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Sedans Luxury Lounge
21499 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 8:30 AM
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Replying to: 2001gs430 (Apr 21, 2008 5:28 am) I can only speak from the point of view prevailing in Central/Western Europe, where the image of lux MB or BMW has not disappeared because of their being used as taxis for many years now. Or as Police cars. As Bristol2 said, that use only add an image of durability and strength to the brands. RR prestige was also built upon both, luxury and mechanical strength: you may recall RR's were the military "small" vehicles for the British Arny until the WWII. We recently commented in this Forum that M-B (and the Swedish division of Volvo, for instance) makes trucks, buses, vans and small hatched passenger vehicles with no damage to the brand prestige. Over here M-B and BMW can be more expansive and desired but never exotic. Moreover, most of the times an M-B or BMW used as a taxi is cleaner and better entertained than the remaining taxis. Thus, passengers are willing to get into M-B or BMW taxis. In other words, M-B and BMW still are the cream of the taxi (not the limo) category. May be in other parts of the planet an M-B or BMW used a taxi is battled, but then all taxis are battled as well. I am thinking in places battled themselves by war or poverty. Regards, Jose
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Replying to: jlbl (Apr 21, 2008 8:10 am) In the US, the limo companies purcjase "stretch" versions of everything from Lincolns to Hummers. Yes, all sorts of MB and BMW combinations have been elongated for the "party hearty" sect and ornate wedding (over 50% failure rate!!). Here's an example of my B7 LONGO.  In other words, thinking from a pure business aspect, the owner/drivers want the best not just a cheap ride for their fare...like a lowly Prius-mantis!  Taxi!!!!!!!! Regards, OW
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Replying to: jlbl (Apr 21, 2008 8:10 am)  Please don't say that Lexus is not reliable enough to be taxi cabs 
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Replying to: 2001gs430 (Apr 21, 2008 9:11 am)  Regards, OW
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Replying to: circlew (Apr 21, 2008 9:34 am) 
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Replying to: 2001gs430 (Apr 21, 2008 9:11 am) Yeah, "yet" is the key word, I think. Lexus has not taken full speed in Europe. But Lexus is growing over here too; it is only a matter of time to see Lexus Taxi Cabs. (Sure there are Lexus Cabs in some European cities though I have still not seen any; I'll keep an eye wide open to spot them.  ) Regards, Jose
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Replying to: circlew (Apr 21, 2008 9:00 am) Regards, Jose
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Replying to: bristol2 (Apr 21, 2008 6:15 am) We started out talking about luxury and prestige and how being used as taxis didn't help a brands image. Certainly BMW and Mercedes build fine cars and even though they may be cost effective when used as taxis, the original thought was yes, but it sure doesn't help their image as exclusive luxury vehicles.
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Replying to: houdini1 (Apr 21, 2008 10:17 am) It did not help too that M-B put diesel engines in its passenger cars intended for being sold to farmers and other rural inhabitants back in the 20th-Century Fifties (or it was in the Forties?). Yet M-B is in the lux market anywhere and diesel now is in these lux cars almost everywhere ( ). Solid as an M-B—a comfort car for everyday work, it was said back then. On the other hand, I agree that M-B prestige is more damaged nowadays by the proliferation of so many models with a somewhat vulgar look (I am paraphrasing LG by heart; I am sorry if I have forgotten some hint of his real statement.) Regards, Jose
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Replying to: jlbl (Apr 21, 2008 9:56 am) Lexus cabs are not prevalent because Lexuses are mainly sold in a continent where BMW and MB taxis are hardly ever seen. This whole North American notion of prestige, luxury and exclusivity I find kind of funny. It is quite humourous when someone considers themselves as an excluisve car owner when everywhere you look in middle class neighborhoods there are several of these highly exlusive and prestigious marque automobiles parked on very non-exclusive and non-prestigous driveways. In otherwords exclusive and inclusive have similar meanings in North America. And horror of horrors if a cab driver is driving a MB car? Now that according to a North Americans is truly shocking and wrecks the exclusivity of a MB My wealthiest client whose networth is in the dozens of millions owns a single 98 Accord while my poorest client whose networth is in the hundreds of thousands and whose income is not that high has a spanking new 08 MB E350 (leased ofcourse). One client feels a need to be exclusive while the other one doesn't.
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