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Interesting commentary from Forbes’ Jack Trout recently, in
which he remarks that Mercedes-Benz has dug itself into a GM-like hole of brand dilution and line extension hell.
Except that where GM took decades to lose some brand identity (i.e. what’s the difference between a Pontiac, Chevy
and Saturn these days?), Mercedes has managed to accomplish this feat in just 10 years, with its A-Class, B-Class,
C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLK, CLS, CL, SLK, SL, M-Class and G-Class, stretched out over various pricepoints,
and, as Trout asserts, they have no real brand identity.
Just one guy’s opinion, I suppose, but I’m sure Deiter Zetsche took notice of the article. Have a read and sound off
— let’s see what you think.