Hi everyone. I decided to translate my post from Russian. For some reason, in Europe people don’t talk openly about problems within companies. They seem to support freedom of speech, but bloggers and journalists behave rather reservedly
The Internal Enemy: How Mercedes-Benz Top Managers Are Killing the Brand

Many brand enthusiasts are convinced: strange decisions, declining quality, and the failure with electric vehicles all look as if someone is deliberately sabotaging the brand from within. But who is behind this? Let’s try to figure out what bloggers and journalists haven’t done, but what forums (both Western, like mbworld, Reddit, and Russian ones) have managed to uncover.

1. The Decision to Replace the Legendary V8 with a 2.0L 4-Cylinder Hybrid in the AMG C63 and GLC 63

Who was responsible:

• Michael Schiebe – CEO of AMG, oversees all AMG decisions, including the C63.
  
• Ola Källenius – CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG (focus on electrification and downsizing).
  
• Markus Schäfer – Chief Technology Officer, responsible for development and procurement, including powertrains.
  
• Jörg Burzer – Responsible for production, quality, and supply chains.
  

The decision was made at the board level and went against the wishes of customers and even part of the AMG management. Rumor has it that former AMG head Tobias Moers left the meeting when the decision was approved.
Result: Sales of the C63 206 are almost zero.

2. EQS and EVs

Who was responsible:

• Gorden Wagener – Chief Designer, implemented the bold “teardrop” concept for the EQS.
  
• Ola Källenius – As CEO, approved the launch of the EQS.
  
• Markus Schäfer – CTO, oversaw the technical implementation of the EVA2 platform and MBUX Hyperscreen.
  

Result: The EQS was developed as the EV flagship, but its design and build quality received a lot of criticism from owners—both on forums and social media. Customer surveys and feedback were ignored. EQS sales did not meet expectations. The EQS failed to find its audience.

3. Build Quality and Materials (Especially in the USA)

Widespread complaints about crooked stitching, poor-quality trim materials, and defects in leather and plastics on the GLS, GLE, and other models assembled in the USA.

Who was responsible:

• Jörg Burzer – Since 2023, responsible for production, quality, and logistics worldwide.
  
• Markus Schäfer – Oversees procurement and supplier standards.
  

Supplier selection and product approval decisions are made by these top managers.

Result: Massive complaints on forums, loss of loyalty among premium model owners. Many 167-series clients switched to Chinese brands (Li Xiang), which is unprecedented for MB.

4. Ignoring Customer Feedback

Decisions on key models (C63, EQS, AMG 4-cylinders, collaborations with Geely, Renault/Nissan) were made without proper analysis of customer and fan community opinions.

Who was responsible:

• Ola Källenius – As CEO, sets strategy and priorities, including market communication.
  
• Michael Schiebe – As head of AMG and TEV, responsible for product policy in the high-end segment.
  

AMG and Mercedes did not conduct broad surveys among owners and fans before launching controversial models. Decisions were made “top-down,” based on corporate CO2 (policy), EV, and cost-cutting strategies, rather than real customer needs.

Conclusion: All of the above decisions are the result of the actions of specific people: Källenius, Schäfer, Schiebe, Burzer, and Wagener. They are the ones responsible for strategy, product decisions, supplier selection, and quality control. The decisions were made “behind closed doors,” which led to widespread dissatisfaction, declining sales, and reputational losses.

The Mercedes-Benz crisis of recent years is the result of deliberate corporate decisions by specific top managers who ignored the opinions of customers and fans.

benzclub.ru

 

I agree with the general idea, but some of the people you list weren't in charge when the decisions were made. Michael Schiebe only recently became the head of AMG. The C63 decision wasn't made under his watch. Moers was the head at the time, but as said, he seemingly wasn't on board with the decision and later left. Philipp Schiemer took over as the head of AMG and then was replaced by Michael Schiebe. Moers was really the last car guy that headed up AMG. I"ve said this before. The MB/AMG C-suite got replaced with sales and marketing guys instead of car guys. There are no longer car guys in charge at MB and AMG and you see that in the products. Things like the AMG One happened under Moers. It would never happen today under the current management. Not that it was necessarily a sound financial decision, but a brand like AMG needs an insane car to generate buzz. Now they are working on an all electric large performance SUV instead that's gonna weigh a ton. Who asked for that?

 

BTW, Schiebe is reversing course and bringing back the V8 in the form of a new flat-plane crank V8 that will debut in the upcoming CLE 63.

 

Love silly conspiracy theories!

 

And if bringing back the V8 wasn't enough, the upcoming AMG EVs will have fake V8 sound with a fake transmission just like Hyundai did.

 

MB has so lost the plot.

 

First post here MB owner since 1993 and before that Porsche 911/930 10 years

Mercedes has not made a decent motor since the 276 V6 with the last decent cars/SUVs being the 16 W212 3.5V6 and the 18 GLE 3.5L V6

However, they are not alone. The drop in quality at Honda and Toyota is as troubling for the future of cars made to last evolving in throw away cars

A MB service manager confirmed this belief (will not name). My indy MB cert mech of 30+ years calls the 4 twin turbos Grenades

Sorry guys my W207 which just hit 40K miles will last this 76 year old to my death. Good luck with public transportation in 2050

What's that Grandpa? Tell us again about the days when a car lasted more than 3 years

 

But the 276 was a junky motor too.

 

In the West we have laws about "Slander". Maybe this is the reason for not being discussed in such terms.

Usually we here say 'more likely ", " I think...", "maybe".
Even if Germans are mostly white and tall, you can't destroy their reputation, no matter if is good or bad


This could be due your translator.

We here use the conspiracy theories like this:

Germans could be anything but not idiots.

- entire industry and whole life is almost Woke in Europe as well from almost 10 years. It seems that people prefer and praises 2 apple for dinner and wine without alcohol, driving with open windows became the latest option..
All those can't fit into MB Luxury, style so MB tried to adapt to pink as well

More likely the most important is that the energy in Germany came now from US with tripled prices. compared with usual Russian channels, so the real German industry moved to military.
Here the costs are not so important but create the opportunity for Germany to build leverage against France and UK. Priceless!

The math is simple, Automotive ( in my opinion..lol) goes step by step in China together with old and new school engineering and this could be win-win. Chinese quality and patience will add more value to our cars.

And in the near future "maybe" Germany will re-write all post WWII agreements and whole world will be much safer. due to deterrence...or not!

 

Some don't like the direct injection and say this made it a step backwards in reliability from the 272.

In some ways that is true unless you use the correct motor oil, change it as you should and only use high quality high octane fuel

If you maintain your Mercedes like most Toyota/Honda/Hyundai owners than you are correct.

If you disregard using the correct oil/fuel you will be one of those saying: But the 276 was a junky motor too