Do Maybach actually need a cheaper model? - Page 4

Merc1 · 01-10-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tine

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.

I suspect is Mercedes hadn't dropped the ball on quality and starting losing money they would have went ahead with the Mclaren project. I too want a stand alone Maybach with seperate designs totally unrelated to MB as far as what you can see/touch or a "Mercedes Maybach" as just a super-deluxe, exclusive Mercedes that is truly exclusive by design (not because of slow sales).

Yeah if they're going to keep the A/B-Classes then there is no need for Smart. I think Smart can be saved, but they need a partner with know-how in cheap production at a profit. A Asian company would be a perfet partner IMO. I'd go with one of the up and coming Chinese or Koreans, they seem to have some know how, but without the sometimes arrogant Japanese companies.

M

Merc1 · 01-10-2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberto

Good question Tine - do they still have any?

Well I don't entirely agree with that Artist. If "sport" is BMW's "core value" then they are not as successful as Porsche or Ferrari - and how does that explain the 7 series?

As for Mercedes "core values" being luxury and comfort - well that seems terribly superficial.

When did Mercedes become a "luxury car" as opposed to a "quality car"?

The core values of Mercedes-Benz were always innovation, technology, outstanding quality, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Prestige was never Mercedes-Benz's raison d'etre in the past - prestige was incidental - it went without saying

The traditional Mercedes owner was someone who appreciated technical excellence.

Today, it seems the preoccupation with branding and status-symbolism has eclipsed their traditional "core values" - even their technological prowess now serves the prestige "image" of the brand, rather than being the main focus of attention itself - moreover, technology has become a kind of status-symbol in it's own right.

In my opionion, DCX need to re-focus their attention on quality and technological superiority - Mercedes-Benz's reputation was built, not by marketing executives and consultants, but by engineers, designers, and visionaries - it seems the brand is being directed by people who place no real value on Mercedes-Benz's history or traditional "core values", other than as very effective marketing tools.

I grudginly agree with this, but one part really has no place in your post.

"...and the relentless pursuit of perfection..."

That is a LEXUS slogan!!!! You're forgiven, THIS TIME...lol!!!

M

Merc1 · 01-10-2006, 06:26 AM

As touched on earlier by Robeto, Mercedes' "core values" were - quality, relibility, durability, safety, comfort, and technical innovation. All their status just came with being the best at these things for so many yeas. They also have a decent motorsports resume too.

I agree Mercedes has dropped the ball on some of these things, but they aren't likely to return to previous heights with so many different models in production. How could you make an A-Class technically superior to other cars in the segment while keeping the price in check? Same thing for the B-Class and most likely for the C-Class too. You see this today where only the S,CL, and SL provided any gee-whiz technology over the last few years - with some of it (SBC) being a mistake in the grand scheme of things. SBC braking could have worked and been a brilliant bullet on Mercedes resume if they were still taking the time to ensure that things were the the right quality, especially something like SBC which deals with brakes - something this isn't allowed to fail very often, if at all.

Get rid of Smart if you aren't serious about fixing it. Swallow the German pride and approach an Asian company that knows how to build a cheap car at a profit. The Smart concept is sound, but BMW's handling of Mini makes Mercedes look way past stoopid. BMW with Mini is branding 101.

Maybach needs to be added as a grand Mercedes or put on hold (facelifting the current car a few times) until a truly unique "Maybach" can be developed.

Drop either the A or B-Class next time around. One of them has to go.

The next A/B needs to be sportier, rwd and build in sedan/coupe/hatchback guise like the 1-Series.

Don't bring another half-ass developed "Techinical innovation" to the market until it passed the most rigoruous testing regime possible.

No more cheapo materials in any MB product - this they seem to have learned their lesson judging by the latest vehicles -S,CLS,SLK etc.

No more SLR type cars until the core models are healthy, make better than average profits and most importantly are of great quality/reliability. Because truthfully Maybach and the SLR were a distraction to take away from the failings of the core brand, and they are very expensives ones at that.

M

Hypersonic · 01-10-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

I grudginly agree with this, but one part really has no place in your post.

"...and the relentless pursuit of perfection..."

That is a LEXUS slogan!!!! You're forgiven, THIS TIME...lol!!!

M

God, how the hell - isn't that funny - I swear that was completely by accident - LOL - quite subliminal really.

Hypersonic · 01-10-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

As touched on earlier by Robeto, Mercedes' "core values" were - quality, relibility, durability, safety, comfort, and technical innovation. All their status just came with being the best at these things for so many yeas. They also have a decent motorsports resume too.

I agree Mercedes has dropped the ball on some of these things, but they aren't likely to return to previous heights with so many different models in production. How could you make an A-Class technically superior to other cars in the segment while keeping the price in check? Same thing for the B-Class and most likely for the C-Class too. You see this today where only the S,CL, and SL provided any gee-whiz technology over the last few years - with some of it (SBC) being a mistake in the grand scheme of things. SBC braking could have worked and been a brilliant bullet on Mercedes resume if they were still taking the time to ensure that things were the the right quality, especially something like SBC which deals with brakes - something this isn't allowed to fail very often, if at all.

