PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - what if daimler chrysler built cars that looked like mercedes with chrysler quality?

pj67coll · #25 04-27-2006, 01:20 AM

I think Chrysler is the leader in American Style at present. And that's because of fairly heavy "retro" in their products. Of course where American manufacturers have the jump on Jappanese ones is that they actually have a styling history that they can look back on for inspiration. The Jappanese have never managed to build a visually appealing car in my opinion until possibly some of their current high end vehicles. Historically they simply copied Europe and the USA and/or designed variations on an egg. Chrysler actually "has" a 300 in its history to look back on as Ford has a Mustang. What does Toyota have? or Honda?

As far as Mercedes is concerned. Is it true that their styling department is now in Japan? I think the 2007 S Class is a disgusting amalgam of a Nissan Altima with Ford Focus fenders. For me the biggest problem with Mercedes is the pronounced wedge shape resulting in small unimpressive grills that have largely lost their visual heritage from the cars of the 60's etc. They have no presence. Contrast that with the large and visually impressive grill of the Chrysler 300 which I think visually has more presence than the E-Class.

Just my opinion of course.

- Peter.