Dealers not pleased with Mercedes decision to hybridize S-Class

If they go the way of the Lexus lineups and use the hybrid train to make it more powerful, I don't see why anyone would complain.

 

Isn't a decision to go Mercedes Hybrid at 26 mpg a poor green choice, for what they claim will grab the Hollywood types ?

It may have a lot of bells and whistles..But wasn't that part of the reason of why some of the Hollywood Libs shied away from buying Mercedes in the first place .

 

I LOL'd when I read the part where only select Mercedes dealers have been notified of this upcoming change. I'd hate to be the dealer that has been so far out of it to be unaware as of today. Change is sometimes scary.

I can't help to not feel sorry about the rich folk who must constantly toot around in low-MPG Mercedes or Lambo's to feel good about themselves. Sure, M makes a great automobile, and the company absolutely should be proud of the fine product they already produce. If they weren't they wouldn't still be around. I've driven them, but they're just not for me.

But when, in five or more years time, most every car company has converted over to hybrids or all-electric products, and them 'ol gas guzzlers are relegated to the pages of fossil fuel consumption history, the M brand will still be around, and will be still proud, and elegant, and the rich will still be driving them. But they'll be better cars then than they are now. And that's the real story.

They (M dealers and perhaps their customers) are affraid not about hybridization, but more affraid of non-differentiation. And they would be wrong.

These few but outspoken nervous dealers that can't see into the not-so-distant future might better dwell on how to market the design differences in their cars vs. the competition, as they always have, or they should retire. If present day auto industry practices translate to M, those dealers might be forced to retire if they remain outspoken about company plans.

 

My initial thought was that it's unwise to move into something so radical, instead of producing 50% hybrids and 50% traditional (you aren't sure how your customers are going to react - it's a big risk), BUT then I started thinking about the fact that people who buy a $95K Mercedes are probably buying it a lot more because of it's looks and leather and fancy stuff than the engine that is under the hood. Sure, 10-15% of buyers may be drivers that actually use a bigger engine and it's a big influence on their buying decision, but I'm sure that greater than 50% of Mercedes buyers don't need 500HP and are going to buy the car anyway. How do I know this? How many AMGs and S600s do you see on the road versus S430s and S500s? (yeah, I know the new convention is 500 and 550)

Mercedes knows what they are doing. If they can make the hybrid powertrain get 325HP in 2012, and get it down to 285HP by 2016 (or, more likely technology and efficiency will somehow find a way to increase MPG and Horsepower - and, by 2016 Plug-Ins and larger batteries will help). AND, LET'S NOT FORGET THE INFLUENCE OF MARKETING - Charge Extra for a Bigger Battery and slap a fancy emblem on the back and everyone will want it.

Good Point. I'm sure the AMGs will use BMW's philosophy.
(Speaking of BMW, the May2010 issue of Motor Trend suggests the newly-redesigned 2013 3-Series (dealer lots in 2012) will be available in a hybrid form that increases MPG)

 

It's been mentioned on the board more than once before. MB hasn't ever seemed to mind that it's EPA ratings fall far short of US requirements, causing a bigger markup penalty to be attached to each purchase. Maybe this new hybrid goal means they're finally getting with the program. It'd be way cool if MB did a full on PHEV. High end buyers certainly can afford it. On the other hand, the middle class is getting smaller & smaller so maybe that'll translate out into a smaller pool of buyers ... fewer people over-extending their credit, just so they can 'show-off' their car's label. As for the dealer's whining ... that I don't get.

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The economic world of yesterday has changed. Mercedes-Benz finally got it, you snooze you lose. The big three have to quit making muscle cars of years past, fads come and go.

Tony

 

I think the big three should step in where their market wants them to be: big, fast, boats of a car. Now, there is no excuse for it to get less than 20mpg even with basic hybridization.

If they focus on the performance aspect and used supercaps along with normal NiMH/LiFePO4 packs, they could get extreeeeeme acceleration time that just isnt physically possible from an ICE unless it is the size of New Jersey.

Just dont market it as a "hybrid", market it as something stupid that sounds fast like "Supercapped" and give people the little badge instead of "turbo" or "supercharged'. It would sell like hotcakes.

 

looks like this feature is alive and well on your snob list.