When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Luxury Car Sales Plummeted, S-Class was down, but did just fine
I've seen post talking about MB sales numbers being down, specifically S-Class cars. And you can;t argue with real numbers, but this article shows how Audi is really down. And when you look at actual numbers you see that the S-Class is doing just fine.
Although S-Class numbers still dropped by 25%, they still sold 8,809 units, and another 6,963 EQS cars. Compare that to the BMW 7 series total sales of 10,714, which includes both gas and electric vehicles and you see that the S-Class is still the class leader. The Audi A8 and Lexus LS are both really FAR behind.
I've seen post talking about MB sales numbers being down, specifically S-Class cars. And you can;t argue with real numbers, but this article shows how Audi is really down. And when you look at actual numbers you see that the S-Class is doing just fine.
Although S-Class numbers still dropped by 25%, they still sold 8,809 units, and another 6,963 EQS cars. Compare that to the BMW 7 series total sales of 10,714, which includes both gas and electric vehicles and you see that the S-Class is still the class leader.
Personally I don't think combining the EQS and S Class sales is legitimate. They are very different cars. IMO you could use the same logic to add 8 Series GC sales to the 7 Series... for instance I would have bought an EV S Class but not an EQS.
Having the 7 outsell the S Class is a big deal, that shows you MB needs to step their game up here.
25% drop in projected sales for a product is usually a significant problem for any company regardless of actual units sold.
fortunately the s class doesn't drive majority of profits for Mercedes Benz, so it's likely no big deal.
Lexus is pretty spot on for their product and sales
BMW is easily outpacing the s class per your numbers there and they are also keeping up with ongoing consistent demand - brand loyalty as a reward for consumer satisfaction?
Last edited by PeterUbers; Jan 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM.
Personally I don't think combining the EQS and S Class sales is legitimate. They are very different cars. IMO you could use the same logic to add 8 Series GC sales to the 7 Series... for instance I would have bought an EV S Class but not an EQS.
Having the 7 outsell the S Class is a big deal, that shows you MB needs to step their game up here.
The reason it feels legitimate to combine the S-Clas with the EQS is because the 7-series EV & ICE numbers are combined. That's just one way to look at it, but not the only way to look at it. Just like what @Quietride said, if they had simply offered an electrified version of the W223 they would have kept their place as the class leaders. And you could also argue that if the EQS wasn't so "hard to like" aesthetically, they would have sold more of those too. Taken in that context, it doesn't look like BMW did anything right, just that MB made a mistake, and didn't do too bad. In my mind, the S-Class still outsold the 7-Series. Unfortunatley the entire segment has taken huge decreases over the years. MB has lost their overwhelming lead in a shrinking segment.
And if you throw in things like the BMW GCs, you then have to factor in cars like the AMG GTs and CLSs.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Jan 10, 2025 at 04:09 PM.
Am I to take it that the 7 series numbers are both EV and ICE? If this was the case MB would be moving more in the combined segment.
I'm also surprised at the EQS numbers; I very seldom see them, but often see the vanilla S class.
Last thought here; I'm convinced a 7 series, sans the rather controversial schnoz, would have marginally better numbers.
Like you, I was surprised about the EQS numbers. But living here in Seattle, I see a few driving around, also see them occasionally when traveling to SoCal and PHX/TUC areas. But those numbers still blow my mind.
I agree with you about the 7-series looks, it's fugly! BMW lost their way with styling across all their sedans, and all the M versions look like bloated pigs to me. It's like they're trying to remind people of the early 2000's DTM cars or something.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Jan 10, 2025 at 01:42 PM.
Am I to take it that the 7 series numbers are both EV and ICE? If this was the case MB would be moving more in the combined segment.
I'm also surprised at the EQS numbers; I very seldom see them, but often see the vanilla S class.
Last thought here; I'm convinced a 7 series, sans the rather controversial schnoz, would have marginally better numbers.
Its the extremely cheap EQS leases.
As for the 7 doing better with a less controversial look, I don't know. This is the most successful 7 Series in many generations, and they saw almost no drop in sales from when the model was new in 23, I think BMW has a winner on their hands there. They needed to make a car that stands out from the S Class that people would want over the S Class instead of just because it was cheaper and I think they have done that. The people I know who have a new 7 bought it because of its bold look and never would have considered an S Class.
