Who knew?
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From: Central California Coast
2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Who knew?
I just got around to reading the 500 issue of Fortune (cover date 4/18). In there is an article on automotive manufacturing outsourcing. One of the interesting pieces of information in the article is that Magna Steyr makes the current MB E-Class 4MATIC vehicles, in Graz. So our fine German machines are fine Austrian machines.
I wonder it there's any quality difference between the Manga Steyr manufactured cars and the in-house ones. The only manufacutring defect I found in my 11/04 build E500 wagon was that the microphone for the cell phone and the voice command wasn't connected. I'm not even sure that's installed at the manufacturing facility, could be at the port of entry.
Jim
I wonder it there's any quality difference between the Manga Steyr manufactured cars and the in-house ones. The only manufacutring defect I found in my 11/04 build E500 wagon was that the microphone for the cell phone and the voice command wasn't connected. I'm not even sure that's installed at the manufacturing facility, could be at the port of entry.
Jim
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
It's come up from time to time, for instance:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/91409-where-e-class-made.html
A car's place of final assembly seems to be less and less important, given that cars are assembled with parts from all over the world. Two current models that are often promoted as the rebirth of the American muscle car, the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac GTO, are assembled in Canada and Australia respectively. There may be limits on globalism in car manufacturing beyond which a maker goes at its own peril, though, and the ML's manufacture in Alabama comes to mind in that respect.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/91409-where-e-class-made.html
A car's place of final assembly seems to be less and less important, given that cars are assembled with parts from all over the world. Two current models that are often promoted as the rebirth of the American muscle car, the Chrysler 300C and Pontiac GTO, are assembled in Canada and Australia respectively. There may be limits on globalism in car manufacturing beyond which a maker goes at its own peril, though, and the ML's manufacture in Alabama comes to mind in that respect.
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2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by DWP
A car's place of final assembly seems to be less and less important, given that cars are assembled with parts from all over the world.
Jim
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
I didn't pick up your point about having a Mercedes built by a contractor instead of in a Mercedes-owned factory. It's a good point because it raises the question of what brand identity really means. If a Mercedes is built by a contractor outside Germany, using content from a dozens or hundreds of other contractors, is it just the fact of design and (one hopes) supervision and QC by Mercedes that makes it a Benz? Apparently so.
Incidentally, 30+ years ago, when I was in school, I needed a cheap bicycle and I bought a Steyr bike, made in Austria. Seems that the Steyr folks have branched out since then.
Incidentally, 30+ years ago, when I was in school, I needed a cheap bicycle and I bought a Steyr bike, made in Austria. Seems that the Steyr folks have branched out since then.
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Tesla
There was a news release yesterday that C and E class for local market in China will be built in Shanghai!
As if Mercedes doesn't have enough quality issues with cars built inhouse, now they're trusting the Chinese to build them?
I hope they apply enough superglue to keep the wheels on...
As if Mercedes doesn't have enough quality issues with cars built inhouse, now they're trusting the Chinese to build them?
I hope they apply enough superglue to keep the wheels on...
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2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by DWP
If a Mercedes is built by a contractor outside Germany, using content from a dozens or hundreds of other contractors, is it just the fact of design and (one hopes) supervision and QC by Mercedes that makes it a Benz?
I don't know what, if any, part of the E-class 4MATIC was designed by Magna Steyr. Possible none. Contractors that build low-volume convertibles typically design that part of the car, as well as reinforcement structures. Karmann famously designed the whole body and interior of the Karmann-Ghia.
Originally Posted by DWP
Incidentally, 30+ years ago, when I was in school, I needed a cheap bicycle and I bought a Steyr bike, made in Austria. Seems that the Steyr folks have branched out since then.
Jim
Last edited by CASL55; Apr 22, 2005 at 02:33 PM.
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2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I was under the impression that the E Class 4 MATIC is built in Austria and the regular cars are built in Germany. This is why the 4MATIC's do not have a C in their paint code and the German ones do which designates ClearCoat.
Also, the ones that will be built in Asia are for the Asian market, from what I have read.
Also, the ones that will be built in Asia are for the Asian market, from what I have read.
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From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
This is why the 4MATIC's do not have a C in their paint code and the German ones do which designates ClearCoat.
The reason the 4matics are built in Graz is that Magna Steyr did the development of the 4matic system. They have a huge wealth of knowledge when it comes to four wheel drive, and it was a wise decision for MB to hire them for this work. The body shells are made by MB, sent unpainted to Graz, where they are modified, painted and then assembled. A way that you could tell for sure if your vehicle was built in Graz would be to look at the VIN number. The seventh character from the end is always a letter, and it designates the plant where the vehicle was built. X is for vehicles built in Graz.
I have been to the factory in Graz, and was highly impressed. The reason for my visit was regarding the G class, but let me tell you that the people that work there are not your typical factory worker. Most of them go to school at night, and they all know that since the contract to build the vehicles is set for a period of time, the only way they can get a raise is to find improvements to the production process on thier own, thereby increasing productivity.
I have reservations about anything built in China, but never about anything built in Austria.
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
Yes, they call it Nano Coat. http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cf...ID=141&id=3246
So, then, are only the 4MATICS built in Austria? Particually the E Class?
So, then, are only the 4MATICS built in Austria? Particually the E Class?
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From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Yes, only the 4matics. Steyr did the development of the S class 4matic system, but I'm not sure if they build it too or not. Going back to the plant code in the vin, the S class I have seen with 4matic have an A, which indicates Sindelfingen. I'll have to dig some more.
I'll check Monday, and let you know.
I'll check Monday, and let you know.
Last edited by mbbodytech; Apr 22, 2005 at 11:02 PM. Reason: change of info
Thread Starter
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From: Central California Coast
2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
Steyr did the development of the S class 4matic system, but I'm not sure if they build it too or not.
Jim
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From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
incidentally, most mercedes here in sunny malaysia are assembled right here, in malaysia. i haven't heard of anyone really having any trouble with them (at least, nothing crazy like some of the quality problems we've been hearing in these forums) and my own all seem fine. even the plastics for the interior are made in malaysia, and so are components like the windscreen. the difference in price is enormous, up to about US$50k, thanks to the crazy taxes.
so i won't be too worried about the chinese-built mercs at all -- although i guess it does detract from the appeal slightly to know your car came from shanghai -- then again, that may change in 20 years time, who knows how the world's economy is going?
so i won't be too worried about the chinese-built mercs at all -- although i guess it does detract from the appeal slightly to know your car came from shanghai -- then again, that may change in 20 years time, who knows how the world's economy is going?
