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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    How would you know? Nissan is building their QX30 out of mostly Benz parts. That they are, but none of the body panels or interior is the same. And in this case, the Nissan would use their engine/tranny and I'd suspect Mercedes would use theirs, I suppose they could offer air suspension too.
  2. smk4565
    The Mercedes truck wouldn't have the same engines or transmissions or body or interior as the Nissan though. It would probably have less in common with the Nissan Frontier than a Chrysler 200 has with a Jeep Cherokee.
  3. smk4565
    I do think it would be interesting if Mercedes went into the mid-size truck market with a luxury offering, priced above Tacoma, Canyon/Colorado, etc. They could probably build the best mid-size truck ever and still keep it under $50k with a C300 level interior.
  4. smk4565
    Who is against progress? I'd say replacing the 3.6 NA V6 and 3.6TT in the CTS with the 3.0TT V6 and 4.2 V8 is progress.
  5. smk4565
    I'd imagine an updated Traverse is due soon. And Equinox is supposed to get smaller to Envision size, so that opens the door to mid-size Chevy Crossover so they'll have 4.
  6. smk4565
    The Azera is probably a cheap used car buy already.
  7. smk4565
    I have actually a lot of times said the Escalade is the best and most successful Cadillac. I don't like any monster SUV, and you could argue that the GL is better than an Escalade because it is lighter, faster, more fuel efficient, the GLS450 is actually the CT6 of large SUVs, lighter than the other guys V8 models with a twin turbo V6. You could argue that the Escalade has more bling, more size, standard V8, and is more truck like than the GLS and some buyers may prefer that. They are different but without question the top 2 vehicles in that segment. The current Escalade at least changes some body panels and has a unique interior compared to Gen 1 and 2 that were not very different from a Yukon. I'd actually like to see the Escalade drop the 6.2 V8 and go to the 3.0TT V6 for the base model and the 4.2 TT V8 optional. That would make it more inline with the other Cadillacs. I'd offer the 4.2 V8 on the CTS as well and build an Omega crossover to use the 3.0 V6 and 4.2 V8. Then you create consistency through the line up.
  8. smk4565
    The Azera isn't even all that big, it is only about 3 inches longer than a Sonata. Size creep of the mid-size segment will kill off all these full size sedans, along with less people wanting full size sedans. So Azera bites the dust, rumors are out there the the Taurus and Impala could be in their last generation. I think a lot of brands will have a B, C, D segment cars (Accent, Elantra and Sonata in this case) and at least 4-5 crossovers. Hyundai could have an Accent based crossover, just as Honda has HR-V and Ford is planning a crossover below Escape. Then Tuscon, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe and they could make a bigger crossover if they wanted to have 5 total, before you even get to Genesis brand. Sadly I think a lot of brands will have more crossovers that sedan and coupes combined in their line up.
  9. smk4565
    There is no "exactly" when you say $320K, which was median income i.e. household income) and when I say $174K, which is referring only to the individual buyer. You literally have not been paying attention from the get go because my whole statement started with the E- Class and yours with truck buyers (of which you still have provided no proof of btw, you just threw out numbers). I cited 2 sources for S-class buyer income. Neither source said "household income" "M-B says the S-Class buyer averages 62 years old, is almost certainly a man (83% of buyers), married (87%), has a college degree (81%) and enjoys a median income of $324,000." Those are all statistics for an individual, measuring the buyer, not who is in the household. Yahoo Autos in 2013 stated that the average household income of an S-class owner is $371,000. So I guess if you want to assume a 2 income household of 2 people with identical salaries, that $186,000 each. But maybe it is more likely that the S-class buyer is making $320,000 and the other person $50,000. Regardless if the household is $371,000 to buy a $120,000 car, the car price is 1/3 of the income. A $45,000 truck on a $65k income is 2/3 of the income for the price of the truck. So pick-up buyers are willing to spend a greater percentage of income on their truck than what typical luxury car buyers are. (Audi for example, $180,000 median income and the ATP is like $49,000 on those) Given that people are willing to pay a lot of their income for pickups, I can see why Mercedes is tempted by that market. If it isn't a commercial only vehicle and they try to market it as a luxury truck, I think people will buy it. I still think they should not build the pickup at all, and if they do, just sell it only to businesses. I'd rather see them stay focused on luxury cars and crossovers.
