Mercedes-Benz USA will put the R-Class on TV for the first time

This marks the first time that Mercedes-Benz USA will advertise the R-Class on TV, according to Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing.

The carmaker will actually use up to 15% of its summer/fall advertising budget to promote the crossover. The spots for the R class, which has been revamped for the 2011 model year, will run from August through October. Cannon didn’t provide exact spending figures. The crossover has been slow to sell and this facelift might just be the carmaker’s last effort to improve sales. Cannon said that since the crossover’s debut in the fall of 2005, Mercedes has promoted it only with brochures and limited online exposure.
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dumpsty - 6/24/2010 10:12:42 AM

+2 Boost

Though it seems like an idea that was basically stolen from Chrysler, I've always liked the luxury & versatility the R offers. Because it was so important not to put the R-class in the same basic category as the Pacifica, it was next-to-impossible to openly market the product line.

The "not quite an SUV - though not quite a minivan" concept seems to be strong in buyers of new & older Pacificas. The R-class, I think, appeals to empty-nesters with active lifestyles that don't involve messy activities, kids in college, and/or active grandchildren. It's a grand way of hauling 6 people in style.

Steve - 6/24/2010 12:41:34 PM

+4 Boost

I don't think I concur with the "Empty Nester" theory. The only people I've seen driving these things is well-dressed moms with kids in the back. It seems more like an upscale minivan for the affluent. Y'know? Sorta like "I like the Pacifica, but I want something more luxurious."

On the other hand, BMW's slant on these cross-over things is for poeple who go "I like the Pacifica, but I want something more sporty and upscale."

It's all good. It's just not for *me*.

pennfootball - 6/24/2010 1:27:32 PM

+1 Boost

NO NO MY EYES ARE BLEEDING!

Wimmer - 6/24/2010 3:48:53 PM

+1 Boost

I've driven the original R320 CDI 4Matic and I was very impressed. It's a very spacious and comfortable car first of all and with the '320 CDI engine it's got grunt to (and fuel economy). This is a family car first of all, not a sporty car. It does handle well - or maybe it's only because I drove the European version, which has sharper steering and a sportier suspension than the US-versions.

The design is subjective. I wasn't a fan of the original, the facelifted version looks good, still not my favorite Mercedes' though.

AFamily - 6/24/2010 7:20:06 PM

+2 Boost

My wife (a "well dressed mom with kids in the back") has had her R-320 CDI for 3 years now and loves it. It's a great child/stuff hauler and is very comfortable for packing them both in. The CDI has great fuel economy as well, we've gotten up to 30mpg. Before we bought it we test drove the Q7 and the R-class was significantly better. It drives like a decent car (as opposed to the horrible pickup truck feel of the Q7), and it has better interior seating/load space. Adults can sit in the third row in comfort, and what's more they can actually get into the third row without having to fold the second row down completely. It is basically a MUCH better designed and manufactured Pacifica though. My wife and I rented one once and we thought that vehicle was a great idea that had been extremely poorly executed.

Where the R-class falls down is (like all modern Mercedes) on build quality. This is our 9th Merc. All the others have been older models (w116, w123, w124, w201, w140, w210) and all have been FAR better built and more reliable. We haven't had any major problems, just several small niggly things that you just shouldn't have happen in an MB. The VW products (Porsche & Audi) we've owned have been much better built and more reliable.