2014CL600

Please re-read the article. In the US market they are not selling nearly as well. over 50% of the sales are going to CHINA where their economy has tripled over the past three years. As, I know I don't have to tell you, the 12-13 model dropped of the map because of the release of the new model in Europe in 13 and people stopped LEASING them because they wanted to get into the latest TECHNO version. Sadly, the styling wasn't quite up to snuff and they have plans on a refresh very soon. That I got straight from MB, not the tabloids. If you think about it, they have only sold 10,580 units and its July. They will only sell another 3-4K units before the 16 comes out. That a far cry from the previous generations sales records and that was also during a very weak US economy.

far2000

here are some stats for USA yearly sales of S class:

2002 :21,118
2003 :22,940
2004 :20,460
2005 :16,036
2006: 30,886
2007: 26,081
2008:17,787
2009:11,199
2010: 13,608
2011: 12,258
2012: 11,794
2013 :13,303
2014: 25,276
2015: 10,580 to date (last year sametime 11 000 sales)

BTW: S class sales last year this time was 11000,

as you can see in USA 2014 was one of their best years in S sales,and maybach sales just started this year and we still waiting for the convertible and pullman sales...S class so far this year is on course to atleast match 2014 numbers or beat it as:
BTW: S class sales last year this time was 11000, end june,

so in figures wise your claim is baseless of S class sales struggling...

2014CL600

I don't need to argue with a NEWBE, who doesn't even drive a MBZ. My information comes straight from a MB executive. They are not happy with sales. The 14 was released early, the 2015 isn't doing as well as last year, the PULLMAN was originally slated but the Maybach 600 took the nomenclature for now. Also, the best selling MB S Class was in 2000 and in 2006. The 2007 W221 outsold the W222 as you even showed in your figures. Also, you didn't even show the 2000 or 2001 sales figures. The 2000 S Class sold more than any of the other years. The S Class is not living up to Mercedes original thoughts on sales. They are happy but know there are issues. So, please unless you actually know what you are talking about. Do state not state anything as fact. Didn't your mother teach you not to believe everything you read or see on the Internet? I don't want to come off as being rude but my information comes straight from the source. Everyone knows that the first year is always the highest production and it dwindles down from there. The 2006 sold because people were afraid the new version was going to be both to large and not as beautiful. It did very well. Facelifts do not always help sales, the S, because of facelift in 10 and the introduction of the new engines in 12-13 help hold sales up, even though the word was out that the new W222 was on the way. Early release of the W222 gave the 14 an unfair advantage over previous generations. Also, the reason sales started to slump was more than obvious. We were in a DEPRESSION here in the US and also, GLOBALLY. If we had not had such a melt down the previous S Class would have outsold ANY S Class EVER.

2014CL600

As for Maybach, they will quadruple sales over seas than here. My dealership has one of the most beautiful Maybachs and they are one of the largest dealerships in the country and yet it has been sitting for 3 months, just as the two white S Coupes. They do not have any S Class 4 dr's and because production is slowing due to the transition to the 16 most dealers are opting to wait, as are the buyers. Livery sales in NY alone account for most of the US sales. Since the fleet of Lincoln Town Cars are becoming to old, the S Class in now becoming a car to shuffle people around. They didn't use the W221, S Class as a livery car but they have no alternative. There are many factors that play into sales and beauty is not one of them in this case. Most people that buy these cars can afford to buy them or they lease them. The ones that want to be in the upper part of the markets don't buy the S Class, for usually the buyer is older and can not operate all the technology, that the S is offering. Don't misunderstand, I think the technology and interior of the S Class 4 dr is, WORLD Class but the exterior is lacking. The Maybach because of the larger proportions and the totally different greenhouse, rear quarter and rear doors, make the car look much better. Still peoples taste find the front end to be very peculiar. I know likes are subjective but from a design standpoint it will be corrected. They have plans on making the grille smaller. Introducing new colors for both interior and exterior and different wheels. For 2016 it only gets a color drop and one color addition and a speed limit assist in the heads up display.

oxff

Totally agree. New W222 is fancy, fresh looking, but lack of the style and sometimes quality. After W216 I've tried W222.... Very questionable... Some buttons feels really cheap (compare light switch, look at the buttons between monitors), outside it's great but interior.... for me, frankly, I like w216 more. Way more style and attention to the details. New one is going closer to the ones who likes bentley....