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Mercedes-Benz SLC future uncertain due to low demand

6K views 33 replies 17 participants last post by  Trev5 
#1 ·


Model may not be replaced as the global market for two-seat convertibles contracts

The Mercedes-Benz SLC faces an uncertain future after Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said a replacement is by no means a formality.

“These speciality cars have lost their share in our total portfolio,” said Zetsche. “For a particularly long time, China has led growth, and China shows little interest in cars such as these.

“Our portfolio is not something defined for eternity. We revisit constantly, and that’s what we’re doing. Any decisions we will communicate in the future.”

Without referring to the SLC, Mercedes development boss Ola Källenius also said that Mercedes could look to make changes to its product line-up in the future.

“We’ve has 20-plus years of uninterrupted broadening of the portfolio,” he said. “In 2022, we’ll have 40-plus models. Even if we love every child - and we do - we’ll be rational. We will not hesitate to slim down if we look at the economics. We will look at the next 10 years and cater to where the market is going.”

Källenius added that Mercedes is still open to finding yet more niches. “We won’t rule out creativity,” he said.

The SLC, badged SLK until 2016, was launched in 1996 and kick-started the industry-wide trend for folding hard-top convertibles.


https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-benz-slc-future-uncertain-due-low-demand
 
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#2 ·
There are quite a few once signature models at risk due to market changes and portfolio decisions.
The SLK:
Suffering from diminishing market demand and unable to compete with high performance alternatives (porsche), MB decided to move it down market (as the SLC) this in my opinion was the wrong direction as it will now have to compete with the Asian alternatives.
The SL:
Always a low volume flagship model with high swings in demand, it has now lost its flagship status and faces a positioning crisis. Likely to survive in nameplate but with a significant change of direction.
The CLS:
Once considered a stroke of genius and darling of the portfolio has now been cast aside for the AMG 4 door (because MB wants Porsche's money), this positioning issue coupled with an undifferentiated proposal means it is unlikely to be able to command the premium it once did over the E (MB is already moving it down market) and end up being phased out.
 
#3 ·
This means there will be no more hardtop convertibles from MB, unless they come up with a new name/model which will be electric?

I also don't quite get the reasoning behind having a soft top on an SL...?

Don't we already have the AMG GT, S, C classes that have soft top? And the new SL also having a soft top and 4 seats now (two in the back, very uncomfortable), it only adds more redundancy to the market, for the sake of keeping the SL name alive.

Perhaps this will drive older SLK prices up...?
 
#15 ·
The thermal and noise characteristics may have improved, but will the new rag tops resist tree sap with out going green & bird poo, like a metal/glass roof will...??

Plus the other advantage of the R172 is the option of a tinted glass roof that makes the cabin lighter, for us owners in the UK... :smile:
 
#7 ·
When I purchased this car, I was looking at another S2000, but that love of wanting one had past. Girlfriend wanted a Boxster or BMW, I picked the SLK and have been very happy ever since. So should they pull out, I have my last MB and last small convertible, right now I don’t see anything else out there to fit my wants. Mazda is too small and I am really not a Boxster fan, both are great cars but not for me and I really don’t like the Z4.
 
#8 ·
I think part of the Reason that you do not see metal tops anymore in new models are to save weight to increase MPG production cost and a trend from Consumers (Nostalgia Factor is making a comeback) I be sure BMW has done plenty of research before they developed the new Z4 with a Soft Top
 
#10 ·
I was saddened when they indicated that the SLC was going soft top.
To lose it entirely, crying shame.


Maybe they will look at those three model types & pick just one,
or base a new model to replace the three.


The talk seems to be about companies competing with Porsche/MX5.

A mistake I think.


A four door cabriolet might be the most sensible choice.
More than a +2, but maybe a tad less than a full blown 4.
 
#11 ·
Honestly I think MB will kill the original SLK/SLC platform and bring a "New SLK/SLC" out based on the A Class Platform rename it make it a FWD with a 4 Banger and cheaper to introduce a sporty new 2 Seater to the Smarty Pants Generation. :frown::|
Let,s face it we would have seen spy pics of a SLC a long time ago if MB really wanted to compete with the new BMW Z4.

Maybe MB will take the E Class or new 2020 SL stick it in a big oven to make it fit more into todays line up with the rest of MB cars.:surprise::surprise:
 
#12 ·
I don't really have any complaint if MB decides to phase out the SLK/C model out of its future. It just means that owners of these cars get to enjoy the last ones out there and there is something (positive) about owning a car that is out of production... they become even more rare... I have said it in another post, and will repeat it here: they will have to pry my SLK keys from my cold dead fingers.... So, MB, go ahead and phase out these hard-top convertibles... You are making owners and would-be owners even more nostalgic...
 
