E55 KEV

I just viewed a Daimler Chrysler Global Management Meeting, Charleston, SC, June 15, 2004. Mercedes sales worldwide is down from 510,000 to 477,000. Wow! They actually expect the introduction of the CLS 4-Door Coupe and the A-Class to help boost sales.

BMW sales are up considerably, due to the "real" Coupe, the 6-Series, and the Cute Ute, the X3. I don't believe the CLS and A-Class will compete well against the 6-Series and X3.

Mercedes-Benz had no "showroom" draw to generate traffic for 2004 model year and I don't think the CLS and the A-Class will do it for 2005.

whatup?

I don't think Mercedes-Benz needs a showroom draw. What draws people into the showroom just the fact that they are selling Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

According to DCX, in the first half of 2004, Mercedes-Benz sold 522,500 passengers cars worldwide, compared to 552,800 automobiles during the same period last year. Here is the article, dated July 6, 2004.

Also, the A-Class is not meant to rival the X3. If anything, it's meant to rival the new 1-Series, though they are both very different in terms of concept, styling and execution (the A-Class is over a foot shorter than the 1-Series).

And since this is a CLS forum, I really like the car. Yeah, it answers a question no one asked, and provides a solution to a problem that does not exist, but who cares? It's cool.

RohithT

BMW sold 46,111 more cars in the first half of this year as compared to last year (these numbers include Mini and the 319 Rolls Royces sold). About 38,270 of those additional sales came from the new 5, which sold 50.6% better in the first half of this year compared to 2003. The balance can be attributed to the 6, with X3 sales offsetting the other models' sales declines (Mini probably stayed about even, as they're stilling running at capacity at their plant) (off topic, but the 6 is such a sweet car. Really is. I wish they were bringing the 3.0 I6 version over here. Not particularly sold on the X3. The interior feels cheap, like the current gen C-Class, though the C is supposed to be better now).

BMW Sales Report

The CLS is probably going to be a low production car, probably no more than 10K a year. Do luxo manufacturers really need a "showroom draw"? I'm not so sure about that. I mean, isn't the point of a luxury car range that the entire line supposedly consists of 'halo cars'?

And I think you have it reversed- the 1-series is meant to be a competitor with the A-Class, as the latter has been out in Europe for years. By the way, the A isn't come out here, apparently- we're to get a modifed version called the B-Class.

E55 KEV

Saying Mercedes does not needs a showroom draw is your opinion and the facts and sales number for 2003 and now 2004 indicate that something is need to bring in customers and sell cars because MBZ is loosing ground. BMW is drawing more customers into their showrooms and selling more cars! So if Mercedes is in the business of selling cars they need a showroom draw and quite frankly this unneeded CLS Coupe is just that - only a showroom draw. It is a niche car with no demand and no market.

I never said the X3 and A-Class were competiting, however, it is 1 of 3 showroom draws that is buoying BMW sales for 2004 with the 6-Series being the 2nd part and the 5-Series being #3 of BMW's product offensive for 2004. The W211 E-Class was Mercedes showroom draw for 2003 and they had nothing new for 2004 with sales of the C-Class being the largest selling car line. Years ago the E-Class was the bread and butter and now the C-Class is, and that is not good.

Kar don

All This info is dandy and all, but my question for you is why are you buying a Magnum R/T when you have a 300C??? They are virtually the same car! I love the magnum and 300C btw! lol.

SC04ksedan

I do hope the CLS remains in a limited market, and frankly I do hope that not to many E class buyers convert to the CLS. The CLS is just a good looking car and I can't wait to see it in person to put my deposit, I was going to buy a lotus elise (now, that is a beautiful car with limited purpose) but this car changed my mind.

FIXEDupW209

The New SLK should boost sales just fine

E55 KEV

The 'Ol Lady' drives the 300C and the Magnum RT will replace my Ford Explorer! One is a luxury car and the other is for utility.

E55 KEV

Your are probably right, the "New SLK should boost sale just for" for 2005! So, what about the pitiful sales for 2004 - is Mercedes just supposd to take the big hit and big losses and then bank on rebounding in 2005. I hope so because 2004 will be abysmal! .

whatup?

Maybe I'm missing something, but M-B is only off 300 units from last year. If anything, it's not the lack of a showroom draw, but the recent labor walkoffs that will affect M-B's bottom line.

FIXEDupW209

you guys are missing the bigger picture. There sales might be on a decline but with their cost cutting measures their profit is probably higher. Also hte daimler-chrysler group is the worlds 3rd largest automotive manufacturer. If mercedes doesn't hold it down one year the other company's will. Bmw ony has the bmw brand, the mini brand, and the RR brand. There are i believe over 13 different company's in the Daimler-chrysler company and thye sell the most fleet trucks or 18 wheelers then any other car manufacturer.

Kar don

E55 kev, if i recall werent bmw sales down in 2003?

RohithT

No, they were up in '03- 1,104,916 vs. 1,057,344 in '02 (this includes Mini & RR)
For just BMW, they were up also- 928,151 vs. 913,225 (a gain of 2.9% difference)
These numbers are for the whole year, btw, not just the half year.

BMW Sales 2003

E55 KEV

Hmmm, someone needs a calculator! 510,000 minus 477,000 equals 33,000 units. These are worldwide numbers.

E55 KEV

Here are US sales numbers:

Mercedes
200,0323 218,717
2002 213,225

BMW
2003 - 240,859
2002 - 232,032

Mini
2003 - 26,010
2002 - 24.590

Belmondo

CLS looks infinitly better than BMW6
That trunk lid on BMW6 should be outlawed

E55 KEV

Yeah, the BMW trunk lid is bad, but the entire sheetmetal on a fake coupe is worse. No matter what people say about Bangle Butt the public is buying more BMW than Mercedes and the CLS will loose hands down to 6-Series and M5 no matter what the HP is.