EXCLUSIVE: Confidential Mercedes R-Class customer survey results

Mercedes is surveying and investigating why the new R-Class isn't selling as well as projected.

Check out the results of a few of the questions on the survey.

Looks like they're trying to gauge customer interest on lower financing rate offers...

Email sent to potential/existing R-Class customers:

You received this email because you requested more information about the R-Class or contacted Mercedes-Benz USA via email some time ago.

On behalf of Mercedes-Benz, we'd like to invite you to participate in a short survey regarding the R-Class.

Mercedes-Benz is very interested in getting your opinion, views and attitude towards this new car. Mercedes-Benz USA provided your email address to us, which we will use only for the purpose of this survey.

All of your responses will remain confidential and will only be shown to Mercedes-Benz in the form of a consolidated report.

Survey results (click on images to enlarge):

MercBasher - 3/12/2006 12:17:47 AM

+1 Boost

The deals on this vehicle are spectular. What other newly introduced vehicle has a dealer incentive of $5,000 already. The R class has similar fit and finish and the same engine as many other M-B vehicles, and yet it isn't selling.

Personally I blame M-B reputation combined with dreadful looks, but it does create opportunity. Hell I'm even considering buying one, given the 12% - 15% off MSRP which some websites are suu

However the vehicle

mkaresh - 3/14/2006 12:14:04 AM

+1 Boost

This is hardly a Pacifica. For one thing, the third row is much roomier.

That said, it's still a people-hauler. And no segment is more price conscious than that for people-haulers. At my price comparison site, these vehicles constitute the bulk of the traffic, while sports cars account for very little. Why? Because people buy people-haulers for rational reasons, and sports cars for emotional reasons.

Bottom line: people aren't interested in spending this kind of money for a people-hauler.

JMd71 - 3/16/2006 10:47:35 PM

+1 Boost

Well said, isb. 1st, no one asked MB to make a minivan; 2nd, MB will not not admit to calling it what it is, a minivan. I have seen a couple on the road, and I like the design and offering (even more so that AWD is standard). But MB's costly options list and reliability record makes one reconsider.

If I had kids and really wanted to make an entrance at soccer practice, I'd get one of these. But for all other instances, ANY car in the $65 to 75k range will be a better way to travel :-)

EnnNorak - 3/17/2006 11:01:21 AM

+1 Boost

I drove this vehicle and found it to be very comfortable andluxurious; however, the style sucks. The curve at the rear quarter looks downright stupid. Audi did a much better styling job on the Q7. Mercedes pulled the same stunt with the original M-Class and only recently cleaned up the counterintuitive curve at the rear quarter on that vehicle.

I do not like the fact that a V-8 Merccedes always ends up costing about $10K more than the V-6 version. The V-8 engine should be a stand-alone option retailing for no more that $2K.

I never found the interest rates used by Mercedes for lease payments to be competitive. I assume they do that so they can maintain the illusion of low depreciation when calculating residual value. My personal experience dictates that one should lease rather than buy imported luxury cars as the maintenance and repair costs on them become prohibitive after the warranty expires.

tarponsprings - 3/17/2006 12:04:17 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like a Hearse. The C pillar treatment is the worst I've ever seen. This car will be M-B's Edsel.