedan-spied-with-exposed-rear-end
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090319...des-e63-amg-sedan-spied-with-exposed-rear-end

 

[NarutoRamen]

I do not see how this is the case. S classes are luxury sedans, and every S starting with the 126 has had 4 place seating as an option, including the US market. Furthermore, the 124 E had it as an option on every model, also in the US. Since 4 place will be available in Europe, I do not see why it should not be available in the US also, considering MB is trying to push the model upmarket?

You can hold a meeting in the S-class, you can definitely hold a meeting in the maybach, you can't really hold a meeting in the E. Also, the E is seen here as a family vehicle. I know many folks on THIS particular forum would disagree but if you look at the demographic of the current E as well as the marketing promotions for it, it will be quite evident they're going after the "Family" crowed. The family crowed wants a 5 seat configuration, not 4. Also, the 4 seat config is why the CLS exists.

I also know that if they offer it some people would pay for it, but how many dealers will actually ordered it. For that matter, how many will be pre-made for the US market? That is all the stuff that Marketing research dept has to do. Once again, if the benefits don't outweigh the costs then there is no need to offer it.

Of course, if they do make that option available for the US then that means that their market research has deemed it profitable. Remember, they're after money and not out to offer stuff that people "Want" but won't actually buy. Otherwise it will be the Pontiac G8 all over again, which I hope you folks understand what happened there.

 

[Centurion]

Here in London the E is used as chauffeur car but is still overwhelmingly outnumbered by the S-class which offer more legroom, better comfort and wider seats. Therefore I don't find the four seater config E-class to be a threat as the S-class has more benefits.

 

[Untertürkheim]

You can hold a meeting in the S-class, you can definitely hold a meeting in the maybach, you can't really hold a meeting in the E. Also, the E is seen here as a family vehicle. I know many folks on THIS particular forum would disagree but if you look at the demographic of the current E as well as the marketing promotions for it, it will be quite evident they're going after the "Family" crowed. The family crowed wants a 5 seat configuration, not 4. Also, the 4 seat config is why the CLS exists.

I also know that if they offer it some people would pay for it, but how many dealers will actually ordered it. For that matter, how many will be pre-made for the US market? That is all the stuff that Marketing research dept has to do. Once again, if the benefits don't outweigh the costs then there is no need to offer it.

Of course, if they do make that option available for the US then that means that their market research has deemed it profitable. Remember, they're after money and not out to offer stuff that people "Want" but won't actually buy. Otherwise it will be the Pontiac G8 all over again, which I hope you folks understand what happened there.

The point that we are missing is that MB builds the cars with a huge list of options for the rest of the world, therefore, in relation to the US market, these costs are irrelevant since there is no added expense in allowing customers here to order something already available everywhere else.

MBUSA is shooting themselves in the foot with the "stock them deep and sell them cheap" approach to the US market, they would be better off keeping inventories lower and moving more to an order based system, which would also keep per unit profits higher and lower inventory costs, and probably not at the expense of many sales.

Even in the current situation, it does not matter if not a single dealer has a car with a particular feature, when the option of a special order always exists. Many years ago nearly any feature could be ordered on a car if it was a special order, and there is no reason this could not be employed today.

The 4 seat configuration is not the reason for the CLS, it is more bodywork than anything else (it is actually a reincarnation of the 320 Streamline). There will be a 4 seat option for the W212, and I see no reason to keep it out of the US.

 

[Mr Robert]

Here in London the E is used as chauffeur car but is still overwhelmingly outnumbered by the S-class which offer more legroom, better comfort and wider seats.

Here in Sweden as well, Taxis!

 

[tennmb]

MBUSA is shooting themselves in the foot with the "stock them deep and sell them cheap" approach to the US market, they would be better off keeping inventories lower and moving more to an order based system, which would also keep per unit profits higher and lower inventory costs, and probably not at the expense of many sales.

But this doesn't mean much to the folks sitting in the ivory tower. Can MB deal with cutting their sells? They seem more interested in the number of units than being the brand everyone wants to be.
A lot of folks in the US don't view that much difference in Lexus, MB, or BMW. Sure you have your MB traditionalists, but not as many since MB got into the numbers game.

Most of this numbers game hurts the local dealers in terms of profit. If MB sells 300k cars in the US, it is more money than if they sell 200k.

Personally, I'd rather have a higher price, less options, and a car that you never ever have to apologize for. Sell fewer, but make more on each individual car. Thus having much stronger resale values.
It'd be hard to change now. But I agree they should. Especially in light of the economy.

In 1990 MB was selling about 55k cars a year in the US. They were around 300k i believe. But you in that time frame, you also saw BMW reach those kind of numbers, and Lexus as well and they didn't even exist until late 89.

 

[Merc1]

Mercedes never got even close to 300K units a year in the U.S. Their peak before recent times was in 1986 was like 100K units.

There is no way they'll go back to those numbers now.


M

 

[tennmb]

What, Think before you speak.

They sold 248k units in the USA for 2006
253k units for 2007
eMercedesBenz - The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog

Where do you get your info??

 

[Merc1]

No the better question is what type of math are you using. You said 300K, I said that they didn't even get close to that and your link only proves what I said.

Look at the numbers, they were 47-50K units off of 300K for those years. That isn't "close" or "around" 300K.

Do the math before speaking.


M

 

[DeDe]

The front of the new E63 AMG

 

[Merc1]

Uh oh we're getting close.

M

 

[VroomVroom]

Serious cargasm!!!!!

I can not wait for this car!!!

 

[tennmb]

Yeh, I was way off.

On a better note, the LEDs look a lot better on the AMG.

 

[Tarek]

That looks very clean and elegant

 

[LaArtist]

God damn..thats just clinical clean..

feel sorry for the M5 and RS6...

 

[SKY]

God damn..thats just clinical clean..

feel sorry for the M5 and RS6...

Don´t feel sorry now, the E 63 AMG will have "just" 525 hp against the 550 hp of hte F10 M5, but the E 55 AMG that will replace the E 63 AMG will have around 600 hp .

 

[LaArtist]

^ohh let me rephrase..i meant in terms of design..

Both of them looks old and bad compared to this

 

[Untertürkheim]

Mercedes never got even close to 300K units a year in the U.S. Their peak before recent times was in 1986 was like 100K units.

There is no way they'll go back to those numbers now.


M

Those numbers would be most useful if per unit profits were also taken into account. In 1986, most people paid list or very close to it, unlike now where MSRP on an MB carries as much weight as a Cadillac's.

Daimler may want to consider halting any capacity expansion and just focusing on maximizing value per unit.