Comments on: Mercedes calls R-Class a “lesson learned” http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:05:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: SprintTDI http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-481460 SprintTDI Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:12:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-481460 Proud owner of one of these. Wife loves it. With several kids, it proves greatly functional, huge on the inside, drives more like a car than an oversized SUV, best mileage of any people mover this size with a diesel. (Diesel was the added reason for purchase) Distinctive on the road, we have received nothing but positive comments thus far. Sad others do not feel this way. It will be interesting to see what is available next... Proud owner of one of these. Wife loves it. With several kids, it proves greatly functional, huge on the inside, drives more like a car than an oversized SUV, best mileage of any people mover this size with a diesel. (Diesel was the added reason for purchase) Distinctive on the road, we have received nothing but positive comments thus far. Sad others do not feel this way. It will be interesting to see what is available next…

]]> By: Astonman12 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352957 Astonman12 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:29:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352957 never thought the R-Class was pretty or useful anyway. never thought the R-Class was pretty or useful anyway.

]]> By: Scarface03 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352575 Scarface03 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:03:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352575 I wonder if there would have been a market for the R-class if they actually made it a minivan. There are plenty of soccer moms on the nice side of town, if they actually made the R-class with the practicality of minivans, they might have had something. Of course, that wouldn't make it any more desirable to the LLN crowd.... Oh, and Rover3500 is wrong, BMW's are clearly the ugliest luxury marque out there. That's not to say all Mercs are winners. The GLK is bland, but the S-class and new C-class are anything but bland. I wonder if there would have been a market for the R-class if they actually made it a minivan. There are plenty of soccer moms on the nice side of town, if they actually made the R-class with the practicality of minivans, they might have had something.

Of course, that wouldn’t make it any more desirable to the LLN crowd….

Oh, and Rover3500 is wrong, BMW’s are clearly the ugliest luxury marque out there. That’s not to say all Mercs are winners. The GLK is bland, but the S-class and new C-class are anything but bland.

]]> By: SwerveEarly http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352520 SwerveEarly Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:09:13 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352520 Pacifica was to rich for a Chrysler showroom and the cross-fire went after customers of image who could not swallow the Chrysler name. Pacifica was to rich for a Chrysler showroom and the cross-fire went after customers of image who could not swallow the Chrysler name.

]]> By: fan http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352456 fan Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:59:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352456 the problem wasnt the concept or the niche they headed for, it was the looks imo. then again, the pacifica failed, too (which looked amazingly good to me... pity they dont sell them in europe... id be 1st to get one!) the problem wasnt the concept or the niche they headed for, it was the looks imo.

then again, the pacifica failed, too (which looked amazingly good to me… pity they dont sell them in europe… id be 1st to get one!)

]]> By: JSP http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352406 JSP Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:48:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352406 I think the concept wasn't totally off. I mean, which minivan are affluent families supposed to buy? Town and Country? Odyssey? Come on... BTW this isn't an SUV vs. minivan argument. Some people simply prefer minivans to luxury SUV's. The problem is with the execution. It should have been lighter and priced lower than the ML. When it first came out it was only a 6-seater. Why get a vehicle that many considered ugly just to get one more seating capacity? I think the concept wasn’t totally off. I mean, which minivan are affluent families supposed to buy? Town and Country? Odyssey? Come on…

BTW this isn’t an SUV vs. minivan argument. Some people simply prefer minivans to luxury SUV’s.

The problem is with the execution. It should have been lighter and priced lower than the ML. When it first came out it was only a 6-seater. Why get a vehicle that many considered ugly just to get one more seating capacity?

]]> By: Veda http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352400 Veda Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:32:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352400 If it wasn't so heavy and drinks a lot of gas, maybe people would still check it out. If it wasn’t so heavy and drinks a lot of gas, maybe people would still check it out.

]]> By: Htay9500 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352377 Htay9500 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:49:58 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352377 fugly car to begin with. fugly car to begin with.

