Mercedes ad campaign

[Noah930]

What's with the recent MB ads touting the active safety systems on their cars? Actors portray MB owners and espouse on how their Benz informed them they were drifting out of their lane or braked for them to avoid an accident.

On one hand, it's great to tout the safety of MB products. But do I want to be known as the car company selling products to people who are such bad drivers that they shouldn't be driving at all?

[1990C4S]

I don't even want an airbag in my car, let alone that crap.

[Christien]

I think it's more a question of people seeing themselves as that driver. Maybe not so much admitting to themselves that they're a bad driver, but realizing they've done things like drifted out of their lane, onto the shoulder, whatever it is. If the advertising company can sell it as something everyone does now and then, as opposed to such things being the hallmark of a bad driver, then it works. Reality doesn't matter, it's perception.

[McLovin]

Not to brag, but I've successfully stayed in my lane and braked to avoid hitting other cars/objects for 30 years . . . all without the aid of electronic devices!

That's just how I roll, i guess.

[scottmandue]

They are just copying what Volvo did years ago.

And I agree that cars are becoming too techno... cars that parallel park? Give me a break! ethrottle and ebrake NO THANK YOU!

I would like active cruise control though...

[Christien]

Personally, I want a car that's so technologically sophisticated that I can work or sleep on the highway. Seriously. The technology exists, and such a car has been built (can't remember by whom - saw something on national geographic or discovery a while back). The car "talks" to other cars via cellular communication, senses proximity to other cars, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. and of course navigates by gps. Even if it only works on certain roads (like freeways), I'd pay big bucks for that. I spend minimum 6 hours a week on the highway. It'd be like adding another day to my week if I could sleep or work during that time.

[RWebb]

I agree - until the car can drive itself, I would not advertise that the car compensates for inattentive driving.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Christien

Personally, I want a car that's so technologically sophisticated that I can work or sleep on the highway. Seriously. The technology exists, and such a car has been built (can't remember by whom - saw something on national geographic or discovery a while back). The car "talks" to other cars via cellular communication, senses proximity to other cars, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. and of course navigates by gps. Even if it only works on certain roads (like freeways), I'd pay big bucks for that. I spend minimum 6 hours a week on the highway. It'd be like adding another day to my week if I could sleep or work during that time.

Ever have you cell phone drop out? Your GPS freeze on you? Driving is too dangerous an activity to rely on electronic gadget IMHO.

I'm waiting (cringe) for someone to get run over by a car parking itself.

Just look at the Toyota fiasco.

[Christien]

No doubt, it's not ready for prime time yet. But presumably those are issues that can/will be fixed with the advancement of the technology.

What's the Toyota issue?

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

They are just copying what Volvo did years ago.

I remember when a comedian joked that Volvos appealed to bad drivers. If you know you're going to crash, might as well buy the safest car on the market, right?

Instead, Volvo's now pushing the "naughty" image.

I don't think I'm the target demographic for MB, anyway, so what do they care what I think of their ads.

[Peconga]

All the electronic gadgets they put in cars today are great, until they don't work. What happens in the service bay seven years from now, when some poor schmuck has to diagnose and repair that "lane-change-drift-detection" system? Or when the second owner has to shell out $3K to replace a toasted remote sensor board just to get his car operational again? Increasing system complexity virtually guarantees that consumers will be captives of the manufacturer's dealer network, since independent repair shops will never be able to service those vehicles satisfactorily.

As a former reliability engineer and software quality manager with a Fortune 50 manufacturing company, I can assure you that lifetime operating costs (borne by the consumer) are NOT a priority during new product development; the only after-sale costs that get factored into the equation are those incurred by the manufacturer e.g. warranty repairs, recall campaigns, mandated recycling programs, etc. Meanwhile, planned obsolescence is generally treated as a future sales opportunity, either for high-margin replacement parts or to "Up-Sell" the consumer to a current-generation product.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Christien

What's the Toyota issue?

Good morning Rip Van Winkle!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I don't think I'm the target demographic for MB, anyway, so what do they care what I think of their ads.

Yes you are.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Some of the stuff MB makes is great, other things just make you shake your head...

I'm guessing they're touting this stuff to stay "cutting edge" and the side benefit of getting people to believe they're driving in an insulated cocoon from the rest of the world because of all this newfangled (and expensive) safety stuff is good for their bottom line too - when people start feeling naked and exposed without it, not confident in their own abilities, they'll pay a premium to have and maintain those systems.

I like my MB but there are very few of their models that I'd consider "driver's" cars (I think my SLK qualifies, the SLs do, the AMG line does and obviously the McLarens do). The run-of-the-mill E, S and C class? Nope. Cocoons. Well-appointed cocoons, but cocoons nonetheless.

[cbush]

Must be reasonably effective because over time I have begun to think that a MB might be a good next car for my wife because they are about as safe a car as you can buy--or at least that is my perception. Starts with the crash test videos of a few years ago, and continues with the ads today.

And by the way, while I love the rawness of the early 70 911s. For everday commuting, there is something to be said for traction control, airbags, etc. The trailer sway control on our truck is an awesome feature. So I am a fan of modern technology!

Just another sheep I suppose...

[widebody911]

Volvo Caught in Another Safety Demo Blunder - Motor Trend

Volvo’s Collision Avoidance System Fails, Result Is A S60 Swedish Pancake | Car Reviews and Auto News by CarReview.com

[looneybin]

they should put all that stuff on Buicks, the AARP crowd are the drivers that need it.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

By the end of the twentieth century we will have cars that fly through the air. We'll have automated pilot systems and be able spend time with our family during our commutes. The new technologies that we can only dream of will make our lives better and will be within our reach.

I just cannot wait until 1999 and we can see all those things transpire!


Yepper, sure looks like a company selling to folks who need assistance driving and staying in their lanes. Should possibly be targeted to octogenarians???

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Christien

Personally, I want a car that's so technologically sophisticated that I can work or sleep on the highway.

= high speed rail.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I don't even want an airbag in my car, let alone that crap.

this,

maybe ABS, maybe.

When I first got my Honda, I thought there was something wrong with it. Had trouble starting it. Turn the key, NOTHING. Turns out you have to push the clutch to the floor before it will start. I managed to drive my bug for 20 years without that being an issue. Put in neutral, start car, how hard is that?