Posted on Wednesday 13 December 2006
DCX will not be sharing platforms between different brands for fears that sales and profits could suffer if buyers feel they can get essentially the same car at a cheaper price. That’s the message given by a member of the DaimlerChrysler board to a labor union event in Germany, reported Reuters. He admitted there were pressures to cut costs and improve efficiencies, but maintained that the current approach would be better in the long term. Instead of sharing platforms, he said the companies would learn to share parts that users wouldn’t be able to notice such as water cooling pumps. The companies would also work together to purchase these parts in larger quantities and drop prices.
Presumably the limit to platform sharing will not go as far as sharing old platforms or drivetrains from old Mercedes-Benz models on new Chrysler vehicles, as was done on the 300C (pictured above) or Crossfire.
Mercedes is also including new Eastern European and Asian suppliers on its new C-class sedan to help reduce costs. This is a risky move considering the recent (and ongoing) quality issues suffered by Mercedes vehicles, but obviously the company claims no quality will be lost by using cheaper suppliers.
The Volkswagen Group is one of the most prolific companies to share platforms and engines between different brands. The same platform/engine combination may be seen in cars from Audi, Volkswagen, and Seat and the company is often accused of simple badge engineering.
On eof the best things about the 300 sedans and its Dodge counterparts are the Mercedes Benz parts. Did I say “one of”, its actually the best part.
The 300 is a consistent member of the Car and Driver 10 Best award and any car on this list is a significant machine.
I think that you can get a very nice car for the money is a great thing, I doubt too many E-class shoppers walked out of the showroom and into a 300C .
Keep the old Mercedes in the new Chryslers.
Divorce is in the air over @ DCX.
You’re right, this would make it much easier to sever all ties. I seriously doubt this divorce will be “no-fault” like most divorces today!