Latest from CR

 

nothing new tbh, CR always reported that way.

 

No matter how you feel about Consumer Reports, these results are terrible. BMW has stayed near the top of these surveys for a while now, which is impressive. To achieve that takes time and an across-the-board corporate culture that values quality and reliability versus one that emphasizes star taillights and technology with quality and reliability an afterthought. One that doesn’t put trash can transmissions in all of their cars.

 

Not true - as an example in 2021 they ranked MB 11th and in some years prior in the top 10 or 5. MB has some much needed work to do.

 

+1
the trans’ are killing the quality factor, electronics aside, as near every marque has issues there.

 

Can't say I'm surprised. Through horrible decisions, they've diluted the brand into a shell of what it once was. Leveraging decades of greatness into boring blinged out designs with poor quality and unreliable flashy tech. Faraday cages for keys...can you imagine?

Even with margin of error this should be alarming to the executive team. There is no excuse.

 

As a 35 year buyer of new S Class cars, is anyone really surprised? I am not. Many of my clients that have been buying MBs for years back up what Consumer Reports is reporting!

Mercedes Benz has completely lost its way!

Not surprised at all.

I own over 10 late model cars. Only one is a MB (my current '19 S63 AMG which is the best S Class I have owned in 35 years). Of my late model cars, I own two Fords (F150 and F250) and three Chevys (three Corvette C8 Z06s and not one AMG GT 2 door because MB has lost its way). Fifteen years ago I owned multiple MBs at one time and now I own only one whereas at that time I owned no Chevys and no Fords.

By the way, I felt like I was an ambassador for the MB brand in the past--I have done European Delivery in the past with the last Euro Delivery in late 2018 S 63.

Like I said, MB has lost it's way--no more Euro Delivery. But a couple of days ago MB announced Manufaktur customization program. Just maybe they understand how screwed up they have become. I really want to order a custom built S63 AMG E Performance but the dealer told me no more customization programs at the Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen. Looks like a couple of days ago, MB announced the new customization program for (I think) the facelifted S Class.---IT IS ABOUT TIME MB REMEMBERS WHO THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE because they have forgotten their customers when they went down stream selling cheap junk! When I was in Germany at the factory in late 2018 at my delivery, I was sold on the customization program and they killed that program along with Euro Delivery. I have been a long time ambassador for MB--Just cannot believe how screwed up MB Germany has become on understanding their customers.


MAYBE THIS WILL GET THEM BACK ON TRACK: Dec 5, 2024 – Sindelfingen

• Craftsmanship at the highest level: with a new, highly exclusive customer experience, Mercedes-Benz strengthens the role of the Sindelfingen site as a global center for individualization
• New production technologies: innovative matrix production and modern PixelPaint process to be used for the first time in the new MANUFAKTUR Studio
• Expanded range of new MANUFAKTUR exterior colors and interior appointments to be available in the future on select models

"Made in Sindelfingen" is a traditional seal of quality for Mercedes-Benz customers. It refers to where top-of-the-range models such as the S-Class, which stand for precision and exclusivity, are produced in the ultra-modern Factory 56. However, Sindelfingen is not only the birthplace of the S-Class, it is also the home of MANUFAKTUR – the cross-brand individualization and personalization program of Mercedes-Benz. Here, specialized employees contribute their expertise in upholstery finishing, interior fittings, fabrication and special paintwork for customization of top-end vehicles. With the strategic further development of the MANUFAKTUR program, Mercedes-Benz continues the tradition of impeccable craftsmanship and enhances the role of Sindelfingen as a top-end vehicle manufacturing location.

Customers with exclusive customization wishes can now experience the MANUFAKTUR program up close at several locations at the Sindelfingen site – at the traditional Center of Excellence, in the MANUFAKTUR and now also in the MANUFAKTUR Studio, which officially opened on December 5, 2024.

"In our new MANUFAKTUR Studio at the heart of the Sindelfingen factory complex, we're offering our customers an exclusive area for a product experience with the highest degree of customization. By expanding the MANUFAKTUR experience, we are strategically developing the location and the 'Made in Sindelfingen' seal of quality. We're now combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative, digital production processes."
Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management

"Our MANUFAKTUR program offers discerning clients the opportunity to customize a selection of vehicles with the star according to their wishes. Whether it's paints selected for the exterior or exclusive materials in the interior – thanks to MANUFAKTUR, there are numerous options for creating your personal dream car. Because of the program's success, we are now expanding it further. In the new MANUFAKTUR studio, our customers can witness live how their wishes are turned into reality. Here, select equipment, which is handcrafted at MANUFAKTUR, is installed into its respective vehicle. We are also delighted to be able to offer a variety of new exclusive colors and interior equipment for the S-Class next year."
Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and
Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class & Mercedes Maybach divisions

After customers configure their dream vehicle at the Center of Excellence, individual components are meticulously crafted by hand at MANUFAKTUR. In the new MANUFAKTUR Studio, customers can then experience first-hand how the vehicle is customized according to their individual wishes. Both locations combine craftsmanship, attention to detail and state-of-the-art production technologies to make individual vehicle dreams or even custom concepts a reality. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is introducing innovative high-tech manufacturing methods and extensively expanding customization options.

