BMW/MB Merger!

[celsdogg]

After DaimlerChrysler's separation from the Chrysler brand, it appears the German company could be looking to partner with another automaker, this time from its home country. New reports suggest that Mercedes is exploring the possibility of partnering with in-country rival, BMW.

An anonymous Mercedes executive recently told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport magazine an alliance with BMW would be a "true marriage made in heaven." He said it would be nice to "cooperate with a company that is only two hours away from us, speaks the same language, and has the same target customer."

Meanwhile, BMW Marketing board member Michael Ganal was quoted in a recent interview, saying that Mercedes and BMW would be a logical match because “both brands are in the luxury segment, both are dependent on high technology, [and] both are independent but not the largest manufacturers,” according to Automotive News.

Mercedes and BMW are currently working together on developing hybrid technology. When asked about the possible union, Daimler's CEO didn't rule it out and said that Daimler “would welcome other opportunities.” Neither company has released an official statement on the subject, but don't expect another Daimler merger — BMW and Mercedes target the same customers, making a close alliance very unlikely. Instead, watch for more shared technology.

source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-merc...html#more-5620

i always thought of MB as the enemy, and i generally dont like the look of their autos. I am would be mostly against a merger. Other Opinions?

Discuss.

[witeshark]

I tend to agree. I have trouble picturing a C class 328i

[3050rpm]

This is a joke, right? I mean, at least at some level (although not a very high one) the M-B/Chrysler deal made some sense; M-B and BMW seem even more incompatible to me. C'mon, it's a hoax, right...?

[RSF5]

I don't think so... unless Mercedes is some complete and total other entity just owned by BMW...

[Dudesky]

I don't really consider MB the enemy. I actually like the C-class. But I'll always prefer BMW. They share a lot of the same technologies in their cars, so a merger would make some sense. But like the article said, having the same target customer would be a problem.

[xsperf]

i dont know about this 'same target audience'

mercedes is luxury, really no sportiness, and the smaller ones, they are just for people who cant afford the bigger ones.. haha, of course, there always is the AMG, but most of the time its an older gentlemen(or woman) driving it

and i dont think two of the highest competitors would ever merge, it just doesnt make sense, either way, if its gonna be the same deal is with chrysler where they are still basically two separate companies, who cares?

[celsdogg]

i have never drove an amg myself, but irregardless of whether its an AMG or not, i have this feeling that MB's are kinda like cadillacs, tons of luxury, not much for driving enthusiasts.

[3050rpm]

I just don't see it, but then again, my thinking about the automotive industry is at least a generation old. It's been said for years that the auto industry has significant overcapacity and that some shakeout was inevitable, and the MB-Chrysler deal made sense, two quite different companies and markets, so they tried to cover their bets all around. Didn't work, for whatever reasons, mostly cultural I guess. Land Rover tanked for BMW (thank goodness, even considering the cost). Does it make sense for an MB-BMW deal to shun the broad market approach and concentrate on locking in their already defined market segment? Dunno. Maybe rather than markets, it's pooled engineering and technological development that will drive [ha-ha] the industry from here on out.

[Dudesky]

I think if you drove a Merc, you'd be pleasantly surprised. They actually handle just as good as their counterparts. And saying that the small ones are for people who can't afford the bigger ones, the same thinking could apply to 3 series drivers. Overall, the C-class has slightly higher HP numbers than the 3'ers. My friend has an '04 C320 and we met up to compare . . of course it doesn't come close to the 530, but it was quite nicely appointed, handled like a pro, and had a good bit of kick to it. It changed my mind, challenged my generalizations about it, and I came away having more respect for it.

[celsdogg]

^^^ touche. but they are still ugly. . . imho.

okay. some of their roadsters look okay, and some older models too.

to anyone who has driven a mb: does it give you the same sporting feel and road confidence that BMW's give?

[MTurboPower3]

If that that happens the german's would do what they always wanted to do take over the world, it started with the Nazi's now its with BMW/MB. Maybe the world wouldn't get taken over the car industry sure would.

[Dudesky]

^^^Um, BMW once worked for the Nazi's

[MTurboPower3]

Yea so they would finally take over somthing, maybe not the world though.

[Dudesky]

Okay, I have to bring this one back for you guys . .



If they do merge, I would say they'd have to discuss this ad campaign

[witeshark]

[Kasei]

When I first saw BMW/MB merger I thought Maybach, and to be honest I was a little excited. I'm sure if the benz deal does go through that they will be two seperate companies under BMW AG.

Oh and I freakin love that ad dsky!

[Rooz]

So... what's next?

An M3 AMG?

[xsperf]

Originally Posted by Rooz

So... what's next?

An M3 AMG?

automatic supercharged/turbocharged m3? NOT DIGGIN IT

[MTurboPower3]

I will give benzolito credit for one thing they all have tight suspension and also the new design isn't too bad.

[94bmw325i]

Mercedes doing the interior, electronics, sound system, etc with BMW tuning the chassis, modeling the exterior and putting in a 6 speed manual could be a really cool car.