German Car Zone

Some very interesting reading in this thread. Hats off to the contributors as discussion at this level is hard to come by round here. Things look bleak for Mercedes at the moment and the prospect of a global automotive down-turn and even economic recession in many key markets doesn't bode well further.

Tine - you're a boffin at this - are you able to provide us with some stats showing, say, global cars sales figures for 2003-2005? In the same light could we see the same total industry sales numbers for the German market?
If my memory serves me correctly both BMW and VWAG have sold more units this year than last despite a relatively static German domestic market.

A big worry for Mercedes Benz is the conflict that arises from attempting to share technology across the brand divide that exists between Mercedes Benz and Chrysler. Such action is much much easier said than done, especially when the brand value of prestige marque is at stake. No-one wants to see a badge-engineered Mercedes version of a Chrysler. Especially not current and future Mercedes owners. Unlike VWAG which has cleverly disguised the sharing of common engines, suspension systems and base platforms resulting in distinctly different Volkswagen and Audi brand images, Mercedes Benz and Chrysler's brand DNA doesn't lend itself to transplanting. A Chrysler Neon and Merc C-Class can't ever share the same development life-cycles and technology so great is the rift between each car from every aspect. Sure, there is the potential for some sharing, such as the odd turbo-diesel being shared between the ML and the Grand Cherokee but that's about as far as it goes in my book.

The brands are simply too disparate to lend themselves to meaningful, mutually beneficial technology overlap. Imagine the new, facelifted E-Class with a HEMI V8. Heaven forbid.

Sell Smart? Good, but not enough you'll all say. So what would you do if you were the CEO of Mercedes Benz?

nothing to worry about guys. MB is on a good way with the new products.

It seems to me that the press media likes to bash MB for old failures with pleasure and the bmw fan boys here are getting every time wet



I'm not biased btw, I'm driving BMW

In my opinion, Benz need to revert back to the old ways.
1. Get rid of Smart. it will do nothing good for Benz for years to come. Even when they say that it will start being an asset, I think it will be too late.
2. Put all Maybach projects on hold... I don't know how well Maybach is doing. Are they helping or being a problem?
3. All these unecessary classes B and R for example should go IMO. And you especially don't need AMG models for those.

This is a worst case scenario though. I think Benz should focus on their core models instead of trying to expand to different categories. Focus on the C and E class and I think Benz will turn around. But if they want to spend 30 percent of that money to create a Y-class.

Time will tell. Closing the factory will be more expensive. They have to change
the price model for ForFour and the next 451 should be a success, otherwise it's really too late

Luxury segment is currently not going well. But wether BMW nor VW are willing to shut down their luxury brands.

Ok , let's crush the C Class coupe, but diversification is essential for every car maker, even Porsche is doing it.


I think they are doing well. The B-Class is a competitor to the A3 Sportback
and the GOLF Plus and others. The R Class, build on the same platform as the M and the upcoming G Class, is an attampt to enter a new segment, at least in the States. We will see....

Some of you are just not grasping the situation very well at all. DaimlerChrysler, in essence, can't afford to keep both marques (Chrysler and Mercedes) running in the black - the situation is a lot worse than you are comprehending - it's not just a matter of cutting a few models from Mercedes range and then everything will be good. DaimlerChrysler needs more cash to rescue Mercedes but it also has huge costs at Chrysler. That part about selling the commercial-truck division is bad, that is very profitable - I hope they don't do that.

MB also eliminated 8500 workers, by far not a good sign.... please see this thread....

(Zetsche Says He'll Stay at Mercedes Helm)http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=923

Roberto,
We are on the same wavelength. Here's what I posted earlier:
http://www.germancarzone.com/showpos...7&postcount=34

Thanks for that AlxAmg and NSL

I still have faith in Mercedes, and still don't think the situation is totally hopeless, but lets not fool ourselves here. Some of you seem to think that all Mercedes needs to do is drop a few models and get it's quality back up to scratch. What you are missing is that the problems faced by DaimlerChrysler are much bigger than that. The huge job losses at Daimler is a further indication of just how drastic things now are at Mercedes - it's going to be a tough few months for them and they may not emerge from their battle the same company we know right now - there are already "sharks circling" waiting for the opportunity to pick over the company - lets hope it doesn't come to that.

The Chrysler desease infected the brand Mercedes. Mercedes or the upcoming DC owner should go the way BMW has done with Rover. Sell the stinky fish Chrysler!