Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with class, and that's never been questioned. But what if I told you the three-point star badge that adorns every Mercedes-Benz from the beautifully crafted C Class to the powerful AMG can also be found on trucks? Yes, heavy commercial vehicles that deliver goods like dairy and even livestock from farm to your home. That's pretty radical, and makes you wonder if they can put premium on a truck?
Sure Volvo's recent advert with Jean-Claude van Damme doing splits is one of the most daring and funniest commercials of all time, and Mercedes-Benz needs some of that creativity to make us aware of their truck business. Did we mention they make buses too? With this in mind, the most logical question is, how cool would it be if BMW also made trucks and buses?
Mercedes-Benz Cars
The past 18 months has seen more new model releases and face lifts ever in both Mercedes-Benz and archrival, BMW's histories. In all, Merc produces 18 different models of cars, each with an average of three variants or derivative. Of the 1.467 million passenger cars that Mercedes-Benz sold in 2013, their hatchbacks where the favourites. When we group the different models in the shared platforms, we get this view about which Mercs are popular than others. A total 384 million A Class, B Class, and CLA Class models where sold. The release of the new A Class, which has had a stunning metamorphosis from its previous generation, and the launch of the powerful CLA certainly had a lot to do with these models taking the largest share of the cake. Closely sitting at number two are the C Class and SLK. The R170 platform delivered 357 million C and SLK Class vehicles to the market. Individually, the C Class in its many derivatives is the most popular car from Mercedes-Benz. Although very insignificant, in the first two months of the current year, 1585 Mercedes-Benz C Class' in South Africa have been sold. The spread among the five different platforms is pretty much even, with exception of the W140 which makes the Mercedes-Benz S, CL, SL, and SLS Class cars. The volumes might have been on smaller cars and roadsters, but the single largest contributor to Merc's pockets where the 323 million SUVs that Merc sold. Mercedes-Benz doesn't divulge information to this degree, however, given that the average price of Merc's SUVs is R1.134 million (using South African recommended retail prices), it's pretty clear that this is where the money is at. What would be also great to know is if used Mercedes-Benz in South Africa fair the same.
SUV Territory
For a while Benz was left out of the very lucrative compact SUV market, until the GLA came along. With the M Class, Mercedes-Benz has competed very long with BMW's X5, and in the early days was successful at doing so. However, in recent years, the X5 has truly taken on a whole different dimension and is now far ahead of the M Class in terms of sales. Similarly, the X1 has proven a success for the entry level buyer. It was a matter of time before Merc was prompted to respond to BMW's overtures and the increasing hustle of Audi's Q3. The GLA comes with everything one would expect from Merc and more. Bold lines, just the right size, and excellently crafted interior design makes both the X1 and Q3 seem like something from the past. Further, Merc has equipped the GLA with so much tech, it could easily pass in a Sci-fi movie. What's impressive is the next generation Colission Prevention Assist system. Simply put, it helps you (the driver) avoid crashing into another car. Intellegent cars are the future of auto making, and we can see this in the GLA, where Colission Prevention Assist can autonomously brake your car if an accident is probable while you so happen to be driving above 200 km/h (which is illegal by the way).
Digital Drive Style App
In the Planet of the Apes, I mean Apps, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with the gorilla of the technology world, Apple Inc. With the development of the fantastic Drive Style App and the extended Drive Kit + for iPhone, Mercedes-Benz and Apple are at the forefront of mobile technology for cars. The applications make for a seamless integration between your iPhone and your car's infotainment system, where you can play music and even get social with Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, the recent unveiling of Apple's CarPlay which is the gorilla's answer to dominate your car as well, got Mercedes-Benz hopping on the bandwagon. It will be the first car maker, seconded by another luxury car company, Ferrari to introduce CarPlay for buyers. Even us South Africans are getting it. Oh, did we mention Volvo too?!
Mercedes-Benz, the Premium Brand
In the world of luxury, the Louis Vuittons and Rolex's of the world come to mind. But as premium car maker, Mercedes-Benz more than qualifies to be considered among leather goods embossed Made in France, or timepieces encrafted Swiss Made. Thus, Mercedes-Benz is the world's biggest luxury brand. According to Interbrand's most recent report, Merc's brand value, that's the amount Benz owners and aspiring owners, etc. put on a Merc, is a whopping $31.9 billion! That's bigger than the size of many small countries. You won't be surprised to see BMW creeping in very, very close by at R31.8 billion.
The Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz has come back roaring from its days making the very unappealing third generation A Class. It's taken elements of its performance cars division, AMG, and pretty much extended them to most of its current line up of cars. It's been a worthwhile exercise, and a very profitable one. However, seeing Merc's three point star on a diesel-powered, noisy truck isn't exciting at all.
