[Terinalo]

Hey guys,

I am currently doing my pre-internship with Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen for the high school of Pforzheim, I am starting the transportation design course next year. At the moment I am doing some research for my project and wanted to ask you guys for a little help: could you name for each of the three car makers 3 adjectives or another word to desicribe them? The aim is of course to find the differences in public awareness. I would appreciate that very much!

Have a nice day!

[JTS_tv]

BMW: agile, panache, smoooth
Mercedes: overblown, complicated, geriatric
Audi: upstart, timeless, brash

If I were buying a premium German car it would be BMW by far first, then Audi, then Mercedes far far last. I've always been impressed by BMWs for their sheer sublime integration of all parameters of the automotive experience. I definitely think Audi has surpassed Mercedes for second spot. I know Mercedes "thinks" they are "the" German marque, but BMW blew past them two decades ago with sublime creations like the regular 3, the M3, the regular 5, the M5, and quite consistently the 7. Mercedes have always come across the my like Uncle Helmut's Oldsmobile (i.e. built for old people who want comfort and a nice entry at the valet parking). With the arrival of the XF and now the XJ, not to mention the Genesis, there is less and less of a reason to buy Mercedes.

My advice? Reduce weight by going aluminum. Embrace purity of form in the shapes of the vehicles designed. Get rid of the Pontiac "surface excitement" that is sooo prevalent. Benchmark BMW for dynamics and COPY THEM!

[Imihooniump]

Mercedes Benz - Elegant, Technology, Power
BMW - Sports, Dynamics, Driving
Audi - Innovation, Modern, Style

To be honest, MB comes across as a bit old fashioned, but still cool, a bit overly american, gran turismo rather than track day, leather and wood, not carbon fiber. Architecture references: Big estates, fireplace, wood. Lot's of technology and innovation.

BMW comes across as sporty, cool, sleek, hip, designey, racetrack and driving, complex and not always on the mark in design, but appealing and younger than MB. The most risk taking of the three I guess, which has ended it up with some awesome successes and some catastrophic failures. Stainless steel + Glass architecture compatible.

Audi comes across as the new benchmark even though it isn't necessarily. On the mark with market sensibilities, always up to date and imposing new trends, not as dynamic or powerful as its rivals, rather an underdog. Focused on the experience rather than the drive. Architecture - White, marble or granite, contemporary.

Good luck with your transport design course. Where are you going to study? Undergrad or Masters? I'm trying to save up for IED or Coventry... Masters. Best of luck

- Superfresa -

[YabbaIn]

Mercedes-Benz - Elegant, smooth, refined.
BMW - Sporty, advanced, sharp.
Audi - Timeless, classy, modern.

[SpecialOFFER]

either MB or BM

not ever consider an AUDI

never

[Terinalo]

Thanks for your replies so far!

I see some of you don't like MB at all and consider it to be unnecessary since Audi and BMW offer so good products.
Well my theory is that in 1997 the a-class ****ed the whole MB image up. Legendary mb-quality went down, the sbc-brake in the W211 failed, they started to launch so many different models and it seemed they didn't focus on quality anymore but on quantity.

What do you guys think made MB go down?

[Lapsiks]

BMW: muscular, sporty, driver's car
Mercedes: posh, comfort, limo
Audi: stylish, great built, great interiors

May i ask why are you interested in only the 3 German brands? They are the kings of their game for sure but brands such as Jaguar and Lexus are catching up fast (well...Jaguar is anyways, lol)

[YabbaIn]

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[JTS_tv]

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[Terinalo]

You feel me, swizzle.

In half an hour I'm going to present my project and honestly bring up some harsh critique on the current strategy. I'll keep you guys updated what they told me.

[Imihooniump]

You may be right about your theory on the A class, however, it does not apply for me.

For me, what makes me respect Mercedes Benz much less than the other Germans is that their cars are targeted specifically and exclusively for the american market. I understand that it's the biggest market in the world, but I see MB, and I no longer see its amazing heritage and history. I see Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac. I don't mean physically, obviously, it's just a matter of image.

I gained much respect when they got the current C class out - It seemed a step in the right direction. Then I lost it all again when they released the E Class. They fell to an all time low of copying both Hyundai and Lexus. Good strategy.

To me, Mercedes Benz should be making the kind of cars Audi are doing - but in RWD. They should be the innovators, the new styling ground breakers... instead, they have become the old man's car for America.