DaimlerChrysler Says "We Won’t Share Platforms"

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.

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1uberaudi - 12/13/2006 11:45:25 AM

0 Boost

What about the MB CLK and the Chrysler Crossfire? And what about the Chrysler commercials that tell us the Town and Country and Pacifica are the best of German and American engineering? Come on DCX, do you really think were that dumb. Lexus is also trying this, but its not working.

GS450h - 12/13/2006 2:17:40 PM

+1 Boost

1uberaudi I don't see Lexus trying to isolate itself from parent Toyota. The difference between Mercedes and Lexus is that many Lexus owners are actually very comfortable knowing that their car is a Toyota while not many Mercedes owners really wnat to know home many components are unterchangeable with a Dodge.

GS450h - 12/13/2006 2:19:24 PM

0 Boost

oops sorry i meant "how many components are interchangeable with a Dodge"

2JZSoarer - 12/14/2006 12:19:28 AM

+1 Boost

You mean the SLK not the CLK!!!

SixxFive - 12/13/2006 11:51:55 AM

+2 Boost

1uberaudi: the full article addresses the Crossfire topic. Notice that the article says won't - future tense.

I think this is a good idea. Did not know that VW/Audi are known for sharing the most platforms or as the article states "badge engineering."

Agent63 - 12/13/2006 12:46:40 PM

+2 Boost

1uberaudi - 12/13/2006 11:45:25 AM
What about the MB CLK and the Chrysler Crossfire? And what about the Chrysler commercials that tell us the Town and Country and Pacifica are the best of German and American engineering? Come on DCX, do you really think were that dumb. Lexus is also trying this, but its not working.
--------------

i'm sure they don't think you're dumb but i think you're dumb because it's the Crossfire that uses the old SLK platform. Also another thing it's not only the Town & Country and the Pacifica which are marketed as having the best of German and American Engineering.

Lexus is trying this ? now that i have yet to see on commercials. Can anyone confirm this?

TheDonII - 12/13/2006 10:47:51 PM

0 Boost

How about the R class and the Pacifica???

BimmerFan - 12/13/2006 12:47:55 PM

+1 Boost

SixxFive wrote : "I think this is a good idea. Did not know that VW/Audi are known for sharing the most platforms or as the article states "badge engineering."

This is the reason Audi does not sell that well in the USA compared to BMW and Mercedes.

AgentBrabus - 12/13/2006 12:48:51 PM

+1 Boost

Agent63

I was going to say the same thing...But you just said it :-)

dumpsty - 12/13/2006 12:53:01 PM

+2 Boost

A company such as DCX with so many products is smart to think about sharing platforms. How many consumers complain about their Lexus' feeling like "floaty" Toyotas? After all, it's the ride, textiles, and gadgets that most people ever really see, feel and care about. The platform is essentially unseen along with 30-40% of internal parts and equipment.

Rupert - 12/13/2006 4:46:05 PM

+1 Boost

mercedes has a resolutley denied this. i believed it was true, but then they said absolutely not, so they're not based on the old e. pity, it was a good car.

courtstone - 12/14/2006 10:40:11 AM

+1 Boost

But I dont get it. I understand that Mercedes and Chrysler merged, but why are they trying to distance themselves. I understand the issue with Mercedes buyers being a little upset about a Chrysler car that is just as good, but they merged. I expected there to be platform and technology sharing among the two.

When I heard the 300c was sharing chassis/platform and technology from the E class I thought that was good news. After all, Chrysler merged with a good auto company they should reap the benefits!

PlanoA4 - 12/13/2006 3:10:15 PM

+3 Boost

Actually a very good move for them.

As Lexus is finding you simply can't gussy up a standard econocar and proclaim it a world class vehicle. It does not stand on it own merits as world class. There are simply too many design compromises.

Lexus is now releasing new models that are structurally different to address this concern. By doing so they are differentiating themselves from the “common” Toyota vehicle which is exactly what Mercedes is doing from Chrysler.

Of course the Lexus fans are proclaiming this as an “innovation”, while BMW and MB fans yawn. They are simply used to it. So as Lexus ages it learns a valuable lesson from the old pros: “High end customers are not as dumb as they thought”.

Bill - 12/14/2006 5:24:12 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus is now releasing new models that are structurally different to address this concern. By doing so they are differentiating themselves from the “common” Toyota vehicle which is exactly what Mercedes is doing from Chrysler.



A Mercedes has never been based off a Chrysler vehicle. Your wording in your sentence is incorrect, Plano.

IZZIE06 - 12/13/2006 3:16:11 PM

+1 Boost

Xero they The magnum and charger share the same rear end electronic stability control systems and steering columns. as the previous genaration e-class

monkeyrun - 12/13/2006 3:46:33 PM

0 Boost

I guess that explains that Chrysler Crossfire.

No platform sharing at all.

chewy - 12/13/2006 10:49:30 PM

+2 Boost

Pacifica and R-Class and Viper and SLR share nothing. Chryslers are just reworked Dodges. The Crossfire was a reskin of the last generation SLK, but it sells in such low quantaties that no one remembers it.

OBSERVER1984 - 12/13/2006 7:33:38 PM

0 Boost

Smart said!

IZZIE06 - 12/13/2006 7:37:22 PM

+3 Boost

No the viper and the SLR are 2 completely different beasts.

woood - 12/14/2006 12:34:46 AM

+2 Boost

Why did that DCX guy have to say that. Its common knowledge that platform sharing is a given. Its the gadgets, materials, different designs and overall package that sets these brands apart. Simple.

audiot - 12/14/2006 10:06:19 AM

+1 Boost

Sharing is a good thing, especially at the holidays. Is this statement sending the wrong attitude to people?

Rupert - 12/14/2006 11:11:27 AM

+1 Boost

the viper and slr share about as much as apples and windows.

GS450h - 12/14/2006 3:11:46 PM

+1 Boost

The GL R and ML are based on a variation of the Grand Cherokee chassis. That's why the new bluetec V6 easily fits in any of these models. Also the transmission on the SRT-8 model is the same that is used on the AMG Mercedes.

Rupert - 12/14/2006 3:42:36 PM

+1 Boost

gl, r and ml don't share platform with jeep, i am sure of it. the last ml was seperate chssis, the grand cherokee wasn't. they have always shared engines, (last gen jeep last gen 2.7 diesel from last gen ml, which is completely different from jeep), but they are completely different vehicles.

Rupert - 12/14/2006 3:44:00 PM

+1 Boost

but they do share engines, the 3.5 is the 350 from merc. 320cdi is 3.0 crd in 300c + grand cherokee.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/14/2006 11:04:52 PM

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The GL is based off of the Jeep Commander, and the ML is based off of the Jeep Cherokee. Sorry, Rupert.

Rupert - 12/15/2006 9:39:05 AM

+2 Boost

seriously? i'm almost certain they're not. i know for a FACT that the last gen ml had a chassis, yet the last gen and current gen jeep grand cherokee were monocoques (unit body, is that a better word?). also the jeep has beam axles (or maybe only 1) and the ml is independently sprung. the gl/ml/r share 1 platform, and the commander/grand cherokee are bult off the same platform too.
i am certain tha the merc and jeep are not relate bar 1 diesel engine.

Rupert - 12/15/2006 4:33:06 PM

+1 Boost

"the gl/ml/r share 1 platform, and the commander/grand cherokee are bult off the same platform too."
i mean that the commander and grand cherokee share a platform with eachother.

IZZIE06 - 12/14/2006 11:29:20 PM

+1 Boost

EXACTLY how are the GL and ML based off of the Commander and Cherokee?