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#13 ·
Rip slk/c

While it is unfortunate that these beauties will no longer be in production, it is hardly surprising. Down here in the southern US the local dealers can’t move these despite slashed prices and other incentives. I think bumping the price up to the new AMGs was a mistake as it forgets what this originally was. The slk was a higher end sports car that you could get without breaking the bank. These new models have moved out of that range and moved to what most people are unable or unwilling to pay. Unless they unveil a cheaper model, I’m afraid they have killed the slk
 
#25 ·
While it is unfortunate that these beauties will no longer be in production, it is hardly surprising. Down here in the southern US the local dealers can’t move these despite slashed prices and other incentives. I think bumping the price up to the new AMGs was a mistake as it forgets what this originally was. The slk was a higher end sports car that you could get without breaking the bank. These new models have moved out of that range and moved to what most people are unable or unwilling to pay. Unless they unveil a cheaper model, I’m afraid they have killed the slk

Basically if you cant move a SLK or a similar car down south where the weather is nice most of the time you probably will not move them at all. I do not see many of them down here in Florida on the road. Older ones yes but not new ones. In New York forget it. Also, the trend is SUV's in America. Sad I know. But I am still confused by it. A younger generation not getting married or having kids tend to more live in the city how is it they want SUV's? Very confusing to me. You would think they would want smaller cars?
 
#16 ·
Unlike The BMW Z4, The Mercedes-Benz SLC Could Be Living On Borrowed Time

Here is something new....looks like China is the main reason why the SLK/C might get the ax.:|

BMW saw what Porsche did with its roadster, but will Mercedes do the same?

As we recently reported, the all-new BMW Z4 partly owes its existence to the Porsche 718 Boxster. It is the latter that has proven there is still indeed a market for roadsters, albeit a small one. Porsche discovered the winning roadster formula and BMW took notice. Unfortunately, the Mercedes-Benz SLC, updated for 2019, doesn’t seem to share the Z4’s good fortune. According to Autocar, the SLC roadster faces an uncertain future due to low segment demand, but this does not mean (at least not yet) a replacement has been ruled out entirely.

“These specialty cars have lost their share in our total portfolio,” said soon to retire Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. “For a particularly long time, China has led growth, and China shows little interest in cars such as these.”

Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz is still open to the roadster segment, but the conditions need to be right. “Our portfolio is not something defined for eternity. We revisit constantly, and that’s what we’re doing. Any decisions we will communicate in the future,” Zetsche added. The SLC, which until 2016 was called the SLK, originally launched back in 1996. Unlike the BMW Z3 roadster at the time, the SLK featured a folding hardtop, perhaps one of its most signature traits. Unfortunately for the SLK/SLC, the folding hardtop has fallen out of style and its added weight is not something engineers particularly like.

What Porsche and BMW have done for their respective latest roadsters is to keep things simple with a conventional folding soft top. Combined with a dynamic chassis and proper suspension tuning, both the 718 Boxster and Z4 (test drives will get underway soon) offer/promise a thrilling driving experience. Both roadsters are equally comfortable handling the daily commute or a weekend track day event.



https://carbuzz.com/news/unlike-the-bmw-z4-the-mercedes-benz-slc-could-be-living-on-borrowed-time
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thing is the Mazda RF is doing ok in the UK and it's a fairly new model,but too small for me and that's it's downside for a lot of people imagine how many more MX5's would have sold if taller folks could fit in them!
Down side of the Mazda MX5 RF is the noise at speed - Ok for a local spin down the pub, but no good for long distance "top down" touring.... :|

He failed to hotwire it, and got his face on camera. Good going dumbass.

Whats with the people just waltzing by? TF if it were my car and I saw that footage I'd slap the proverbial outta each of them. I cant believe how may people just look the other way when witnessing crimes.
I've was driving through South London many years back (so no dash cam), during the day & seen someone acting suspiciously on the pavement, next thing the side window of a car was smashed & the man was running off down the road with a handbag that had been on the front passenger seat....
Sorry, no way I was going to stop & take chase :frown:
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
There are No Police in the uk !
So people or scu# Bags are taking advantage !

