Mercedes finally launches subscription service
It's not the only program of its type and it has taken a while to get underway, but Mercedes-Benz has finally launched its new monthly subscription service. The brand has provided significant detail about the costs and what vehicles are available to subscribers under the various levels of the program, but for the moment, it's only being offered in the US cities of Nashville and Philadelphia.
The upmarket brand offers three levels for consumers to subscribe to -- named Signature, Reserve and Premier. The higher the subscription level, the fancier the vehicles are that are offered.
The most affordable subscription is Signature, but affordable is a relative term as it will set consumers back from $1,095 per month. Go for the mid-level Reserve and the price goes up to $1,595 per month, and the top-level Premier subscription is an eye-watering $2,995 per month. On top of the monthly subscription fee, all three levels require the subscriber to pay a one-off $495 membership fee too.
Signature subscribers can choose from all body styles of the C300, the CLA45, both SUV and "coupe" forms of the GLC300 crossover, and the SLC300 roadster. Those choosing to pay the extra for the Reserve package can then choose between the E300 sedan, E400 wagon and coupe, C43 sedan and coupe, GLE350, GLC43, and the SLC43 roadster. As should be expected for the big jump in cost, the Premier subscription offers some really impressive models. These include the E63, C63 and S560 sedans, the C63 S coupe, GLE63 S SUV, GLE S "coupe" SUV, GLS550, G550, and the SL550 roadster.
Subscribers can swap between different models at their level, but if they want something from a higher band that's allowed as long as they pay the extra daily fees until they return to something within their subscription level.
As well as the vehicles themselves, the subscription fee also includes insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. A feature that's different from some other manufacturers' similar schemes is a lack of mileage restrictions.
It's not clear when or if Mercedes is planning to roll out the service to other areas and other markets, but if it proves popular enough in Nashville and Philadelphia, expect to see it coming to a Mercedes dealership near you before too long.
