A month after saying it would stick with the campaign, DaimlerChrysler has announced it will be suspending the Dr. Z ad campaign featuring company chairman Dieter Zetsche. While the company says Dr. Z will be back at some point in the future, it prefers at this time to highlight its zero-percent finance offer. I'm shocked - shocked I tell you - that they thought a spokesperson who seemed to be a German-accented version of the Monopoly Guy would distract people from some other message they were trying to communicate. Just shocked.Dr. Z now Dr. Ditched
A month after saying it would stick with the campaign, DaimlerChrysler has announced it will be suspending the Dr. Z ad campaign featuring company chairman Dieter Zetsche. While the company says Dr. Z will be back at some point in the future, it prefers at this time to highlight its zero-percent finance offer. I'm shocked - shocked I tell you - that they thought a spokesperson who seemed to be a German-accented version of the Monopoly Guy would distract people from some other message they were trying to communicate. Just shocked.Reader Comments
(Page 4)62. I don't really care wether they take him off of the commericals or not, but when I see the one abut the minivan and him saying that they "invented the minivan" just ticks me off, Daimler Chrysler did not invent the minivan, Chrysler invented the minivan well before the takeover by Daimler
Posted at 8:32AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kevin H
63. i liked the radio commercials alot. Im surprised to see im one of the few! I think Dr Z was kinda cool getting down on a regular person's level. Also I like that he is a big shot at the United Way. That says something.
Posted at 8:35AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Sue
64. I also like the Geico gecko, but their new commercials are so annoying that I immediately change the chanel when they appear!
Posted at 3:09PM on Sep 11th 2006 by rj
65. Love those Z commercials, funny and different. To Don
Levine. GET OVER IT !! " Z " commercials not about
Holocaust Hilter and events of that time .As Z told the little girls about the dirty Jeeps" it`s a joke".
Is the moustache real ?
Posted at 8:37AM on Sep 11th 2006 by catstew
66. I sort of liked Dr.Z ads. They were a refreshing change from the really obnoxious adds, like the ones showing identity theft victims talking in grating voices.
Posted at 3:53PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Mary G
67. I have only this to say.. HEAD ON HEAD ON HEAD ON APPLY DIRECTLY TO YOUR HEAD!!!
Posted at 8:44AM on Sep 11th 2006 by OhioHottie
68. Germans own Dodge and Chysler. Think about that. Also why to people who drive forgein cars put an AMERICAN decal on them.
Posted at 8:46AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Ed deBlecourt
69. Thank God, he's gone. I hope you never bring him back. He's much, much too arrogant. At least that's the image your ad writers gave him. Please -- send him back to Germany!
Khrys Lawrentz in AZ.
Posted at 8:46AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Khrys Lawrentz
70. The Dr Z. commercials were memorable, funny, and were a positive thing for Daimler Chrysler ---- since they made that monolithic company (and its CEO) appear approachable, while emphasizing many of the key vehicle messages. I am sorry to see them go; I am even sorrier to read some of the comments below --- several of which struck me as limited in their viewpoint of the world in which we live (a global vibrant econ-community).
By the way, I live in Detroit (Home of the Big 3), and many people here are proud of DCX, its worldwide "reach", and its competitiveness.
Posted at 8:47AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kathleen
71. I LIKES DR Z. bRING HIM BACK
Posted at 10:16PM on Sep 11th 2006 by JOHNNIE
72. Any inference to the Nazi's is misguided and racist. The guy is a nice enough fellow and those who equate him to a Panzer commander or the holocast need to get a life. Some people cling on to thngs they only read about. Buy a Ford if you need to...he supported Hitler as well. Is that big news to a lot of you?
It amazes me what lack of education shows on some of these quote forums.
Posted at 9:10AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Mark
73. Why the fuss about a German being used to sell stuff to "Americans"? We are all from some other country except the few remaining American Indians. How do you think they feel about whites being used to sell stuff to them?
Posted at 10:15AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Mike
74. Until I ran across the notice that Dr.Z was axed, I had no idea in the world who he was, and didn't care enough to find out. Figured it was supposed to be funny, and it wasn't. I just figure all car ads are filled with lies and deceptions and ignore them.
Posted at 8:50AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Pat
75. Well, Dr.Z had one good idea..canceling his ads! They were lame. Cleaner diesels, lower mpg, better quality-THAT sells cars. RAM Tough! Not funny accents! And yeah, maybe a bikini or two?
Posted at 2:37AM on Sep 12th 2006 by warren
76. As a public school teacher with 18 years experience, I enjoyed this one because so many times I had taught my heart out on a concept just to be asked, "Is that your real hair color?" or "Does your husband like everything you cook?". Kids are Great!
Posted at 8:53AM on Sep 11th 2006 by judy brackeen
77. Chet--
The German Volkswagons with the little diesel engines are the highest mileage car you can buy. As for Dr. Z, I thought he was OK. I thought he was an actor! There are few car commericials I really like anyway.
Posted at 8:54AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Kent in SD
78. Get a gecko
Posted at 8:22AM on Sep 17th 2006 by Karen Crenshaw
79. The Dr. Z commercials were great. VERY disappointed they are stopping
Posted at 8:59AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Richard
80. The Dr. Z commercials were no worse than most other ones. I get tired of watching a one hour show with only 35 minutes of programing and the rest is commercials. I know we have to have them, but there must be a better way, at least Dr. Z was clever and not near as hokey as others are.
Posted at 8:59AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Sandra Finch


61. Although I do nor own a Chrysler, I thought that Dr. Z's spots were full of humour and should have been effective. To remind the americans that Chrysler is owned by a german company (Mercedes) who's technology is far ahead of local car manufacturers is a plus.
Posted at 8:31AM on Sep 11th 2006 by Charles Bressler