MB Branding?
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2015 MB ML 350
MB Branding?
Hello to everyone, I previously owned several BMW X5's and Lexus RX 350 over the last 15 years or so. I ordered a new MB ML 350 back in 2015 and have liked the vehicle. But I have a question for everyone. I have purchased BMW's, Lexus and now MB because I like the seemingly extra quality, luxury and rarity that comes with these vehicles. But I have become somewhat shocked by MB's product marketing in the USA over the last year. First, I have been seeing commercials for MB work-a-day vans. Now, apparently MB is building a pickup truck. Is it just me or is MB diluting their luxury brand image in the USA? I know in Europe, MB is kind of like Chevrolet here in the USA, where even taxi cabs are MB's. But in the USA for decades, MB has solely been a luxury brand that people work and aspire to own. If I wanted a vehicle from a general audience producer, I would just buy a Chevrolet. Unfortunately, my next vehicle purchase may be back to a BMW X5.
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A gaggle of MB's
1st - Sprinter lineup is very well established in EU, Asia and other markets as top quality "van" and Metris here is Vito elsewhere again top ranked van in that segment.
The "Worker" Sprinter line up is Sprinter's direction to compete with Ford, Nissan. etc on price point - without sacrificing built-in quality.
The "Mercedes pickup" being released in same areas - same best-brand positioning for those markets.
As much as you reference those - the AMG ultra-performanc luxury line up has GREATLY expanded over the past two years - and there I think you would agree that is brand building in the direction you feel MB should continue to point too.
The "Worker" Sprinter line up is Sprinter's direction to compete with Ford, Nissan. etc on price point - without sacrificing built-in quality.
The "Mercedes pickup" being released in same areas - same best-brand positioning for those markets.
As much as you reference those - the AMG ultra-performanc luxury line up has GREATLY expanded over the past two years - and there I think you would agree that is brand building in the direction you feel MB should continue to point too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 40
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2015 MB ML 350
1st - Sprinter lineup is very well established in EU, Asia and other markets as top quality "van" and Metris here is Vito elsewhere again top ranked van in that segment.
The "Worker" Sprinter line up is Sprinter's direction to compete with Ford, Nissan. etc on price point - without sacrificing built-in quality.
The "Mercedes pickup" being released in same areas - same best-brand positioning for those markets.
As much as you reference those - the AMG ultra-performanc luxury line up has GREATLY expanded over the past two years - and there I think you would agree that is brand building in the direction you feel MB should continue to point too.
The "Worker" Sprinter line up is Sprinter's direction to compete with Ford, Nissan. etc on price point - without sacrificing built-in quality.
The "Mercedes pickup" being released in same areas - same best-brand positioning for those markets.
As much as you reference those - the AMG ultra-performanc luxury line up has GREATLY expanded over the past two years - and there I think you would agree that is brand building in the direction you feel MB should continue to point too.
AMG is more of a trim/performance level than a vehicle line, much in the same way as the various "M" series BMW's. MB has definitely expanded them, but that's simply because they can add a few things to even their lower line vehicles, slap the AMG label on and price accordingly.
My overall point is that MB is diluting their long created "Luxury" brand image in the USA by selling work-a-day vans and a pickup truck under the MB name.
Last edited by dprice03; Oct 29, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
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2008 ML 350
I've owned MBs since early 1990s. In my opinion, MB as a luxury brand extends to most of the segments they start building cars for.
MB was one of the first luxury brand cars that came out with the SUV. Back when they were still referred to as tough work cars. I'm sure there were plenty of people that thought the same thing, that MB lowered people's perception of their brand "luxuriousness". Same goes with Porsche and it's cayenne lots of people thought the world was gonna end when Porsche started making SUVs. Even brands like Bentely, and Aston Martin are building SUVs, who've tought? Now, we are all in one of the many MB SUV forums discussing the "luxuriousness" of other MB products we are not used to.
Me and many of my friends with family would spend more money then we did on our GLs if Mercedes comes out with a good minivan. Couple of my friends are waiting for the Mercedes pickup. Although they are less sure after finding out that it's gonna be based off of a Nissan platform. To me, it's not as much as what type of car MB builds, but rather how it's executed. MB was going to build the Metris as a $60k luxury minivan, problem was that after people from focus groups overwhelming negative feedback, they pretty much scratched the idea.
Personally, I think the cheapness feel of the CLA does more damage to the overall luxuriousness of the MB brand than a well build Pickup. Of course, that's IMHO.
