From post WWI onward...and especially since WWII, Mercedes offered commercial vehicles, "bread and butter" sedans for the (generally well heeled) middle classes, and sports and luxury jobs. As a watch collector, I equate my W123 diesels with stainless-steel Rolex chronometers: the price paid is for mechanical value, precision, and longevity. Add special functions to the same watch and put it in a gold case, you reach the public that wants something with good mechanicals as well as a bit of flash...as well as those who care most about the "flash" and couldn't care less about what's "under the hood."