For less than a Carrera, you get more than a Turbo

[Carl83911]

Since Diemler Mgmt Took over chrysler,

Is this the reason why we are seeing better quality Chrysler products? It seems that Chrysler vehicles have really taken a turn for the better.

[dd74]

Hmmm...seems it was both a merger and a takeover - or became a takeover - hostilities not withstanding...

Here's an article about it:

http://www.shkaminski.com/Classes/Readings/Culture%20and%20the%20Chrysler%20Merger.htm

When the day of reckoning came, Daimler was ready to go. Since Chrysler didn’t have detailed plans, it was forced to accept the German ones. That’s when you first heard talk of a takeover, and that started a train of early retirements and defections. And when Tom Stallkamp was shoved out the door, all pretense of a merger evaporated.
In little more than a year, the merger shaved off the top layer of Chrysler’s officer corps. No company can withstand that loss of experience and know‑how, and with Chrysler now facing massive financial losses, we’re seeing the results of that loss.

Incredibly, Mr. Schrempp publicly boasted that he never intended a merger of equals and that it was always going to be a takeover. Unless he has another hidden agenda that has yet to surface, that comes across as an incredibly stupid statement. For one thing, his takeover has already destroyed $40 billion to $60 billion in shareholder value. His admission of deceit has invited lawsuits that potentially threaten the company with billions in losses. And a takeover doesn’t offer anywhere near the synergies that a merger does.

BTW: It looks like Lutz forced himself out with his friggin' ego...

[kqw]

Ahh...Looking at the impact....







Stock prices for the past 6 years...Ticker DCX

[dd74]

Originally posted by kqw
Ahh...Looking at the impact....







Stock prices for the past 6 years...Ticker DCX

That about says it all, doesn't it?

Shall we now examine the implications of Fiat's acquisition of Ferrari?

[kqw]

Oh...Alright...Here's Fiat

[dd74]

LOL!

[greglepore]

I'm with Terry and Motion; even the old Z06 gets around a track pretty damn well, and this is a whole new deal. Yeah, no heritage (well, if you choose to ignore recent history at endurance races) but what a package for a relatively few dollars. Maybe not quite the balance of quality/reliability/trackability of an aircooled 911, but in terms of bang for the buck, completly off of any chart kept anywhere in Europe.

[kqw]

Hey, no diss on the Vette or GM...It seems that they are trying regain some of the lost market share. In fact, their mortage arm, Ditek (sp) is helping the bottom line although not great.

[Craig 930 RS]

Look at GM if you want to see carnage:

[RarlyL8]

I've spent a fair amount of time at the Vance, Alabama Mercedes plant where they make their mini van (ML series). You better believe Chrysler has lowered the MB bar. They sneak in Chrysler crap everywhere they can get away with it.

In the bang for the buck arena no car comes close to the C6. None. A stock C6 Vette with 400hp and 6 gears will kick your little wine and cheese eating Porsche ass to the curb. Then there is the Z06.....

Some of you folks are showing the bad side of Porsche ownership - snobery. Vettes are the blue collar workers hero car. Some of these folks make huge bucks. They could easily buy a Porsche. I've also seen my share of "mid-age crisis" 911s.

[strother]

Originally posted by RarlyL8
A stock C6 Vette with 400hp and 6 gears will kick your little wine and cheese eating Porsche ass to the curb. Then there is the Z06.....

Some of you folks are showing the bad side of Porsche ownership - snobery. Vettes are the blue collar workers hero car. Some of these folks make huge bucks. They could easily buy a Porsche. I've also seen my share of "mid-age crisis" 911s.

Is "wine and cheese" supposed to be an insult? I happen to like wine and cheese. And my preference for my 911 is not snobbery. My car -- which is my daily driver -- set me back $18K. What does a C6 or new Z06 cost? Vette owners can look down there noses at me, the pauper. Just because the car costs more doesn't make it better. Neither does the fact that is is faster or more powerful. FWIW, I have no doubt that many, many cars could kick my car's ass to the curb.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by RarlyL8
I've spent a fair amount of time at the Vance, Alabama Mercedes plant where they make their mini van (ML series). You better believe Chrysler has lowered the MB bar. They sneak in Chrysler crap everywhere they can get away with it.

Really?

Name one Chrysler part used on the ML.

