With in-house tuning, separation breeds innovation

We all know about AMG, the in-house tuning arm of Mercedes. It was founded in 1967 by ex-Merc engineers.  A 51% stake was purchased by Merc in 1999, and it was wholly bought by Diamler in 2005. I love what AMG produces. I love the lunacy, the raw passion, the radical nature of their ideas...

But! I prefer tuning houses that stay separated from their conglomerate counterparts. Executive boards have a tendency to stifle creation. There are rare exceptions when management gives free reign to their wide eyed engineers. Even though owned by one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, the company remains the candy store, and the designers are the kids.

This is the way it should be...the smartest people in the industry together under one roof, but with an endless supply of support and resources behind them. I hope AMG realizes the importance of this fact...and strives to make it a reality at all times.