Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: mBdrvr on January 31, 2024, 19:56:05
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I was announced today that Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH (The Classic Center) has acquired components of Kienle Automobiltechnik GmbH effective February 1, 2024. This will include spare parts, specialized work equipment, but also the hiring of Kienle personnel. Evidently Kienle went bankrupt.
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Probably had something to do with this...
https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/hagerty-insider/alleged-fake-mercedes-ignites-million-dollar-scandal/
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Probably had something to do with this...
https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/hagerty-insider/alleged-fake-mercedes-ignites-million-dollar-scandal/
What a mess…
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What a mess…
Wouldn't be the first time. They got caught. Others haven't.
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I always thought that they were a first class operation.
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A bit sloppy though to have sold both cars... means either your administration is not in order, or you are too greedy.
And as German articles said, they had difficulty making money so looking for "an easy way" may have been too tempting.
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1. Kienle filed for bankruptcy on October 31, 2023. From a marketing point of view, it is good, that Mercedes took over the assets together with the employees.
2. Throughout this scandal, Kienle acted as a broker. He sold this car. Not knowing it was a copy. He publicly defended himself by claiming, that they checked in Germany and there was no other car like this. The original was in Switzerland. So I think he was a victim too. And the copy had to be very good indeed.
3. Due to the fact, that the buyer of this original Swiss 300SL was the husband of former minister - Klaus Kienle was treated worse than in the USA a Drug baron. All his properties were raided, scenes of his arrest and action were recorded and published in the news. It's a pity, that the police in Germany don't deal so with real criminals.
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When I was the advertising manager for The Star (MBCA) Magazine, Kienle was a regular and very, very good client-advertiser. They paid their bills faster than most. No problem in reaching them or communicating with them, and this is paramount: some people, even those in the USA where there was little language or time zone issues, were challenging. Kienle was great. Their artwork was light years ahead of most others, superbly designed and executed with stunning photography.
To be caught up in a scandal like this, particularly if they didn't know about it (that Swiss connection) is awful. They were renowned the world over for the quality of their work. I can only guess that they had a great staff.
Very happy that the staff may still have jobs.
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I visited their shop when I was in Germany many years ago. Klaus took my friend and I on a tour of the shop. Everything was well organized and very clean. The cars in the showroom were better than new. Hopefully they will still get to do their great work.