Originally Posted by carlosinseattle
The reason it feels legitimate to combine the S-Clas with the EQS is because the 7-series EV & ICE numbers are combined. That's just one way to look at it, but not the only way to look at it. Just like what @Quietride said, if they had simply offered an electrified version of the W223 they would have kept their place as the class leaders. And you could also argue that if the EQS wasn't so "hard to like" aesthetically, they would have sold more of those too. Taken in that context, it doesn't look like BMW did anything right, just that MB made a mistake, and didn't do too bad. In my mind, the S-Class still outsold the 7-Series. Unfortunatley the entire segment has taken huge decreases over the years. MB has lost their overwhelming lead in a shrinking segment.
If you look at the EV vs ICE as just another engine choice then its less of an issue. Mercedes has a V12 for instance, and two V8s. BMW has no V12 and only one V8 but they have an EV. Lexus has no V8 and neither does Audi. Bottom line is the 7 and the S Class each have different niches they fill that the other doesn't but you still compare their sales figures.
And if you throw in things like the BMW GCs, you then have to factor in cars like the GTs and CLSs.
Agreed which is why it doesn't make sense to combine them, also doesn't make sense to combine EQS sales, its a totally different model.
I'm doing M at the moment, but got black to help hide the excess. I note they are now saying they're pulling back on some of these elements, reminds me of the Bangle period: At first, they were claiming people would warm up to the Bangle butt, they just needed time. After people failed to like it, they moved on, and I'm fairly curious to see if they will completely walk away from the current oddball design elements, or just tone them down?
If you remember, they moved on from the butt, but kept most of the rest. Much of which was picked up across the industry, and is still seen today. I feel like many disparage Bangle unfairly, I didn't like the butt, on the other hand if I look at it objectively, his work was massively influential, and on the main, well liked. He just can't escape the butt being how (some) people define his work.
I'm doing M at the moment, but got black to help hide the excess. I note they are now saying they're pulling back on some of these elements, reminds me of the Bangle period: At first, they were claiming people would warm up to the Bangle butt, they just needed time. After people failed to like it, they moved on, and I'm fairly curious to see if they will completely walk away from the current oddball design elements, or just tone them down?
If you remember, they moved on from the butt, but kept most of the rest. Much of which was picked up across the industry, and is still seen today. I feel like many disparage Bangle unfairly, I didn't like the butt, on the other hand if I look at it objectively, his work was massively influential, and on the main, well liked. He just can't escape the butt being how (some) people define his work.
Yeah they won't totally walk away from it...they will mainstream it like they did the Bangle look. IMO the bangle refresh 7 was very good looking.
One of my agents got this the other day, I gotta admit I'm a little jealous!
Yeah they won't totally walk away from it...they will mainstream it like they did the Bangle look. IMO the bangle refresh 7 was very good looking.
One of my agents got this the other day, I gotta admit I'm a little jealous!
I'm not jealous of that at all! It's just plain hideous. Reminds me of the old Pontiac Aztek. Looks like they're mainstreaming the Aztek look...LOL
The early 200's 7-series was both elegant and athletic, maybe it was too good. Nothing since has even come close to looking that good.
I'm not jealous of that at all! It's just plain hideous. Reminds me of the old Pontiac Aztek. Looks like they're mainstreaming the Aztek look...LOL
The early 200's 7-series was both elegant and athletic, maybe it was too good. Nothing since has even come close to looking that good.
I have 100% come around on the 7 Series, I think they really look cool, my S580 is positively boring by comparison lol. Bold, unique. Won't age well though, once they refresh it they will look really tired. I wouldn't get white, but this is the spec I would have gotten, carbon black with the white interior:
I agree with the numbers, but I disagree with your analysis. A decline in sales is still a DECLINE regardless, and the S-Class is not performing well at all and not doing fine with a 25% drop (am sure Mbenz marketing and sales dept would disagree and are concerned). Meanwhile, the 7 Series managed to maintain its sales numbers, even though the new design has been on the market for a couple of years already. No matter how you look at it, the 7 is doing better, higher sales and better trajectory YoY. The S is suffering really bad with lower sale numbers and a freaking 25% decline.
Also, I wouldn’t even attempt to combine EQS and S-Class sales. Even if you do, their combined sales then would have still declined by 38%, which makes it worse (you gotta look at the full picture). The reason EQS sales are nearly as good as the S-Class is the same reason the E-Class or A-Class ar edoing better than the S-Class: they target entirely different demography - they are cheaper. MSRP on the EQS may imply that it is as expensive, but it's not at all when you consider the outstanding leases and discounts. My Mbenz dealer was so desperate selling me a EQS 450 once. I doubt they'd be as disperate to sell any of their W223s.
