Question

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 09/04/2018 at 21:30 • Filed to: Questions

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I’m definitely not the first to ask probably. Why doesn’t or why didn’t Mercedes ever make a super cheap G-Class with a more spartan interior, potent engine, and off- road capable competitor for Jeeps that go off road?

I know that it’s the paradoxical antithesis of what the G-Class is now. Hell, it’s weird that a ut ilitarian somewhat “military” vehicle became an opulent mommy and kids /celeb transport. I think it’s one of very few vehicles that I can’t completely  comprehend but am still fascinated by.

Cash Rewards > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:33

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I think they do, but it doesn't come to North America, where they maintain a luxury image? Same reason we don't get their other economy offerings?

bhtooefr > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:36

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It was called the G300 CDI Professional last.

The interior looked like this in 2011:

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Cash Rewards 09/04/2018 at 21:36

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I think it has to be this. The only kinda normal vehicle that they currently make is that little van and I would guess it’s supposed to be an upscale version of the Transit. 

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Cash Rewards 09/04/2018 at 21:37

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Well we’re getting the Ugly A  Class now, so that’s a thing.

Ash78, voting early and often > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:38

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Because rappers don’t go overlanding?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:39

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They do/did overseas but in America they only ever sold it as a luxury vehicle to avoid people looking at a stripped G-wagen with a luxurious SUV price (like Lincoln or a loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee) they gave it a “proper benz” interior and charged the high price to maintain it as a status symbol.

Cash Rewards > bhtooefr 09/04/2018 at 21:40

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https://www.caranddriver.com/news/back-to-basics-mercedes-benz-g-wagen-professional-returns

E90M3 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:41

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W hy doesn’t or why didn’t Mercedes ever make a super cheap G-Class with a more spartan interior, potent engine, and off-road capable competitor for Jeeps that go off road?

For the same reason Timex and Rolex exist. They do the same thing, but, at the same time, they don’t.  

Cash Rewards > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:42

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I actually like the profile of it, but yeah, not as much the face

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/04/2018 at 21:43

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I take it the same thing happened to Land Rover/Range Rover?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > E90M3 09/04/2018 at 21:46

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It all makes sense now.....

That’s really F’ing stupid and clever at the same time.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Cash Rewards 09/04/2018 at 21:49

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Was the CLA not enough? It even looks better, and if the A class is it’s replacement, just no. It’s slower too.

MrDakka > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:50

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To keep poor people from being able to buy a Mercedes-Benz and diluting the brand.

- Snobby Benz owner

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:54

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Because that would be like offering a four cylinder S-Class with cloth seats. The G Class has a well established image and offering a basic version would dilute that. You used to be able to by a farm-spec one in Europe but eccentric wealthy people started buying them to use as deliberately unconventional daily drivers. Eventually that snowballed into it being a status symbol and Mercedes updated the design of the truck to reflect that.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:57

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They originally kinda did. T he original 1980s G-Wagen was a basic tough offroader like the Landrover, Jeep, or Landcruiser of the day. However because it was originally designed as a military vehicle it was over-engineered and expensive compared to its competition in the ‘serious offroader’ market so never really got traction. They didn’t offer it in the US because they sold so few in Euro pe it wouldn’t have justified the homologation.

Then Merc noticed the Range Rover heading off upmarket at high speed and thought “we’ve got a tough and capable platform here, and we know a lot about selling luxury products at sully prices. Why don’t we throw in a big engine and some bling. It won’t add much to the cost, but it’ll let us sell to S Class buyers for S class money”. And the rest is history...

wafflesnfalafel > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:58

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no business case for a lower margin model... all about the ROI

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 21:59

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In a way. And I mean, same with Jeep. Look at theold Cherokee compared to the new one. They kept a lot of the off road equipment but you have to get leather seats and the big motor and it’s now the Grand Ch erokee

HammerheadFistpunch > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 22:04

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They don’t offer it here for 2 reasons

1. “ Brand identity”

2. Because ain’t nobody shopping for an 70 Grand 4x4 with cloth seats.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/04/2018 at 22:10

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Huh, never thought of it like that. But I never think much of SUVs and crossovers anyway.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > MrDakka 09/04/2018 at 22:11

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Explain the A, CLA, and C class then. ¯\_()_/¯  

