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Mercedes-Benz to cut output by 40K plus
After announcing that its plant in Alabama would be slashing production of its slow-selling SUVs, Mercedes-Benz has decided to cut overall output by more than 40,000 units over the next four months. While the slowdown of SUV sales are anything but surprising, even the top-of-the-line S-Class sedan has been hit with a downturn of sales. Reportedly, the German plant in Untertürkheim will also be reducing its output of V6 and V8 engines.In order to remain profitable in these tough times, three-pointed-star prices are expected to rise and the brand's smaller models are being considered for the U.S. We'd imagine that Dr. Z and the rest of the board's future plans for Mercedes-Benz, which includes a switch to boosted engines, hybrids and electric cars, can't come soon enough. We also wouldn't be a bit surprised to see an even larger shift to diesel power from the German automaker.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rahul 7:38PM (7/30/2008)
The beginning of the end for auto enthusiasts...
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Quattroporte 8:13PM (7/30/2008)
Yes, lighter cars made of cheap carbon fiber, more turbo charged engines, and 1,018hp koenigseggs that run on biofuel sounds like a terrible future for auto enthusiasts.
paul34 8:59PM (7/30/2008)
You must have misread the title. It refers to Mercedes-Benz, not BMW.
Chaz 8:37PM (7/30/2008)
I blame their motivational tools
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/video-how-mercedes-benz-beats-them-all/
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Carlos 9:03PM (7/30/2008)
I hope MB gets what they have coming to them for castrating Chrysler.
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Dave 10:18PM (7/30/2008)
Could not agree with you more. Put them all on a Hindenburg replica.
Cary 12:33AM (7/31/2008)
If you didn't think I'm chime in, you're mad. I wont go through it again, but realize Chrysler would not be around had Mercedes not given them the best technology they have ever had in any of their cars. LX platform? Not really, should be called W210 v1.2. Learn the facts.
stecki 9:05PM (7/30/2008)
beating them all huh?
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J M C 3 9:46PM (7/30/2008)
They need the new E Class.
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motorman 12:51AM (7/31/2008)
when times get tought people with money like to show they are doing their part like buying diesel caddys back in the 70s when they did not need to worry about the cost of gasoline. so now they are going to keep the MB for 4 years instead of just 2 years to show the "little" people they are hurting also.
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nicoleqte 2:54AM (7/31/2008)
It is an absolute mystery to me why they are not offering more fuel efficient 4-cylinder models for 2009. These engines are readily available in other parts of the world - it can't be that hard to adapt them for the US models of at least the C-Class and SLK,
Mercedes is shooting itself in the foot by trying to stay upmarket.
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Kumar 9:21AM (7/31/2008)
It's all about brand image for BMW and MB. They think it will hurt the luxury image if more people knew that the rest of the world has a wider range of engine choices, and even that taxi drivers use benzes elsewhere (base models usually of course ;)
Maybe they'll take a cue from ford/gm and retool that plant to make the A and B class!!!!!!