WSJ: Daimler Aims to Revive E-Class
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WSJ: Daimler Aims to Revive E-Class
Today's Wall Street Journal had the above headline (which I assume reflects the facelift and brake changes). A part of the article said:
DalmlerChrysler AG's Klaus Maier, head of sales at the company's Mercedes Car Group division, said the company is preparing its Mercedes E-Class model for a comeback this year.
“2006 will be the year of the E-Class,” Mr. Maier said during the North American International Auto Show.
The E-Class will he revamped in the first half of the year, Mr. Mater said. Sales figures for one of Mercedes' key models fell by 8.8% to 261,900 in 2005 from 287,100 in 2004, as the car was one of the main models affected by the biggest recall in the company’s history. The recall in the spring of 2005 affected 1.3 million cars.
"You can't make people forget something like that overnight,” Mr. Mater said. He also cited the model's life cycle as a reason for declining sales. Mr. Maier said he expects car sales in 2006 at Mercedes to come in around last year's level.
DalmlerChrysler AG's Klaus Maier, head of sales at the company's Mercedes Car Group division, said the company is preparing its Mercedes E-Class model for a comeback this year.
“2006 will be the year of the E-Class,” Mr. Maier said during the North American International Auto Show.
The E-Class will he revamped in the first half of the year, Mr. Mater said. Sales figures for one of Mercedes' key models fell by 8.8% to 261,900 in 2005 from 287,100 in 2004, as the car was one of the main models affected by the biggest recall in the company’s history. The recall in the spring of 2005 affected 1.3 million cars.
"You can't make people forget something like that overnight,” Mr. Mater said. He also cited the model's life cycle as a reason for declining sales. Mr. Maier said he expects car sales in 2006 at Mercedes to come in around last year's level.
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Page D-6, well-hidden.
I wasn't aware that the E-Class was in need of resuscitation. A decline of 9% in sales in the third year of a model cycle doesn't necessarily mean that something is broken and needs to be fixed. It could just be, as Mr. Maier suggests, "the model's life cycle." Herr Maier may be concerned about relative as well as absolute sales numbers, though. If the E-class is doing less well than other M-B models (which the rest of the article indicates) and especially if sales of that woofer, the E60 5-Series, are on a par with the W211, I can see why he would be talking up this year's refresh.
I wasn't aware that the E-Class was in need of resuscitation. A decline of 9% in sales in the third year of a model cycle doesn't necessarily mean that something is broken and needs to be fixed. It could just be, as Mr. Maier suggests, "the model's life cycle." Herr Maier may be concerned about relative as well as absolute sales numbers, though. If the E-class is doing less well than other M-B models (which the rest of the article indicates) and especially if sales of that woofer, the E60 5-Series, are on a par with the W211, I can see why he would be talking up this year's refresh.
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Perhaps the sales (number of vehicles sold) might be in line for the 3rd year in a life cycle. However, more importantly, need to look at the transaction prices and cost of sales. Based on some of the threads here, seems like the E-Class (all variants) are being sold at either invoice or well below invoice. Plus, all the recall and warrenty costs.
That's part of the reason for the need to resucitate the E-Class
That's part of the reason for the need to resucitate the E-Class
Originally Posted by DWP
Page D-6, well-hidden.
I wasn't aware that the E-Class was in need of resuscitation. A decline of 9% in sales in the third year of a model cycle doesn't necessarily mean that something is broken and needs to be fixed. It could just be, as Mr. Maier suggests, "the model's life cycle." Herr Maier may be concerned about relative as well as absolute sales numbers, though. If the E-class is doing less well than other M-B models (which the rest of the article indicates) and especially if sales of that woofer, the E60 5-Series, are on a par with the W211, I can see why he would be talking up this year's refresh.
I wasn't aware that the E-Class was in need of resuscitation. A decline of 9% in sales in the third year of a model cycle doesn't necessarily mean that something is broken and needs to be fixed. It could just be, as Mr. Maier suggests, "the model's life cycle." Herr Maier may be concerned about relative as well as absolute sales numbers, though. If the E-class is doing less well than other M-B models (which the rest of the article indicates) and especially if sales of that woofer, the E60 5-Series, are on a par with the W211, I can see why he would be talking up this year's refresh.
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Originally Posted by mb808
Perhaps the sales (number of vehicles sold) might be in line for the 3rd year in a life cycle. However, more importantly, need to look at the transaction prices and cost of sales. Based on some of the threads here, seems like the E-Class (all variants) are being sold at either invoice or well below invoice. Plus, all the recall and warrenty costs.
That's part of the reason for the need to resucitate the E-Class
That's part of the reason for the need to resucitate the E-Class
You hit the nail on the head. During the annual winter sale the e-class was selling for 7-9 k below msrp in some cases. This is what you do with 05 Lincoln Continentals, and it isn't pretty. This car is due for a major upgrade if it's going to compete with the new m45, lexus, Audi's, etc.
Might be a darn good time to up the reliability rankings as well. That had to have an enormous effect on this cars prices.
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There have been a lot of nice releases since our W211 came out. This past week I had my wifes Lexus in for service and they gave me a brand new IS250 AWD as a loaner. This car was fantastic, felt solid, had great technology, it was very comfortable and was priced in the $30's. Mercedes has been heading in the wrong direction with the decontenting when other less expensive cars are adding technology and quickly closing the gap. MB needs to start adding technology again or they are going to find themselves losing much more than 9% of the market.
That said, I love my car and have no plans to trade it but this refresh needs to be significant.
That said, I love my car and have no plans to trade it but this refresh needs to be significant.
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E500 4matic, 2014 GL320, 2013 C300, 2015 Stingray
my situation
I was looking at the Audi A6 4.2, M45, and Caddy STS [i'm not a bmw fan]. All 3 were in the 50s. I ended up w/ a E500 4matic w/ nav&sirius [added later] for 56500. At that price point, i think the car is a great buy, and the others added amenities take a hit when you think about the fact that you can get a v8 benz for a few grand more (so be it with a few less toyz). My dad is in the market for a car this spring and i'm going to tell him to hold off till the E gets revamped - i'm real curious to see what they do for this freshening.
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E sales are also dropping due to the CLS, which could be considered an E-class re-skin. With the CLS new sheetmetal and interior trim, combined sales off the same platform are probably higher than before.
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