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > wafflesnfalafel 09/04/2018 at 22:12

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ROI? Oh return on investment.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > HammerheadFistpunch 09/04/2018 at 22:12

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These are facts....Stupid facts, but facts.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 22:22

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Off roaders are a lot like track rats - they want the equipment to do well, but they don’t want to pay for it. But the people with big bucks want the bragging rights and the luxury to be comfortable and not really use most of it. Hence why Porsche won’t sell a 50k Cayman with cloth seats and a non-touchscreen stereo. Track rats who they make it for will go “EEEeennnggghhhhh......BUT A C6 VETTE IS SO MUCH LESS!”

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/04/2018 at 22:36

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But you can get a Cayman or Boxster, and even a 911 with cloth seats now...

I get your point though.

PS9 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 22:48

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A isn’t available in the US, C starts at $40k and the CLA is only cheap if you check the ‘nothing' box when you pick options. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 22:49

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As others have said, they do. However, the G Professional is hardly a bargain given that they are sold at a 25-35% premium on the equivalent 70 series Land Cruiser...and one of those starts at around AU$65,000.

The main issue as to why this is a thing is that all utilitarian off road vehicles are low volume compared to normal SUV extrusions. Which makes them comparatively expensive...and most people don’t like utilitarian...so there’s even less chance for volume.

When the Defender died, it was mostly hand assembled and LR sold only 30,000 per annum. If LR do another Defender then they’ll be chasing 300,000 per annum...but it won’t be able to do that if it was anything like the old Defender.

Jeep learnt this same lesson moving on from the XJ Cherokee.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 22:49

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I don’t mean luxurious cloth seats, I mean like.....Nissan Versa cloth seats because Porsche expects you to put in a racing seat. 

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/04/2018 at 22:58

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Oh god. NO LUMBAR SUPPORT!!

fintail > bhtooefr 09/04/2018 at 23:00

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Same steering wheel hub found in NA spec cars starting with  the 1992 model year.

DipodomysDeserti > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/04/2018 at 23:55

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There’s a woman cruising around Phoenix in a two door G wagon with a rag top. I see her at Sprouts  store every once in while but haven’t been able to ask her about her truck yet.

Brian McKay > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/05/2018 at 00:12

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I n Australia, Middle- East nations , and Germany, persons and fleets buy 461-series G wagons and chassis-cabs with no luxury amenities. But in U.S., M-B is supposed to be a premium brand.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > DipodomysDeserti 09/05/2018 at 00:22

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WE NEED PICTURES

HammerheadFistpunch > Ash78, voting early and often 09/05/2018 at 00:27

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Would you like me to sing you some of my raps?

jasmits > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/05/2018 at 01:52

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H igh margin. It’s cheap to make a little car with some leather and a Mercedes badge and sell it to people who want to buy the brand.

It’s expensive to make a 4x4, leather or no, so adding some leather means they can raise the price to justify the “luxury” even though it’s pure profit.

So, lower margins + brand dilution = no business case. High margins means money and money means they don’t give a rip about diluting the brand.

pip bip - choose Corrour > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/05/2018 at 06:33

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available here

Hamtractor > DipodomysDeserti 09/05/2018 at 09:08

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The G-Wagen is the official trophy-wife carriage of Ahwatukee.  On any given day, I can see anywhere from one to four of them in my gym parking lot.  And those gals, the G-Wagen demographic, don’t want a stripped down anything...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/05/2018 at 10:14

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Dilutes the brand. If more “norms” can buy them, it’s no longer a status symbol to own one.

BahamaTodd > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2018 at 10:30

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Except Wrangler is closing in on $ 60k. And by the time the bro lift and other accessories are added probably close to $70.

Mercedes is moving down market with the CLA. I think a lower trim offroad spec G wagen could work.

DipodomysDeserti > Hamtractor 09/05/2018 at 11:01

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Yep. Head a bit east and it’s the choice SUV of future trophy wife sorority girls.

HammerheadFistpunch > BahamaTodd 09/05/2018 at 11:04

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Lets be honest though, this

for $78 ,000 (thats what the cheapest G-class professional costs converted from AUD)

or this for mid 50's

You have to remember that the stripped G class is STRIPPED.  Also the engine has 181 hp.