German Car Zone

Schrempp wasn't an accountant, no, but he had an accountant mentality. When he came to power, his number one goal (along with the rest of the board) was to cut costs. They cut them so drastically, that almost all internal divisions at DCX suffered. Notice how the Mercedes' from the early Schrempp area had cheaper interior materials, didn't feel as solid etc. - these were all telltale signs that cost cutting was taking place.

And yes, the other top men at DCX were also to blame. I just love putting most of it on Schrempp, since this guy just struck me as someone who wasn't really in touch with reality and ignored warnings etc. And with him being the top man, he really had to be more aware of the situation even if some of the "bad news" didn't reach him because his underlings only gave him the "good news".

But he didn't cut them in the right places.
Smart, sandwitch architecture A and B klasse, ridicolous amounts of body pannels.
It's like he allowed black holes in one place and cut cots in others (to compansate perhaps ?!).
A paradox, but true non the less.

That's why I can't stand Schrempp. Especially for allowing costs to be cut in R&D. Of all places, this is one of the most sensitive areas in the company which should enjoy healthy funding if they're innovative - which MB's R&D is.