German Car Forum

The legacy of Chrysler's Pacifica Advance Design Center includes the concept that became the Plymouth Prowler. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli is shown behind the wheel of his Prowler.

Mercedes-Benz is giving second life to the former Chrysler Pacifica Advance Design Center and plans to purchase the building in Carlsbad, California.

The companies have entered a contract for the sale of the building though it hasn't closed yet. Terms weren't disclosed, but the nearly 35,000-square-foot building listed for $7.3 million. Spokespersons for each company confirmed the pending sale.

Chrysler closed the site earlier this year as part of a plan to streamline operations. The 20-person Pacifica design team has relocated or left the company.

Mercedes' plans for its existing studio, 51 miles to north in Irvine, California, are unclear. It opened in 1990 and employs about 18 people, according to company materials. However, it measures about 13,000 square feet--less than half of the size of the Chrysler property.

The West Coast has been a hotbed of design for both automakers.

The Chrysler Pacifica studio opened in 1983 and spawned the Dodge Challenger concept in 2006. It also was responsible for the concepts that led to production versions of the Dodge Intrepid, Plymouth Prowler and Jeep Compass, as well as a number of influential concepts that were not produced, including the Chrysler Millennium and Chrysler Atlantic.

Mercedes-Benz to buy former Chrysler Pacifica design studio - AutoWeek Magazine

Lets hope they clear the desks thoroughly on their way out. Don't want any Chrysler design getting mixed up in the MB paperwork.

should have just taken it when they owned it

Looks like a disguised money spending for Chrysler by Daimler... Daimler don't want Chrysler to loose ground because they still own 20%, so it seems Chrysler continues to cost them money. However the sum is very limited here.

Lol...I agree with you again Raoul. MB is lending a helping hand. Chrysler needs any support it can get.

"Last week's reports of Mercedes-Benz buying Chrysler's Pacifica Advanced Design Center are now confirmed, with the German automaker moving its operations there in July. The automaker will leave its current U.S. design headquarters in Irvine, California, with the 35,000 square foot Carlsbad location offering Benz designers nearly three times as much space, allowing the construction of full-scale vehicle models.


Just how much money traded hands in the deal between the two companies, which merged and recently separated again, is not known, though AutoWeek previously reported the property was listed at $7.3 million.

"The substantial enlargement of our design studio in California bears testament to the growing importance of design at Mercedes-Benz," said Gorden Wagener, head of strategic advanced design for Mercedes-Benz Cars, in a press release."

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Are you kidding me Mohammed? It is blatantly obvious, even to a casual observer, that Mercedes design underwent an ideological shift during the merger with Chrysler.

It is interesting to note that Chrysler had been imitating Sacco's designs for over a decade before the merger. The most obvious influence Chrysler has had on Mercedes is the figurative "Retro" styling we are seeing in the new models. Mercedes would never have produced a vehicle like the Ocean Drive Concept on its own -- the ODC has Chrysler written all over it.

I understand what you're saying Rob. But while you feel the ODC is somewhat garish, I think it draws successfully on the past and is beautifully executed. And I'll say it again, it is no more 'bling' then any current rolls.






The current Chryler range is quite bad IMO. Odd styling and proportions which are just wrong. That's what I don't want to get mixed up in the Mercedes paperwork.

^ I am not being critical of the ODC. I'm just pointing out that this [American] Retro approach to stying is new for Mercedes ....and there is little doubt that the relationship with Chrysler has resulted in much more self-consciously evocative designs from Mercedes.

When you say this I can't help but remember a comment from the man himself(Q & A: Mercedes-Benz's Bruno Sacco - Latest News, Auto Show Coverage, and Future Cars - Automobile Magazine):
I have always felt MB has, in a abstract way, been doing with their new models what Cadillac has been doing, i.e. more hard edges etc...

^ I very much agree with you on that Jeff. I also have to agree with Sacco on the Cadillac Evoq -- what a pity the production car (XLR) didn't look exactly like it.