When Daimler Benz purchased Chrysler, I said that I would not believe it until I saw a Penastar on a Benz.
I was right!
This "merger" between the 2 companies made no reason to be except one. Greed.
The greed of Chrysler's management and shareholders who wanted to get in on the stock market boom of the 1990's
As, for Daimler Benz's reason for buying Chrysler?
Too much beer during the negotiations?
No matter what the reason however, the Germans took Chrysler and drove it over a brick wall. First by not shearing technology, then by letting Chrysler have MB's old technology while they kept the new stuff for them self.
Finally, like most American and European companies, when the problems got bad, they bailed.
If an Asian company controlled Chrysler, they would look upon Chrysler's current problems and see them as a part of the normal fluctuations in the automotive industries.
In addition, there is another factor in Daimler Benz (I assume that they will return to their old name - a boom at lease for printer and sign painters!) decision to rid themselves of Chrysler.
In the fatherland, Chrysler was looked upon in the same light as the American GI who married into some aristocratic German family. In other words, not good enough for their daughter (Mercedes), and now relieved that a divorce is pending.