Oh come on, it has been like that forever in Europe. Plenty of downmarket MBs around, they are ubiquitous as cabs. It’s only in the U.S. that we only get the upmarket trim packages.
You are correct..but in the long run, here in the US..it will cheapen the brand...look...NO car is worth $100k...or $200K..it’s status...people who have the $$ want to flaunt it..that’s why Toyota, Nissan,a ad Honda..all created separate brands...Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura..even though 95% of the cars are the same...it’s a separate, upscale dealership..it’s called MARKETING..