Why are Mercs less expensive in the States?
03-01-2010, 03:06 PM
#26
Super Member
US MBs do not have nearly the extensive bundling of features and options like those offered in Canada. Small things like auto dimming side mirrors are extra in US.
It is not easy to do a direct comparison because transparency is minimal except on major options.
Plus - we do pay more in Canada for nearly everything due to high tax loads, multiple tax levels on all gov't levels that increase cost of doing business - costs that consumers do not see.
It is not easy to do a direct comparison because transparency is minimal except on major options.
Plus - we do pay more in Canada for nearly everything due to high tax loads, multiple tax levels on all gov't levels that increase cost of doing business - costs that consumers do not see.
03-01-2010, 07:05 PM
#27
Super Moderator
Size of US market & competition drives lower pricing. Low taxes help.
US models are not as well spec'd as cars in ROW but we pay for that premium packaging. This cost cutting permeates the US vehicles. e.g. you will have 4 brake pad wear sensors on a South African car whereas the US version might only have 1 etc. You see this trimming all over the place. The last few years of 203 production to the US had a lot of the nice stuff deleted.
BTW Benz still have a plant in Mexico building commercials & busses. It's nearly got the chop a few times.
US models are not as well spec'd as cars in ROW but we pay for that premium packaging. This cost cutting permeates the US vehicles. e.g. you will have 4 brake pad wear sensors on a South African car whereas the US version might only have 1 etc. You see this trimming all over the place. The last few years of 203 production to the US had a lot of the nice stuff deleted.
BTW Benz still have a plant in Mexico building commercials & busses. It's nearly got the chop a few times.
03-01-2010, 07:22 PM
#28
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C300 Sport LOADED
I have noticed, any car that goes in to Canada is pretty expensive.
One of the possiblity is that canada doesn't have a car company?
So, they don't produce car, so car manufactures will charge you more for shipping also.
If you go to South Korea, the benz and bmw are very expensive also/
One of the possiblity is that canada doesn't have a car company?
So, they don't produce car, so car manufactures will charge you more for shipping also.
If you go to South Korea, the benz and bmw are very expensive also/
03-03-2010, 02:45 PM
#29
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
03-03-2010, 02:47 PM
#30
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
That's more expensive than a Ferrari is in the US.
We've had a MB plant here in Alabama for several years.
03-03-2010, 06:40 PM
#32
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03-04-2010, 10:32 AM
#33
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My man, if you were in the US you can afford a S-class (70k for a 2.2 liter engine). I don't know how someone from overseas in Asia & Europe can afford to drive
. 
I was in london last year & after what I seen they pay for a LITER of petrol (triple the price of USA petrol), I will never complain about gas prices in NYC ever again
. I go straight to the station & fill up on premium 93 regardless of the price...lol
I feel for you brother move to the STATES.
. I was in london last year & after what I seen they pay for a LITER of petrol (triple the price of USA petrol), I will never complain about gas prices in NYC ever again. I go straight to the station & fill up on premium 93 regardless of the price...lol I feel for you brother move to the STATES.
My C180K was about USD 65K
We pay USD 1,94 today on 1 liter Petrol (so USD 7,34 for 1 gallon)
All of the stupid taxes... Here in the Netherlands it goed like:
you pay the basic price for the car, than we have taxes on every car/motorcycle called BPM so that means B= Tax P= Cars M= Motorcycles
And we pay tax over tax and thats the 19% VAT
So Basic Price + BPM (about 25%) + VAT (19%) = The Dutch prices of your car...
The Petrol has the same, 1 liter basic price USD 0,65 than we have a kind of taxes on the petrol its USD 0,98 so that makes it USD 1,63 and our VAT 19% makes the total price USD 1,94
03-04-2010, 06:52 PM
#35
Senior Member
Everything is more expensive in Canada - not only Benz, but also Honda, Toyota, GM etc... Where do you think money come from - to cover "FREE" healthcare in Canada? Canadians spend more money per one car, than any American for his healthcare insurance in the lifetime!
Also, MB cars built for US are more expensive (not less), because of the heavy 50 State emission requirements. The smallest US C-Class engine is much larger, than the largest engine available in most other countries.
Another factor is a highly competitive free market approach. In the USA, Mercedes-Benz does not own any Dealership, except only 1 out of 350. Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan. All other Dealerships are completely independent. Unlike GM and Chrysler, which holds share in the most of their Dealerships - that's why they closed tons of their Dealerships, because they partially or wholly own them. So basically, GM or Chrysler can close them at any time, which can not happen with MBZ Dealers.
At the same time, most other countries don't have free market approach. They sell cars at fixed price - like in the supermarket. Here is the price - take it or leave it. As a result: they have only few Dealerships, poor availability, high prices and low sale.
Don't ask for a test drive, because you may need to stay on waiting list to get your order...
Also, MB cars built for US are more expensive (not less), because of the heavy 50 State emission requirements. The smallest US C-Class engine is much larger, than the largest engine available in most other countries.
Another factor is a highly competitive free market approach. In the USA, Mercedes-Benz does not own any Dealership, except only 1 out of 350. Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan. All other Dealerships are completely independent. Unlike GM and Chrysler, which holds share in the most of their Dealerships - that's why they closed tons of their Dealerships, because they partially or wholly own them. So basically, GM or Chrysler can close them at any time, which can not happen with MBZ Dealers.
At the same time, most other countries don't have free market approach. They sell cars at fixed price - like in the supermarket. Here is the price - take it or leave it. As a result: they have only few Dealerships, poor availability, high prices and low sale.
Don't ask for a test drive, because you may need to stay on waiting list to get your order...
