For decades, Mercedes was special, a Mercedes was a Mercedes, now it is just another import with so many different models, you can't even tell the difference between C, E and S unless you see the numbers on the back, and there are simply too many MBs everywhere, including the slums. Mercedes realizes this problem, it is no longer the elite, thus the reason why they needed Maybach, simply they know Mercedes Benz is longer what it used to be. Same reason why after 20 years of exclusively MBs only, I don't even consider buying a Mercedes. The problem of success, they flood the market with so many new affordable models along with older MBs still on the road. The subject has been discussed in Businessweek, Forbes and few auto magazines.
In a recent dinner party, one of the guests said he just bought a SL55, years ago, all the guys would go out to take a look, but not one person got excited and no one moved, simply because Mercedes is no big deal anymore.
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