What Conflict? Mercedes awards SLS AMG body panel construction to Magna
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Click above for high-res image galleryMagna International pulled a bold move when it declared its intention to buy Opel from General Motors, bridging the gap between component supplier and contract manufacturer on the one hand, to independent automaker on the other. In the process, Magna jeopardized its relationships with Germany's largest automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, who had been keen to do business with a supplier; less so with a direct competitor.
Daimler sees it another way, however. Not only will Magna continue building the legendary Gelandewagen for Mercedes-Benz at its facility in Graz, Austria, but Mercedes also announced that the contractor will make the aluminum body panels for the recently-unveiled SLS AMG supercar. For its part, Magna is satisfied to receive the business, naturally, while Mercedes and Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche says he sees no conflict of interest. Deliveries of the SLS are expected to begin next spring.
Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Clavius 4:09PM (10/11/2009)
Well obviously. I dont believe Opel has a car that can touch the SLS if Magma was to eventually own it. So therefore no conflict in regards to parts pricing, quality or what have you.
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Quantumphysics 7:40PM (10/11/2009)
I don't like it at all.
Give us a E-Coupe AMG and call it a day.
Swede 4:17PM (10/11/2009)
There is no conflict, there are many examples of manufacturers that produce goods for competitors and themselves at the same time, including the auto industry.
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daleam 4:51PM (10/11/2009)
That's the way the suppliers work. I have worked for some of them making parts for Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi etc. General Motors even made steering systems for Honda via their Saginaw Steering division for years.
Level 4:24PM (10/11/2009)
There has never been a conflict of interest....It's only car companies acting childish....good to see M-Benz is not one of them....In this day and age there is no one supplier that is exclusive to one brand...they would never survive and the car manufactures could never afford to build every nut and bolt in house....
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Level 4:27PM (10/11/2009)
plus forgot to add, they used the excuse of trade secrets which is irrelevant as every trade secret has a patent attached to it for the world to see the schematics...
daleam 4:48PM (10/11/2009)
All I can say is that gallery has some absolutely gorgeous pics!
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Arkz 5:12PM (10/11/2009)
Interesting... At first, I really didn't like the way the SLS looked, but the more I see it, the more I understand the proportions. I'm actually starting to really like the way it looks. Funny enough, the same seems to be true with a lot of new cars lately.
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Venom 8:21PM (10/11/2009)
Man that's a hot car.
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mbslrm 9:02PM (10/11/2009)
Doesn't GM supply parts to Ferrari? And isn't the Altima hybrid's powertrain licensed from Toyota?
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Jimbo 9:58PM (10/11/2009)
I can see VW being upset with Magna because they compete directly with Opel. Mercedes does not, so why would anyone expect complaining from them?
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Joan of Arc 11:28PM (10/11/2009)
Well, a lot of lower priced cars have parts from the bins of many other cars. How could you price a new-generation Altima, for example, with parts crafted in house? The price of the Altima would be ridiculous.
Perhaps that's why luxury vehicles are priced so high? I'm no car industry expert, though.
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Franz 12:02AM (10/12/2009)
I do love this car.
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aliasfox 12:52AM (10/12/2009)
One would imagine that the Japanese with their keiretsu system (one overarching mega-conglomerate making everything from TVs to cars - Mitsubishi, for example?) might have less supplier overlap than other companies/systems. However, that may only stand for JDM products.
Opel will still compete with Mercedes in the A, B, C, and low end E-class segments, though I'm betting that Opel and Magna will remain noticeably separate, at least until the SLS has completed its run (probably why Benz isn't concerned).
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nastinupe 1:52PM (10/12/2009)
I really like this car. Mercedes made sure that it looks like nothing else on the road, and with that they succeeded.
The body had to grow on me, but it definitely has. The interior is a bit bland though.
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