Hence a story of women who had her bike stolen which she traced to a house asked for police assitance when she went round .
They said yes then said no to busy bla bla ........

So she took matters in her own hands and retrieved bike back and good on her . :grin:

Did they prosecute offender ?
No lack of evidence . :surprise: make you laugh

Think there to busy riding buses . >:D
 
#24 ·
I would love to see some sort of a replacement for the SLK/SLC. Unfortunate for us I do not know if there will be one. They do not make many and it really is a niche market. Also, to my knowledge the SLK does not share many parts with other MB's other then engines and transmissions so then there is the economies of scale end of it as well.
 
#28 ·
IMHO and not to step on anybody,s toes here but the R172 looks a bit boring for the younger Gen is overpriced and too expensive on the up keep. It is just not hip enough and does not awake emotions....

Now if MB would be smart take this one ...




shrink it put a soft top on it put a price point of 40K on the sticker and we would have an R173 that looks sexy and might attracts younger buyers but than we have them Baby Boomers complaining cause it does not have a tin roof.....just saying.....:|:| either way MB can,t win so more Suv,s will be thrown in our direction.
 
#29 ·
I truly believe that the AMG GT line is helping kill off the SL and SLC/SLK Line. The thing is I have not bought a SL since my 1996 SL600. The V12 is amazing and unlike anything else but I got rid of that car in 2007. Since then there are just too many other options for a 2door sports car/weekend toy. Had a Viper, F355, Corvette, Porsche Cayman. If I am going to spend $100,000+ or close to that there are too many other cars that come to my mind. However the SL is still a top of the line car and still a wonderful car to add to your garage.
 
#30 ·
Interesting video.
I don’t care waht he says, the SL is a beautiful car. It’s not meant to be a sports car and hasn’t been that for quite a while. It will be a sad day if the SL badge gets dropped from the MB line-up.
After eight years we still love our 2003 R230.
TonyS
 
#31 ·
Well hard folding roof is nice on our SLK's SLC's a sense of security I guess but i dread the thought of my SLK's roof failing with it's Magic Sky option the cost to repair it may out-way the total book price it is now:(
But while owning this car iv'e had people shout from across the road and tell me what a nice car it is while it's roof is lowered and that's men women and kids although some men will say it's a hair dressers car they all still look when it's roof is lowered.
 
#33 ·
But while owning this car iv'e had people shout from across the road and tell me what a nice car it is while it's roof is lowered and that's men women and kids although some men will say it's a hair dressers car they all still look when it's roof is lowered.
Yep, got the hairdressers car jibes at work when they first saw it.
Then they sat in it, heard it and saw the roof drop on sunny days whilst I was sitting in a first floor office.

It's also nice when in an SLK/C convoy and you are near the back.
You get to see all the heads turning as the group pass.
Always reminds me of crowd watching during a good rally at Wimbledon.
And with the roof down, you get to hear the comments too.

Very rarely a negative. And when it is, it just sounds like jealousy.
 
#32 ·
It would be too bad if they killed the SLK/C line. On the plus side, I like having things that fewer people have. I already rarely see any R172 gens on the road. I've only seen one SLC on the road. I would totally understand MB killing them off, heck, look at GM and Ford killing off their sedans, and I see them all over the place.
Planning to keep mine for at least 15 years, so it will make it more unique as time goes on. When finally time to replace my ride, I'm sure something else will come along that meets my needs and wants, as they will likely be different then. I will be retired and not need to drive 80 or so miles a day in comfort with a smile on my face.
We've previously had a cloth top convertible, and I can say with certainty, that will not be something I want again. Having transparent/glass roof in a convertible is wonderful. My wife's car is also a hard top, with a fully functional sunroof. Front wheel drive, which really ruins the driving experience for me. Hers also seats 4, so the lines don't do it or me either. Her model (EOS) was also killed by the manufacturer due to lack of demand.
 
#34 ·
"Home Alone" last night & catching up with some recorded 5th Gear episodes:
So anybody own this Silver SLK200, "WG61AGV" that made a brief appearance, while they where testing a hydrogen car...??


Anyway, back to 5th Gear: They where testing a Audi Q5 Coupe & a similar performance Kia that cost a tad less around their track - Audi was better handling as it happened..

But the real test would have been how good they are as a long distance fast GT cars...??
And that's where the SLK & SL win out, because they may not be the fastest cars around a track, but after multiple 2500 mile spins around Europe in our R171/350 & doing over 500 miles on the last day, I didn't tyre of driving it... R)
 

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