]]> By: TomF http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352373 TomF Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:33:12 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352373 If a "replacement" for the R turns out to be a "totally different vehicle," it's not really a "replacement," is it? They could "replace" the R with a two-door FWD hatch that competes with the Impreza, but that's not a "replacement." What a stupid concept this was. There was no market for it. If a “replacement” for the R turns out to be a “totally different vehicle,” it’s not really a “replacement,” is it? They could “replace” the R with a two-door FWD hatch that competes with the Impreza, but that’s not a “replacement.”

What a stupid concept this was. There was no market for it.

]]> By: RLC http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352361 RLC Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:37:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352361 It looks like a hearse. Good riddance. It looks like a hearse. Good riddance.

]]> By: Rover3500 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352359 Rover3500 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:24:58 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352359 I think Mercedes has probably the ugliest range of cars from any prestige brand and a lot of more lowly brands for that matter. So many of their cars look Korean to me and they have lost their strength and statesmaness that they once had. Not to mention they seem to be filling every niche within a niche thats going. The interiors are pretty awful and their reliability is nowhere near as good as it used to be. Not to mention that GLK is probably the single most ugly vehicle that has been launched in the last 5 years. I think Mercedes has probably the ugliest range of cars from any prestige brand and a lot of more lowly brands for that matter. So many of their cars look Korean to me and they have lost their strength and statesmaness that they once had. Not to mention they seem to be filling every niche within a niche thats going. The interiors are pretty awful and their reliability is nowhere near as good as it used to be.

Not to mention that GLK is probably the single most ugly vehicle that has been launched in the last 5 years.

]]> By: Madcapp http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352353 Madcapp Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:53:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352353 Mercedes (non-AMG cars) is almost as boring as Toyota, and if it people were actually capable of looking past brand image and the 3 pointed star, nobody would touch those overpriced cars with a 10 foot pole. Mercedes (non-AMG cars) is almost as boring as Toyota, and if it people were actually capable of looking past brand image and the 3 pointed star, nobody would touch those overpriced cars with a 10 foot pole.

]]> By: Blakkarr http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352334 Blakkarr Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:50:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352334 "Not for every company." Pretty much sums it up. “Not for every company.” Pretty much sums it up.

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352331 autonut Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:32:32 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352331 I did not see gangsters driving R class, but I saw a lot of them pimping out G wagons (at least in Newark). Benz displayed complete learning disability with R-class. It took them more time to learn anything then for Jerry kids speak into microphone. Before R-class, there was a fiasco called Pacifica. Did they called it a success? Or someone suspected that R-class looks any better? The only excuse for R-class I see as one with 3L diesel. You cant another vehicle with decent (for its bulk) driving dynamics. I did not see gangsters driving R class, but I saw a lot of them pimping out G wagons (at least in Newark).
Benz displayed complete learning disability with R-class. It took them more time to learn anything then for Jerry kids speak into microphone. Before R-class, there was a fiasco called Pacifica. Did they called it a success? Or someone suspected that R-class looks any better?
The only excuse for R-class I see as one with 3L diesel. You cant another vehicle with decent (for its bulk) driving dynamics.

]]> By: Poisonous Cinquecento http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352328 Poisonous Cinquecento Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:27:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352328 Germans need to realise this SUV culture sux, leave it with americans... If you need an SUV buy Japanese. Germans need to realise this SUV culture sux, leave it with americans…
If you need an SUV buy Japanese.

]]> By: Jazz http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352323 Jazz Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:20:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352323 DeansterTJ - unfortunately that's the only way it looks good - totally triciked out. The base R350 with stock wheels in Iridium silver looks pathetic. And that is what you will see on a daily basis. I was kind of excited by the initial images of the R before it was released. The reality was quite different. I'm glad they learned their lesson. Anywho the R still did a job of moving units. BMW has been roughly 20k units behind MB in the last few years. Without the R you could argue that BMW would have passsed MB in over all sales. DeansterTJ – unfortunately that’s the only way it looks good – totally triciked out. The base R350 with stock wheels in Iridium silver looks pathetic. And that is what you will see on a daily basis. I was kind of excited by the initial images of the R before it was released. The reality was quite different. I’m glad they learned their lesson. Anywho the R still did a job of moving units. BMW has been roughly 20k units behind MB in the last few years. Without the R you could argue that BMW would have passsed MB in over all sales.

