Just kidding. I mean, both parts of the story are true: Daimler workers are protesting and Mercedes is NSFW-canning the 6.2something liter version of the M3-chasing CLK. In the case of the Daimler workers, they’re doing what German workers do: take to the streets to protest the slightest roll-back in pay or bennies. Oh, did you think this was a union protest? Nein. “Workers wearing cardboard masks of chief executive Dieter Zetsche’s face carried collection boxes as they protested against pay cuts of up to 14 per cent for the company’s 73,000 white-collar staff. They are also being asked to reduce their working week by up to five hours.” As for Daimler’s assembly workers, they’re being gummed to death. “The car maker has also put 50,000 factory workers in automotive production on shorter working hours, and plans the same for another 18,000 commercial vehicle workers after Easter.” Same money, less hours? Yeah, that’ll work. Meanwhile, back to the Galactica! It looks like AMG’s maximum thrust models (apologies to Peter North) are due for a major cutback.
According to Autocar, not only will AMG not bother making the CLK63 AMG, the doubly negative in-house tuner will go for the triple: they won’t be making the CLK63 AMG Black Series, either. If I’m reading this right, that’s because there won’t be a C-Class coupe. Merc will stick with the E. Which also won’t get the AMG treatment because . . . hardly anyone buys them? No se.
In any case, depending on whether they enjoy gangsta chic, depreciation dismissing AMG devotees may be pleased to learn that Mercedes will refresh the CLS63 AMG. In fact, “it could be the first car to benefit from AMG’s new twin-turbocharged direct direct injection V8 engine planned to be unveiled next year.”
Rumor also has it Daimler Defense Industries’ Viper Mk VIII hit the chopping block. As the Beach Boys might say, sail on, sail on, Cylon.
Really…the German workers are protesting.The Detroit News has a story about Honda employees waving placards.The French have the Iffel tower closed[worker protest or something]
Gee and here I thought that was the exclusive sanctuary of those nasty,overpaid, drunken UAW types.Arn’t the Japanese worker’s dedicated to the common good of the company?Will they not get thier”ribbons of honour”this month?
Here I was under the impression that Mercedes vehicles,were assembled by little elves in the Black Forest.Another myth gets shattered.
Contrary to popular belief,we don’t “wildcat” in this part of the world.Judges have a habit of handing the “downtime” bill to the union leaders.
That kind’a put a damper on things.
Doesn’t matter because there are like fifty AMG models left. Seriously, how many are there? Something like two for each C/E/S (two and four door) and then one for each convertible? Throw in a few Black models? Does anyone buy these things?
Does anyone buy these things?
Judging from what I see in Toronto, a few aging baby-boomers who’ve done well and are desperate to show it. They use their 600bhp coupe/sedan to creep to and from home to their reserved parkting spot. Which is their right…but it’s a lot of wasted potential performance-wise. And they keep the mechanics at MB busy, helping to ease unemployment.
And, yes, Mikey the sense of entitlement of many European workers is something to behold. The French and to a lesser extent the Teutons are particularly deluded.
“Maximum thrust/Peter North” – hilarious. Just one more reason why I love this site.
In other news, there are rumors that the new E-Class coupe is, in fact, based on the C-Class. What the frak?
On the other hand the C and E essentially share platforms now so that’s not really a big deal if true. I just wanted to say frak.