  10. smk4565
    The problem with FCA is most of those brands are money losers and worthless. Mazda for example builds better cars that Fiat, Dodge or Chrysler. They don't need any of those brands. Likewise with Hyundai or Honda. The only brands of value are Ram, Jeep and possibly Maserati for an auto maker that needs a luxury brand. And Maserati is only valuable if they can actually sell cars, which right now they can't. Basically you'd be buying Jeep and Ram and forced to take a lot of crap. FCA is actually more valuable if they shed brands I think. Maybe dropping some cars, lets them move to phasing out brands and making a more streamlined company to sell.
  11. smk4565
    Exactly. Mercedes brand average income is $174k. That includes the C-class and GLK buyers. Makes sense that that the higher end models are in the $300s then. My original point was pick up buyers will spend more of their income than a luxury car buyer. Audi buyers have an average income of $180k but the cars are like $50k. The Silverado buyer income is about $65,000 and $70,000 for an F150. The average price of those trucks is around $45,000. Pick up buyers are more likely to spend a bigger chunk of their income on a truck.
  12. smk4565
    You have absolutely no proof of those buyer demographics at all. Just pure speculation on your part and especially given that I see quite a few folks NOT making $180K a year driving the E Class. As a matter of fact, the average income for an E Class buyer is $90K a year which is inserting for a car that can sell for more than that. Oh the double standards that are being pedaled here. Where did you find data that the average income of an E-class buyer is $90k a year? I also don't know anything about the next-gen Frontier or 2015 Navara platform. Maybe the chassis isn't so bad, maybe it is. I don't think Daimler would build a vehicle on a crap platform, and when you put Mercedes suspension parts, Mercedes 9-speed automatic transmission, Mercedes diesel engines on to it, maybe it will be good. It isn't like there is even a concept vehicle to look at at this point. And you have missed the point 100% while showing your double standard. If this were about Cadillac, you would be on here saying that the Cadillac is nothing more than a $90K Chevy. Also, I found the source for that income breakdown but I already know your figure is way off because the $150K average is for S Class buyers. Look it up sometime because I'm not going to do the research for you. Remember, we are talking about a buyers individual income, not household income. Autonews.com in 2013 reported the s-class has an average buyer age of 61 and income of $371,000. USA Today in 2014 reported the S-class had an avg buyer age of 62 with an income of $324,000. Bit that an AMG s-class buyer was mid 40s with $500-600,000 median income. You were wrong about the E-class buyer income and wrong about the S-class buyer income. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/healey/2014/05/17/test-drive-mercedes-benz-s-class-lives-up-to-high-price/9146907/
  13. smk4565
    You have absolutely no proof of those buyer demographics at all. Just pure speculation on your part and especially given that I see quite a few folks NOT making $180K a year driving the E Class. As a matter of fact, the average income for an E Class buyer is $90K a year which is inserting for a car that can sell for more than that. Oh the double standards that are being pedaled here. Where did you find data that the average income of an E-class buyer is $90k a year? I also don't know anything about the next-gen Frontier or 2015 Navara platform. Maybe the chassis isn't so bad, maybe it is. I don't think Daimler would build a vehicle on a crap platform, and when you put Mercedes suspension parts, Mercedes 9-speed automatic transmission, Mercedes diesel engines on to it, maybe it will be good. It isn't like there is even a concept vehicle to look at at this point.
  14. smk4565
    I will say this, there are people that spend $50-60k on Silverado High Country or F150 King Ranch trucks. Pick up truck buyers aren't shy about spending a lot on their truck. Where as a luxury car buyer might make $180k, but only buy a $60k E-class, I think there are pickup buyers making $50k a year buying a $50k pickup. Truck people will put a lot of their income into their truck. So with that being said, maybe it isn't so crazy that Mercedes made a full size luxury truck, but I don't think they'll ever go down that road. I think this mid-size truck is aimed at commercial use and work use, and you'll probably see an interior more like what is on the Metris/Vito. If they sell it in the USA, I bet the 2.0 turbo 4 gets added to the mix.
