Was just wondering whether R-Class can be considered a total failure looking at the effort/time/resources MB had spent right from the GST/Vision days to now as the sales are not materializing.
I have not seen a single one on the Chicago streets, MB is already offering trunk money and lease specials, dealers are offering invoice pricing... Looking at all this, I would consider it as a failure.. IMHO
Would love to hear other opinions.
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Thanks, D.
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2006 ML 350 - Black, Appearance Package, Navigation System, Entertainment Package, Sunroof Package, Heated Seats, IPod Integration
Well, it is obvious that sales are pretty slim..... however, I am extremely happy with mine. There is no other auto in this segment that I would rather own.
It is too expensive! That is probably the #1 reason for slow sales (IMHO).
A failure for them? Too early to tell.... But a success as far as I am concerned.
I saw three on the roads around NYC this weekend, which about doubles the number I have seen previously. My dealer says that they are starting to move a bit more now. They introduced this vehicle at absolutely the wrong moment...immediately post gas spike and amidst all of the haranguing about large vehicles...and at too high a price.
Innhitman has it right...in this class, there is nothing like it. It will move.
My dealer still had all three of his on the lot as of last week and we live in snow country where usually anything 4-wheel drive sells well in the Fall. He claims that there are orders though for the 500 model. MB marketing also missed the boat in not having the mobile entertainment system ready out the gate. It is awful hard to justify paying twice the price for a lesser equipped R-Class when you can get a fully loaded all wheel drive Previa from Toyota that is of Lexus quality and just as sharp looking as the R Class. I wonder too if release of the new M Class was positioned too close. I am among those now waiting to see what the new "G" M Class with the extra row of seating will look like compared with the R. After all the R gets you one less seat than a typical minivan which was the achilles heal for the Pacifica.
Not even close to a failure. I think that the Winter Event lease deals they were offering will really help. We replaced a 2003 Honda Odyssey with the R350 two weeks ago and saw several others on their way out the door too. So far, we're very happy with the R.
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