German Car Zone

SLR didn't fly? they sold each and every one they made including the 722 edition and the they have long lists for the roadster version!

read the sl300 topic, even MB says it was a faillure

The SLR has been a flop by all accounts, or something close to it. The SLR 722 was just a limited edition run. The regular SLR sold so slowly that they've pulled the plug on it and are now just going to offer the roadster version only. Only 1200 or so were built in 4 years, with a total supposed to be built in 7 years. Clearly they weren't on pace to sell 3500 before the roadster came along. Most dealers here in the U.S. keep an SLR on the floor for over a year before it sells. The SLR has been a as close to a commercial flop as you can get, so far. The Roadster? We'll see what it does to get them closer to that 3500 goal.

M

We keep forgetting that we are talking about two distinct and separate projects here. The SLC is one, and the Gullwing is another. The SLC may stay close to the 200K$ mark. You better believe it that the gullwing will crack the $350K barrier--if I know my MB right.

The design is not going to be exactly as it is shown here on red, but it is definitely the right direction. It will compete with the 599 in terms of passion in styling and history. the car will be a looker, and even more, a performer.

The SLR was a flop if we consider the lofty goals it set out to get. It grew far more a performer, and far more expensive at the same time, than it was originally planned. But the dose of passion in the car did not grow enough to convince 500 souls a year for 7 straight years to part with 450K to have one. Simple as that. Although people admired it, they did not necessarily felt like digging their able wallet to have one. Why? There were other supercars in the range, or less expensively, with far more tug at their senses and heartstrings. You cannot ignore the fact that you can have a Murcielago with 4-wheel drive, a V12 and styling and substance to die for, and still have 200K left over from the price of the SLR. Or that you can now have the 599. Or that for the same money, you could have had a Carrera GT, or.. or... or... you get the idea!

If good at anything, MB is good at learning lessons. They will come up with another uber expensive car, but you better believe that it will leave far less wanting than the SLR. Oh, and they may not be setting sights at Ferrari and Aston Martin. I believe the bull's eye on the MB's gun this time is pointed straight at the back innverted E and B emblem on Veyron's behind. And the mighty Veyron is sensing the heat...

The SLR wasn't a flop. The car has sold pretty well but MB made the same mistake as Porsche did with the CGT. Both of them wanted to sell at least 500 cars per year which is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much for a super car.

One of the key beauty in super cars is that they are rare and exclusive. MB and Porsche not only screwed that up by selling too many but owners suffers as well since their cars aren't as worth as much as they should be.

If MB plans on trying to milk the cow again by trying to move more than 500 Gullwings priced at 450k a year, the car will be ruined like the CGT and SLR.

I was not aware that Porsche screwed things up with the CGT. They set out to make 1500 and they made 1500. Porche CGTs are very exclusive, esp now that are out of production, and their price is creeping up.

Actually they stopped the production at 1,270 since they noticed that the it wasn't selling like they expected. Even last year there were a handful of CGTs on show room floor in the US. One could get their hands on a CGT for just over 300k which is 66% less than what a new is sold for. That is totally unacceptable especially when used Enzos are sold for a lot more than a brand new one.

The less exclusivity and demand are proportional. Super cars are more than just cars. They are collectible objects and investments. Many CGT are disappointed with the resale value of their cars and I can understand that. Porsche produced to many just like MB did with the SLR.

IMO production for a super car shouldn't exceed 700-950 cars or 300 cars per year.

if supercars doesnt sell then I understand why BMW doesnt want to build a supercar.

Perhaps they may have over-estimated Carrera GT sales a tiny bit, but as far as I recall a great deal of the reason why Carrera GT production was stopped was because of air bag laws in the United States.

And even if they didn't sell as many as they expected, they certaintly made some profit! (certainly more than the 959, which as we all know, was an utter failure in terms of profit).

I get what you're saying though.

Super cars do actually sell but they shouldn't be mass produced. They shouldn't be turned into cash cow. We're talking super cars priced at 450k plus.
Cars below 200k are a different though, they can easily be sold at 4000-6000 cars/year without anyone whining. They are most lucrative and suitable for the brand like BMW, MB, Lexus and Audi.