Truth about the Daimler/Chrysler Takeover

      First of all, this isn?t about being anti-German or anti-Global.

  This is about a bad business deal. A deal that makes multi-mega-millionares out of a handful of senior
   executives. Executives who can bail-out at any time, leaving the rest of us to pick-up the pieces. A
  so-called ?merger? that will ruin one of America?s proudest industrial corporations by teaming it with an
 inefficient, overstaffed, bureaucratic company headquartered in a socialist nation. Germany; with its 11%
  unemployment rate, 50% tax rates, overbearing government and de-valued currency is now feeling the
           ?global? pain of being the most expensive place in the world to do business.

     Jurgen Schrempp, like any good corporate leader, is doing what?s best for his shareholders.
Daimler-Benz, which controls only 3.7% of the European market, 1.1% of the North American market and
 even smaller amounts elsewhere, will not prosper during the coming global automotive shake-out without
  a strong North-American partner. Forget Daimler?s Truck, Train and Aerospace divisions-they?re either
 marginally profitable or downright money-losers. If it weren?t for heavily subsidized European government
 contracts, they?d have been sold-off years ago. Just how much of Daimler's recent cost-cutting prowess
 is due to the weak Deutschmark? At the same time, Chrysler (which sells vehicles in 140 countries vs.
   Daimler?s 55) becomes a stronger, more competitive global player in North America and the newest
                          growth markets of South America.

                  Daimler can add very little to Chrysler in exchange.

     A stronger presence in the saturated, no-growth European market? Perhaps, but it will come at
     the expense of Chrysler?s industry leading efficiency.

     Improved quality? Exactly what is their ?system?? They don?t have one! Simply purchasing
     the most expensive materials/engineering and re-working finished products until they?re
     perfect might work if you build 715,000 cars a year and sell them at $35,000 to $150,000.
     But it means nothing to a company that builds 3 million vehicles per year in the $10,000
     to $35,000 segment.

     Improved access to technology like ESP (Stability control) or BabySmart child seats? I?m sure
     we already have the phone numbers for vendors such as Bosch & Siemens
     (Developers/suppliers for these and other so-called Mercedes ?innovations?).

     The ?synergies? of sharing costs with another company? It's always cheaper to buy in bulk, but
     will the savings be worth it if in a few years we're just a German version of GM. Sure, we
     could realize "synergies" with any partner--even HyundaiChrysler, but that?s not a very
     good idea, is it?

     For Employees: 421,000 employees? Someone has to go, Ford has 100,000 fewer people
     worldwide but builds 2 million more vehicles. Frozen career advancement. Questionable
     future "profits". The distraction of a merger contributing to a loss of focus.

     For Shareholders: A smaller ANNUAL dividend? Taxed at 25% by the German
     government?! The same government that has a say in even the smallest business
     decisions. No requirement for public earnings statements?! Etc. etc.

         Visit this website: www.flash.net/~bigmopar

 There is much more to be learned, but everything can?t be told on just one page. Visit the site and print
 hardcopies for your friends without Internet access. Copy this page and spread it around. A 51% majority
 NO vote by shareholders is the only way to stop the takeover. Senior management and Kirkorian control
        only 13% of stock. The takeover CAN be halted, and we can all get back on track!

The takeover CAN be halted, and we can all get back on track!