Luxury

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Mercedes Taking an Apple Approach To Drive Volume

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Dieter Zetsche, CEO Daimler, in 2017 E-Class

Dieter Zetsche, CEO Daimler, in 2017 E-Class

I like the very Apple approach Mercedes-Benz is taking as reported in Automotive News today:

"Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says the Mercedes-Benz brand will not sacrifice profit margins in its quest to overtake rival BMW and become the best-selling luxury car brand globally.
Zetsche has tasked Mercedes with becoming the leading premium carmaker by 2020 after it sold 1.87 million cars in 2015, leapfrogging Volkswagen Group's Audi on 1.80 million, but still trailing the BMW brand on 1.91 million.
"The volume lead should be the consequence of having the best offering," Zetsche said. "If we accomplish this, it is a natural consequence that more people will choose us."

source: Automotive News

 
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Recommended Go: Sotheby's Driven By Disruption Preview

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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Sportabteilung' Gullwing. Price estimated between $5MM and $7MM

Some absolutely stunning vehicles are currently at the Sotheby's Driven By Disruption sale happening this December 10.  The vehicles are currently visible there, including the stunning 1955 Gullwing above. If you can get to 71st Street and York in NYC today, I highly recommend you go, or at least click through the lots on the Sotheby's site. 

Robert, with Sotheby's host Kevin Tierney, in front of a 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II



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BMW Changing Approach for China to Compete Better with MB

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Interesting for BMW and for the Chinese Market. Luxury brands are doing well

 

BEIJING (Reuters) -- BMW Group will unveil redesigned and upgraded versions of its sedans and SUVs in China later this year to shore up weak sales and raise its competitiveness against German rival Mercedes-Benz.

Global carmakers have come under increasing pressure to up their game in the world's biggest auto market, where sales growth is forecast to slow to 3 percent this year.

But BMW has an additional challenge with Mercedes fielding a more up-to-date lineup of cars. On Monday, BMW's local joint venture partner, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, said it expects to report a profit drop because of lower earnings from the tie-up.

BMW will launch an all-new version of its flagship 7-series sedan in the fourth quarter, and an upgraded version of its midsize 3 series later this year, the automaker told Reuters.

The company also plans to release "new entry models" for the X5 and X6 SUVs, BMW said, declining to provide details.