Not a very good sign- http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/dcx25_20030725.htm

 

Ouch! What the hell is going on with them. The article was a little vague so I wonder what or who is to blame for this. Well maybe within a few years when a lot of thier new products hit, they will do better.

 

What's wrong with them, you ask?

Well, the General's master plan is slowly grinding them to dust. There's only going to be one winner in the incentive wars gents - GM. No other company can maintain the cost pressure.

I am looking forward to the day when Mercedes are a mid-priced GM of Europe brand, placed right underneath Cadillac. And the day when Jeeps are available through Chevrolet dealers.... new.

 

Stupid Mistakes Like This Don't Help...

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Mercedes to give some owners new cars. Buyers paid for option to be installed later. Instead, Mercedes offers to just swap out the car.

CNNmoney 07/24/03 author: Peter Valdes-Dapena NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -

Mercedes-Benz will be replacing E-Class sedans for about 2,000 U.S. owners. It isn't because of mechanical problems or safety issues. They're being replaced because the owners had pre-paid for a navigation system that was supposed to be installed later. As it turned out, Mercedes decided replacing the entire car would be easier than installing the system. The DVD-based navigation system, which was to be part of an electronics package including a telephone and stereo, wasn't available when the redesigned E-Class was launched in September. Customers who wanted the system could pre-pay for it, though, and the cars they received had the telephone, the stereo and a system that allowed them to get turn-by-turn directions from a remote service. What the cars lacked was the promised DVD-based in-car navigation, which showed directions on a display screen. The total price of the package at that time was $1,635. (That was a special introductory price. If you want the system in a new E-Class now, it will cost you $2,124.) Mercedes began building the complete system, called Comand, into cars on its production line in June. As Mercedes engin eers worked with the system, it became apparent that it would be simply too difficult and time-consuming to put into cars after they'd been built, said Donna Boland, a Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman. Each unit has to be tailored to what's in the car, she said. If the car has a voice prompt phone system, for example, or a higher-end stereo, that would entail a different installation. Also, any other aftermarket electronics in the car also would affect the installation. Customers who prepaid for the navigation system are being offered a choice. They can either take a refund of $2,000 or Mercedes will take back their E-Class car and give them a new one with the Comand system already installed. We think very few people will probably take the refund, Boland
said.

 

It's shocking and very scary to see DCX profits dive like that, just when they are on the verge of doing everything right.

*Chrysler is the 1st US company (kind of) to recommit to RWD for volume cars (GM had to turn to Holden to respond quickly enough, though GM will still be a year or so behind).

*Chrysler (through the SRT-4) redefined to the world the term Pocket ROCKET!!

*Chrysler will soon hold the title to the World's Fastest Pickup Truck through the outrageous SRT-10.

*Chrysler has what debatably is America's only supercar, the Viper.

*Chrysler is poised to have either the fastest & quickest production sedan ever made in US history (assuming the SRT-8 Sedan outmuscles the CTSv) or one that doesn't cost $52,000.

*Chrysler is putting together a coupe that if sees the light of day will be the quickest & fastest vehicle ever made by them that has more than 2 seats.

*And finally, Chrysler's quality is finally getting the seriousness it isn't exactly known for.

If anything, Chrysler is putting the performance heat on everyone else, forcing them to get into the game. I really hope DCX pulls it together. Things are going to be red hot in the market by 2007, and it would be pretty empty if Chrysler wasn't a part of it.

 

Gee. As a GM stockholder and car enthusiast....that is a nightmare scenario to me.

I want a very healthy DCX and Ford to help GM focus it's mind.

As far as I can tell, GM responds to one thing and one thing only......market pressure.

 

coming soon: $20,000 liquidation sale Vipers!!!

 

Nah. I'm going to hold out for those $5,000 SRT-4s. I want to get a few of them to send as Christmas presents!

 

Don't forget to put me on your Christmas list Guy.

I like yellow.