But, combining the i7 and the ICE 7 Series sales makes sense because they are essentially the same car, differentiated only by their powertrains, but the same exact car. The EQS and W223 has literally NOTHING in common (like literally nothing, not even the price
Stormtrooper works on the 7; but the need to hide the front exterior elements would drive me toward a dark color. I'd go carbon or sapphire black, probably the blue/tan interior with the carbon, and the Amarone with the sapphire. I never did see the blue/tan, although I looked for it, bit of a risk on that one.
We'll see where they go with these things; I'm going to be turning this one in at the refresh for both S and 7. There is also the Lucid wild card, if they get things working better, it would be high on my short list. I really would like to sample an EV, just gotta get the cards to line up: Rang that works for me, and something I want to drive. Right now Lucid has the range, but I'm not sold on the rest of it, BMW and MB have a more rounded package, but are under my range requirement, and... Well... Not exactly what I would describe as lookers. O_o
this morning, i ordered a new 7 (petrol) that looks just like the first picture in sw20s' post #14. carbon blue with no m-sport package so the chrome grille is prominent. i ordered it with the 'individual' treatment in full tartufo (saddle) leather. when you order through the 'individual' programme, they match the suede headliner/ leather door panel bits and steering wheel, etc to the interiour tartufo colour - and in my case that matching colour for those parts will be done in 'night blue' so i think it'll work like magic with the navy blue exteriour. really looking forward to the two-tone full leather interiour and furthermore going over to bimmer ,,, given benzo left ME as a client after 40yrs with all their silly choices and arrogance. i should have the new 7 by ~the end of march.
Last edited by ajm0623; Jan 10, 2025 at 07:47 PM.
Reason: spelling is important! heh-heh
Porsche Taycan, Range Rover AB, Range Rover SVR, S Class, Mclaren 570s, Urus Hybrid (soon), M3, RS6
I believe that's an American phenomenon. Here in Europe the S Class far outsells everything else, Very recently Mercedes just announced they have 50% of market share in the S Class segment for 2024. Here in the UK they've discounted 7 series/i7 incredibly, you can get a 750e for £630/month with a £630 deposit on a 24 month deal with 8k miles/year. Thinking about it myself lol
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Well, of course, I need to chime in here. I am not thrilled with the exterior look of my I7, but my wife thinks it is “very elegant.” I do like the fact that in an absolute OCEAN of high end, luxury vehicles in the area where I live, my I7 with the “Luxury” trim is extremely unique. Add in the reasonably unusual Space Silver color and honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen any others in my area since I ordered the car last April.
But the exterior looks instantly fade into the background when you open the door and enter the large, upright portal and your backside settles into what I feel are “THE” most comfortable seats ever offered in a vehicle. Hit the brake pedal and the very wide opening driver’s door swings closed. Then, I could nitpick the A/C vents and the sea of tiny icons on the screen, but all of that fades away as well, as this huge sedan silently moves off and the basic mission of this Teutonic limousine begins—the experience being what must be so close to what Messers Rolls and Royce could have only dreamt about so many years ago.
Electric propulsion isn’t for everyone—not yet. But for those with reasonable commutes, who can easily charge at home or office, AND for those who lust after a smooth, silent, very luxurious driving experience, electric—in the form of the BMW I7–is the way to go, in my opinion. I wouldn’t want to own an EV, but leasing one for a few years, was just the perfect choice for me.
Designs are getting dumb (design teams now comprised of late Millennial woke media drones) and governments are reaching their mark to make everyone equal-ly broke and stupid. It's all going to hell.
Designs are getting dumb (design teams now comprised of late Millennial woke media drones) and governments are reaching their mark to make everyone equal-ly broke and stupid. It's all going to hell.
Last edited by PeterUbers; Jan 12, 2025 at 06:51 PM.
I still think it sells more without the schnoz. I'm ok with all the rest of the car, a little up front for my taste, but I kinda like it. While SW20S makes a point about the people he knows that have picked one up, liking it, there's a pretty obvious selection bias at play there.
However you slice it, if Stream can make friends with an EV, I figure this old man can do the same. I keep saying it: It's all here now; if only someone would put it all in one car. The range I need, ala Lucid, a car I'd want to drive, like the i7. Do that and I'm an instabuy.
Designs are getting dumb (design teams now comprised of late Millennial woke media drones)
Better than a bunch of LSD rotted boomers who are only successful because the stars aligned and gave them world and market conditions that even they weren't lazy and dim enough not to take advantage of.
Go give your kids more laughably terrible life advice they're smart enough to ignore and leave the rest of us alone lol
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
