Diamler-Chyrsler
 

What's the big change in Mercedes Benz since Diamler Chrysler took over? Anyone want to give it a shot, good and bad? Why can't Diamler Chrysler make a simple MB like the 240D or 300 D (turbo diesel), like they did in the early 80's? Is it that hard to recreate something simple and popular? I believe that Ford went back to a Mustang a Thunderbird from its early days. Also what other automobile manufactures is Diamler-Chrysler putting its "footprints" on, such as designs etc.?

There is no "Bling-Bling" in a low cost, low profit car. Or a car without a thousand gadgets to play with.

"Bling-Bling", is that like AIDS
 

or that flesh eating virus??? :sick2:
If it causes the manufacture of junk, it must be bad. :sick2:

Well actually MB took over Chrysler, it was a take over not a merger. All of the American's in high positions were fired. The Germans run Chrysler now it is a German run and owned company. MB and Chrysler I think are branches in Diamler AG but that is owned by the Duestch Bank(sp?) they have the money so they call the shots. I think this is correct I will have to read up on it again it is a little confuseing.

Hmmm
 

Small correction. :(
Mr Daimler has control of Daimler, even the Duestch Bank does not tell him what to do!!! :eek:
Mr Daimler is on the bord of the Duestch Bank. :eek:

My Bad
 

I wasn't aware that Diamler bought out Chrysler. What parts of Diamler has affected the auto industry, such as i've heard that they're helping Hyundi with auto designs etc.?

Vell, Vee Haff Vays Off
 

Currently:
Mr Daimler owns in the USA.
Freightliner.
Jeep.
Chrysler.

And more that I don't know about.

Is that why the new Maybach looks like a giant Hyundai Sonata?

But seriously, I read somewhere that the Koreans are building one of Daimler-Benzes older models, on the condition that the cars are only for the Korean market and can't be exported.

As to the quality issue, an expensive luxury car may be expensive to maintain, but as far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse for poor reliability. I'll continue to enjoy my simple and ancient Benzes, but for my more modern daily-drivers, I'm afraid I must look to Japan.

Happy Motoring, Mark

NO, the Koreans aren't building any Daimler-Benz cars. They were to build some Mercedes-Benz trucks (sold here as Freightliners) but the partnership with DaimlerChrysler (DCX) ended and DCX sold its stake in Hyundai which was 10%.

One thing I'd like to make sure everyone understands is that Mercedes has never been a victim of the merger that resulted in DCX. The company as Hatterasguy stated is run by the Germans inside out. Mercedes-Benz started going downhill in 1995 when all the models were cheapened and base prices were dropped by thousands of dollars. The DCX merger occurred in 1998. The victims of the merger have been Americans who lost jobs when Wolfgang Bernhard (who, by the way, is no longer with DCX and was just hired to fix the mess at Volkswagen AG) shut down 7 Chrysler factories in order to slash operating costs! I keep seeing people mentioning that Mercedes-Benzes are now like Chryslers. I just laugh at such ignorant statements. Mercedes-Benz is the God in the DCX organization. Nothing has been sacrificed in M-B to make any other division of DCX better. Like I already stated, M-B was already going downhill. The M-B division supported DCX for years as the Chrysler Group (Chrysler brand, Dodge, Jeep) posted losses year after year. Now, Chrysler has been resurrected and is actually the only Detroit-based automaker to be making great profits.

M-B has been donating its technological prowess to the Chrysler Group. However, the Executives at DCX made sure that in order not to tarnish the superiority of M-B, all M-B technologies donated to Chrysler must be stuff that M-B has advanced beyond. So, we get the Chrysler Crossfire, based on the old SLK. The Hemi engine has a Multi Displacement System which shuts off half the cylinders when the power isn't needed. This technology was used on the W140 S600 engine. M-B no longer uses it. Then the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum have seat designs and suspension setups based on those of the old E-Class. They also have the M-B five speed automatic transmission, which, even though are still being used by M-B in some models, is kind of old too since M-B has moved onto a 7 speed. Finally, the Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 uses the 3.2L Supercharged V6 from AMG which powered the old CLK32 AMG. Furthermore, the power in that powerplant has been reduced to 330 HP in the Chrysler, from 362 in the M-B. There you go!! :D

Thanks Richard, You seem to be very knowledgeable at the history. Glad I know more now. I wish DCX would put a Diesel engine in that Dodge Ram 1500 1/2 ton. :)

You're welcome. :)

Some more info: DCX Chairman Jurgen Schremp's reason for acquiring Chrysler was his plan to make DCX the world's premier automaker. In the process, he also acquired 37% of Mitsubishi Motors. So, right now, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Dodge are involved in a joint project developing the so-called "world" four cylinder engine that would be used in cars made by the three brands. Initially, there were plans to use the same engine in Mercedes Smart Cars, but that plan was scrapped as they felt it would affect Mercedes' prestige.

Mitsubishi is now in big trouble. The company has been losing money due to scandals resulting from the company's hidings of known manufacturing and design defects on its vehicles. When money was needed to bail out Mitsubishi a few months ago, the DCX Board voted against it, so now, DCX is no longer the major shareholder of Mitsubishi Motors - DCX owns just 23% now, most of it being shares in the Mitsubishi Trucks Division.

DCX is huge on Commercial Trucks. They have 70% of the world's market for those trucks. M-B car division isn't really making much money now. Most of the profits from the Mercedes-Benz Group come from the trucks which are extremely profitable.

I too wish for a diesel engine in a stand full size pickup truck - - the F150 to be exact.

Yes, I'd love to see a Diesel in an F-150. I had a 1984, F-250 with a 6.9 liter International engine for 12 years. Never any problems, except the normal wear and tear. I sold it in 1996 in San Antonio, Texas. Man I wished I'd have kept that truck. In 2001, while living in Austin, I was working at my restuarant and noticed that looking through the window was "my old truck". I just went outside and waited for the person that was driving it came out. He did and I explained to him, that I had previously owned the truck. He wanted to thank me for selling the truck in a trade in. He origionally purchased it for a "Farm Truck" around his ranch. After driving it for a few weeks he decided that this was going to be his truck and he'd find a junker to do the farming around the ranch. :)

There was going to be a diesel in the F150, slated for 2004. Ford spent millions developing the "Baby" diesel with Navistar but couldn't make the noise and vibration requirements they had set. They finally scrapped the program and Navistar sued Ford. Don't know the outcome.

It was a real nice turbo diesel. Was going to go into the F150, Explorer, and Excursion. (From what I remember)

Yes indeed. I read about that -- it makes me even more sad to see that Ford couldn't simply approach M-B to license one of the CDI engines. The diesel V8 Ford was going to put in the Ford Explorer, Expedition, Excursion and F150 was a 4.5L V8 making 235 HP and an amazing 455 ft-lb of torque!! But, as you know, the plans were dropped. :(

Brave Richard--Yes I think the Volvo 240sof the 80s can make that boast--short on gadgets but long on reliability.Esay to fix, reliable, change the OIl and do the maintenence and they will never die.