Mercedes aims to cut costs by using more common parts

Care to expand on what you mean? Is Mercedes sourcing a basic motor for their Smart car out of convenience? If anything, Japan is regressing. Substitute "Japan" for "Honda" in the paragraph below and I think the observation is still valid.

"I have a theory. Honda might be one of those organizations for which incumbency doesn't sit well. Most cars—indeed, most products—are designed and engineered in a process of benchmarking, in which product planners evaluate their competitor's products and then attempt to exceed them in measurable ways. Perhaps, at a genetic level, Honda is better at benchmarking others than being the benchmark, better at catching up than being caught, counter-punching than punching."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204346104576639391879623856.html

Mercedes has been doing this for years, it was called Chrysler.

Just one rear-drive chassis might be pushing it...

After buying business the last 6mo. they need to make some money.

"It appears that Daimler found a new way to help its Mercedes-Benz brand to cut costs. The method is quite simple and was recently adopted by Audi, owned by the Vw Group, and consists in reducing the number of vehicle platforms and using more common parts across segments. These words came from Thomas Weber, head of research and development at Mercedes-Benz in a recent interview with Automobilwoche
----------------

ROTFLMAO! A "new" way to cut costs? Did they invent a new type of circular tire to go with this new method?