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I love all of these complaints about the new SL from current owners like they are going to change the minds of MB. Dealers couldn't give the last few R231s away, they were long in the tooth. They were a niche vehicle that had no buyers. Speaking for only my dealership, we have a wait list on the new SL for an estimated 2 years in a relatively small market area.
I have driven multiple R231s, every iteration of the GT (BS included), and the new R232 SL. It is a fantastic vehicle that will appeal to buyers of multiple driving styles. It truly is a Swiss Army Knife drop-top.
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
The new SL may be attracting new buyers. I have a 2019 E53 Cab (the soft top also let’s you put two sets of golf clubs and two overnight bags in the trunk with the top down). I think the next 2023 E53 Cab (aka CLE Cab?) will have the four cylinder. I figured I can again get the most expensive E or the least expensive SL, (SL 43) both with the same engine. The new SL looks much better than the new CLE. I don’t really care about the AWD because I also have two Land Rovers.
Mercedes-Maybach is expanding its product offering in the Top-End segment, led by the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, which is scheduled for market launch next year. In addition, the preview of a Mercedes-Maybach SL reveals more about the future opportunities of the company’s most exclusive brand.
Announced today as the German firm outlined its long-term product strategy plans, Mythos will produce low-volume special vehicles for "the most dedicated enthusiasts and collectors of Mercedes-Benz".
A preview image shown by Mercedes suggests the first Mythos car will be an open-roof speedster based on the new Mercedes-AMG SL, likely positioned as a rival to similarly conceived creations from Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren.Mythos will in effect sit above Maybach in terms of Mercedes' brand portfolio.
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said: "Most luxury companies build their portfolio on the basis of one or two true icons. Mercedes-Benz has the good fortune to have multiple iconic products and brands at the upper end of its portfolio, such as the S-Class, the SL, the G-Class as well as the AMG and Maybach brands.
"We see great potential here to expand our top-end portfolio with even more fascinating products for our customers."
By focusing on its most luxurious, highest-margin products, Mercedes aims to "deliver a strong financial result even under more challenging market conditions".
It's aiming for an operating margin of 14% by the middle of the decade and supporting that goal by diverting 75% of its overall investments to development of these higher-margin cars.
Like many manufacturers, it has prioritized the production of more expensive models throughout the ongoing supply-chain crisis, with a 30% uptick in demand for range-topping models helping to drive a 9% revenue increase last year, even as production volumes dipped by 5%.
Mercedes said that it will henceforth focus on three distinct categories of car: top-end luxury, core luxury and entry luxury.
Top-end luxury comprises all AMG and Maybach vehicles; the most expensive EQ-badged EVs; Mercedes S-Class, Mercedes GLS and Mercedes G-Class derivatives; and any limited-edition models.
A crucial component of this new strategy will be the Maybach version of the new EQS SUV, which was previewed at last year's Munich motor show and is set to arrive in dealerships in 2023.
There will also be a Maybach version of the SL, and a new Maybach coupé, which is likely to be based on the upcoming AMG GT.
Core luxury refers to the higher-volume Mercedes C-Class and Mercedes E-Class models, the latter of which will enter a new generation next year and "point the way forward for the segment".
The shift towards more luxurious products has significant implications for entry-level Mercedes models, which Källenius alluded to earlier this month in suggesting the brand would "rather be looking up than down".
Mercedes will cull its line-up of entry-level models from seven to four "while significantly elevating the technological substance of these products". The first compact EV atop the new MMA platform, arriving in 2024, will set the tone for a reinvention of this part of the line-up.
It's unclear exactly which models will be axed as part of the revamp, but a recent silhouette image hinted at a new entry-level four-door coupé in the mold of the CLA.
03-26-2022, 01:19 PM
