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Mercedes, Chrysler won’t share platforms

12/13/2006, 1:17 PM

By admin

Despite pressure to cut costs and increase productivity, DaimlerChrysler will not blur the distinctions between its Chrysler Group and Mercedes brands, said head of corporate development Ruediger Grube.

“A Mercedes will remain a Mercedes and may not share a platform with anyone,” Grube said, according to Reuters. “We will not use a vehicle platform for several brands.”

Recently, a number of investors began putting pressure DaimlerChrysler to consider a de-merger of Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz. The shareholders were critical of the lack of synergy between the two halves of the company. “Cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler is still very limited,” one portfolio manager said. Grube’s comments will likely bolster the de-merger movement among skeptical investors.

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12/13, 1:21 PM

posted by:

Renton

The only good part of Chrysler’s cars were the models that had all the Benz parts in them.

300’s are good b/c they feel like Benzes.

I doubt many folks cross shopped E-Classes and 300Cs.

12/13, 1:32 PM

posted by:

theshadow

It’s defenitely a good thing to keep Mercs and Chryslers running on different platforms in order to ensure that each divisions’s lineup isn’t compromised by the need to platform share. Huge volume cars like Chryslers have much different engineering priorities than high end luxury cars like Mercedes Benzes do.

But they should share COMPONENTS as much as possible to cut costs. If they combine their part buying power, it should allow DCX to get better quality components more cheaply, which is great; it doesn’t mean they have to share PLATFORMS.

12/13, 1:51 PM

posted by:

MyGodBeatsYourGod

Reusing previous MBs and dressing them up as Chryslers has worked to limited success with the Crossfire but to great success with the rear bits on the 300/Magnum/Charger.

The previous gen of any Merc is superior to anything ChryCo has done on their own for decades.

There is far worse ways of doing things than the ‘hand-me-downs’ they have tried so far. Keep them coming.

12/13, 1:53 PM

posted by:

megator

I think that they should do what they did w/ the 300 for all their similar cars. give chrystler the one gen old merc platforms. they arent as good as the modern ones but they are still good.

12/13, 2:04 PM

posted by:

F451

The end is near…the end of Chrysler. R.I.P.

12/13, 2:25 PM

posted by:

A4

yeah really merc should keep them and just boost interaction between the two brands with the old platform deal.

12/13, 2:41 PM

posted by:

Fatstrat

This will make it easier to spin off Chrysler if that ever happens.
By the way, Chrysler is not going anywhere.

12/13, 3:08 PM

posted by:

Ricardo Head

I personally want an S-class built on a Neon platform instead of that german ****.

12/13, 3:25 PM

posted by:

imageWIS

What a pointless, uniformed comment! ^

The only reason MB bought Chrysler was to raid its then cash-rich coffers.

Jon.

12/13, 3:41 PM

posted by:

chevy490

chrysler i respect u alot more than for keep it up!

12/13, 3:52 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

Damn right, Fatstrat. :) And this means we won’t hear people complaining about “badge engineering” like they constantly do with GM while conveniently ignoring Toy Ota and its clones.

12/13, 4:38 PM

posted by:

Hal

Contrary to what imageWIS says Chrysler would have gone belly up years ago if DaimlerBenz hadn’t bought it. The Germans bought a lousy corporation with ageing models and bloated overheads and have pumped billions into it trying to save it.
What a great name btw: Ruediger Grube

12/13, 4:41 PM

posted by:

Lucifer

Chrysler does nothing for mercedes. when mercedes starts being profitable, chrysler pulls the company down.

mercedes needs to sell off chrysler and become a smaller more profitable company like it’s neighbors bmw and porsche.

along with it’s divitions maybach, smart, and mclaren (which i personally think should go back to being a seperate brand).

12/13, 4:50 PM

posted by:

GL1

Somebody will just buy chrysler from Benz is all, after all they are making money now (granted not much) but they are doing A LOT BETTER than Ford is…

12/13, 5:26 PM

posted by:

imageWIS

Hal,

My info came from an inside source at Chrysler who is pretty high up the ladder.

Jon.

12/13, 6:24 PM

posted by:

Phil

All of Zetsche’s kids are on Facebook, went to Detroit Country Day School, have all American friends, and are attending American universities (Duke and UPenn). And Zetsche himself has a profile on Facebook too (it’s really him, not a decoy or fake, and he’s wearing a PT Cruiser polo shirt). If you want to ask the real Dr. Z, set up a Facebook account. I haven’t asked him any questions yet, but I seriously doubt that Chrysler’s going anywhere. The family’s really gotten close with the Detroit area (even if they don’t have a house there anymore), and their kids’ friends all live there.

12/13, 9:57 PM

posted by:

angelo

If Chrysler can continue doing old platforms profitably and they can share stuff like engines, transmissions, switches and such… there may be enough synergy to keep Chrysler alive.

12/14, 1:27 AM

posted by:

Stuart

imageWIS – What else is the source gonna say his probably mad at Mercedes for buying Chrysler.

12/14, 9:33 PM

posted by:

Veda

There’s no reason for buying a Chrysler anymore.

12/15, 7:58 AM

posted by:

Hal

my question for your inside source imageWIS is if Chrysler was hugely profitable why did they agree to the “merger” with the Germans in the first place? After all it was not a hostile takeover, it was a deal agreed by both sides.

 
 
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