Cadillac brand & reputation director: "We dont want to be an automotive brand"

[Soup DeVille]

So if Mercedes had simply taken the Jeep Grand Cherokee and only exchanged the grill with one that features a bling LED star they would have had success? No.

No, but then again, Mercedes is not Cadillac.

On the other hand, there's this thing called the Sprinter...

[CALL_911]

FWIW, I think the JGC is a much classier vehicle than the ML350

[Galaxy]

No, but then again, Mercedes is not Cadillac.

On the other hand, there's this thing called the Sprinter...

The Sprinter gives street cred. It allows the S class driver to suggest to the world that he does not have to surrender and call some guy to fix a leaky faucet. People with a star on the head can repair almost anything.

[12,000 RPM]

FWIW, I think the JGC is a much classier vehicle than the ML350

I would go as far as to say its a better vehicle

And has been so for the life of the ML

[CALL_911]

I would go as far as to say its a better vehicle

And has been so for the life of the ML

I wouldn't disagree. The JGC is an awesome car

[12,000 RPM]

The first ML was truly awful

It really showed the strength of Mercedes' branding. People bought them by the boat load, they were absolute crap, and people kept going back for more. It was amazing.

[ifcar]

So if Mercedes had simply taken the Jeep Grand Cherokee and only exchanged the grill with one that features a bling LED star they would have had success? No.

Hey, it wouldn't be the ugliest thing they've made by a mile:

[Raza]

The first ML was truly awful

It really showed the strength of Mercedes' branding. People bought them by the boat load, they were absolute crap, and people kept going back for more. It was amazing.

I'm sorry...which car was the choice to go to one of the most dangerous places in the world?  Hint, not the Jeep Grand Racistname.

[Galaxy]

Hey, it wouldn't be the ugliest thing they've made by a mile:

[Galaxy]

The first ML was truly awful

Yes, and a shame really, cause the first ML was the only one that I really liked from a styling pov. The others all look meh.

[Soup DeVille]

The Sprinter gives street cred. It allows the S class driver to suggest to the world that he does not have to surrender and call some guy to fix a leaky faucet. People with a star on the head can repair almost anything.

I know now that every time i see some slick haired, pursed lipped, silk shirter driving a gold badged e-class, I say to myself; there goes a competent plumber.

[veeman]

You call this...



... "not flashy?"


It is arguably more in your face then the Escalade.

To your credit, Car and Driver just slammed the Denali for how crappy the interior was for its price. 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-gmc-yukon-denali-4x4-tested-review

[565]

I think they found the world experts on snobbery.  Asian chick's are the biggest brand whores on the planet.

[CALL_911]

I think the found to world experts on snobbery.  Asian chick's are the biggest brand whores on the planet.

No way man, Jewish girls love that shit

[AltinD]

These Cadillac and GM guys are nuts (as in stupid). One of them some times back said that they had to go back to the drawing board with their next flagship model when Mercedes released their new S-Class. They were really surprised that Mercedes could build a car that good, they didn't thought Mercedes still had it .... WTF!!!!

[AltinD]

I'm sorry...which car was the choice to go to one of the most dangerous places in the world?  Hint, not the Jeep Grand Racistname.

1. That 'most dangerous places in the world' was movie fictional

2. Those cars were actually Jeep Grand Cherokees with a new cabin

[12,000 RPM]

These Cadillac and GM guys are nuts (as in stupid). One of them some times back said that they had to go back to the drawing board with their next flagship model when Mercedes released their new S-Class. They were really surprised that Mercedes could build a car that good, they didn't thought Mercedes still had it .... WTF!!!!

Lol its no surprise at all. A real shame

[Tave]

The first ML was truly awful

It really showed the strength of Mercedes' branding. People bought them by the boat load, they were absolute crap, and people kept going back for more. It was amazing.

What didn't you like about it?

[12,000 RPM]

What didn't you like about it?

They were the nadir of Benz's drop in quality. Least reliable/lowest quality Benzes to come here

[MX793]

1. That 'most dangerous places in the world' was movie fictional

2. Those cars were actually Jeep Grand Cherokees with a new cabin

They used pre-production MLs in the exterior driving shots.  Some of the interior shots were different vehicles.

[2o6]

These Cadillac and GM guys are nuts (as in stupid). One of them some times back said that they had to go back to the drawing board with their next flagship model when Mercedes released their new S-Class. They were really surprised that Mercedes could build a car that good, they didn't thought Mercedes still had it .... WTF!!!!

I doubt they actually went back to the "drawing board"


Also, Meercedes has an absolutely extreme amount of quality in the new interiors of the C class and up. Right now, they're killing everyone in the game.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I doubt they actually went back to the "drawing board"


Also, Meercedes has an absolutely extreme amount of quality in the new interiors of the C class and up. Right now, they're killing everyone in the game.

What did you want them to say?

"We threw out all the napkins with our flagship sketches on them."

While it may be the truth, the other way sounds much more like they are actually working on an S class competitor.

[12,000 RPM]

While it may be the truth, the other way sounds much more like they are actually working on an S class competitor.

Man if they are pouring resources into that dead segment they are so screwed

[Tave]

They were the nadir of Benz's drop in quality. Least reliable/lowest quality Benzes to come here

Compared to that model JGC? Those things are rolling electrical disasters waiting to happen.

Merc did a lot to improve the first gen ML's quality by the end of the model run. I'd say the ML430 was a superior vehicle to the JGC is every regard except off-road performance, which unfortunately no one seems to care about.

[Madman]

Compared to that model JGC? Those things are rolling electrical disasters waiting to happen.

Merc did a lot to improve the first gen ML's quality by the end of the model run. I'd say the ML430 was a superior vehicle to the JGC is every regard except off-road performance, which unfortunately no one seems to care about.

Given the number of two-wheel-drive Grand Cherokees I see for sale, I'd say you are right.

[Submariner]

Yeah...the first gen pre facelift was a disaster.  Even the greatly improved post-facelift ML would have been my dead last pick given the competition at the time (the X5 and the Lexus RX).  The running gear is solid, but it had electrical issues galore and like every Merc from 1996 to 2003 or 2004 suffered from embarrassing corrosion issues because of Merc's use of some supposedly environmentally friendly paint. Thanks, but no thanks.

But big LOL's comparing the second gen ML to the last gen JCG.  I'd try riding in them for a minimum of 15 minutes before claiming that build quality, ride, NVH, etc are comparable.  The ML blows the JCG out of the water.