Why are Mercs less expensive in the States?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
C350 4matic 2010
Why are Mercs less expensive in the States?
Hey guys,
I wondered why there's such a difference in pricing when it comes to Canada and the US...
I'm in Montreal and got a C350 4matic '10 and with a few options, I paid a bit over 60k....
But on this forum I saw most Americans got a C350 sport fully equipped for 50k, even less....
Then I checked the S550, and our MRSP is around 125k whereas the US is 90k... it's the same thing with bmws, etc.
Why is there such a difference in the same continent? I understand the american dollar used to be really strong compared to ours, but now that it's almost even, most mother-dealerships don't bother to balance it out?
I know we get a few options more that are standard, but still...
Anyways, I was just curious!
Thanks,
I wondered why there's such a difference in pricing when it comes to Canada and the US...
I'm in Montreal and got a C350 4matic '10 and with a few options, I paid a bit over 60k....
But on this forum I saw most Americans got a C350 sport fully equipped for 50k, even less....
Then I checked the S550, and our MRSP is around 125k whereas the US is 90k... it's the same thing with bmws, etc.
Why is there such a difference in the same continent? I understand the american dollar used to be really strong compared to ours, but now that it's almost even, most mother-dealerships don't bother to balance it out?
I know we get a few options more that are standard, but still...
Anyways, I was just curious!
Thanks,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, CA
2009 C350
I'm guessing it's simple economics. Supply and demand. The US has a larger market so supply is high. And they've sold to the point where they can't sell enough, which forces dealers to lower their prices. Me for example...Not sure if you want to hear this, but I got my C350 for $35,000 (excluding tax and licensing), which is $10,300 off MSRP. Quite honestly, 3 series BMWs, W204s, IS250s; they're a dime a dozen....Or at least in socal they are.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
C350 4matic 2010
Hah... 35k. That's a real kick in the nads loll.
Even in this economy, demands haven't dropped?
The market of bmws in the US is good, but I always thought Mercedes was more in Canada..
Anyways, at least I can say I have cool power-folding exterior side mirrors!
Unless, of course, you have that too.....
Even in this economy, demands haven't dropped?
The market of bmws in the US is good, but I always thought Mercedes was more in Canada..
Anyways, at least I can say I have cool power-folding exterior side mirrors!
Unless, of course, you have that too.....
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 2
C350 Elegance
Everywhere you get what you pay for, however... this is politically corrected by the local tax/business structure. The inherited Brit mentality of Canadian government, greatly influenced by the physical and demographics of the country, contrasts the consumerist moxie promoted in the U.S. through policies toward this massive market equal to the whole of Europe.
So a schism of deep roots developed and built a high wall between the two economies and, in the case of MB, Canada gets the German made cars and the U.S. produces from local assembly plants units almost as good as the European counterparts.
So a schism of deep roots developed and built a high wall between the two economies and, in the case of MB, Canada gets the German made cars and the U.S. produces from local assembly plants units almost as good as the European counterparts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
What are you talking about? Canada and the US both get German-built C-Classes. We dont have local plants building C-Classes. If/when MB starts building the C-Class in the US, I can assure you Canada will be getting the US built models as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Waldfischbach-Bergalben, Germany
2008 MB C300 Sport (Mars Red)
Not all are built in Germany. Many, including mine which I bought in NC, are built in South Africa... Lower cost of labor may factor into the equation for the US sales price.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
merecedes c200k 2009
One c200k, with the classic package( no Hid, 16 inch rim, no navigation, no ipod interface, no memory seats, no folding side mirrors), for a 2010 model, costs here, in dominican republic, us$54,509
you are lucky in Us and Canada. Lots of taxes here!!!
you are lucky in Us and Canada. Lots of taxes here!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
C230 4Matic, SLK350
Just check how many cars are being sold in Canada vs. how many cars are being sold in the US in a year and you will know why. MBUSA and MBCanada both buy their cars from Germany. If MBUSA sells 4/5 times as many cars as MBCanada, they will have a much higher bargaining power. Thus the MSRP can be set lower. That is also the reason why some colors/options are available in the US only or vice versa.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 2
C350 Elegance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
Yeah I know...I was just saying we still get the German built cars as well. I'd assume Canada gets a mix of German and South African built cars just like the US, so there's no difference.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
The logistics and policies of the US market is handled by MB USA, resulting in models slightly different than the ones from European administration. It happens from what I read in the different threads vs. what I find with my unit and what it's being sold elsewhere. This has to do with the approval requirements in force at the US, plus the consumer laws and competitors' prices that are more severe than in other markets. Only the market size permits and makes it attractive this approach.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
2008 C 300 sport
. 
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
2008 C 300 sport
haha VAT, what is it like 18%...dude take a trip to NYC, guarantee with the conversion of the EURO or the GBP, come with an empty suitcase & you will go back with it filled haha my cousins do it all the time...plane to JFK & straight to Macy's & Bloomindales...lol
dude take a trip to NYC, guarantee with the conversion of the EURO or the GBP, come with an empty suitcase & you will go back with it filled haha my cousins do it all the time...plane to JFK & straight to Macy's & Bloomindales...lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
BMW 335i
It is mostly related to the current weakness of the American dollar. The U.S. dollar went down the toilet but German carmakers cannot simply raise prices to compensate. If they do, they will lose a lot of sales to their domestic and Japanese competitors who are not affected by the decline of the dollar (the japs are not affected because most of the cars they sell in the U.S. are built there as well). Basically, BMW, Mercedes and Audi are making a lot less money on each vehicle sold in the U.S. than they used to, but there's not a lot they can do about it.
In the early 2000s, when the Canadian dollar was weak, it was the exact opposite situation (I remember my dad's X5 costing about $7K less than it would have in the States).
In the early 2000s, when the Canadian dollar was weak, it was the exact opposite situation (I remember my dad's X5 costing about $7K less than it would have in the States).
Last edited by tiag335i; Feb 28, 2010 at 10:39 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 2
From: Southeast
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
I'm just guessing but I'd say that MB pricing in the US is entirely based on getting as much as they can and still be competitive against BMW, etc.
Its MB's best guess. They assume that if their pricing was higher or lower their net profit would decrease. I'd hate to be the one trying to put together that guess.
Its MB's best guess. They assume that if their pricing was higher or lower their net profit would decrease. I'd hate to be the one trying to put together that guess.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
2009 C200K
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.
Occasionally i can hear rap songs from the States that has lyrics " i drive a 100,000 dollars car" (eg. Will Smith's Miami)
Man, it must be great to drive that kind of car in the States. But here in my country, a brand new S350 cost about USD294,000 !
Anyways, the petrol price here is rather cheap. USD0.64/litre.
If i have the chance, i will move, get myself a C63.
