The past few weeks I have been amused in watching the Daimler-Chrysler "Dr. Z" commericals featuring the DCX CEO Dieter Zetsche (...It's a Choke(sp) Kids!). In over 45 years of associating with Germans in Military, Government, and Automobile related activities, you find out that there are some aspects of humor, including self-deprecating, or poking fun at ego's which are taken quite differently than the American "Norm".

Have things changed that much now that Daimler-Benz owns Chrysler, a weakened GM is a target for takeover, Porsche proclaims continued robust European, Middle East, and Far East Cayenne sales in spite of US declines, that they can "afford" to make fun of themselves? How has Europe viewed (if shown at all) the Dr. Z. Commercials where even a Redneck portraying actor" ("...It's a Hemi") can tell the CEO of Daimler-Chrysler that he's screwed up?

In effect, are they laughing with us or at us! How the World has changed...

Perry