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Mercedes CL and CLK names say "Auf wiedesehen..."
Mercedes-Benz may decide to call a coupe a coupe starting next year. If you want a CLK after 2009, you might have to settle for an E-Class Coupe or E-Class Convertible. Want a 2-door S-Class around the same time? Then you're after the S-Class Coupe. We don't know the reason for the potential name changes, especially since the cars have such great equity -- and taking eight minutes to say E-Class Coupe Black Series doesn't have nearly the to-the-point hotness of CLK Black Series, even though it's the same number of "syllables". The CL change might make more sense as the car wasn't a huge sales success, but drop those letters in conversation and you still get a forceful point across. We can only hope that the bard was right, and that a rose by any other name...
[Source: Benz Insider]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gtrace 1:58PM (9/12/2008)
this is effin stupid....there is no reason for this and they just lose brand/model image that has been built for years
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SOhp101 1:42PM (9/12/2008)
Maybe they've finally realized how complicated their nomenclature is? I mean for me it isn't that big of a deal since I follow car news closely but for nearly everyone else I know they have no idea what's what (e.g. "You know that Mercedes convertible... no not that hard top one... that soft top one that's medium sized...").
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mike 7:43AM (9/13/2008)
This is an example of the Germans not looking past their own culture and language. In german they make things very specific by their compound words, in America we shorten things so that we can market them easier. They should rethink changing this...
Frank 10:36AM (9/13/2008)
Not sure who wrote this article but its spelled AUF WIEDERSEHEN .... missing an r, yes it makes a big difference.
Xcountryflyer 1:47PM (9/12/2008)
Mercedes nomenclature was getting confusing. It can only help.
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TKE 2:30PM (9/12/2008)
I think I agree, or will in 8-10 years when Mercedes-Benz says, "CL and CLK had name recognition. Buyers liked knowing they were getting a 2-dr unto itself." And they'll switch back. Remember when BMW went back and forth on the 3-Series coupe becoming the 4? Where does this leave the CLS? The E-class Coupe4?
Steven 1:57PM (9/12/2008)
CL and CLK have the long history of great vehicles. Dropping the name is not the best marketing idea. If the sales droping they should consider different marketing strategy.
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chad.dawkins 5:37PM (9/12/2008)
Isn't the CL fairly new? I recall the older S-Class Coupe's just being "S500" or whatever on the back.
Steven 5:44PM (9/12/2008)
CL been around for 10 yrs, and i think it's enough to earn recognition
500 10:28PM (9/12/2008)
Long history? Both the CL and CLK have only been around for 10 years. E and S classes have been around for about as long as anyone can remember. And as recently as the mid-90's Mercedes had the S-Class coupe and the CE (E-class coupe) .
As a two-time CLK owner ('00 CLK430 and '03 CLK500) I'd miss the CLK designation a bit, but returning to the old names would be more consistent.
Steven 8:57AM (9/15/2008)
Dude , if we'll look at ten years in the evolution of mankind is not long at all. But 10 yrs is car manufacturing is enough for me to earn MY recognition.
Torrent 2:04PM (9/12/2008)
Thank you Mercedes. Way to cut down on a few of your gajillion models you have on sale.
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Horst 2:07PM (9/12/2008)
Good! The "CL" designation made no sense (especially when you have a C Class sedan). Call it what it is, an S coupe, E coupe, etc. Much simpler.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:09PM (9/12/2008)
They do have far too many models.
Good luck fitting the CLS into this though.
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benzaholic 2:10PM (9/12/2008)
I still miss the days when Mercedes model numbers told you the actual displacement of the engine and the model letters had reasons for their existence.
560SEC FTW!
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-Tater 2:14PM (9/12/2008)
Great! Now if they will pack up the US plant and the hideous vehicles it churns out, MB may be back on track!
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Jon 2:17PM (9/12/2008)
"E-Class Coupe Black Series" still rolls off the tongue easier than "X6 xDrive50i".
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JMC 3 2:17PM (9/12/2008)
I read in Left Lane that they may change the model designation from CLK to CLE because it has more E class components.
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Erik 2:31PM (9/12/2008)
I am a fan of any move to reduce alphanumeric codes and replace them with actual words or names. Good move Mercedes, just if our own home-grown luxury brands weren't headed the opposite direction
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LeRobert 5:36PM (9/12/2008)
Mercedes will never eliminate alphanumeric designations; it's part of the company's century-old heritage. Most other companies who have just recently jumped on the alphnumeric bandwagon in order to look sophisticated and high-class should get the hell out, though.