Chrysler (a sensitive subject for Sprinter owners), in deep trouble but with $11 million in the bank is very likely to merge, join, partner, dance with GM who is basically broke. They have asked the government for a part of our money – a bailout to help them accomplish this get-to-gather. Why? The stockholders will loose as well as the employees and dealers of both companies. Don’t add the taxpayers to the list!

According to the Wall Street Journal, General Motors (GM) and Chrysler LLC are lobbying the Bush administration to siphon off a portion of the bailout money to help fund their proposed merger. Chrysler, which is majority-owned by hedge fund Cerberus Capital Management, would end up being gobbled up by GM in a complex deal that would require about $10 billion to cover integration expenses.

Who benefits here? The #1 benefactor is Cerberus Capital Management. Cerberus is a private equity firm that owns 80.1% of Chrysler and 51% of GMAC Financial Services. In fact, it was Cerberus who first made the proposal of trading Chrysler’s automotive operations to GM. The Journal said Cerberus would receive GM’s remaining 49 percent stake in GMAC.

Cerberus is managed by John William Snow, who was Secretary of the Treasury under George W. Bush, from February 03 through June 06. He resigned and was appointed CEO of Cerberus in October, 2006. He benefits big time from this bailout.

Also to profit will be JPMorgan Chase since they hold a big portion of Chrysler debt. You may note that Morgan was bailed out in June by the Fed allowing them to take over BearStearns for pennies and later in September by the Fed allowing them to take over WaMu. In both these take overs WaMu and BearStearns shareholders and certain bondholders were wiped out. It pays to have friends in high places.

While no money for Main Street has been sighted, money is flowing but the pipeline is well guarded and being siphoned off here and there. We Sprinter owners don’t need to worry about where we will find service. The way things are going we won’t be able to afford it anyway.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is built by Daimler AG in Düsseldorf, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is sold under its Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and Freightliner brands. The Sprinter is offered to the American market as a panel van, crewbus and cab-chassis in different variants, in three lengths and three roof heights, and featuring a six-cylinder diesel.

Specifications:

• 3.0L CRD turbo diesel V6 engine
• 2987 cubic centimeter (182 cubic inch) displacement
• Power: 115 kW (154 hp) @ 3400 rpm
• Torque: 380 N·m (280 lb-ft) @ 1200-2400 rpm
• Fuel capacity: 25.0 gallons

The cargo Sprinter is built then disassembled in Germany and reassembled in the DaimlerChrysler plant in Ladson just outside Charleston, South Carolina.

Sprinters are used in the US by freight expeditors, as passenger vans and as van conversions. Many RV makers have adopted the Sprinter as a smaller high-end fuel efficient van-based Class B. The chassis cab model is used in larger Class C RV conversions. Also the current VW Crafter shares the bodyshells with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter counterparts, but the front grill styling, engine and transmissions remain Volkswagen sourced.

Many owners rebadge their Sprinters to Mercedes as the only difference between the US and European models are the logos.

If you want to check out a Sprinter and are in the San Francisco area, Saturday is the day!

Starfest 2008, a Mercedes Club of America event will be showing all types of Mercedes, new and old and restored, etc. Saturday 10-4 on the lawn at Treasure Island. It should be a great show for any one interested in cars, especially Mercedes.

Sportsmobile will have a couple of models there and I will have my Sprinter there for show also. Ooooh, so pretty! Now you know what I have been doing the past 3 or 4 days!

Please come by if you have the chance!