stormwind

[Quote] Chrysler set to cut 10,000 jobs: reports
May increase Mercedes ties in unprecedented collaboration


LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Chrysler is due to announce plans to cut as many 10,000 jobs and work more closely with German partner Mercedes, according to newspaper reports coming out from Detroit.
The Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News each reported that
will announce the job cuts next week alongside fourth-quarter financial results.
The newspapers said the job cuts would come through a combination of plant closures and buyouts. Both reports said Chrysler's Newark, Del., plant is likely to close.
The Free Press report speculated the automaker's St. Louis North truck plant and its Twinsburg, Ohio, stamping plant are at risk, and the Detroit News said an engine plant in Detroit may be closed.
The Detroit News report also said the company won't sell Chrysler and instead is planning an unprecedented sharing of vehicle architecture and parts between Chrysler and Mercedes.
The report said Chrysler and Mercedes will collaborate on their next generation of small cars built in the U.S. and Germany, and work is under way on a common sports utility vehicle architecture for the Mercedes M-Class and Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. [\Quote]


I sure hope Chrysler is using Mercedes parts and not the other way around, and Mercedes designs and products are not influenced by them in any way.

Blue_Monster

that sucks for them

GDawgC220

There are going to be "common" parts that are shared between the two car makers, such as water pumps, etc. No sense in making two of the same parts and re-naming them. So you can technically go to a Chrysler parts counter and pick up something that is shared between the two companies. Price may be lower too.

For the most part, MB hands down stuff to Chrysler to use in their line up, such as old chassis' and engines.

sklasse

"The report said Chrysler and Mercedes will collaborate on their next generation of small cars built in the U.S. and Germany, and work is under way on a common sports utility vehicle architecture for the Mercedes M-Class and Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. "



--> Porsche and BMW ,untainted by the likes of a inferior amercian pedigree, sound so much better to me right now.

cayenne, x5, 7 series all sound good to me

lkchris

He says, caring nothing for resale value.

Perhaps not knowing cayenne is same car as Toureg.

Perhaps not knowing Porsche is now VW's largest shareholder.

GOODENUF

They handed down the SLK320 to Chrysler and called it a Crossfire. The interior was almost the same except they used different colors on the A/C controls, headlights etc. They saved some money on the convertible hardtop and made both a coupe and cloth convertible.
So, would they take the SL550 and make it into the new Sebring. Hope not.

sklasse

HAHA.....

if it fits...they'll do it !

stormwind

Actually I have no problems with the hand me downs to Chrysler, it will only make them better cars. The thing I don't want is Chrysler people getting involved in developing Mercedes products, say...if they jointly engineered the next E Class chassis then I would not have any confindence in that product as it will be compromised by the American way of thinking. Meaning they will start cheaping out by cutting corners just to save a buck instead of over engineering their cars like Mercedes have always done.

Barry45RPM

Dont forget... Mercedes vehicles are designed 1st for the German Market, and then for the World Market, whereas Chrysler/Dodge cars are designed specifically for the USA Market. We have a "disposable" mentality here, the rest of the world doesn't.

They won't cheapen MB product, unless they follow the Lexus construction philosophy. Although they are flaweless, they are still just supremely loaded & marketed Toyotas.

55fanatic

this should be in off topic, not W211 E class...