I have heard Chrysler is in financial trouble again, and they are possibly up for sale etc. My curiosity is do you have any thoughts on how this might affect Mercedes Benz? Could they possibly be washed up if they go down??

Maybe the'll shed ChryCo and their quality will improve.

Mercedes won't go down with Chryco, it can hurt them financially but I'd imagine they'd sooner write Chrysler completely off than go down with it.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

That's kind of how I feel. I have always surmised that Chrysler wasn't such a great counterpart.

It would possibly free up more capital for future development of Mercedes cars. On the other hand the life of Mercedes currant designs would be shortened greatly, because they would not be able to sell them under Chrysler's name for a few years after they done using them.

Its a mixed bag, overall I think either way Mercedes car division will come out just fine, they are the crown jewl of that company after all.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

In all honesty, I'd like to see MB and VW merge.

Based on the news reports a couple of weeks ago, it sure sounded like DC was looking to dump Chrysler, maybe sell them to to toyota or someone. Maybe they just decided they couldn't turn that dinosaur around, or maybe they got what they needed and are done bleeding them. It was never clear to me why they bought Chrysler in the first place, there must be more to this story.

Chrysler was in decent shape in 1998, they were looking for a cash cow. Mercedes cars never made any money, so Chrysler was supposed to make the share holders money. There were a few other reasons.

Need I remind you guys that back in 1998 Diamler had some competition in buying Chrysler, they were not the only ones who wanted to buy them.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

OK, I guess. If they wanted a cash cow, maybe they should have scooped up one of the small asian manufactures with a U.S. market? I just can't imagine that buying any "old school" U.S. manufacturing company is a good move these days.

Mercedes cars never made money? Pretty sure they made a fortune in the 80s alone. Bought up the European Space Prog. if I remember (EADS or something). think they still have a stake in it.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Mercedes cars, not Mercedes heavy trucks. Mercedes heavy trucking has always done well. Its a big company Mercedes cars is but one division.

Read the book, Chrysler was porfitable, Kerkorian was pushing to buy them.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200