MB was one of the first luxury brand cars that came out with the SUV. Back when they were still referred to as tough work cars. I'm sure there were plenty of people that thought the same thing, that MB lowered people's perception of their brand "luxuriousness". Same goes with Porsche and it's cayenne lots of people thought the world was gonna end when Porsche started making SUVs. Even brands like Bentely, and Aston Martin are building SUVs, who've tought? Now, we are all in one of the many MB SUV forums discussing the "luxuriousness" of other MB products we are not used to.
Me and many of my friends with family would spend more money then we did on our GLs if Mercedes comes out with a good minivan. Couple of my friends are waiting for the Mercedes pickup. Although they are less sure after finding out that it's gonna be based off of a Nissan platform. To me, it's not as much as what type of car MB builds, but rather how it's executed. MB was going to build the Metris as a $60k luxury minivan, problem was that after people from focus groups overwhelming negative feedback, they pretty much scratched the idea.
Personally, I think the cheapness feel of the CLA does more damage to the overall luxuriousness of the MB brand than a well build Pickup. Of course, that's IMHO.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 40
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2015 MB ML 350
I've owned MBs since early 1990s. In my opinion, MB as a luxury brand extends to most of the segments they start building cars for.
MB was one of the first luxury brand cars that came out with the SUV. Back when they were still referred to as tough work cars. I'm sure there were plenty of people that thought the same thing, that MB lowered people's perception of their brand "luxuriousness". Same goes with Porsche and it's cayenne lots of people thought the world was gonna end when Porsche started making SUVs. Even brands like Bentely, and Aston Martin are building SUVs, who've tought? Now, we are all in one of the many MB SUV forums discussing the "luxuriousness" of other MB products we are not used to.
Me and many of my friends with family would spend more money then we did on our GLs if Mercedes comes out with a good minivan. Couple of my friends are waiting for the Mercedes pickup. Although they are less sure after finding out that it's gonna be based off of a Nissan platform. To me, it's not as much as what type of car MB builds, but rather how it's executed. MB was going to build the Metris as a $60k luxury minivan, problem was that after people from focus groups overwhelming negative feedback, they pretty much scratched the idea.
Personally, I think the cheapness feel of the CLA does more damage to the overall luxuriousness of the MB brand than a well build Pickup. Of course, that's IMHO.
MB was one of the first luxury brand cars that came out with the SUV. Back when they were still referred to as tough work cars. I'm sure there were plenty of people that thought the same thing, that MB lowered people's perception of their brand "luxuriousness". Same goes with Porsche and it's cayenne lots of people thought the world was gonna end when Porsche started making SUVs. Even brands like Bentely, and Aston Martin are building SUVs, who've tought? Now, we are all in one of the many MB SUV forums discussing the "luxuriousness" of other MB products we are not used to.
Me and many of my friends with family would spend more money then we did on our GLs if Mercedes comes out with a good minivan. Couple of my friends are waiting for the Mercedes pickup. Although they are less sure after finding out that it's gonna be based off of a Nissan platform. To me, it's not as much as what type of car MB builds, but rather how it's executed. MB was going to build the Metris as a $60k luxury minivan, problem was that after people from focus groups overwhelming negative feedback, they pretty much scratched the idea.
Personally, I think the cheapness feel of the CLA does more damage to the overall luxuriousness of the MB brand than a well build Pickup. Of course, that's IMHO.
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A gaggle of MB's
Mr D Price - I would suggest you deepen your outlook with correct information ...
"AMG is more of a trim/performance level than a vehicle line, much in the same way as the various "M" series BMW's." -
https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMercedesAMG/videos
"AMG is more of a trim/performance level than a vehicle line, much in the same way as the various "M" series BMW's." -
https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMercedesAMG/videos
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GL 500 2015 x166
BMW vs MB
Just sold my 2012 X5 BMW 40D (twin turbo diesel) because I needed a 7 seater for my growing family. Great car but a few flaws. Poor stereo/interface/navigation. Drivers seat average. Poor resale. Rattled.
Just bought a GL500 2015 (twin turbo petrol V8). Its a better (and more expensive). The seat and interface are awesome. It Looks good and the family love it. It does cost more to run (approx 20% in fuel). Its bigger and the handling even in sport mode is a bit vaguer. I get way more looks /compliments /question in the merc if that is important to you
Just bought a GL500 2015 (twin turbo petrol V8). Its a better (and more expensive). The seat and interface are awesome. It Looks good and the family love it. It does cost more to run (approx 20% in fuel). Its bigger and the handling even in sport mode is a bit vaguer. I get way more looks /compliments /question in the merc if that is important to you
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