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Mercedes-Benz to buy former Chrysler design studio

Mercedes-Benz to buy former Chrysler design studio

Ralph Hanson May 20th, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author May 20th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Chrysler announced in March that it would close its Pacifica Advance Product Design Center located just outside of San Diego, California, but the studio won’t be idled permanently as Mercedes-Benz is planning to buy the site. Both carmakers have signed a purchase agreement for the sale of the site, which was listed at $7.3 million. The main building measures more than 35,000 square-feet and employed up to 20 staff when in was in Chrysler’s hands. It is credited with a number of important models including the 300 sedan and Dodge Challenger muscle car, and it was also one of the first automotive design centers opened in California by a major carmaker – first opening its doors in 1983. Mercedes already has a design studio in California, which is located 51 miles north of the Pacifica site in Irvine. It only measures 13,000 square-feet and has been open since 1990, according to Automotive News. This latest news comes just months after the announcement that Mercedes’ U.S. design chief Gorden Wagener is set to replace Peter Pfeiffer as the luxury brand’s global design boss.
Mercedes-Benz to buy former Chrysler design studio

Mercedes-Benz to buy former Chrysler design studio

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Chrysler announced in March that it would close its Pacifica Advance Product Design Center located just outside of San Diego, California, but the studio won’t be idled permanently as Mercedes-Benz is planning to buy the site. Both carmakers have signed a purchase agreement for the sale of the site, which was listed at $7.3 million.

The main building measures more than 35,000 square-feet and employed up to 20 staff when in was in Chrysler’s hands. It is credited with a number of important models including the 300 sedan and Dodge Challenger muscle car, and it was also one of the first automotive design centers opened in California by a major carmaker – first opening its doors in 1983.

Mercedes already has a design studio in California, which is located 51 miles north of the Pacifica site in Irvine. It only measures 13,000 square-feet and has been open since 1990, according to Automotive News.

This latest news comes just months after the announcement that Mercedes’ U.S. design chief Gorden Wagener is set to replace Peter Pfeiffer as the luxury brand’s global design boss.

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Posted in: Mercedes Benz, News


Comments (5 total)

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  1. By HECTOR #1, Posted: 5/20/2008

    Well, if one looks at the MB in the picture it's clear they need all the design help they can take.

  2. By Roy #2, Posted: 5/20/2008

    Do you really think that MB is going to produce fewer tank-like models when the same guys who designed the Charger get to add their $0.02?

  3. By vb #3, Posted: 5/21/2008

    On the other hand, the GLK is still less ugly than anything Chrysler has on the market right now, so it's probably more of a nice gesture, employing those who lose their job (probably) due to the split between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler.

  4. By simple #4, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Lets just hope that the designers there can convice mercedes that designing military tanks and cars are two very different things.

  5. By chris #5, Posted: 5/21/2008

    guys.. the above is the GLK, and if you ask me, the worst part of that design is the fact that it ISNT a block. it s a gigantic disgrace to the G Class: germany's answer to Jeep. That thing needs MORE ugly before it would even approach sexy.

    Also, say what you want about chrysler but realize that this place was responsible for the design of the Pacifica, 300, and challenger.. 3 vehicles that were (are) absolutely stunning cars at the time of release. They may not have aged well, but I really think that's because of the lack of investment in mid cycle refreshes.

    just think about the pacifica for a moment: conceptualized in 99, and produced in 2004. Ford and GM have essentially copied it to HUGE success, and the CRV has since moved towards the bubbly hatchback like shape of it.

    The 300 was a car that grandpa wanted cause it reminded him of the good ole days, a car that dad wanted cause it reminded him of dad's car, a car that you wanted cause it looked classy and stylish,.. and a car that your kid brother wanted cause it would bling out nice and easy with a set of 22"s and some 15"s in the trunk. Chrysler just failed to capitalize on the success of that styling like caddy did with the CTS (which came out around the same time).

    I think this studio deserves a bit of credit.. they designed some of the only chryslers I would ever consider buying,... and just because of the styling.

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