John,

Because Thielert is totally dependent upon Mercedes to provide them with
engines.


That can't be it. For two reasons:

1. The thing that Diamond allegedly has in development is based on an
automotive engine, too. In fact, I once read an article by Thielert where
he makes the calculation for developing an aircraft piston engine from
scratch vs. based on a car engine - and there's just no way you can break
even if you start from scratch these days.

2. Mercedes's output is so high that even if they quit making an engine
Thielert needs, it would be no problem at all for them to buy 20 years
worth of supply right before Merc shuts the production line down. The car
manufacturing numbers just are that much bigger. Our market is tiny.


--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)