In an interesting (at least to me) example of DaimlerChrysler synergy, the boxy Mercedes Sprinter van, common on the streets of Europe, has now come to America -- where, after what looks like nothing more than a swap of the front grille and the emblem on the steering wheel, it's being marketed as the Dodge Sprinter.
I guess that here in America, if you're a plumber or an electrical contractor, you don't want your customers seeing you drive up in a Mercedes -- people will figure that you're a hoity-toity guy who charges more than his competitors. But if you spend the same amount of money on an all-American car-for-the-common-man Dodge, you're just an average guy who needs some reliable 'Ram Tough' work transportation.
(This makes me think of the person I was talking to who was convinced that Germany must be a really rich country, since they used Mercedes sedans for taxis and police cars!)
How long until DaimlerChrysler sends us its really interesting cars, like the Smart forfour or the Mercedes A Class?
(Partial answer: Looks like Smart will be coming to America in 2006. Unfortunately, they'll be 'Americanizing' their product line for our shores -- leaving the original two-door coupe behind in Europe and adding an as-yet-to-be-developed Smart SUV!)
Posted by Kevin at September 25, 2004 06:20 PM