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#1
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The Future of Mercedes in the US
Mercedes-Benz' maps blitz of new models in U.S.
CLA, GLA, Electric B, W205, SLC and the SMART Oh, and in case you're wondering why the new small car designs are so expensive . . . Costs A Lot to Train the Elk |
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I threw up a little when I read one of the cars is front wheel drive
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1982 300D Turbodiesel, daily driver. Mods so far: Fram 8038 paper filter, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 (front) rotors/calipers, boost turned up to 12lbs, non-egr manifolds, water/methanol injection, 4-speed manual 1980 300SD Turbodiesel, project car, nearly ready to hit the street 1974 240D, New paint |
#3
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Oh don't start that conversation . I think they'll do well in the U.S. but are diluting their brand image significantly. While this is what they need to do in order to survive (or I'd bet), I can see people on the higher end jumping from the brand because its no longer exclusive to the wealthy. Not to say they won't be making really expensive and overpriced cars, but the S class owner may turn his/her nose at it -- there are definitely people in my area who actually care about that. They'll just have to be careful about dilution.
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#4
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Rewind 30 years and it sounds the same as when the W201 debuted . . . What? A compact Benz? . . . Pity it only sold just over a million units in 10 years worldwide.
Every production car company has to make their US and European CAFE numbers, and the cars you see listed are going towards that. Even BMW is developing a FWD 1 Series car, based on the new MINI chassis, for 2017. |
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Quote:
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#6
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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges $110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges No merc at the moment |
#7
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Current: 1985 300D aka Miss Margaret 1991 300SE aka Alarice 1995 SL320 aka Samantha 1997 K1500 Silverado Past: 1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it 1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car 1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed. 1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove Wishlist: McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned) ReVere with Rochester engine 1917 Premier (only one left) |
#8
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i.e. durable machines...
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Current: 1985 300D aka Miss Margaret 1991 300SE aka Alarice 1995 SL320 aka Samantha 1997 K1500 Silverado Past: 1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it 1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car 1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed. 1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove Wishlist: McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned) ReVere with Rochester engine 1917 Premier (only one left) |
#9
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For sure. And of course, a lot of Merc's smaller offerings are globally elsewhere, but the average U.S. consumer is probably not that aware of it. Tell some of these folks that MB diesels are in Freightliners and see their faces go white
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#10
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I really doubt that "the super high end buyer" cares what else the brand markets; for instance does the owner of a 7 Series really care that they might see a 118i, and the lesser humans that buy them, in the showroom?
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#11
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I don't know I'm not one of them. Our building owner is though, and I would be willing to bet that he would at least give it a thought just knowing how the guy is.
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#12
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Fortunately, you can build an electric car that's 50/50 AWD or driven 100% by the CORRECT set of wheels without any efficiency penalty.
As more electric cars are released, the reasons to prefer flunk-wheel-drive will disappear. I don't think that any of Tesla's cars or planned offerings is FWD, for example. |
#13
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Perhaps, but it depends what is offered on the lower end. When Packard introduced junior line with independent front suspension the senior line was still a solid front axle. Those who who went for the senior line were going (in today's vernacular) WTF!
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Current: 1985 300D aka Miss Margaret 1991 300SE aka Alarice 1995 SL320 aka Samantha 1997 K1500 Silverado Past: 1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it 1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car 1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed. 1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove Wishlist: McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned) ReVere with Rochester engine 1917 Premier (only one left) |
#15
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My desire is for a relatively simple rear drive car with a manual transmission and preferably a diesel engine. I don't think Mercedes has offered one of those in the U.S. since about 1987.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
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