DaimlerChrysler, McLaren looking at creating 'new brand'

[AlienDB7]

LONDON - A joint venture of DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars may develop another vehicle in addition to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car.

"We are currently looking into possibly building a further vehicle," McLaren chief Ron Dennis said at the opening of the McLaren Technology Center last month in Woking, near London.

Juergen Hubbert, head of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz car operations, said: "Our focus is currently on the sales start of the SLR.

"But we are already looking into the future. We want to create a new brand."

Hubbert said the proposed vehicle would be positioned between the Mercedes-Benz SL and the $400,000 SLR McLaren.

Although they emphasized that there is no decision to build the model, Dennis and Hubbert said they believe a production volume of 15,000 units would be realistic.

The first 30 SLR McLarens were finished quickly when the technology center opened May 12. The car's production volume will be 3,500 vehicles.

"The SLR took some doing," Dennis said. "In the beginning we thought we were better than we really were."

He said McLaren lost a lot of time and money at the start of SLR production because the company underestimated Mercedes-Benz's high quality standards.

Customers face the consequences of these delays.

Hubbert said a customer who orders an SLR today and pays a deposit of $50,000 will get the car at the end of 2006 at the earliest.

The car has a base price of about $400,000.

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00704254

[peacenriot69]

The SLR is definitly a cool car and of course very well made and probobly very fast, although i am not a benz fan i dont like thier headlight styling and i think i would prefer any ferrari / lambo / mclaren f1 to the benz slr, i am not discounting that the car is no doubt amazing, but IMO dont really care for it. and its really hard to draw :lol:

[bobafett]

Money talks. Ron Dennis is *not* happy with Mercedes. Actually, if you talk to him, he was SORELY pissed off about having to cut off their relationship with BMW, who he still believes is a much better engine maker.

But, money is king in the end. And DC has it in spades.

--Dan

[vraa]

If they do have so much money why'd they cut off support for Mitsu Motors?

[Sm@ck]

If they do have so much money why'd they cut off support for Mitsu Motors?

Otherwise the shareholders (mainly German) would force/demand severe changes in the Board of directors, and the execuctive management, due to the drop is share price

[vraa]

I still don't understand. I thought a change of directors is what DCX wanted, isn't that what they have done with Chrysler?

[LotusGT1]

I'd hope the new car is more McLaren and less Mercedes.

[nthfinity]

i dont think either car is really honoring the name McLaren... bloody fast, and such... but anywhere similar to the original... unless that was secretly called the Murray-mobile :wink:

[number77]

i'm hoping to see some new technology implemented into the upcoming Charger. :D :shock:

[sheruken]

I'd hope the new car is more McLaren and less Mercedes.

I absolutely agree with you there LotusGT1. SLR is a good car, but its just not a McLaren.

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

What an intesenting subject to talk about,,,,,this statement is one of the most interesting that ive read, and one of the most i have learned as well

farewell

[bobafett]

Vraa: you're totally missing it.

Go read "Taken for a Ride" by Brian Burrough (same guy who did the absolutely brilliant "Barbarians at the gate"). In there he chronicles the deal between Daimler and Chrysler and all of the drama behind it.

BTW, a friend of mine was a major shareholder in Chrysler before the takeover. It is interesting to note what really went on.

--Dan