Alx

Not needed, pointless.

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Deutsch

S class is as cheap as it gets.

Hypersonic

They are scary figures indeed, living beyond-your-means seems to have become a major problem throughout the Western world.

450SEL6.9

George Soros, the bloke who broke the Bank of England for a billion-dollar overnight profit, is prediciting a 2007 US recession. It's the first I've heard him talk about it publicly, but he's not the only one who feels that way as many economists and academics do as well. I think there's a pretty severe global recession on the horizon because government and personal debt are simply at unsustainable levels. Anyone behind on car payments better get caught up or better yet, sell the car or house or jewelry or wife you can't afford!

As you say Roberto, people are living vicariously and banking on their home as not only their pension but their ATMs to finance the purchase of luxury vehicles they probably shouldn't be driving. I have a family friend in San Francisco who is working in the kitchen of a restaurant training to be a chef. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with working in a restaurant, but he's not paid a massive wage yet he owns three apartment units in San Francisco and another in Simi Valley. I asked him how he can afford those payments, well he told me he has a mortgage that allows him to borrow the interest he can't otherwise pay! Then I asked him what if the value of his collateral, the properties, fall in value. I'm still waiting for my answer. I hope it doesn't involve climbing to the roof of one of his apartments and bidding adieu to your debts that way.

This might be a bit OT, but I think the same credit-card swiping, property speculating huksters are the ones buying Mercedes Benz and BMW's cheap(er) cars. I believe they are the most unstable buyers and I don't think MB should be producing A-Class or 1-Series. These German marques should not be the car for the masses.

klier

I disagree. Maybach has always been a brand of it's own in history, not a model of Mercedes passenger cars.

That's like VW calling it's next car VW Seat, or VW Skoda.

Harry Plopper

I know that. But explain that to rich Americans, Arabs and Asians.
IMO the usage of Mercedes Maybach name would be good for both brands. In that case they would sell definitely more than just 300 cars per year. But it's done what have been done.

klier

What Mercedes did wrong with the Maybach was it's design alone. It's way too similar to a Benz.
Maybach as a highly exclusive brand can survive if the design inside out wouldn't look like a Mercedes passenger car. That just doesn't work.

I disagree again.
BMW wants to have a premium in every car they make. 1-series is top of the line in it's class (with some others), and MINI is top of it's class too. Having amazingly good driving cars in the lower segments only helps the premium brands. Young people starting a career can lease a brand they love (which builds a relationship for the future, when they can afford a 760Li), and cars like the MINI, 1-series all make sure the M3 CSL and M5 exist; there is enough money to develop new cars with the selling of smalller, cheaper cars. BMW is small compared to the giants, and when they want to survive on theur own, they have to keep making $$$

Harry Plopper

I have absolutely clueless why MB even revived the stand alone Maybach brand. I guess they paniced when VW got Bentley and BMW got RR.

Mercedes is still the second most luxurious brand in the world just after RR, despite all quality problems. They should have chased RR under Mercedes name.

Standard Mercedes vehicles are known under Mercedes - Benz brand, so Mercedes - Maybach would be logical as well. Current Maybach design would fit into that very well. And sold in Mercedes dealerships - not everyone, but only the more exclusive ones with separate MM room - the sales would be much better. Producing ultra luxury limos, and maybe coupes & cabrios.

Another brand would fit in Mercedes' bag: Mercedes - McLaren. Producing supercars - Ferrari & Lamborghini chasers.

But they rather went into van market with A, B & R-class. Not to mention smart - another "me too" flop.

The Artist

man A B and R class will push hell of alot volumes than Mclaren´s and Maybachs..
but from a car lovers point of view i get you.. it would be more exciting if they did like you say.. but that would have ruin them..

Harry Plopper

True. But they do not fit into MB philosophy. R-class OK, but surly not A & B-class. It's not what MB stands for. And that can ruin the brand in a long run. They will end producing superb cars but the brand will be devalued. And the MB will be just another "me too" in the company of other brands without identity, but with superb quality - just like Lexus.

Curb Zone