Time magazine article on the state of affairs at Mercedes Benz...

[Deutsch]

This was probably one of the most non pessimist/realistic articles on Mercedes Benz that have been produced since the dark days in Stuttgart began. It's mostly a summarization of all the things those of us in tune already know. The editor made a very interesting and valid point, Mercedes Benz in a very big way is a reflection of Germany, and right now Germany as a whole isn't in the best of shape, unemployment rates are high and the economy is a giant snail. In the end though Mercdes Benz, especially w/ Dieter Zetsche as the pilot, will turn around and make it's way back to grace, and along the way(even now apparently) they will turn out quality automobiles that will pick up the legacy the brand had not all that long ago w/ it's cars. Another interesting point made, that has been the case for a few other automakers, was that there was too much spending and venturing into unknown and uncharttered territory(i.e. the smart brand) where the potential for making money was as big as the risk of losing money, the latter has been the end result. I believe Zetsche will make all the right cuts(as he did w/ Chrysler) and even more so, create all the right policys and programs to churn out the highest quality products that can be produced given the circumstances. Mercedes Benz will come back in a very big way w/ this new generation of cars, hopefully the same can be said for Germany as a whole.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Sounds like a very interesting read. I wish the article was available online somwhere.

 

[Deutsch]

Sounds like a very interesting read. I wish the article was available online somwhere.

Get over to your local newstand and grab a copy of the latest issue of time, I have already been to the webiste, and unfortunately the article is not there.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Will do. Whats on the cover of the magazine, so I know which issue to look for?

 

[Deutsch]

Will do. Whats on the cover of the magazine, so I know which issue to look for?

should look like this...

 

[Kleemann_SL]

I hope this is true, they have no other choise!!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Went to get this magazine, along with the latest CAR. They had neither.

 

[Deutsch]

Ha, I'd mail it to you, but that's pretty pointless. The new issue of car talks only about the new S-class and perhaps a few other things, but nothing too technical regarding this particular topic.

 

[Matt]

low employment rate in germany=cheaper labor=less expensive cars in America=higher demand for german cars=more need for labor=higher employment rate.

Don't read into that too much. Just thought I would point that out, kinda interesting the way global economies work...

 

[cawimmer430]

I've been actually thinking the same thing for awhile now. German cars at the moment are like Germany, a bit troublesome and uncertain. Thankfully, the German economy is showing signs of gradual improvement (and so are its cars!). The problem is that unemployment is very high and wage costs are the most expensive in the world. Reforms have to be introduced but Germans aren't going to give up the welfare system so easily. Longer working hours will have to be implemented and wage reductions might have to be enforced. It's pretty messy at the moment but things are looking good in the long-term. The unemployment is the only thing bothering me. Most German firms are looking towards Eastern Europe for production because of cheaper labour. It's not helping that Turkey may be accepted into the EU because then German firms can move into Turkey and use the cheap labour for production. That means more unemployed Germans at home.

About the Smart brand, I think it was a good idea to venture into this market. The Smart cars are appealing enough in their own way for those who seek an efficient city car. The problem is that Smarts are so horribly overpriced. You get the feeling that the finance folks behind the Smart brand thought they could charge "Mercedes prices" for these cars. If I have to pay Euros 16,000 for a radio and A/C equipped Smart ForFour 1.1 (yes, it comes stock without radio and A/C and costs Euros 12,000 in base form), I'd rather go to the Koreans or Japanese and I'll get a better looking car with more features for what you pay. That's how many people think and that's the reason Smart is suffering. OVERPRICED CARS.

 

[Yperion]

Those people at Smart should be crazy. A friend of mine bought a Fourtwo last year (he didn't ask me or else i centainly wouldn't recommend it) and the price with some extras was nearly 14 k euro! That is crazy! You can get a VW Polo for example which is a much safer/bigger/better built ect. car for that kind of money. Why charge so much for a bucket with wheels like Fortwo?

 

[cawimmer430]

Those people at Smart should be crazy. A friend of mine bought a Fourtwo last year (he didn't ask me or else i centainly wouldn't recommend it) and the price with some extras was nearly 14 k euro! That is crazy! You can get a VW Polo for example which is a much safer/bigger/better built ect. car for that kind of money. Why charge so much for a bucket with wheels like Fortwo?

They are crazy. I would never pay so much money for a Smart where A/C and a radio are "optional". WTF!? I'd walk backwards out of the Smart dealership and head for the nearest Hyundai dealer. A shame though, the Smart ForFour really impressed me.