[Dnick]

Let's not spit on the baby before it's born. :act039:

 

[Dnick]

The Merc truck will be overpriced, over-complicated and over-engineered. Not to mention, like most every other German car, it will be expensive to maintain and will lose its value extremely fast. No thanks.

One of these???

:act024: :act035: :cheerleader: :act030: :act018:

 

[Dnick]

"Exclusivity"??? How do end up owning a Honda?

 

[Dnick]

How did I end up owning a Honda? Keep in mind this is not just any Honda - it is a Ridgeline! Perhaps one of the most exclusive vehicles around if you look at the numbers. If we were talking Civic or Accord or even Odyssey I would agree that the term "exclusivity" could not possibly apply, even in a stretch. But it is spot on when talking about the Ridgeline. It is a "niche" vehicle, a true cult classic much like the movie "Night of the Living Dead". In 30 years it will be worth far more than any F150 on the road today. It has a place, a very exclusive place, in the truck market. It simply is not understood by most mere mortals. But we here are different and know better. Right?

Take a look here: http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/p/sales-stats.html. If you punch in the Ridgeline you will find that last year's sales stats show 13,389 trucks sold. Now, punch in the MB M class that I bought (and that some people consider "exclusive") and you will find that Mercedes sold 46,726 of them during the same 2014 sales year - more than three times as many! This holds true for virtually every year the Ridgeline and the M series have been in existence.

So, I suppose it is all about how we define "exclusivity". Some people define it by using factors such as brand name, price paid, implied badge status, etc. But certainly one of the most important aspects of that term which we can put a finger on is how many are actually on the road in the hands of drivers. In other words, which vehicles do you see often and which are seen rarely? In that regard the Ridgeline wins hands down as not only one of the most "exclusive" trucks in America but one of the most exclusive vehicles period. Would you agree?

OK... I DO agree with your points in the reply above; but they seem a bit removed from the original context/use of the term "exclusivity".
As here:
"I want the truck to be luxurious and have a badge of distinction with the uniqueness and exclusivity that goes along with that. And of course it has to be expensive and overpriced to have those things because they go hand in hand. In the end, it is only money."

I may have misunderstood, but THAT statement certainly implied exclusivity as to mean everyone cannot have one, as opposed to simply meaning unique. Expensive and Overpriced may apply to "exclusive", but they certainly are not required for "uniqueness".

No question the RL stands out & is a superb, if not universally appreciated, vehicle. Good reason to buy one.
Myself, I could never see the attraction of something just because it was expensive, carried a certain badge, or held higher "status". As a matter of fact, there are countless examples of "prestige" vehicles that weren't worth a damn in the reliability department.... and in turn cost a fortune to keep maintained. A little perverse if you ask me. I don't count Mercedes in that group. But with respect to being "unique", I would say their primary model groups are less unique than the Ridgeline....

So is it unique or exclusive. Different terms. I can respect wanting to own the Mercedes truck to get a unique vehicle, much like the RL. But that would be because that truck would indeed be unique, not just because it carries the Mercedes badge. Otherwise, you're buying into the "prestige" definition of exclusivity, as opposed to the "unique" definition. Nothing wrong with chasing prestige, if that's what spins your wheel. Just didn't see the connection to our more pragmatic RL. All depends on how you view "value".

Boy am I splitting hairs..... but just thought maybe I should clarify my original meaning when questioning how "exclusivity" put you in a Honda.

 

[Dnick]

Maybe we can retrofit some of those MB truck seats into our RL??? I'm guessing they'll be a notch or two beyond ours. :act024:

 

[Dnick]

Any speculation as to why Mercedes will be building the truck in Mexico? Seems that if they didn't intend for it to populate the U.S. market, they may have been able to build it cheaper in, say, Thailand. That is Ford's game plan with their global Ranger.

If I recall correctly, I believe I read here that Mexico or Canada gets them past the "chicken tax" on trucks.

 

[Dnick]

OK... I missed the previous implication..... :act014:

 

[Dnick]

Worst part about that prospect is that it would provide motivation to hold back features from the RL, just as they did not give us some pretty basic features at first (2006 model) from the MDX!

 

[Dnick]

Yikes!! Bling-Bling Baja! :act024:

 

[Dnick]

I think an MB is ridiculous but ......MB suv was followed by Porsche suv. I've never seen a commercial for either or personally seen one off road yet people still buy them. I think @ that rate is more status than functionality

...... you're probably right that it's mostly status.... but don't forget the functionality they get in the way of that huge interior space vs. a sedan. That part is practical, and likely does get utilized, even with these high-end brands/buyers. Just 'cause they don't go off-road doesn't mean they don't need an SUV or truck. Ten bucks says MOST Ridgelines have not been off-road either (as in >50%).