Warfang
Enthusiast
Is anyone else besides me tired of the "merger bashers"? The Germans did this or that, yadda, yadda. Does anyone read the financial pages? Keep up with automotive business news?...Crossfire is all SLK underneath...
Have YOU been keeping up with automotive business news? The Crossfire IS all SLK underneath, BUT the Crossfire is mysteriously 30-40 HP's SLOWER... hmmmmmmm. Oh right... maybe it's environmental requirements. Germen tagged cars fart fresher air than American ones.
Sure, the Chrysler/American cars are selling well, and the Krauts will get pig rich building them, while laughing all the way to the bank. You see, every john and jane doe will buy better than mediocre cars designed for the masses. It's the high end, and "flagship" cars that gives a company bragging rights. DC will NEVER let an American-tagged car outshine their lower selling, overpriced, money losing, but *superior* cars.
Don't tell me all of the inadequacies of the srt coupe stems from DC playing strategic beancounting, and tactical "government regulatory finagling". DC spent how much building and hyping that overpriced POS McLaren (PinocchioMobile)? No expenses spared, right? And how many have they sold? How smart was making THAT car? Was it for... bragging rights? Why would they want to dilute the Mercedes brand by making an American Dodge Viper far less than half the price but barely a flash slower and infinitely better looking? Wouldn't that make them look pretty dumb to compete with itself? Face it, we're the neglected stepchild.
For the record, Daimler swindled Chrysler into the deal. It was called "a merger of equals". It was really a corporate sucker punch and hijacking. Since you're so up to date on your financial news, I'm sure you know the details of the "merger", and can tell me how many American execs sit on the board now?