Chrysler and Mercedes still plan on sharing
As we told you last week, it looks like Chrysler and Daimler might still be capable of playing nice. Despite Daimler unceremoniously dumping the Chrysler group earlier this year, Daimler and Chrysler will apparently still share a lot of business side relationships that make economic sense for both firms. Now we have word that the two also seem to be committed to sharing technology on future projects. Frank Klegon, Chrysler's executive vice president of product development, says that a joint operating board will be set up between the two companies, with each company getting three members. The sharing will revolve around things like electrical architectures, SUV chassis components, active safety systems, Bluetec diesel technology and fuel cells. Where the old plan was to share the development of these technologies on a wide scale, the revised plan is to be more focused, working on a "project-by-project basis." Actually the development of the electrical architecture, in particular, was already underway and sharing therefore makes sense at least for its first applications in 2011 or 2012. One point raised in the article is that this sharing board won't stop Chrysler from being able to work with other manufacturers too, if it so chooses.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frank 10:31AM (7/10/2007)
This is the reason Daimler did not sell all of Chrysler but kept almost 20%. Apparently the automaker was not as "worthless" as their public statements make it out to be. Just goes to show that actions always speak louder than words.
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Barney 6:28PM (7/10/2007)
Daimler had also loaned Chrysler a substantial amount of money. They are committed.
menice 10:45AM (7/10/2007)
its not 'worthless'
its worth less since it was driven into the ground by miss managment, poor quality and crappy designs.
and you NEVERwalk away and close the door behind you in business.. always leave (or hold) your foot in the door.
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Mr. Oak 10:59AM (7/10/2007)
I have high hopes for Chrysler. However, this recent trend of theirs of designing vehicles that seems to be reaching back to the K-Car school of designing is baffling.
Reference: Avenger, Magnum and new Dakota Please tell me this theme will not infect their entire product line.
Chrysler: For what it is, the Caliber is fine as is. Please be very careful when you approach the 300. This is not the direction this car should go. If you are thinking it, scrap those plans and start over.
Refine the 300, touch every thing that you had questions about, a mild refresh, upgraded interior, and 6 speed auto will have current owners back in your showrooms, and attract new ones. Give it the K-Car treatment, and it's dead.
P.S.: Another "DON'T" Is those idiotic creases/pleats in the hood a la Stillborn\Aspen and Clusterfu..\Sebring.
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AMGoff 11:38AM (7/10/2007)
What exactly was wrong with the K-Car? It was the K-car and the mini-van that pulled Chrysler out of debt and allowed them to pay back their loans some seven years ahead of schedule. They were just what Chrysler needed at the time - economical, reliable, and easy to maintain. If anything Chrysler needs a new "K-car" for this century.
Needless to say I'm actually happy with this news. This means that Chrysler can take Diamler's technolog, do something even neater with it than Mercedes, while not having to succumb to Diamler's mandates. All while having the freedom of partnering with other manufacturers.
It's the best of both worlds.
Stuart 3:51PM (7/10/2007)
AMGoff - You joking me right. Chrysler will probably have the same access they had before the demerger and that was strictly diesel. Mercedes would never let chrysler take any old technology and whatever they take they will probably be charged a premium.
Plus Mercedes still gets free access to the pheonix engines. By the Mercedes is a class leading manufacturer and chrysler just another japanese wannabe. The day Chrysler actually makes a car which can compete with the lincoln (let alone mercedes) for all round ability will be the same day hell freezes over.
Mr. Oak 11:57AM (7/10/2007)
The K-Cars were perfect for their time. That however, was some 26 years ago. K-Cars launched in 1981. If Chrysler chooses to go back there. They then deserves whatever happens to them as a company.
Good luck to them, I'll be chillin' in my 2008 CTS.
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Avinash machado 12:08PM (7/10/2007)
I hope they get rid of the Compass and Patriot.
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Mr. Oak 3:01PM (7/10/2007)
Keep the Patriot, the Compass needs to be "put down".
c 1:39PM (7/10/2007)
One of the reasons mercedes bought chrysler was for chryslers state of the art electronic division,& it proves it as they are still going to use it,also the new mercedes suv's are based on the jeep grand cherokee.As for the k-car they were very very reliable with the chrysler 2.2 & chrysler 2.5 (mithsubishi 2.6 were a lemon motor used on some 82-85)I still see a k-car or 3 every day driving around & nobody ever restores them they just drive them to the ground & they keep on going & going ...and going...
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Johnny Rocket 2:35PM (7/10/2007)
Mercedes doesn't need cheap Chrysler build quality, just as Chrysler doesn't need Mercedes's Yugo-level reliability. These was as good a marriage as Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton. Two messes don't equal success.
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Mr. Oak 4:47PM (7/10/2007)
Do your research Johnny R, M-B got quite a bit out of the illicit affair they had with Chrysler. Chrysler had a state of the art Virtual design (CAD) center M-B didn't, now they do. C240 was the first car M-B produced with that technology.
antonio311 5:34PM (7/10/2007)
Chrysler did have a Major success with the K-car and remember the 2.2 and the 2.5 were the most reliable domestic 4 cylinder engines available. This time around chrysler can share data with daimler as well as find new partners to work with, until the merger was broken up, chrysler had no say on who they could work with and had their hands tied. They couldn't even develop a new luxury car, as it would be a direct competitor with mercedes. This time around you'll see chrysler coming out with World class cars. They have no choice but to do this, its sink or swim time for them. And I bet this time they'll do it right. They will also be improving their fuel economy by developing hybrids, and they will be improving their vehicle quality more than any other manufacturer. I'd like to think they can do this, and if any company can do it...its Chrysler.
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AMGoff 10:32PM (7/10/2007)
I wholeheartedly agree. Whenever Chrysler's back has been against the wall they've always managed to fight their way back. I like to think that history has a way of repeating itself. It was the k-car and the mini-van that returned Chrysler to profitability in the 80s. It was the profits of the 80s that helped finance their string of successes in the 90s - the Neon, the LH cars, the Sebrings, the Cirrus/Breeze, the Grand Cherokee, the Ram, etc. It was those string of successes that made Chrysler attractive to Diamler which subsequently resulted in the "merger." And well.. we know what's happened since then. An independent Chrysler, whose hands aren't tied by Stuttgart will be able to fully compete in any market they wish. Like you said, at this point it is sink or swim for Auburn Hills. If history has anything to say I'd put my money on swim.