Built like a Mercedes (?)

Comments4u · 2006-01-29T08:59:40+00:00

With job cuts announced on both sides of the Atlantic, its clearDaimler-Chrysler is serious about cutting the fat. Even more,it has announced plans for increased production at the currentlyhot Chrysler unit without additional workers. That is truelycutting the fat. But observers wonder if Daimler-Chryslerhas really identified all its fat. Its not just in the workforce.It is in the cars and trucks.At the Chrysler unit, the new Dodge Dakota, which, perhaps onlycoincidentally, is selling poorly, picked up 600 pounds in itsre-design, all for a paltry additional 2 inches back seat room.But it merely followed the example of the Pacifica: over4000 pounds for a six passenger vehicle that has all theluggage space - in both shape and volume - of a 78 PlymouthHorizon. The Pacifica isn't even in the same league as Chrysler'sall time weight efficient 6 passenger vehicle: the (then)downsized 79 New Yorker, Newport, and St. Regis, at under 3800pounds.The extra weight is generally not evident on the road, thanks toChrysler's potent engines. But it is at the gas station. Andit certainly takes a toll in increased wear of mechanicalparts.It may not matter, however, if the Chrysler unit can convincecustomers the extra weight means greater quality. Mercedes hasbeen quite successful, until recently, with this strategy.Mercedes' economy car, the C230, makes its tires scream witha hefty load of 3405 pounds. In contrast, a Honda Civic with5 cubic feet greater combined capacity weighs 777 pounds less.But there is always opportunity. With the added weight,Lee Iacocca may be tagging Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeepcommercials with "Built like a Mercedes". Of course, ifthat turns out to be true, Chrysler Financial will soonbe in the business of offering car equity loans for therepair bills.

Jan 29, 2006 733 Replies

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Huw 20 years ago

Yes.

Huw

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Martin Joseph 20 years ago

Netscape version 4 is a dinosaur. UPGRADE.

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Martin Joseph 20 years ago

Clare is right on about this. I own a couple of 1968 Buicks. Her estimates are very, very close.

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Daniel J. Stern 20 years ago

Own GM garbage, and you'll get a skewed view of the appropriate and normal length of life for an automobile.

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jcr 20 years ago

Message from Richard Sexton written on 2/4/2006 1:19 AM:

Man, get off of that thing. These are what you want...

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And/Or...

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Richard Sexton 20 years ago

Duh. I did. To Opera. I just happen to remember that bug and the fix, that's all.

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Richard Sexton 20 years ago

The Yugo of browsers. Bah.

Use Opera:

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Richard Sexton 20 years ago

Not as quickly as buying a Ford.

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jcr 20 years ago

Message from Richard Sexton written on 2/4/2006 3:45 PM:

Fine too. I figured you were married to the Mozilla base.

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Daniel J. Stern 20 years ago

Amen. *clink*

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Huw 20 years ago

IS TOO!

Huw

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Daniel J. Stern 20 years ago

IS NOT TIMES INFINITY!

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Huw 20 years ago

IS TOO TIMES INFINITY AND *BEYOND*

Huw

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Dori A Schmetterling 20 years ago

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling

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Daniel J. Stern 20 years ago

There's no such a thing as "beyond infinity". MOMMMMMM!

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Arif Khokar 20 years ago

Thanks for letting me know I missed one for the killfile. :)

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Hernando Correa 20 years ago

IS TOO 'TRIPLE' DARE and *BEYOND*

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Daniel J. Stern 20 years ago

You keep out of this, Nazi!

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Dave HD 20 years ago

There is in Quantum Physics!!! ;-)

Davehd

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theguy 20 years ago

no problem.

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Built like a Mercedes (?)

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