What We've Learned About the Future of the C-Class
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What We've Learned About the Future of the C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is only a small part of the product marketing offensive the company is currently in. However, it’s one of the company’s most popular product lines. Some automotive writers got the chance to drive the 2015 C-Class recently. During their day spent with reps from the company, they were able to glean some information on what’s due to happen for the C-Class product line in the next few years.
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 584
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250 Sport
We in the US (not necessarily the people on this board, though) want such weird things. Why do crossovers sell better than wagons??? Why does anyone buy a Nissan Juke???
Additionally, I imagine the diesel-hybrid powertrain(s) must be horrifically expensive; doubt that even MB can make a business case for subsidizing the cost (as they apparently already do w/ the regular diesels?).
I personally would love to see a diesel W205 wagon here in the US, but it ain't gonna happen. =(
Additionally, I imagine the diesel-hybrid powertrain(s) must be horrifically expensive; doubt that even MB can make a business case for subsidizing the cost (as they apparently already do w/ the regular diesels?).
I personally would love to see a diesel W205 wagon here in the US, but it ain't gonna happen. =(
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
It's really a shame that the US does not see the full range. But markets are different & I was part of a study as to why the B Class had no place in the US market.
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Volvo V70, C300 soon
The Volkswagen GTI does well in the USA. The Mini does well in the USA. The Kia Soul does well (although this new generation has grown so much that it might be considered a crossover now). One needs to look no further than Toyota's Scion sub brand. Their first generation cars, like the xB, were quirky and interesting and sold about as well as anyone could have predicted. Buyers loved them. The second generation cars were more refined, more grown up and, well, more boring. And they aren't selling. The FT86 is a wonderfully brilliant car for driving mountain and canyon roads. But put one in the traffic of the suburbs or the city and you feel like you're driving a Corolla while sitting on the floor. Say what you will about the Mustang, but it doesn't feel like a low-rent economy car when you're in a traffic jam.
The American market for boring cars is large, and there are a number of cars that are really, truly excellent at being boring cars. American car buyers are a lot smarter than many car executives give them credit for. They buy cars that are well-suited for their situations and desires. When an automaker slaps a thin veneer of "interesting" on top of something that is otherwise not so, they see right through it. Crossovers get a lot of development resources these days, so the customer is getting a product with a lot of thought behind it. They can appreciate that. When an automaker puts just as much development resources behind a non-crossover, it shows. And customers can appreciate that, too.
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Exactly. Americans want interesting vehicles. The Juke is interesting. Can you name a non-crossover that is half as interesting as the Juke?
The Volkswagen GTI does well in the USA. The Mini does well in the USA. The Kia Soul does well (although this new generation has grown so much that it might be considered a crossover now). One needs to look no further than Toyota's Scion sub brand. Their first generation cars, like the xB, were quirky and interesting and sold about as well as anyone could have predicted. Buyers loved them. The second generation cars were more refined, more grown up and, well, more boring. And they aren't selling. The FT86 is a wonderfully brilliant car for driving mountain and canyon roads. But put one in the traffic of the suburbs or the city and you feel like you're driving a Corolla while sitting on the floor. Say what you will about the Mustang, but it doesn't feel like a low-rent economy car when you're in a traffic jam.
The American market for boring cars is large, and there are a number of cars that are really, truly excellent at being boring cars. American car buyers are a lot smarter than many car executives give them credit for. They buy cars that are well-suited for their situations and desires. When an automaker slaps a thin veneer of "interesting" on top of something that is otherwise not so, they see right through it. Crossovers get a lot of development resources these days, so the customer is getting a product with a lot of thought behind it. They can appreciate that. When an automaker puts just as much development resources behind a non-crossover, it shows. And customers can appreciate that, too.
The Volkswagen GTI does well in the USA. The Mini does well in the USA. The Kia Soul does well (although this new generation has grown so much that it might be considered a crossover now). One needs to look no further than Toyota's Scion sub brand. Their first generation cars, like the xB, were quirky and interesting and sold about as well as anyone could have predicted. Buyers loved them. The second generation cars were more refined, more grown up and, well, more boring. And they aren't selling. The FT86 is a wonderfully brilliant car for driving mountain and canyon roads. But put one in the traffic of the suburbs or the city and you feel like you're driving a Corolla while sitting on the floor. Say what you will about the Mustang, but it doesn't feel like a low-rent economy car when you're in a traffic jam.
The American market for boring cars is large, and there are a number of cars that are really, truly excellent at being boring cars. American car buyers are a lot smarter than many car executives give them credit for. They buy cars that are well-suited for their situations and desires. When an automaker slaps a thin veneer of "interesting" on top of something that is otherwise not so, they see right through it. Crossovers get a lot of development resources these days, so the customer is getting a product with a lot of thought behind it. They can appreciate that. When an automaker puts just as much development resources behind a non-crossover, it shows. And customers can appreciate that, too.
Brilliant post!
M
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
For those that can't afford those vehicles they buy the vehicles that no one wants and will get attention for the ugly/weirdness of it. The Jukes, the Cherokee, etc. For those that can't afford a new vehicle they buy a used common car (Chargers, Camaro, Mustang, etc.) and install some attention grabbing mods. Loud paint, oversized rims, loud stereo etc...
Fact!
