Well I am a firm believer that MB really started it's downward slide when
they became DC.
Cut costs, focus on looks and gadgets rather than substance and reliability
and you have a recipe for disaster.
I call it trading in German desire for reliability for American type
consumerism.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve MacSween" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Old rice burners vs?? (warning, rant)
I don't see it as a Lexus influence, so much as the influence of spreading
red ink and loss of market share for what qualifies for me as the
stupidest
of reasons: the thick German skull.
One of my favourite quips concerns the w116 450sel 6.9 -- auto writers
loved
those barges, supercars that they were. But what other supercar came with
a
set of manually-adjusting rear view mirrors? (And, yes, a nasty plastic
owner's wallet.)
BMW got away with its, err, cheesy interiors for years because they played
it as part of their 'driver's machine' image. How Mercedes passed on
MB-Tex
(and for that matter, it's second rate leather) for years to people paying
huge prices is an enduring mystery to me. Right up there with being able
to
sell things like the CD models as 'luxury' coupes. Huh?
Lexus didn't win over people initially just because of their association
with Toyota, and its rep for doing things right (not completely deserved,
by
the way, I am a Honda fan myself). They did it by treating owners like
royalty in the service department. And through little touches like washing
(actually, more like a mild detailing, at least in this area) for free
once
a week. And every time the car came into the service area.
Word of mouth. Image building. The Japanese understand this, mostly. The
Koreans are catching on.
The Germans, OTOH, work from "If it is German, it must be the best" (don't
get me started on Bosch and one or two others). Translated, this
unfortunately in the past worked out to "You vill take vhat we zink is
best,
and you vill like it". This reached its nadir of insolence when Audi
initially reacted to the 'unintended acceleration' publicity by blaming
its
customers.
Ironically enough, the US auto industry is now probably building some of
the
best cars it's come out with for 30 years or more, better powertrains,
ERGONOMICS, designs that don't look like they came from brilliant minds.
But
no one cares anymore.
Mac
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 268.10.1/390 - Release Date: 17/07/2006
