Real Flagship
Mercedes-Benz has been around for over 100 years. Over that time, the brand has produced multiple models that have become icons and are synonymous with Mercedes-Benz. However, none has the same provenance and importance as the S-Class. The S-Class is the German automaker’s longest-running nameplate and remains the benchmark against which all business-jet luxury sedans are measured. When Mercedes introduced the Maybach, the S-Class rose to an even higher status.
The S-Class enjoys a strong reputation and is usually a solid seller for Mercedes-Benz; what is surprising is that the brand is willing to offer the S-Class with a massive, unprecedented discount in the U.S.
Massive Dealer Discount
As reported by CarsDirect, Mercedes-Benz has sent memos to U.S. dealerships about a new discount and incentive for the S-Class. In the bulletin sent to the dealers, the brand has authorized a massive $70,000 discount on the Mercedes-Maybach S680. The discount is probably one of the biggest ones ever publicized and offered on any car, but there’s a catch. According to the article, and presumably the memo, the $70,000 discount is only available for the top-of-the-line Maybach S680.
The report says the new incentive took effect on September 1 of this year and effectively doubled the discount rate, which Cars Direct says was originally just $35,000. There’s probably another reason why Mercedes was okay with a massive discount; the report also states that national dealer data shows only 34 units of the S680 are left for sale. There’s also a sale for the lower variant S580 listed at $45,000, which is still a sizeable $10,000 bump from the original discount rate.
Total Savings
Prices for the Maybach S680 start at $245,750 including destination fees; with the $70,000 discount, that’s a 28% lower price than retail. Unsurprisingly, this deal is one of the biggest rebates on the market right now. Regardless if you opt for the $45,000 discount on the S580 or go for the full S680 (assuming you can get an allocation) both seem to be very good deals on what are considered high-luxury sedan trims.
Tom Gidden/RM Sotheby's
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Pablo Salapantan
News Editor