Mercedes, Chrysler won't share platforms
12-14-2006, 09:56 PM
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Mercedes, Chrysler won't share platforms
Mercedes, Chrysler won't share platforms
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.
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.
nice, at least 1 person at daimler-chrysler is using their brain!
12-14-2006, 10:52 PM
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05 C55
12-14-2006, 11:48 PM
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wait wait wait.... I saw on BBC's Top Gear, that the chrysler 300c uses the older E class W210 platform.
also, the crossfire is built in the SL plant in germany. i'm pretty sure something goes on in there!
also, the crossfire is built in the SL plant in germany. i'm pretty sure something goes on in there!
12-14-2006, 11:53 PM
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"Basically, the company took the mechanicals of the $45,000 SLK, slipped them beneath a dramatic new shell, stuck a Chrysler badge on it, and is selling the experiment for the bargain price of $34,495.
Indeed, some 40 percent of the technology and mechanicals in the Crossfire are lifted directly from Mercedes--everything from the supercharged V-6 engine to the power train, brakes, and suspension. Even the little turn-signal wand on the wrong side of the steering column is shared with its corporate cousin, the SLK. (The Crossfire is in fact made in Germany.)"
12-15-2006, 03:14 AM
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using old MB platform is not sharing plateform. when the Crossfire went on sale the new SLK is already out and when the SRT-6 went on sale the AMG replaced the C32/SLK32 with the 55s.
however I can think of 1 model that's currently sharing the platform. The R-class and the Pacifica.
however I can think of 1 model that's currently sharing the platform. The R-class and the Pacifica.
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12-15-2006, 08:28 AM
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The R-Class and Pacificia do not share a platform. I don't know how many times I've seen this and it is always incorrect. The Pacificia is built on a modified FWD platform and the R is AWD only.
The Crossfire uses the old SLK chassis.
The 300/Magnum/Charger all used bits and pieces from the W210 E-Class, not the W211.
M
The Crossfire uses the old SLK chassis.
The 300/Magnum/Charger all used bits and pieces from the W210 E-Class, not the W211.
M
12-15-2006, 09:24 AM
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The standard issue 5-speed transmission w/ touch shift (auto stick as Chrysler calls them) used in Chrysler vehicles are still the same as the 4matic cars. Not chassis sharing but component sharing.
I did read an article from CNN that common parts will be shared among the two companies though, that they say are less noticible to customers, such as waterpumps, etc, things the customer doesn't see. Those types of things, where they can mass produce those and since they only have to make one component to share among the cars, it saves them money.
I did read an article from CNN that common parts will be shared among the two companies though, that they say are less noticible to customers, such as waterpumps, etc, things the customer doesn't see. Those types of things, where they can mass produce those and since they only have to make one component to share among the cars, it saves them money.
12-15-2006, 09:46 AM
#11
Leave it to American market analysts to assume that Daimler-Chrysler will conform to the American synergy model that says that all cars across lines be built from the same platform. Afterall, it has worked so well for GM... NOT!
The SLK/Crossfire was the first experiment. The "hand-me-down" strategy of reusing older MB platforms in new Chrysler vehicles amortizes the costs over a longer period, which IMO is a savvy move. However, as some have pointed out, we haven't seen a wholesale switch. So it's wait and see.
The "component synergy" makes a great deal of sense, provided the quality of the water pump matches former Mercedes expectations. It raises the bar in Chrysler vehicles this way, while maintaining the status quo at MBZ. It may even have beneficial effects, when we go the the Chrysler dealer to buy that water pump for 30% less than the same part at the MB dealer. Surely that will happen, right?
As long as MB doesn't adopt Chrysler's interior panel attachment parts. I won't pay a Mercedes price for an interior that falls apart at 70,000 miles.
The SLK/Crossfire was the first experiment. The "hand-me-down" strategy of reusing older MB platforms in new Chrysler vehicles amortizes the costs over a longer period, which IMO is a savvy move. However, as some have pointed out, we haven't seen a wholesale switch. So it's wait and see.
The "component synergy" makes a great deal of sense, provided the quality of the water pump matches former Mercedes expectations. It raises the bar in Chrysler vehicles this way, while maintaining the status quo at MBZ. It may even have beneficial effects, when we go the the Chrysler dealer to buy that water pump for 30% less than the same part at the MB dealer. Surely that will happen, right?
As long as MB doesn't adopt Chrysler's interior panel attachment parts. I won't pay a Mercedes price for an interior that falls apart at 70,000 miles.
12-15-2006, 10:00 AM
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The "component synergy" makes a great deal of sense, provided the quality of the water pump matches former Mercedes expectations. It raises the bar in Chrysler vehicles this way, while maintaining the status quo at MBZ. It may even have beneficial effects, when we go the the Chrysler dealer to buy that water pump for 30% less than the same part at the MB dealer. Surely that will happen, right?
12-15-2006, 03:29 PM
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The way I interpret the first article is that there will never be a brand new Mercedes and Chrysler vehicle released at the same time that share the same platform. Like the Solstice and the Sky. So if new Chryslers use old Benz platforms thats different. I'm sure an old Benz platform is better than any new Chrysler platform anyway! lol
