system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: In standardized fare zones, how is it economical for some taxi drivers to drive Mercedes whilst charging the same fare as cheaper cars?

Where I live all taxis have a standard fare, I have never understood why some drivers drive a Mercedes when it costs the same to hire a car of the same size that costs the driver/ taxi company less. Most taxi ranks are queued also so it's not like they get significantly more patrons by driving the nicer car.
gpt
Mercedes has a long history of catering to the taxi industry. They have special offers and spec levels that are not available to the general public.

I don't know where you are from and brand image can vary a lot between countries, but here in Germany Mercedes is strongly going for the "working class aspirational" market. Associating their cars with workhorses providing modest everyday luxury fits that pretty well.