Get rid of Smart if you aren't serious about fixing it. Swallow the German pride and approach an Asian company that knows how to build a cheap car at a profit. The Smart concept is sound, but BMW's handling of Mini makes Mercedes look way past stoopid. BMW with Mini is branding 101.

Maybach needs to be added as a grand Mercedes or put on hold (facelifting the current car a few times) until a truly unique "Maybach" can be developed.

Drop either the A or B-Class next time around. One of them has to go.

The next A/B needs to be sportier, rwd and build in sedan/coupe/hatchback guise like the 1-Series.

Don't bring another half-ass developed "Techinical innovation" to the market until it passed the most rigoruous testing regime possible.

No more cheapo materials in any MB product - this they seem to have learned their lesson judging by the latest vehicles -S,CLS,SLK etc.

No more SLR type cars until the core models are healthy, make better than average profits and most importantly are of great quality/reliability. Because truthfully Maybach and the SLR were a distraction to take away from the failings of the core brand, and they are very expensives ones at that.

M

Everything you have written in this post is excellent Marcus - really, why are you not on the DCX board - you'd sort them out.....and I hear it pays rather well too

klier · 01-10-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberto

Everything you have written in this post is excellent Marcus - really, why are you not on the DCX board - you'd sort them out.....and I hear it pays rather well too

Everything but this:

No more cheapo materials in any MB product - this they seem to have learned their lesson judging by the latest vehicles -S,CLS,SLK etc.

Seriously, the CLS is FULL of cheapo stuff that looks good on camera but feels horrible in real life.
The W221 is a different story. That's more like it

Merc1 · 01-11-2006, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberto

Everything you have written in this post is excellent Marcus - really, why are you not on the DCX board - you'd sort them out.....and I hear it pays rather well too

Thanks! I really think I could turn Mercedes around in about 2-3 years if given full control, but we know something like that would never, ever happen!

M

Merc1 · 01-11-2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klier

Everything but this:

No more cheapo materials in any MB product - this they seem to have learned their lesson judging by the latest vehicles -S,CLS,SLK etc.

Seriously, the CLS is FULL of cheapo stuff that looks good on camera but feels horrible in real life.
The W221 is a different story. That's more like it

The CLS is full of cheapo stuff? That flies in the face of everything I've seen written about the car and my own experiences with the car.

M

RikfromBelgium · 01-11-2006, 03:21 AM

sorry, same here: uncle has a CLS350:
plastics aren't all that good (ex: the controlls under the seat for the massage function and stuff, really cheap stuff
glue-residue under the wood on the dash

klier · 01-11-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

The CLS is full of cheapo stuff? That flies in the face of everything I've seen written about the car and my own experiences with the car.

M

Yeah, that is what I experienced so far. There is a huge gap between the quality of the CLS and S

01-10-2006, 06:26 AM	#33 (permalink)
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 4,955 Thanks: 363 Thanked 672 Times in 346 Posts	Re: Do Maybach actually need a cheaper model? As touched on earlier by Robeto, Mercedes' "core values" were - quality, relibility, durability, safety, comfort, and technical innovation. All their status just came with being the best at these things for so many yeas. They also have a decent motorsports resume too. I agree Mercedes has dropped the ball on some of these things, but they aren't likely to return to previous heights with so many different models in production. How could you make an A-Class technically superior to other cars in the segment while keeping the price in check? Same thing for the B-Class and most likely for the C-Class too. You see this today where only the S,CL, and SL provided any gee-whiz technology over the last few years - with some of it (SBC) being a mistake in the grand scheme of things. SBC braking could have worked and been a brilliant bullet on Mercedes resume if they were still taking the time to ensure that things were the the right quality, especially something like SBC which deals with brakes - something this isn't allowed to fail very often, if at all. Get rid of Smart if you aren't serious about fixing it. Swallow the German pride and approach an Asian company that knows how to build a cheap car at a profit. The Smart concept is sound, but BMW's handling of Mini makes Mercedes look way past stoopid. BMW with Mini is branding 101. Maybach needs to be added as a grand Mercedes or put on hold (facelifting the current car a few times) until a truly unique "Maybach" can be developed. Drop either the A or B-Class next time around. One of them has to go. The next A/B needs to be sportier, rwd and build in sedan/coupe/hatchback guise like the 1-Series. Don't bring another half-ass developed "Techinical innovation" to the market until it passed the most rigoruous testing regime possible. No more cheapo materials in any MB product - this they seem to have learned their lesson judging by the latest vehicles -S,CLS,SLK etc. No more SLR type cars until the core models are healthy, make better than average profits and most importantly are of great quality/reliability. Because truthfully Maybach and the SLR were a distraction to take away from the failings of the core brand, and they are very expensives ones at that. M

01-11-2006, 03:21 AM	#39 (permalink)
RikfromBelgium Advocate Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 881 My Mood: Thanks: 26 Thanked 125 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Do Maybach actually need a cheaper model? sorry, same here: uncle has a CLS350: plastics aren't all that good (ex: the controlls under the seat for the massage function and stuff, really cheap stuff glue-residue under the wood on the dash

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