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Chrysler not to blame for Mercedes’ drop in quality

 
6 1,598 views Sep 21, 2007

Chrysler not to blame for Mercedes’ drop in quality

Chrysler not to blame for Mercedes’ drop in quality

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The quality of Mercedes-Benz has undoubtedly dropped over the years, a fact the carmaker has admitted to, and only recently has it been brought back to a level one would expect from a car wearing the Three Pointed Star. With Chrysler now cut loose, the emphasis on improving quality levels is of top priority at Mercedes says its sales and marketing Chief Dr Klaus Maier.

Many have suggested that a loss of focus and parts sharing with Chrysler following its acquisition back in the mid-1990s were the reasons behind the drop but, according to Maier, it was Mercedes’ own mistakes and quality assurance problems that lead to its decline. “It had nothing to do with Chrysler,” Maier revealed to GoAuto.

Not surprisingly, Mercedes will attempt to maintain many of its ties with Chrysler including the behind-the-scenes cost savings and streamlining that was gained through synergies after the merger.

Product and technology is not the only aspects where Mercedes wants to be a quality leader. Service quality is one area where Mercedes admits it’s lacking in, especially compared with Lexus, which is currently dominating the U.S. luxury market. Numerous reports about poor service at Mercedes dealerships around the world have caused the company to revamp its dealer training systems, however the jury is still out as to whether Mercedes will ever return to its former glory.



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Comments (6)

  1. By Jake Thompson Posted: 9/21/2007 8:58am PDT

    This is old news. Four months ago I bought an E350 Sport for my family and the car is flawless. Reliable, superb interior and comfortable. The engine probably needs more power given that the competition has 300+ ponies under the hood but from a pure acceleration point of view, this car ain't bad at all. I don't regret trading in my old Lexus GS300 for this car at all.
     
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  2. By Gus Posted: 9/21/2007 10:55am PDT

    I think the quality has come back. The 1997 E420 my parents bought was of dubious quality, but they seem to be getting back to the standards they had in the late 80's and early 90's.
     
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  3. By phillie Posted: 9/21/2007 1:01pm PDT

    i have a 99 e320 wagon, and it is a dog of a car. the first major failure was the catalytics (dealer cost: 1800) and then the tranny (dealer quyote: 6000; done independently for approx 1/3 the dealer quote). just constant failure of one system after another. wish the hell i could afford to get out of this piece of s**t!
     
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  4. By Gus Posted: 9/21/2007 5:55pm PDT

    Funny, the cat on my parent's e420 failed as well.
     
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  5. By DavidW Posted: 9/22/2007 3:22pm PDT

    They have a long way to go to catch up with Lexus customer service. I hope they do. Mercedes has never really understood customer service.
     
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  6. By micky Posted: 9/23/2007 3:05am PDT

    for example, one local dealership in oregon, the manager was a complete retard, anytime someone came into the dealership, and touched something like an ML63 amg or a CL550, he would run out and scream "dont touch that car!" as if its so fragile its gonna insintagrate..

    well to say the least, he dont work there anymore, the new guy is really cool and welcomes all inside, mainly those who are actually interested and not people who just want to play and waist their times.
     
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