I really would like to know who in DaimlerChrysler made the statement that
Mercedes will not allow Chrysler to build anything to compete with their own
SUV.
Truth is, Chrysler does builds SUVs that compete head to head with Mercedes.
Here in North America the M-B ML-Class is more expensive than the Grand
Cherokee, but in Europe the two start at the same price level. Simply a
matter of shipping and import duties that pad the prices going across the
Atlantic. The Liberty, by the way, is sold over there as the Cherokee.
And how does one explain the Crossfire and Pacifica? Both will be priced
more in the Mercedes range than in Chrysler's present market niche. Truth
is, buyers just have not gone for luxury Mopar vehicles. Chrysler could not
get the public to accept the Imperial, and the FWD Town & Country has not
been a best seller, even though it was the first of the luxury minivans.
The European press believes Mercedes will be using the Grand Cherokee
underpinings in the next generation ML 4x4. And they see M-B using the
Caravan as the basis for a new Mercedes-Benz V-Class. The present one is
generally seen as being too truck like, and is considered M-B's worst car.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Neil Thorpe" <nt014b6628@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 12:59 AM
Subject: Re: IML: Lincoln "Imperial"
> What about the ML55AMG Mercedes, second most powerful SUV behind the
> caddy, though quite a bit lighter and a few feet smaller.
> Mercedes will not allow Chrysler to build anything that competes with
their
> own SUV.
>
> Neil, 82Imp
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Crown58imp@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 5:00 AM
> Subject: Re: IML: Lincoln "Imperial"
>
>
> > DaimlerChrysler has noticed that the PT Cruiser is underpowered. Their
> answer
> > is the up-and-coming GT Cruiser which will be powered by the same LHS V6
> that
> > powers the Prowler and the 300M. As far as reviving the Imperial as a
big
> > luxury RWD sedan that would be wonderful, but not likely. As one of the
> > members mentioned earlier, the Germans have no interest in putting out
an
> > ultra-luxurious Chrysler that would do nothing more than compete with
> their
> > own Mercedes line. Here's another idea, why not resurrect the Imperial
as
> a
> > ultra-luxury full-size SUV. As far as I know neither Chrysler nor
Mercedes
> > are competing in that arena. The Imperial might just steal some sales
from
> > the likes of Ford Excursion, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator,
Toyota
> > Land Cruiser, and GM's Hummer H2. How about that? Our beloved Imperial
can
> > come back disguised as a truck and powered of course by the new Magnum
> Hemi
> > engine from the Ram line. Wouldn't it be nice?
> >
> > Doug
> > 58 Crown coupe
> >
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network