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They are using the Sport styling on more and more cars, but the Sport styling isn’t a new thing at all, and the SL you specifically called out is where that started 70 years ago and every SL has always had the same emblem in the grille, it’s part of that models heritage.
Comparing the MB sport grille to pedophiles? Please. How self important can you get? You just don’t like the styling choice it doesn’t make it “wrong”. I think it looks right and proper on the SL and other sport models, and on the SUVs, I don’t care for it on cars like the C and E and S.
Saying you won’t buy an SL because it shouldn’t have the sport grille is like saying you won’t buy a 911 because it has round headlights. Makes no sense. You just don’t like the style of the SL and that’s okay.
I called out the SL because it's one I would otherwise be interested in; MB doesn't make many that fit into that category for me. Round headlights are not the same thing as making your branding bigger. And bigger. And bigger. And bigger. By your analogy a 911 would have headlights that looked like this...
But they don't because that would just be silly; much like the current MB logo.
That’s the point, MB has not made their branding bigger on the SL. It’s the same as it has always been. That’s why what you’re saying about that model doesn’t make any sense.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by SW20S
This is only an issue Stream because you are angry at Mercedes as a company…………
Thank you for telling me how I feel. Actually, I feel the same about all those other, non-MB, automobile branded developments as well. I’m not into brand logos and ostentatiousness, I’m into excellence and I prefer that it be understated.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by crabman
The world can do what it wants but among my friends there are zero people who flaunt any logos, ever.
I personally am moving on from Mercedes because in part, they make no car I'm interested in that doesn't have a stupidly oversized logo. Not kidding. I actually like the SL, and considered it, but the ridiculously oversized logo is a deal breaker.
You do what works for you and that's fine, same with anyone else, I can respect your/their, space and have no grief. I can't get on that train though; not happening.
The exterior of the new SL is good looking. That’s where it ends for me. I’ve owned 8 SL’s and would have loved to order a new one, but in my opinion, the new SL is a SLINO: an SL in name only! Go read on the R232 forum of the massive problems with that car. They should have taken the best features of the previous model and built on that. Instead, they palmed the design off to AMG, where they know one thing: speed. Since 1963, the SL has been synonymous with luxurious top down cruising. They flushed all that down the toilet to give us yet another rocket sled with power only suitable for a race track. They basically tried to build a 911 and, in my opinion, failed miserably. The SL is dead. Long live the R231 SL’s, with their magnificent retractable hardtops. I’m taking mine out for a spin tomorrow!
Last edited by Streamliner; 03-16-2024 at 12:08 AM.
A car company with brand value licensed their name/logo for money to a developer who hopes that the car company branding will increase the price per square foot sales, make it more competitive/unique, and sell quicker. Even though MB's main business is a car company, I think it would be silly for any business to leave money on the table unless it's a huge hindrance on the main business. A lot of its value lies within the brand as a long history of luxury that has a huge overlap into a lifestyle choice.
In this case, I'd guesstimate around 200 man hours of Mercedes' staff (a small select MB staff team consisting of high level of designers, branding, marketing execs, legal) to dedicate to this project for a brand licensing value of anywhere from 2-5% of gross receipts. Even if it only nets MB a half million in licensing for 200 man hours @ $250/hr, I'd do that all day.
I work in real estate and part of the portfolio is a luxury boutique hotel that sells hats with the hotel's logo on it. We sell almost 1500 hats a year at $65 each. Our cost per hat is around $6.00 each. I'd estimate around 40hrs of labor @ $22/hr (ordering hats, inventory, stocking, etc) a year to sell these hats. You'd be crazy to tell me those 40hrs would be better focused on the hotel instead of a hat. I could never get those same margins by refocusing $880 worth of labor into the hotel.
Clearly they created that grill for functional reasons, not aesthetics.
A grill is fundamentally for functional reasons. It's there for the air to get to the engine for cooling and combustion. In AMGs at least the 63 models all the grills are fully functional for cooling etc. The lower grills as well. I know there are many basic cars where the grill is mostly aesthetic and doesn't actually serve any function, not so in proper performance cars. So, not sure what your point is. As for the large star, one doesn't have to like it, but it does lend itself to seamlessly hide the radar sensor instead of having ugly sensors on the front like other brands, or trying to cover them with plastic panels like BMW does and even MB does on the S Class grill.
Last edited by superswiss; 03-16-2024 at 02:34 PM.
More importantly the 1952 Panamericana race winner for the current AMG grill. There's actual heritage here.
Look at the windshield if you want to understand why the grill looked the way it did. Or maybe you guys think that the new SL's should incorporate that design element as well for heritage sake
Look at the windshield if you want to understand why the grill looked the way it did. Or maybe you guys think that the new SL's should incorporate that design element as well for heritage sake
My point is the Panamericana grills are fugly.
This is obviously a racecar and the current AMG grill is a homage. If you don't like it, that's fine. They look awesome in person. This thread is silly. Started with a guy ranting about MB getting into real estate, and ranting seems to be all he does these days and then another guy joined in ranting about the logo size, LOL! I have my issues with the new SL, but nothing as silly as this. It's too heavy for starters and AWD. Who exactly uses a convertible as their winter car?
Well there once was a time when someone walking around looking like a human billboard wearing corporate logo's would have been thought silly if not bizarre.
FWIW all manner of vehicle manufacturers have always sold merchandise and clothes with their logos on them. That is nothing new.
Companies have always sold and given away swag with their logos on them.
And fashion companies have put their logos on hotels and cars too like LVMH hotels and Virgil Abloh Maybachs. When a brand becomes valuable, why wouldn't you? Ferrari jacket anyone? Not for me but I'd be happy to sell one to you; it's designed in Italy, made in China for $5100
This has been fun to read. All you have to do is know the meaning of the three pointed star to know why it's so prominently displayed. Whether on a car or a hat. Superiority on land, sea and air. That said, to Crab's point, maybe a bit ostentatious, and to Stream's point, maybe not superior these days.
03-15-2024, 09:33 PM
