Sam,

Your absolutely right in regards to MB having entry level cars in Europe for years and I'm sure AE knows that.

I think the point AE is making is that in the United States MB, Jaguar, BMW, Audi have been marketed as luxury cars for decades. They (especially MB) have managed to market their vehciles not merey a typical car but as a status symbol.

I have nothing against the C-Coupe nor its quality (and I'm sure its up to MB Standards) but when a company like MB starts selling a large amount of vehicles they will become common vehicles and the upper class won't be attracted to them. They essentially lose the exclusivity they have. Granted the upper class makes up a very small market.

Here's another example.

In the coming years MB is introducing the Maybach to the world, however it will not have the MB logo on it. Why you ask? They did this to create a very elite class car. Hmmm makes you wonder if 15 years ago they would have done the same. So my question is, if Mercedes wanted to enter into the entry level market why didn't they create a new brand altogether so as not to affect the status of their current car. Besides wasn't this the reason MB merged with Chrysler? Instead they bank on their own brand at the expense of decades of luxury car marketing.

The point AE is making is that MB is diluting their brand in the US and will lose it's position as an exclusive luxury car.

I guess in the end it wouldn't really matter. Our society is becoming very global and majority will eventually realize that a MB is a taxi in most other countries. Soon a luxury car will essentially be any brand from any company with extravagant options, their won't be true market leaders.

__________________
Afshin

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