In reference to VAG engineering being shared across brands, dont forget the new S6 – with the Lambo engine no less! And does the fact that the R32 Golf has Lambo steering wheel devalue the Gallardo? And lets not forget what the Cayenne really is underneath. Further more, VAG’s aquisition of Lambo has actually improved the quality and reliabilty of recent cars which has dont nothing but improve the brand’s image.

People who jump in claiming this is all down hill for Merc clearly dont understand the ins and out of exactly how platform/component sharing works across brands. As for Audi not being deemed to be in the same league as Merc, which stone have you been hiding under for the last 10 years? Unless the Audi range in the US is smaller than here in Europe (where no body buys Chrysler/Dodge any way!!)

The ability to get more life out of the research investment enables MB to spend more on it. That way if MB gets all the cool stuff first and then move the more mature equipment to Chrysler etc. they know that the ROI will be much higher than compared to running it only on the Mercedes brand.

To bring the VW/Audi argument into perspective, Porsche also shares parts with Audi, just to decrease the development costs.

I don’t think that that ability to buy a cheaper vehicle on the same platform as a luxury vehicle is a problem at all. Take the E-Class and a Dodge Charger for instance. You can but a V8 dodge for roughly 20K less than a V6 E-Class. But you have to drive the E-Class to understand why that amount is substantiated. If you want raw power and don’t mind a little “rough around the edges” by all means go with the Dodge. In fact if it was too refined I think it would by nature not be a Dodge. Now the Mercedes is on the other side of the spectrum. Even when you have a monster E55 AMG the power delivery is absolutely smooth and the ride quality is never compromised, but you pay somewhat for all the pampering and sound insulation with performance. The ride in the E is on one word “Majesticâ€?.

Animal: When can the American public buy a domestically-branded C1 platform car? Please? Pretty pretty please with a cherry on top?

Does this devalue the Audi/VW marque? No, quite the opposite, its improved the image of the lesser brands as most of the engineering is done for the former and the platforms are merely used for the latter brands to keep costs down. Same with power plants. Everyone is assuming the Mercs will be built on rubbish US engineered platforms rather than the other way around. Also, Merc has siginficantly improved its quality issues, having seen the error in its ways! Though BMW fans clearly havent been paying attention to relability issues and gaping panel gaps on recent Bavarian offerings! Mind you, said people rarely look beyond the badge and kidney grill anyway…

I’ve worked in the auto industry for 8 years now and currently at FMC where platform sharing has been happening for sometime, allowing resources and finances to be freed up for the development of vastly superior cars with improved build quality.

If they’re saving all that money working with Chrysler, why don’t they just pass the savings on to the consumer, become a middle-of-the-road brand, and then at least the consumer would get something out of the association.

As it is, they’re still “Mercedes” when you pay them, but they’re a mutt when you drive it off the lot.

And I’d have to agree. I don’t think the Commander’s styling is remotely worthy of praise.

High end cars are not just price inflated, a lot more goes into the components. It doesnt mean they won’t break, but it does mean a lot more technology and research goes into it.

Bottom line is that for this to work Mercedes has to keep their level of quality. If they can do that and make chryslers better cars then more power to them.

What are the other reason then? I cant think of any. BMW’s are for badge snobs and sales reps.

Why is platform sharing a bad thing? It makes good business sense, freeing up cash to spend else where in development.