Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Future Vehicles Mercedes-Benz: Future Models
441 messages, Last post on Sep 15, 2007 at 9:01 PM
You are in the Future Vehicles Forum. Your Host is kirstie_h
|
The Monster Maybach For those who missed the CLS55 AMG video in the other thread: CLS55 AMG M |
|
|
|
|
After visiting the E-class factory in Sindelfingen, I can assure you that Daimler Chrysler doesn't care that some E-Class sales have gone to the CLS. All they care about is that total sales of the "E-Klasse" have increased, and with the CLS, they have. I say this because the CLS is an E. It is made on the same assembly line, in the same building, at the same time. It is the only place in the world that makes these models, and it is cranking about 2000 samples a day of various E-Klasse right now. They consider the CLS truly the E coupe model, and call it so in the factory. They build the E sedan, E wagon, and E coupe (CLS) all in the same building on the same two lines. They look to cost roughly the same to make, and share a lot of mechanicals. Interior fittings and glass/shells are installed in the same way by the same people and same robots, even though they are obviously unique among the models. There will be 2 sedans, then a CLS, then 3 more sedans, than 2 CLSs coming down one line. Some will be US, occasionally you'll get a right drive, each one is unique anyway. On the parallel line, there will be 3 sedans, then 2 wagons, then 2 sedans, etc. If CLS sales increase but E sales stay steady or decline, all it does to the factory is change the ratio and the "patternless pattern" on the line, and if overall numbers increase, it keeps the line open a few more days a year! And since the CLS costs more at the dealer than an E in the US and Europe, MB would be happy to "lose" "E class" sales to the CLS. Same factory, same workers, similar parts, more money from the consumer. With so many company cars, taxis, limos etc. coming off the E class line, the luxury CLS is a high margin product that they are thrilled to build. And that's without even selling the more "affordable" CLS350 here in the US. Not a bad problem to have!
|
|
|
Replying to: ikramerica (Aug 04, 2005 5:52 am) M
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: merc1 (Aug 04, 2005 10:21 pm) And since the tour was not given by a US sales rep, he wouldn't know the specifics of what the US gets. In Europe, the E can be had with so many engines, it would be difficult for him to tell me which exact new engine comes into which model in which market when. For example, you can get E180, E200, E200K, E220 CDI, E230, E230K, E270 CDI, E280, E320 CDI, E350, E500 and E55 AMG. I may have missed some. I think the CLS is more limited though, to only CLS280, CLS350, CLS500, CLS320 CDI, CLS55 AMG, but there may be another model in there somewhere. And unfortunately, we didn't get to see the factory where they build the engines. It's a different building.
|
|
|
Replying to: ikramerica (Aug 06, 2005 3:19 pm)  M
|
|
Mercedes' product testing has now gotten out of hand...:    You can't get away from me you little roadster!  I'll get you yet!  You show off, you know I'm too big and heavy to do that!  Here is looking at you kid. M |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: merc1 (Aug 07, 2005 6:00 am) For the C class, there were also C160s and C140s. Yikes, a C140 would be underpowered, considering it isn't a light car... CLS 420CDI. That should be a fast car! Any reviews anywhere for it? I'd love to read one, but finding reviews for cars on the net can be a nightmare.
|
|
|
ML63 AMG Mercedes-Benz's 510hp rival to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo has arrived! M |
|
|
All 2006 Models M |
|
You are here:
Forums
Future Vehicles Mercedes-Benz: Future Models
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
2010 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