MANUFAKTUR: skillful hands are the most valuable tools

The MANUFAKTUR team consists of experienced and extensively trained specialists. Their dedication to the craft is reflected in the outstanding quality of their work. Skilled hands are the most valuable tools here. Whether it's leather cladding, cutting, embroidering or sewing – all interiors are finished with exquisite craftsmanship and the utmost precision. The production of small and intricate details is just as much at home here as the production of larger components. This includes, for example, a leather headliner, which is sewn together from many individual pieces.

The digitalization of individual work steps speeds up MANUFAKTUR processes and makes a significant contribution to quality assurance. Individual steps are also optimized with artificial intelligence. This can quickly and reliably detect small irregularities in leather hides, for example, and reduces the workload on employees.

The MANUFAKTUR Studio: individualization independent of series production

The innovative matrix production in the MANUFAKTUR Studio enables variable individualization of up to 20 vehicles per day, regardless of the model series. The highly flexible production structure has been completely reorganized. With the help of driverless transport systems that can move in any direction (autonomous guided vehicles, also known as "AGVs"), customer vehicles are transported between individual production clusters as required and independently of fixed sequences. Each of the nine clusters in the MANUFAKTUR Studio can be approached flexibly with the AGVs and operates independently of cycle times. In this way, the vehicle's custom equipment can be installed effectively.

This is supported by the digital twin, which is used to monitor and, if necessary, optimize every stage of production. Last-minute changes are also possible. All production stations are networked via MO360, the in-house digital ecosystem for production. This means all production data can be accessed by every employee in real time via the MO360 data platform.

PixelPaint – an innovative high-resolution painting process for exclusive customer solutions

The innovative and resource-saving PixelPaint process revolutionizes the wide-ranging options for multi-colored vehicle paint jobs. Inspired by the function of an inkjet printer, this new technology applies high-quality paint directly onto the body of the vehicle with incredible precision. This allows for the application of custom patterns with the highest level of accuracy – ideal for individually designed dream vehicles. Customers can request bespoke design elements according to their ideas, which are limited only by technical feasibility.

Growing range for select top-end vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Group

The MANUFAKTUR individualization and customization program consists of a growing range of equipment for select Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models. The MANUFAKTUR portfolio comprises an exclusive selection of materials, colors and finishes that go beyond standard options and create a highly individual experience. The focus here is on expanding the individualization options for customers in the top-end segment.

The S-Class will be available in the future with even more MANUFAKTUR Exclusive colors and further MANUFAKTUR options. As the Mercedes-Benz flagship, the S-Class exemplifies the extensive customization options of the MANUFAKTUR program. A similar expansion is also planned for select Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models.

# # #

About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 18 model lines ranging from the sporty GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the dynamic all-electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.

Accredited journalists can visit our media site at media.mbusa.com.

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Hopefully they truly mean what they say and it’s not a bunch of marketing hyperbole. If they don’t fix the trans issues once and for all, then all the customization enhanced visual quality etc means nothing to me.

I took a flyer and ordered the new 25 CLÉ 53 AMG for the wifey with nearly every option. I also may pick up an SL but I’ve already told the GM if her car has rough up/down shift issues right out of the box, the new found luv relationship is over on the spot. The GM said he was at HQ in Deutschland over the summer and heard all about MBs newfound quest for quality, he was excited about what he heard….proof will certainly be in the pudding.

On a side note I’ve tried to order a new Eray for me (impressed with this vehicle on a few levels), but dealing with my 2 local Chevy dealers has been a giant turn off - how do you deal with these people? I think they need a separate sales/service section for their Z’s and Erays especially now with them at $140-$250+

 

GM has built a masterpiece with the C8 Corvettes.

I have purchased 4 C8 Corvettes since 2021 (currently own the three C8 Z06s). These cars are so good that I buy these Corvette cars in spite of the dealerships--it took me a ton of work to find one good dealership a half hour a way from my house even though I have one a mile from my house and 6 more on the way to the dealership I use. Agreed---they should have separate dealerships for the Corvettes as these are masterpieces that most Chevy dealers don't know how to provide a proper service arrangement.

 

Diluted is right, first they diluted the amg brand with the amg line on pedestrian Mercedes-Benz model then they diluted amg with the 43, 35, 53 models.
​​​​​​
Now they are putting as many stars on mb models as possible. Of course they didn't leave the headlights and taillight alone by putting stars in there too, oh the star is shining.

For the Maybach SL, as many Maybach logos instead.

 

You are fortunate to have a plethora of dealers to pick/choose from, I’m stuck with 2, maybe 3 but the third is mostly a truck store. I’ve found sales/management extremely lacking on several levels, service is another matter…my God they can’t even do an oil change on a C8 without overfilling etc.

Yes, separate dealers/centers or sections would help them a lot especially since they are now uber performance focused and moving way up mkt. If they do the new Chevelle and build uhp versions it too should be part of a separate performance center/dlr.

 

Oddly enough some of my favorite cars I have had come from manufacturers at the bottom of that list...

