E63 Finally on MBUSA
#26
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
That is the classic definition, and only works when there is little or no competition. That was fine in the 1950's. Today there is cutthroat competition except for the most exclusive brands. People tend to confuse market value with worth, completely different things. At one time Porsche was on the verge of buying VW!!!! That's whats called an idiots market. MB is an enormous company that produces a multitude of products, the car part of the operation is only a part of the huge conglomerate. In that world, BMW is simply a fly on Daimliers rear end.
I see these primarily their highest end models, such as the S, SL, etc. maybe put a $10K "special order" charge in there just to ALLOW the customer to choose from an extended array of extra cost exterior/interior finishes & fabrics. For an additional charge, paint and/or interiors "to sample," as Porsche offers. There should be additional, exclusive to the program wood trims, wheels, maybe sound systems, etc. Within reason, pretty much, no customer request would be turned down, they would just be quoted a price and lead time. Of course, substantial, non-refundable deposits would be required. They currently do such things for obscenely wealthy folks, primarily in the Middle East. I'm saying to streamline the process and make the program available to anyone, not just the ".00000001 Percenters."
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Germancar1 (06-20-2017)
#28
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MB is but 1 of 5 separate divisions of Daimler AG. The MB division only produces cars. A separate division produces trucks. Each division has a different product mix and focus. In terms of MB revenues, Home Depot is about 5% larger than MB.
BMW automobile division (€ 86,424 million) is nearly the same size as the MB division (€ 89,284 million). Though I agree that Daimler is huge compared to BMW.
BMW automobile division (€ 86,424 million) is nearly the same size as the MB division (€ 89,284 million). Though I agree that Daimler is huge compared to BMW.
Marketwise, worldwide, in cars they are #13 in trucks they are #1. Interestingly plain Daimlier, the car name, is owned by TATA along with Jaguar!
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I don't think anyone here is faulting MB for making some magnificent cars, that's why we are here, because we love the cars. We would just like some additional choices in how we can order those cars and many of us are willing to pay for the opportunity and willing to wait an extended amount of time for it to show up.
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Germancar1 (06-20-2017)
#32
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AND.......That S65 may have special wheels available and some other exclusive bits of trim, BUT, it is available ONLY in the same, boring, humdrum exterior & interior colors as the lowly S550 or now the S450. Will probably be the same for the E63.
I don't think anyone here is faulting MB for making some magnificent cars, that's why we are here, because we love the cars. We would just like some additional choices in how we can order those cars and many of us are willing to pay for the opportunity and willing to wait an extended amount of time for it to show up.
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M
#34
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As huge as they are, they are still a company for profit and I believe that they are leaving a lot of money on the table every year. As they did with AMG for performance cars, they should come up with a division for special order vehicles.
I see these primarily their highest end models, such as the S, SL, etc. maybe put a $10K "special order" charge in there just to ALLOW the customer to choose from an extended array of extra cost exterior/interior finishes & fabrics. For an additional charge, paint and/or interiors "to sample," as Porsche offers. There should be additional, exclusive to the program wood trims, wheels, maybe sound systems, etc. Within reason, pretty much, no customer request would be turned down, they would just be quoted a price and lead time. Of course, substantial, non-refundable deposits would be required. They currently do such things for obscenely wealthy folks, primarily in the Middle East. I'm saying to streamline the process and make the program available to anyone, not just the ".00000001 Percenters."
I see these primarily their highest end models, such as the S, SL, etc. maybe put a $10K "special order" charge in there just to ALLOW the customer to choose from an extended array of extra cost exterior/interior finishes & fabrics. For an additional charge, paint and/or interiors "to sample," as Porsche offers. There should be additional, exclusive to the program wood trims, wheels, maybe sound systems, etc. Within reason, pretty much, no customer request would be turned down, they would just be quoted a price and lead time. Of course, substantial, non-refundable deposits would be required. They currently do such things for obscenely wealthy folks, primarily in the Middle East. I'm saying to streamline the process and make the program available to anyone, not just the ".00000001 Percenters."
Bingo. I think they're going to eventually move AMG in the direction of Porsche. With the AMG GT and the GT4 they're cutting out the regular versions of these cars. That is where the real money is. Bespoke vehicles and more customization has you stated. I fully agree.
M
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Germancar1 (06-21-2017)