Mercedes core models slipping

The Mercedes E class once ruled the medium-premium segment in Europe. Not any more, said Automotive News Europe.

Plagued by well-publicised quality problems, E class sales dropped 28.4% this year compared with 2004, dropping it to third place behind the BMW 5 series and Audi A6 after 10 months.

The decline in E class sales highlights Mercedes’ loosening grip on the heart of the European luxury market. The C class lower-premium car, Mercedes’ other core vehicle, also has fallen to No. 3 in its segment behind the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series.

Full article here

atomicbri - 12/12/2005 2:55:52 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes makes nice looking cars, but the last real E-Class was the W-124 model from 1986-1991 and its face lift from 1992-1995
I once owned one of these (it was involved in a wreck, or I would still have it) and I have to say I have not seen a better Mercedes interior since then. The new ones feel plasiticky and cheap. I will never forget a friend of mine thought the air vents were made of metal, when actually it was just a really high quality plastic. I feel Audi has taken Mercedes place for tank-like quality feel of its automobiles. Only when Mercedes can return its interiors to the levels of the W124 E-Class, will their products be on the right track.

JUGNU - 12/13/2005 2:22:05 AM

+1 Boost

Hey don't compare Toyota and MB.

Toyota is far ahead of them.(Leave this discussion)

I think almost the whole MB line-up should be refreshed except for the new S,R (EVEN ML AND GL SHOULD BE REFRESHED,THEY R NOT WORTH TO WEAR A MB'S BADGE.that's it)

JUGNU - 12/13/2005 2:22:05 AM

+1 Boost

Matthew1 - 12/13/2005 2:30:48 AM

+1 Boost

Are you a stand-up comedian, JUGNU?

I bet you get the crowd in fits with your one-liners.

JUGNU: "Hey! don't compare Toyota and Mercedes-Benz"

...slight pause so the audience can digest his statement...

then WHAM!: "Toyota is far ahead of them!"

Crowd goes wild.

Random member of the crowd yells to JUGNU: "Good one! Toyota better than a Merc, yeah right! What a crack-up"

Note: JUGNU is a stand-up comedian by night. By day, he is an asian Elvis impersonator.

phantom330 - 12/13/2005 12:13:20 PM

+1 Boost

WHY DOES EVERY DISCUSSION TURN INTO A RANT ABOUT TOYOTAS? .........yeah, we get it, they are the best cars in the world, nothing compares to the boring design of them. Ahhh.........I feel like every single post on this site now turns into a Toyota love/hate fest. Get over it already!

Sorry, I'm done :)

phantom330 - 12/14/2005 10:04:51 AM

+1 Boost

huu76......nobody was putting down Lexus/Toyota, or any other brand for that matter. It's just humerous that every single post has the issue brought up.......I'm sure you can agree with that. It just gets old, really, really quick.

phantom330 - 12/14/2005 12:58:39 PM

+1 Boost

I've owned 4 BMW's and have never had a single problem with any of them. Can't speak for MB, VW or Audi. Any cars has problems, I was just bringing up the point that every topic turns into a battle of brand superiority and it gets annoying.