[JeremyD]

Back on topic - we are talking Z06 here. Bang for the buck...

[dd74]

Brian - you're sad. There's nothing worse than a bitter ex Mercedes-Benz owner.

As far as being all over the place - sure, whatever - the same point I've made has been made by at least four other people on this thread. At least I didn't waste my money on a dolled-up Chrysler.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Back on topic - we are talking Z06 here. Bang for the buck...

In five years...

[dd74]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Finally, those that still believe the BS that it was a merger are missing out on one of the funniest auto industry jokes.

"How do you pronounce DaimlerChrysler?"

"Daimler. The Chrysler is silent!"

(Huh? I don't get it - why is the Chrysler silent, it was a merger, why would the Chrysler be silent?)

Oh, BTW: talk about lacking sense...

[EdT82SC]

Originally posted by Craig911
"GM and Ford have quality equal to Toyota and better than Honda on many of the products they build, FYI."

You have got to be joking......esp GM.

No kidding! Check out the latest reliability ratings from Consumer Reports:

[MOMO3.2]

Wow, I am stunned--exotic materials, dry sump motor, massive HP, braking, and handling. This new Vette sounds amazing and is clearly a leader in the thrills per dollar category.

That said, I have never wanted to own a Corvette and although I admire what GM has done with the Corvette, I do not covet the new Z06. The reasons are simple and basic for me. I much prefer cars with mid or rear engine layouts. I have much appreciation for small displacement, exotic engines. I like cars that perform well as the result of clever design and engineering. I like small, low, balanced cars that reward skill and finess behind the wheel.

For me, Corvettes have always been the antithesis of what I am looking for in a sports car. They are big, heavy, long cars. They have always suffered from crude engineering, design, and assembly. Stuffing a big ol 7 liter V8 in the front end of a car that is basically a whittled down Peterbuilt just does not do it for me.

I applaud GM's efforts and acknowledge the fact that the current Corvette is a winner. I, however, am quite content to drive my air cooled 911 for the next 50 years.

Mike

[dd74]

So you're a current Chry...um...I mean Mercedes owner? Hmmm...I thought you said you "went through" all that at some point in this thread, giving me the impression you sold the Chrysler -- I mean Mercedes.

Anyway read this, if you haven't already:

Incredibly, Mr. Schrempp publicly boasted that he never intended a merger of equals and that it was always going to be a takeover. Unless he has another hidden agenda that has yet to surface, that comes across as an incredibly stupid statement. For one thing, his takeover has already destroyed $40 billion to $60 billion in shareholder value. His admission of deceit has invited lawsuits that potentially threaten the company with billions in losses. And a takeover doesn’t offer anywhere near the synergies that a merger does.

So it seems if I'm confused, Mercedes as well was confused - or at least they are liars. What can I say, though? I'm just the informal messenger in this enlightenment.

Nevertheless, consider M-B's position: they own the fact that to recoup $60 billion dollars, M-B can't rely only on sell ing taxis and semi-trucks all over the world whereas "some" in this country consider them luxury automobiles. They have to regain that lost money FAST. The point is, as pejorative as it may seem to you, in a business sense, the money lost to M-B, regardless if there action was a merger or a takeover of Chrysler, will need to be brought back to the shareholders. Well, what better place to do it, and save face as a "merger" more than appear as a "takeover" than by sharing parts with whom you've supposedly merged - Chrysler. Looks good from a P.R. standpoint as a working relationship of trust, and it saves 10, 20 or 30 million dollars.

From a business standpoint, it makes logical sense for M-B to have some Chrysler parts in their cars given the decifit M-B has incurred. Now that's my point. What is the truth? I don't know. I suggest you become a preferred stockholder in Mercedes-Benz, go to a shareholders meeting in Europe, and demand Mr. Schrempp give you the breakdown, if there's one at all, of Chrysler parts inside a Mercedes-Benz. Or, you can observe what Rarly8 has in AL, by taking a tour of an assembly line.

In any event, don't be alarmed by this. Business is business. As a current Mercedes-Benz owner, prepare to take it on the chin if it bothers you. After all, you've got company in the form of those Cadillac Cimarron owners who in 1981 found out they were really driving Chevrolet Cavaliers.

[kqw]

Mercedes hits a pothole article:
http://www.fortune.com/fortune/subs/article/0,15114,517706,00.htmlUse