 

That list reminds me of what a German car indy who replaced my front differential said. He said in essence that Mercedes had continued to cheapen it's products over the years whereas Porsche was the only one that had not.

What I would like to see Mercedes do, is return to building their cars to an engineering and quality standard first and pricing it second. This would include not releasing products until they are fully vetted. It's not like Mercedes doesn't know by now how a car is going to be used.

In terms of customization I would like them to start with a very basic platform other than safety related content. I would gladly trade tech for tech sake for quality materials and durability.

This approach will also significantly reduce the product line dilution. The other consequence is that they will become more expensive. Today's Mercedes are a lot cheaper to buy than they used to be in real dollars.

 

Things went to hell with BMW too; they reached their peak crapiness around the time Bangle butt hit the street. My wife had the first year of Bangle butt, I wanna say that was early 2000ish, and it was by far the least reliable car we ever owned. The first one broke down on the way home from the dealership, it was never fixed, and they bought it back. No, I'm not kidding.

The second had electronic faults at the time of delivery. Back then, they were claiming it would take a day to flash the firmware, so we had to bring it in. Turns out they would become known as garage queens became they had great difficulty flashing them in the beginning, and it usually took days, as did ours, many times over. At the time we traded it in, fully one quarter of all the miles on the car were driving to the dealership to get it worked on. In the early days that number was half the miles, and keep in mind that's not even considering the tows, which were many.

Things did change, in just 5 years they had made massive strides in QC, and I eventually dared trying another M car. It was flawless, but also the last bespoke M, and I was off for Porsche.

Where I'm headed is that BMW did do it, not might, they did completely change the culture regarding QC, and following after, the product itself. I see no reason why MB can't do the same. They don't have to suck at QC, that was a choice. Nor do they have to hoar out the brand, that was another choice.

 

What MB doing is clearly working.... for the shareholders, sadly not for the consumers. If something will affect the shareholders' gain then MB will change.

 

Yeah, in the short term maybe, and frankly that’s all that matters in today’s society it seems. A corporate culture that only values short-term gains is what drives business today. There aren’t many corporations left that are really forward, long-term, big-picture focused because those goals don’t net immediate gains and don’t line the pockets of execs working for today.

However, this lack of foresight ALWAYS comes back and eventually bites everyone in the ***, it’s just a matter of when and how bad. No one cares, though, because the people responsible for this already made their money in their short-sighted governance.

 

I am going to throw Nissan in the mix, they only cared about short term gain hence why now they are still struggling. Stellantis is also not doing well.

 

I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter how much they are willing to customize their vehicles, IF the basics don’t work. My feeling is that MB needs to get back to the basics and start building vehicles that actually WORK FLAWLESSLY, without owners needing to jump through hoops to get them to do so. They have so thoroughly mucked up the S Class & SL Class vehicles—along with other models—that it will require a huge leap of faith for many lost customers to even consider chancing the brand again.

After 17 brand new MB’s—mostly SL’s & S Class sedans—I went BMW this time around—and the car simply WORKS as it should. MB will really have to make some significant changes to get me back as a customer—and offering me the opportunity to have “Zebra” skin seats isn’t going to mean a thing. Give me a transmission that shifts as nicely as the one in my dearly departed Ford Transit XLT350 VAN, and I’d be thrilled!

 

My 24 S580 works as it should, and plenty of people on the BMW 7 forum have issues, there are discussions of buybacks there and similar issues to what is presented here.

Honestly, I think a lot of this boils down to luck and each person's willingness to put up with certain idiosyncrasies of a car.

 

BMW has far less trans issues due to them being ZF’s, furthermore CR and JDP #’s are well in BMWs favor. MB can and needs to do better…EOS

 

Agree, I could care less about a MANUFAKTUR if the car doesn't do what it's supposed to. Perhaps this reflects the priorities of management, more style and less substance? Put the money into making cars better, then worry about the zebra seats, otherwise this new focus won't really move the needle, perhaps more sales and same quality?

 

I mean, if it isn't functional, you can only use it as a collectible and hang it on the wall like an art work.

 

Not really, look at their stock over the last year. They've got issues.

 

I always found the idea of the Porsche “Paint To Sample” or their “Interior to Sample” options to be quite intriguing, although I never ordered a car as such.

The idea of peeling off a tremendous amount of money to “customize” a current model MB, is not of any interest, due to the fact that owning their current vehicles beyond the warranty period is absolutely not an option, in my opinion. I could see it with something like a 911, where well maintained cars have serious value retention and longevity, but not with an MB “appliance” that one will keep for 18 to 30 months and then return at lease end.

I believe that the days when one could hang onto an MB and watch it gracefully age, absolutely ended, circa 2020—I’m sure many here would move that date MUCH further back. Honestly, I believe that current issue MB’s—and most other brand vehicles—are now at the point where they are designed & built with the idea being that they will MAYBE last five years and then end up in the recycling bin.

 

never mind then, I must have mistaken, in that case, instead of win-win (consumer and shareholders being happy) situation looks like MB chose a double lose path with their decisions.