Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler – The Behind-the-Scenes Exposé of The German Takeover

by Bill Vlasic, Bradley A Stertz

Here is the book that exposed the Daimler-Chrysler "merger of equals" as a bold German takeover of an industrial icon. Taken for a Ride reveals the shock waves felt around the world when Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler for $36 billion in 1998. In a gripping narrative, Bill Vlasic and Bradley A. Stertz go behind the scenes of the defining corporate drama of the decade -- and in a new epilogue chart its chaotic aftermath.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Alex Ripley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book -- extraordinarily well researched and well written, it accomplishes the onerous task of making the minutiae of corporate M&A activity read like a fast-paced thriller. The subject matter is obviously now rather dated, and the book along with it, but this still stands out as one of the best books on business I've read in a long time.

[Tirath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great history book.
Helps a lot towards understanding the quality of Chrysler's products vis-a-vis the giant conglomerate that Daimler used to be.
Also, cyclicality of businesses, the power of capex to suck away cash, ego, the lure of growth and market size and power.
How a management team is important for the success of an organisation.

Funny to see - Nissan in a bad shape, Chrysler coveted, Hyundai taking capital from Mercedes, Chrysler frowning at India's growth prospects.

Also, Mergers are difficult to control, acquisitions are easier, but still tough.

Good plot line - from Chrysler's resurgence in the 1990s towards escalating competition from the Japanese and the fall of Detroit.

But the authors do miss out on some crucial details, and leaves the reader wanting more information from a book that is too dramatic to be considered non-fiction in entirety.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book. The chain of events which led to DamilerChrysler is fascinating, as are the egos involved in running the company. Reads like fiction. The authors really paint a vivid picture of the differences between two cultures. All of the events since the book was written could probably be another great book by same authors (Celebrus, bankruptcy, Fiat, etc)

[Cws]

338.8

[Wendy Liskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book - written by someone I know VERY well!

[Robert Eustace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Itwas interesting to see how it all went down.

[Charlie Haviland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think former Chrysler CEO Bob Eaton could get a table in a Michigan restaurant if he were accompanied by the pope

[Allein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the famed Daimler-Chrysler merger and its immediate aftermath.