[RahulNagaraj]

According to media reports, Mercedes-Benz will cut down production of both its flagship ICE and EV sedans, the S-Class & EQS. The reason for the slowdown in production is attributed to the drop in demand for both models.

Mercedes has confirmed the same, stating that 'Factory 56', which manufactures both the S-Class and EQS sedans, will be reduced to a single-shift operation from October - from its current two shifts.



The luxury German carmaker said, "We continuously optimize our production network and use its high flexibility to react to fluctuations and changing framework conditions in relation to geopolitical, micro, and macroeconomic developments and to remain competitive. Accordingly, we are planning adjustments to the cars in some areas of the Sindelfingen plant."

As per reports, sales of the brand's S-Class dropped by 22% in the first 6 months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. Mercedes registered 28,100 units of sales of the S-Class during the January-June 2024 period.

Mercedes though, did mention that the production line is flexible and that it can switch back to two shifts in the future, whenever necessary.

Source: Handelsblatt

Link to Team-BHP news

[QuentinTino]

This is a very surprising sales figure for the S, especially if compared with the sales of the ugly 7 series, which sold over 30,000 units in first half of 2024!



Link: https://www.bmwblog.com/2024/08/01/b...-model-series/

[GTO]

I had a feeling about this after driving the new S-Class.

- While an S-Class is an S-Class, the current W223 gen lacks the charisma of the W222. Many times, from a distance, I cannot even tell its an S-Class. I have loved all generations of the S-Class (especially the W222, W126, W140), but the W223 & W220 (for its lack of quality) are my least favourites.

- The backseat of the W223 felt like it's lost a bit of room to the W222.

- The car is now more driver-oriented, but that also means the suspension isn't as cushy. It doesn't have the "magic carpet ride" of the earlier S-Class.

- Prices have only increased.

- The new 7-Series has an ugly face, but the interiors & comfort are better than the S-Class. It also has a wild electric version.

- Last but not the least, even the mighty S-Class cannot be immune to the onslaught of SUVs & Crossovers. Just see where the GLS pricing has reached! In the used market too, used GLS' move faster than used S-Classes.

[vikas8890]

Originally Posted by GTO

I had a feeling about this after driving the new S-Class.

- While an S-Class is an S-Class, the current W223 gen lacks the charisma of the W222. Many times, from a distance, I cannot even tell its an S-Class. I have loved all generations of the S-Class (especially the W222, W126, W140), but the W223 & W220 (for its lack of quality) are my least favourites.

I second that. Many times the S class is unrecognisable as an S class. The W222 S class looked Regal. The design should have been a improvement over the last gen. The S class is known as the best vehicle all across. Though I must add it would have been a hard to improve upon the magnificent W222 design, it was a Masterpiece. It still turns heads, more so than the current S class. Atleast design wise, the current gen somewhat lacks the S class vibe.

[vellatechie]

Originally Posted by QuentinTino

This is a very surprising sales figure for the S, especially if compared with the sales of the ugly 7 series, which sold over 30,000 units in first half of 2024!

The outgoing 7 Series is bigger than the previous Gen. And to me, in darker shades (which hides the ugly grill) the 7 Series looks very imposing and actually standouts from the rest. It's a very very solid luxury car overall.

https://youtu.be/SCDr_LkjwbA?si=RA-h6KeUuSz7JQRx

[W140SKlasse]

I have a theory of my own about this (it may be totally incorrect though). The current gen 7-series is more luxurious than the S-class. With the vanilla S-class, Mercedes cannot go all-out on the luxury factor because the Maybach version sits just above it, while the 7 series does not have any such restriction, as the Rolls Royce Ghost is not exactly competing with the 7-series. I feel like the 7-series lies somewhere between the S-class and the Maybach version (although closer to the S-class than the Maybach), and thus is taking sales away from Mercedes. However, at the same time, the Maybach S-class is taking sales away from the current-gen Rolls Royce Ghost (this is purely based on my observations though, as I’ve seen a lot fewer current-gen Rolls Royce Ghosts than the previous gen, and I’m seeing a lot more Maybach S680s than before). In summary, Mercedes is restricted with the standard S-Class due to the Maybach version, which is leading to it losing out to the 7-series, but the Maybach version seems to be swaying people away from the Ghost, thus denting Rolls-Royce (and indirectly BMW) sales.

[V12Doc]

Originally Posted by W140SKlasse

I have a theory of my own about this (it may be totally incorrect though). The current gen 7-series is more luxurious than the S-class. With the vanilla S-class, Mercedes cannot go all-out on the luxury factor because the Maybach version sits just above it, while the 7 series does not have any such restriction, as the Rolls Royce Ghost is not exactly competing with the 7-series. I feel like the 7-series lies somewhere between the S-class and the Maybach version (although closer to the S-class than the Maybach), and thus is taking sales away from Mercedes. However, at the same time, the Maybach S-class is taking sales away from the current-gen Rolls Royce Ghost (this is purely based on my observations though, as I’ve seen a lot fewer current-gen Rolls Royce Ghosts than the previous gen, and I’m seeing a lot more Maybach S680s than before). In summary, Mercedes is restricted with the standard S-Class due to the Maybach version, which is leading to it losing out to the 7-series, but the Maybach version seems to be swaying people away from the Ghost, thus denting Rolls-Royce (and indirectly BMW) sales.

I recently bought a 760i, I have always had an S-Class in my garage and test drove both the Maybach and the S Class, in the sedan version the new S Class does not feel that good anymore, The reason i got the 7 over s were was it had more headroom, legroom, better interiors, better drive, and a lot more tech, the adas is amazing in the 7. The reason i got it over the maybach was that maybach was a lot longer because of the rear lounge with can be accomplished in the 7 as well and both sacrificed the front passenger seat and on daily driving maybach felt not so good on the drive. Ended up getting the GLS Maybach over the sedan.

[volkman10]

The Mercedes EQS will be replaced by an Electric S-Class.

There will be two S-Classes in the future–ICE and electric

But while the BMW 7 Series and i7 use the same platform, that apparently won't be the case for the S-Class

The S-Class without a combustion engine is expected to sit on the MB.EA Large architecture whereas the model with gas power will be underpinned by an updated iteration of the current MRA hardware.

the two range-topping Mercedes models are likely to have more in common compared to the current S-Class and the EQS

The existing gas and electric flagships are expected to be replaced around 2030 by the unified S-Class.

Link: