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Well this helps to explain the decline in build quality on the interiors.... But also may be problematic for MB as well, although doubtful to actually be booted from the US market for numerous reasons. However, now that this is public, not a good look for some of us (me included). https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/29/merc...ownership.html
I'm not entirely sure about the first part in your post. The Chinese ownership for starters isn't new. You didn't know that BAIC is the largest individual shareholder? But I'm not aware of BAIC having had any influence on the cheapening of MB interiors. That comes from general cost cutting due to the financial struggles and the billions that had to be invested into government mandated EV development. Hold on to your current MB/AMGs, they could be sought after and gain in value if this comes to pass.
This is a little different than anti-trust issues of Microsoft and iPhone stuff. I doubt this will come to pass too, as MB is invested in the US for assembling certain MB vehicles, namely ours in Alabama. So...I doubt the Republicans are going to allow the job loss in all places over this topic. That being said however, some states have enacted certain restrictions against Chinese investment of ownership at any level, Florida being the main one. If China is involved in the joint venture ownership regime for what I do (commercial real estate) in a Florida property, I am regulated to not being allowed to write a mortgage to the ownership. That's law for us.
Given that two Chinese investors own nearly 20% of MB shares, I have little doubt there aren't certain influences behind the scenes for materials and designs being used for MB cars from Chinese companies. In my mind, it solidifies my earlier comments over how cheaply the seat controls are put together in our GLS, which I've had issue with. I'm sure that's the case in many manufacturers, but not something I was expecting from a Mercedes Benz. Certainly wasn't the case with the 2014 W212 I had, that's for sure.
Out of curiosity, when was the last time you sat in a Chinese car? I'm guessing never. You might be shocked at how far ahead the Chinese car makers are and may wish they were more involved. I get the China is the enemy spiel, but that's not all that's going on here. America knows it can't compete with China. We don't have the manpower and what has America accomplished recently? China has built a nationwide highspeed rail system from the ground up while our transportation infrastructure is on an unstoppable downward spiral. Have you visited China? I'm not talking about the poor rural parts. Talking about the cities such an Shenzhen. Our cities look like third-world compared to Shenzhen etc. There's more than the cheap stuff China makes for Walmart etc., and that you can buy for practically nothing online. Just an example, America couldn't manufacture an iPhone at the same quality for the same price, so keeping China out has as much to do with American companies not being able to compete as it has to do with political issues. Not trying to defend China, but don't be blinded by the political rhetoric and realize that this country is busy with BS instead of building stuff.
Last edited by superswiss; May 29, 2026 at 08:42 PM.
Never been, never seen. But what I have experienced are many Chinese made items that did not last. Did you know that China wanted to enter the US appliance market and did so with buying GE appliance? I didn’t know that, until my new GE washing machine was on its 4th motor and several other parts…12 months after buying it. The box the new motors came in, proudly said “made and inspected in China”. The first motor failed because of a bad bearing. Motor’s 2 and 3 arrived defective. Motor 4 is starting whine again 10 months after install. That’s just one example. I have a kitchen fulll of GE. All GE. Two bought before they sold to China, 0% problems. 4 bought after, of which three have needed repair calls during the last three years since buying them (double oven, fridge, second dishwasher replaced under warranty)
I’m sure we would make that iPhone just fine and for just as cheap if we manipulated our own currency too and basically supported slave labor.
But all that said - no argument from me on China being cutting edge in many ways. But you will never convince me their products and manufacturing process is the pinnacle of quality and durability. Nor will I agree that MB today is of the same quality and MB experience as it was just 10 years ago. I’d argue that in many ways, the Chrysler era MB cars were even better built than today’s versions.
Never been, never seen. But what I have experienced are many Chinese made items that did not last. Did you know that China wanted to enter the US appliance market and did so with buying GE appliance? I didn’t know that, until my new GE washing machine was on its 4th motor and several other parts…12 months after buying it. The box the new motors came in, proudly said “made and inspected in China”. The first motor failed because of a bad bearing. Motor’s 2 and 3 arrived defective. Motor 4 is starting whine again 10 months after install. That’s just one example. I have a kitchen fulll of GE. All GE. Two bought before they sold to China, 0% problems. 4 bought after, of which three have needed repair calls during the last three years since buying them (double oven, fridge, second dishwasher replaced under warranty)
I’m sure we would make that iPhone just fine and for just as cheap if we manipulated our own currency too and basically supported slave labor.
But all that said - no argument from me on China being cutting edge in many ways. But you will never convince me their products and manufacturing process is the pinnacle of quality and durability. Nor will I agree that MB today is of the same quality and MB experience as it was just 10 years ago. I’d argue that in many ways, the Chrysler era MB cars were even better built than today’s versions.
GE sold their appliance division to Haier, because GE wanted to exit the low-margin consumer appliance market. They first agreed to sell it to Swedish Electrolux, but US antitrust blocked that sale, so GE found another buyer in Haier and got over $2 billion more than Electrolux was going to pay. Perhaps need to get that story straight. Good old corporate greed and building shareholder value is what ultimately led to low-margin businesses being sold to China and manufacturing going along with it. All the executives took home nice bonuses. American businesses have been selling themselves to whoever wants to buy them for the right price for a long time. Let's call it what it is. Now we all have to hate China, because how dare they buy our businesses that our American executives and boards want to get rid of. All of our big box stores are only viable, because they can sell crap that's cheaply manufactured overseas. It's easier to have our stuff made for cheap overseas and then blame them for using slave labor. The chickens come home to roost. You know, every business that's sold to China requires a seller on the other side willing to sell it to them.
GE sold their appliance division to Haier, because GE wanted to exit the low-margin consumer appliance market. They first agreed to sell it to Swedish Electrolux, but US antitrust blocked that sale, so GE found another buyer in Haier and got over $2 billion more than Electrolux was going to pay. Perhaps need to get that story straight. Good old corporate greed and building shareholder value is what ultimately led to low-margin businesses being sold to China and manufacturing going along with it. All the executives took home nice bonuses. American businesses have been selling themselves to whoever wants to buy them for the right price for a long time. Let's call it what it is. Now we all have to hate China, because how dare they buy our businesses that our American executives and boards want to get rid of. All of our big box stores are only viable, because they can sell crap that's cheaply manufactured overseas. It's easier to have our stuff made for cheap overseas and then blame them for using slave labor. The chickens come home to roost. You know, every business that's sold to China requires a seller on the other side willing to sell it to them.
I'm not debating why they bought it. The other half of the story is that Haier decided that sales for an all Chinese brand in the US would likely not meet expectations due to public perception of poor quality, so the GE route was their best bet. They bought what was perceived as a quality brand, and then cheapened it. Lies about being American made in Kentucky. It's American assembled, with cheap Chinese parts.
Yeah. I do hate on China. Given all of the currency manipulation, the constant theft of intellectual property / designs, the shady buying of land adjacent to military bases, the spying (TikTok for example), and so on, how could you not? True, we built the monster. Doesn't mean I have to like it or respect it (which, I must admit, I have to respect what China has become). My whole point here, and those of us who have taken apart some of our interior components, would likely agree - there has been a cheapening of certain components to MB over the last several years. Far less "German" brand / feel. But I will concede that this has happened for several other brands too over the same span. Can it be reversed? I doubt it, it's just the way of the world and I doubt the Genie is going to be put back into the Chinese bottle. Political mistakes made long ago by others. I'd much rather we economically build up our neighbors to the south of us instead with those manufacturing jobs and leave China for dead. But, that's for someone else to take on someday hopefully. I will say this, China is finally being pushed out of our commercial real estate market in the US. They're still present, but falling fast. Russia is all but gone, has been for the last several years. Oh' Canada is our biggest foreign investor for the last several years. That, I like, and a step in the right direction.
Anyway, political rant over for me. Sounds like MB might need to call their lobbyists here in DC to shake a few greasy palms soon.
Yep, we don't like their policies, but we happily take their money. Look as far as GE goes specifically, GE allowed them to continue to use the trusted GE brand, thereby selling out their entire costumer base into thinking they were still the same products. GE is as much at fault here for being greedy. I actually know people who used to work at GE. It was once a mighty company, but as said they got greedy and sold off most of what they once were.
… influence on the cheapening of MB interiors. That comes from general cost cutting due to the financial struggles…
This is very true. Cheap cabin and and the “boring” trend started right around when financial struggles started. Many other options “blows away” several mbenz flagships and also seen as “most impressive ever driven” compared to offerings that often uses to be the best.
Am gonna hold on my GLS cause it has elements from the great W222 era like physical buttons and horizontal screens. It may not be “RollsRoyce” level but I got that elsewhere. Current GLS is at least still reliable though tech is so outdated in todays standard but 2027 facelift addressed some of that.
Many other interiors put new benz interiors to shame now.
Yep, we don't like their policies, but we happily take their money. Look as far as GE goes specifically, GE allowed them to continue to use the trusted GE brand, thereby selling out their entire costumer base into thinking they were still the same products. GE is as much at fault here for being greedy. I actually know people who used to work at GE. It was once a mighty company, but as said they got greedy and sold off most of what they once were.
GE's fall from grace followed the years of diversification under their legendary CEO Jack Welch. (Peter Lynch would call it "de-worsification.")
Their involvement in GE Health Care bankrupted the company, they were forced into a major restructuring and an 8 for 1 reverse stock split. They sold whatever they could to whomever they could (but kept the Long-Term care debt!).
BAIC owns about 9% of Mercedes, and Mercedes oend about 9% of BAIC Motors, the joint manufacturing plant.
As for Chinese ownership causing the decline in product quality, I think its a stretch to make that claim. Is an MB as well built today inside as it was 10 years ago? No...I don't think anybody would say it is. Thats not unique to MB though, thats something you see across the whole car industry. Sit in a Lexus...and their interiors are improving from their low point. We're shopping for a TX right now and while it is an excellent family vehicle there is nothing luxurious about it...
It goes way beyond cars, like you touched on appliances...I'm in the Real Estate/Property Management business and appliances are total garbage now. Don't even try to repair them, there isn't any point. TVs...other electronics have no quality build or design for longecity at all. Its the old saying, you can have good...or cheap...but not both. This stuff is getting cheaper, and they are competing with countries like China who manufacture very cheaply and something has to give. Do you want a $5,000 range that lasts 30 years or a $1,000 range that lasts 10 years? You're going to want to replace it before 30 years anyways because it will be out of style. We tear perfectly good appliances out of houses because nobody wants them out of style every day, so really do we need or want them to last 30 years? I get a new car every 3-4 years...what do I care how it runs or if its still together when its 15?
@SW20SI agree, at least regarding a significant portion of the buyers. The same applies to maintenance efforts.
Both are largely influenced by a large percentage of lease "ownership."
The average age of the US Fleet is now 13 years, and original owners keep their cars in average of 8 years. I'll bet the manufacturers pay attention to that metric.
I plan on keeping my cars 7 to 10 years, so I don't fit that profile.
Which means I'm better off buying a new car, suffering the depreciation, and maintaining it for MY long-term ownership - and satisfaction.
It also means that I'm very selective with my purchases and order specifications, and it often takes a year for me to make a decision. Hopefully I get one that meets my expectations.
Looking at the new models, think I'm glad I have a 2021. It's still silent and without flaws. (Yea!)
So I decided to spend money on the large assortment of 5yr/50k maintenance jobs.
Yep, and like you said maintenance schedules are designed around that "lifespan". 10k OCIs are a great example, if you want the car to last do 5K OCIs.
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