bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

self defeating because you think people won't consider full amg models because the branding / trim is available on 'regular' models?

i don't agree because a) a full amg model still speak for themselves with huge wheels/tires, lowered appearance sometimes, 'signed' engineer plates, and obviously blistering performance.

^^ this... i think mercedes will gladly trade the risk of losing 1 or 2 'offended' potential full amg buyers for thousands of add-on amg line trim packages.

and obviously most brands have decided it's worth it.

Striker223

Those sales numbers though....

SW17LS

It’s chasing sales at the expense of their brand image. Everybody’s doing it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not ultimately self defeating.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

endless debate... you could say the same thing that mercedes should not offer a cla because it might offend maybach owners.

Toys4RJill

In some ways AMG today is not much different than they were in the 80s. AMG didn’t always have only full on AMG cars. It was possible to change out your differential and install a torsen diff at the dealer and have AMG final drive ratios. You could buy accessories at the dealer and change out your coil springs. Exhaust and full headers were available a la carte. It was possible to either upgrade and tune your engine to AMG specs using part bolt ons or you could do a full engine replacement to one made by AMG.

lots of accessories too




as for floor mats. Mercedes actually sold AMG floor mats a la carte back in 80s



Some AMG accessories for wheel options

LH1

Who was that red Connolly leather interior aimed at? Freddy Krueger? I'd call it the AMG Satan Package.

Burl wood seat-back tray table! Now that is slick!

SW17LS

I absolutely believe the CLA should not exist. Nor the GLA or GLB. They’re all terrible cars and shouldn’t be Mercedes models in the US.

Mercedes should start with the C Class and GLC. They don’t “offend” me but they do diminish the brand, clog up the dealers and drive down the quality of service etc.

Toys4RJill

What? How do these car drive down the quality of the service?

I guess red was in back then

SW17LS

Because there are a lot of them that slows down dealer service. Mercedes sells cars in much higher volume because of those less expensive cars and the dealers are still not really equipped for that. That’s a big reason why like I’ve experienced it takes so long for them to complete service and repairs.

People that have been customers of MB for a long time, from back before they sold all those cheaper cars note a big difference.

Carfan94

You know what’s astonishing? I see more A classes and CLA 250s in low income parts of the city than middle and upper class areas. And many of them have rhinestone covered license plate frames and Mercedes emblems!

LH1

Yea I notice the same thing here. I love the ones that say "Princess" on the license plate frame.

FrankReynoldsCPA

Around here it seems to be the 10 year old C300 that is the flagship car of the ghetto princess.

SW17LS

Yup, sold to only people who want Mercedes cars for the badge. Salesman and I were talking about it, Mercedes actually has lower credit tiers for them because the consumers credit scores are dramatically lower than their other customers

Striker223

Here it's the infinites and old range rovers lol!

mmarshall

True, but not everyone knows that AMG engines are hand built.....or that that was also the case with some Cobra-Mustang engines as well,