  15. smk4565
    Considering they would compete with Tacoma and Colorado, I don't see why they would need a V8. And 406 lb-ft of torque is a lot more than either of those two offer. I am not sure why they are even bothering with a pickup, except for that it is a popular and profitable body style and they probably see the ability to make money. I think they should stick to cars and vans though,
  16. smk4565
    Massage seats like an E-class, S-class, CLS, SL, or GLS have? I would hope Cadillac has them, especially the Escalade when the GL550 has them standard.
  17. smk4565
    As far as China goes the Audi A6 is the luxury car champion there. I think A6 sales in China are higher than Malibu sales in the US. Continental and CT6 are a lot bigger than an A6, plus that market is slowing. Continental going to $70k for a black label would be ridiculous. I still think Continental should be $44k base, $50k with the turbo and loaded black label for $59k. I would be surprised if the E-class does not go down in price since they now have a standard 4. So if the E300 is $50k and E450/E43 is $62k, you have stiff competition at that price point. This is why the Acuar RLX is a sales dog, that car should be $40k not $50k.
  18. smk4565
    The only way the Continental will outsell the CT6 is if the Continental is $39,995 starting price. If they price the Continental even with the CT6, or even close, the CT6 will outsell it.
  19. smk4565
    I will argue with you on the Promasters being the worst vans out there. I think they are some of the best don't cost an arm and leg like the Sprinter. Car and Driver did a comparison and the Promaster had some of the lowest scores they ever had. The Transit and Sprinter were way ahead, and the ProMaster wasn't all that cheap, it was $37,590, while the Sprinter was $41,000. The Promaster City is no Ford Transit Connect either.
  20. smk4565

    Buick Cascada...

    smk4565 replied to ccap41's topic in Buick

    It looks old because it is. I think this car came out in Europe 3-4 years ago, and most of that design is 2010-2011 era Regal/Insignia inspired. I think price is the biggest problem here. It is small, and doesn't have much performance, and the interior isn't any better than a Mustang. Why would people pay $34k base for this? The Sebring at least was dirt cheap by convertible standards, and probably 50% were sold to rental car companies. If the Cascada was $27,995 maybe they'd find some budget convertible buyers and get some volume, but I don't see them selling many at $35k, and they'll price Avis out with that price point.
  21. smk4565
    Sedan sales dropped 2% in 2015, while trucks/crossovers went up 12%. The market is moving toward 60/40 split of trucks/cars. Luckily for others FCA seems to be bailing on sedans, that leaves those sales for the other guys that stay committed to it.
  22. smk4565
    I think they should give it a word name and sell it under Mercedes-Benz Vans with Sprinter and Metris. Quite a lot of torque from the diesels, could do well for the commercial buyer. If they sell it in the USA, I hope it is at the Sprinter dealers, and not with the passenger car line.
  23. smk4565
    Why does the E Class use a similar shifter while the GLA uses a Chrsyler like dial? Shouldn't they use the same shifter?Seriously. Totally different powertrains. I believe the FWD 8-speed is an outsourced trans. That XT5 shifter is shared with the new Lacrosse using the same trans. The GLA has a column mounted shifter. But thanks CP, that explanation makes sense if the Cadillac crossovers and Buicks that are front drive use one type and the rear drive Cadillac sedans use another. Although all these things are shift by wire now anyways.
  24. smk4565
    I think the Dodge or Chrysler brand should die, I am not sure what the point of Fiat is either. If they insist on keeping Alfa Romeo around, then no reason to make them a BMW competitor, let Alfa take over for Fiat and sell $15-$30,000 cars. Then Remember the Chrysler TC by Maserati? an overpriced Lebaron. Prepare for Pacifica by Maserati, I'd start selling Maseratis at $35k. At least the Maserati brand name has some weight to it, if you slap it on an otherwise mediocre $35,000 car, maybe it will sell. Really Jeep is the only valuable global brand they have, Ram works in the USA since we like pick up trucks, but the Promasters are the worst vans out there.
  25. smk4565
    How come the shifter in the XT5 looks like it came off a 5-series and the CT6 shifter looks like it came off a Grand Cherokee or 300? Shouldn't they use the same shifter? And not one that looks like the weird thing BMW uses?
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