Chrysler, Mercedes Products Begin Major Convergence Under Zetsche

[Kowalski]

Source: www.edmunds.com

DETROIT — With former Chrysler boss Dieter Zetsche now firmly at the helm of DaimlerChrysler in Stuttgart, industry insiders in Europe and North America say the Chrysler and Mercedes brands are finally beginning to converge, at least under the skin, as planning for future vehicles and platforms progresses.

Over the next five years, according to component suppliers who've seen the plans, a much larger number of Chrysler, Dodge and Mercedes products will share underbody components, even major platforms, as the German parent seeks ways to cut costs and speed development.

One example is the new LY large-car platform that is being developed simultaneously in Auburn Hills and Stuttgart. The LY is the replacement for the current LX platform that underpins the full-size Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger and will be the foundation for the upcoming Dodge Challenger and Chrysler Imperial.

Variations of the platform also will be used as the base for the next-generation Chrysler Pacifica, due in model year 2009, as well as the next Mercedes E-Class (2010), R-Class (2012) and CLS-Class (2012).

Another common platform in the post-2010 timeframe will support the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander as well as the Mercedes ML-Class, suppliers say they've been told.

Curiously, Chrysler and Mercedes individually are expected to share more components and vehicles with Volkswagen on different continents, but so far the three brands have yet to concur on a common platform that could be used by all three.



What this means to you: The Germans and the Americans are learning to get over themselves and just try to make the best products they can. We'll see if they can pull it off because egos are tough to ignore.

[mgescuro]

That's an interesting premise.
They already do that with 3 Chryslers -- Pacfiica, Crossfire, 300. If they continue to do share, much as they do now, I don't see a problem. However, if they end up like VW/Skoda/Audi... then I think we have a problem.

SO... the next-gen ML might share components or platform with Commander and Cherokee?? Will the ML have the same off-road capabilities? Hmmm... Makes you wonder.

This might be very good for Chrysler, but if not done properly, will pull down mercedes.

[Bravada]

Well, the Volkswagen thing only shows how uncomplete this merger is without e.g. Mitsubishi.

[Quickening]

Ugh, down down down MB goes. F' Chrysler.

[lio45]

Is the Chrysler 300 with the "YOU SSUK" plate (in rearview mirror) an official DaimlerChrysler press photo?

[lio45]

I think it's a really cool thing that the next E-class is going to be built on a Chrysler platform.

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Well, the Volkswagen thing only shows how uncomplete this merger is without e.g. Mitsubishi.

I begin to think then VW might be used as a substitute for Mitsubishi in a more long-term but this time, the Porshe family might have the bigger part of the stick in a future "merger"

[Kowalski]

Bear in mind this still is just a gossip.

Even though they are trying to increase profitability by streamlining the production process through lean manufacture, Mercedes-Benz would still by and large have public brand preception at stake, and if people found out that their E-Klasse W212 shared a platform with a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle, the Mercedes buyers would be very pissed and rightly so.

A 300CC with the same chassis, suspension and six cylinder engines, transmission etc. as the new E-class...completely ridiculous. The 300C is a 25K fullsize fleet car for gangsters wannabes, the E-Class is a 50K+ European luxury sporty saloon (sedan), any platform sharing between these two models would be disastrous image wise. "Why buy a Mercedes E-Class when you can buy a $20k cheaper Chrysler equivalent, hell it's the same suspension, gearbox, and chassis?!?!?! Herr Dieter, would you really like to hear that?!

Ego aside however...it's the quality of the finished product is what really matters in the end. And Mercedes desperately needs to improve quality. And Chrysler for that matter as well. If they start sharing parts, at least Mercedes could change the name on the door. When I first saw the S-Class W220 back in 1999, I was disappointed to see "DaimlerChrysler" instead of the typical "DAIMLER BENZ" as in the older models. Mercedes should at least change that, just for their own image sake.

[Psionic Wibbly]

so if you want a merc on the cheap-buy a chrysler especialy during the summer months when the employee disounts are on

[Ttple]

Originally Posted by lio45

Is the Chrysler 300 with the "YOU SSUK" plate (in rearview mirror) an official DaimlerChrysler press photo?

Good catch..

[Bravada]

I begin to think then VW might be used as a substitute for Mitsubishi in a more long-term but this time, the Porshe family might have the bigger part of the stick in a future "merger"

Just like the GM-Nissan-Renault merger, this would be a disaster. Trying to merger those could actually collapse half of the German automotive industry. How would you merge Mercedes with Audi, Maybach with Bentley, Meredes (again) with Bentley and Lamborghini, them all with Porsche etc. VW might extend further down the mainstream European market, but in the premium classes they are going head-to-head and even VW itself has too many brands and internal competiton there.

Any part here could use a smaller partner, like Mitsubishi. VW is actually quite well-equipped to go on on their own, they have a good position in China and South America, promising in India, can improve in North America (especially as the market is leaning towards smaller vehicles rather than body-on-frame trucks). I believe there would hardly be any automaker, rather than perhaps Proton (but they lost that battle anyway) or Tata (?) they could really effectively merge with. They can of course still do alliances here and there, who doesn't?

Oh, and of course good catch lio45. Somebody at DCX must have been having some nasty fun

And Kowalski is right about "platform-sharing". Theoretically, you can buy an E-Klasse now as Chrysler 300, but they are worlds apart. You can share platforms, but with enough differentiation, have a car worth $25K and $55K out of the same one.