Mercedez Benz News Rumorpile: Mercedes-Benz Says Yes To The X6 Competitor

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

October 8, 2013

Two years ago, a rumor began flying that Mercedes-Benz would produce a competitor to BMW's X6 crossover supposedly called the MLC. Now it seems we have a possible confirmation of this.

Car and Driver has learned from two high-level executives at Mercedes-Benz that they will be producing a competitor to the X6. Asked why, one of the executives said there was a business case for it.

"There’s ample demand (relatively speaking), the engineering work and costs are low, and the profit margins will be high. Crossovers can appeal to customers in the U.S., Europe, and China; other vehicle types tend to be regionally limited," said the report.

The new crossover will essentially be the Mercedes-Benz ML in a sleeker shape. Engines will be the same with a turbocharged V6, V8, and a AMG V8.

No date on when Mercedes-Benz's competitor to the X6 will arrive.

Source: Car and Driver

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[David]

Interesting, I wonder just how much demand there really is and how long the model will last before they cut it loose as being a drag on profits.

[Robert Hall]

It would be more interesting if they did something radical--a high riding 4x4 2dr, 2 seat convertible w/ folding hardtop..something like an ML-SLK This sounds too much like a 'me too' item for a tiny niche.

[David]

It would be more interesting if they did something radical--a high riding 4x4 2dr, 2 seat convertible w/ folding hardtop..something like an ML-SLK This sounds too much like a 'me too' item for a tiny niche.

I would agree, I remember when Jeep showed off that very cool 2 seat 2 door open buggy and it was radical and very cool. MB could lead rather than follow and create a very new Niche auto.

Imagen a Luxury 2door, 2 seat SRX adam version for the beach play.

[Robert Hall]

It would be more interesting if they did something radical--a high riding 4x4 2dr, 2 seat convertible w/ folding hardtop..something like an ML-SLK This sounds too much like a 'me too' item for a tiny niche.

I would agree, I remember when Jeep showed off that very cool 2 seat 2 door open buggy and it was radical and very cool. MB could lead rather than follow and create a very new Niche auto.

I remember seeing this in a car mag a few years ago, thought it was such a cool idea...

[balthazar]

The Jeep concept above is really cool, but the jacked MB looks like a West Virginia backyard special.
I didn't think there were anywhere near enough X6 sales to warrant a (rebadged) "answer" from MB, but legitimate business cases are not something that MB worries about much.

[Z-06]

And how many sales is MB targeting at? 5 per month?

[David]

And how many sales is MB targeting at? 5 per month?

Yup, One must wonder just what their idea of Break even is, I would love to see the business case and marketing plan for this as I doubt there really is much market for this auto. MB has not had the greatest track record since buying Chyrsler.

[balthazar]

^ September BMW X6 sales were a measly 375 units, or around what the R-class was selling at when canned.

Is mercedees SURE there's a business case here?? I didn't think so.

[smk4565]

I think it is a dumb idea. The ML is a good seller, but why make an MLC, that won't sell that well and will only take away from the ML. I am sure the business case they are talking of is it will be identical to the ML, except for the sloped rear end and it will cost $10,000 more. They'll get a few dopes to buy it for a few years, then like all the other niche cars it will die.