]]> By: cookie4me http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352308 cookie4me Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:47:34 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352308 They were hawking a utilitarian vehicle to a population demographic that simply does not need utilitarian vehicles. Working class ppl who need utilitarian vehicles are not going to have the cash to buy the brand. $20,000 for larger more useful Kia Sedona or $45,000 for a cramped Mercedes? That is like a no brainer unless you are in the top 25% of income earners. They were hawking a utilitarian vehicle to a population demographic that simply does not need utilitarian vehicles. Working class ppl who need utilitarian vehicles are not going to have the cash to buy the brand. $20,000 for larger more useful Kia Sedona or $45,000 for a cramped Mercedes? That is like a no brainer unless you are in the top 25% of income earners.

]]> By: SwerveEarly http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352307 SwerveEarly Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:43:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352307 How many models did M-B have in 1990 like 8. Now they have 14 not including AMG models. Note BMW has added a couple models but did not follow M-B into every and all markets. This is where Toyota is going wrong now too (besides the horrific styling) they have 8 SUV models (best guess)models alone and they are adding another just announced. Not to mention the Lexus clones. At some point your just stealing sales from other models while carrying the extra costs of building multi models. How many models did M-B have in 1990 like 8. Now they have 14 not including AMG models.
Note BMW has added a couple models but did not follow M-B into every and all markets.
This is where Toyota is going wrong now too (besides the horrific styling) they have 8 SUV models (best guess)models alone and they are adding another just announced. Not to mention the Lexus clones.
At some point your just stealing sales from other models while carrying the extra costs of building multi models.

]]> By: Seriously http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352305 Seriously Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:41:10 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352305 We'll be reading this same article about the Dodge Journey in a year We’ll be reading this same article about the Dodge Journey in a year

]]> By: buenos http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352301 buenos Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:25:38 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352301 It was the answer to the question that no one was asking. Really breakthrough design usually is. Sometimes they resonate, like the Chrysler minivans when they were launched, and sometimes they don't, like the R-Class, Aztec, and Pacifica. It was the answer to the question that no one was asking. Really breakthrough design usually is. Sometimes they resonate, like the Chrysler minivans when they were launched, and sometimes they don’t, like the R-Class, Aztec, and Pacifica.

]]> By: terk184 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352300 terk184 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:21:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352300 who want want any mercedes besides some status seeking poser? who want want any mercedes besides some status seeking poser?

]]> By: purdue http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352297 purdue Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:19:18 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352297 That's my favorite, non-sports-car, Merc. Until they come out with a real minivan, that is. That’s my favorite, non-sports-car, Merc. Until they come out with a real minivan, that is.

]]> By: A4 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352294 A4 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:14:13 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352294 it was hideous and overpriced! who would want this besides some poser status-seeker soccer moms who dont know how stupid it is until everyone tells them it was hideous and overpriced! who would want this besides some poser status-seeker soccer moms who dont know how stupid it is until everyone tells them

]]> By: SD650irag http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352291 SD650irag Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:01:01 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352291 ...it was a rebadged Pacifica …it was a rebadged Pacifica

]]> By: gizmo2 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352290 gizmo2 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:59:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352290 People no longer buy SOMETHING because of a name class identity is important. By the way Daimler what was the R Class? Just curious. People no longer buy SOMETHING because of a name class identity is important. By the way Daimler what was the R Class? Just curious.

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352289 johnnycanuck Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:47:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352289 Not surprising. If Mercedes wasn't really sure what it was supposed to be, how did they expect their customers to fare any better? Not surprising. If Mercedes wasn’t really sure what it was supposed to be, how did they expect their customers to fare any better?

]]> By: JoshL http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html/comment-page-1#comment-352288 JoshL Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:46:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-calls-r-class-a-lesson-learned.html#comment-352288 And they are surprised it didn't work? Please... And they are surprised it didn’t work? Please…

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