Chrysler unveils latest electric concept: Chrylser 200C EV
From allpar.com:
The Chrysler 200C concept is not actually based on the LX platform, but it is rear wheel drive and somewhat smaller than the 300C. The car appears to be a short-wheelbase version of the next generation LX; the people we spoke with could not provide details, as one would expect.
Designer Ryan Patrick Joyce, who worked on the interior, said that the interior was not created with production restraints in mind, but was “blue sky — we can push our aesthetics so we can pull back later.” The idea was to have an impression of open space, so everything is low and down; thin seat technology was used, with curves for more interior room. The car was set up for four seats, but it can accommodate five; four were chosen, according to interior design head Cecile Giroux, because it makes the interior look more spacious. Both Joyce and Giroux said the seats (developed with Lear) were very comfortable, a theory tested and supported by our testers.
2009 Detroit Auto Show / North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) - 2009 Coverage
Chrysler 200C EV Concept - jalopnik.com
January 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
WOW! What the Sebring should have been. If this is what Chryco has in store for 2010 and beyond then “the reports of their demise may be greatly exaggerated.” Keep up the good work!
January 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Chicago Dave,
Mega ditto, buddy! This really looks like a great car coming down the product pipeline. It is LONG overdue. Let’s just hope that there are still enough hands on deck in Auburn Hills to get these new vehicles into production on schedule–and with adequate time and attention devoted to refinement, testing, attention to NVH and elimination of bugs and gremlins (no pun intended). My worst fear is that there may have been too many cuts in personnel in the last few months, but let’s hope that the engineering ranks were not hurt badly. Man, if new products like these can get to market on time and ALSO garner above-average rankings from J.D. Powers and Consumer Reprots it will mark the dawn of a new era for Chrysler and its (remaining) dealers. It’s always darkest before the dawn, and we may have just seen here a the emerging light of the dawn of a new day. Amen. brothers and sisters.
January 11th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Holy freeking cow. This car is beautiful. I have to say, Chrysler may be down, but out??? NOT BY A LONG SHOT!
January 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
By the way, I hope the Daimler folks were left peeing in their pants have seeing this car. BAM!
January 11th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Chip,
Yeah, man, it looks great. Don’t you think that’s because every SOB that worked on the current Sebring was let go and they brought in a whole new team? Let’s hope that the same culture that allowed the current Sebring to go into production will never again exist at Chrysler. Another thing to be wished for is that heads will roll whenever any product ranks below industry average in its category according to J.D. Powers and Consumers Reports. That’s because all that is required to earn a decent return on investment and a nice profit is to offer appealing products like the one you see here that are also perceived by the public as having quality, reliability, value and refinement. When the economy is in half-way decent shape, that’s a recipe for any company to be successful.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
DaveS,
The folks at Daimler were the people who signed off on the current Sebring. My thought is, they didn’t care what was going out the door. They were selling this company anyway, a bunch of designers got together and said let’s design the most overly worked over vehicle ever. who cares it won’t be my problem.
If this car is any indication of what the future holds, I think it is blindingly bright. I’m eager to see what the Jeep GC looks like.
I hoping the culture changes and there is accountability / responsibility for problems and defects with regard to assembly. I also hope people change their buying habits and think twice about buy products who headquarters/parent business is located overseas.
Autoblog had some excellent photos.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-chrysler-200c-concept-what-the-sebring-should-hav/
January 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
The car is indeed gorgeous. I can’t find one angle that isn’t harmonious and sharp.
And yes, the culture that created the current Sebring was the bosses at Daimler. The people that actually worked on that car did the best they could with the situation they were in. From any inside reports, development on these projects is still going apace, so I think we will see them on schedule. I also think that this gives some broad hints to the styling direction for the next 300C - a bit bigger, more formalized and angular though. Strictly speculation on my part, though.
January 11th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Okay, something else I noticed from the photos - check out how the line of the curve from the truck lip continues down through the tail light and then through the actual seam of the bumper to the wheel well, actually turning a production necessity (the seam) into a cohesive styling element.
Nice. The thoughtfulness of that almost brings a tear to my eye, actually.
January 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
wow…nice very nice
January 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
WOW WOW WOW WOW this gave the imperial a run for it’s money. I currently have the 300C This car is Gorgeus. If this wants chrylser is headed for Baby bring it on..
January 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Boy do you have short memories.
The original Sebring Concept was Gorgeous by the time it reached dealers hands it was a watered down version of the original concept.
The bean counters killed the latest Sebring and Avenger, not the designers.
The 200C concept is gorgeous, but does Chrysler have the intentions to bring it to market is this the Sebring-Avenger replacement?
It you viewed the reveal video nobody from Chrysler management made mention about the production version of a 200C.
If your trying to revitalize the company wouldn’t you show us a production vehicle verses a an exercise in engineering.
Did I miss something?
January 11th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
You are exactly right, Rich!
This car will never see the light of day.And if it does, it will look nowhere near as nice as this one does.
January 11th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Wouldnt it be nice to know this car was coming out in 2010 and built in sterling heights?
And wouldnt it be nice if the car looked identical to the one in the pics……………..
I guess we can keep dreaming……………..
January 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I agree that there are likely exterior elements which will not or cannot make it to production (the interior is clearly concept only). However, I believe it gives the best idea yet of where the styling is going. If by concept Sebring, Rich, you mean the Airflite - indeed it was a sharp car. However, keep in mind that what we saw of the concept Challenger and what we got arguably even an improvement. So, it can go both ways.
I know I’ve posted this here before, but since the topic is tangentially the Sebring, this is what happened with it:
http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103289
It’s well worth the read.
And…. this many posts and still on topic. That deserves note itself!!
January 11th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I have to day, if the 200c continues to receive the positive attention it has been getting, production could be very close to what we see. This is do or die and if this concept contains the right ingredients, this could be it. The 300 didn’t change much at all from concept to production and the changes made to the Crossfire I think were an improvement.
Excerpts from Cleveland’s newspaper.
Ralph Giles, Chrysler’s lead North American designer, called the 200C “a concept that’s heavily influenced by reality.”
Full article
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/01/chrysler_shows_off_concept_car.html
On another note Zetsche states that in the following:
Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche told reporters Sunday that when the company made future product decisions about five years ago, “we tried to do everything to go for a very broad and rich product pipeline.”
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-01-11-plans_N.htm
I guess economic cars were not part of the product line.
January 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Rich your right I did think of that after I view it online. I guess I dreaming like the rest. Well if nothing else I love my 300C. thanks for the reality check:-)
January 11th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
http://www.autoblog.com/category/chrysler/
Autoblog’s got more great articles and videos on the Ram, Patriot and other Chrysler products at the Detroit Auto Show.. Thanks to Chip for providing that great link to the Autoblog piece on the 200C.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
you are so right, rich. when i first saw the airflite concept i was giddy. i was in sydney australia at the time it premiered and it made the front page of the newspapers there.
a few years later i saw a picture of a barely disguised sebring prototype online one night and i threw up in my mouth a bit.
it would give the american public a sense of confidence in chrysler is mr. nardelli or press or gilles would step up to the mike and announce production plans for this vehicle. a new grand cherokee in new york in april is not going to cut it this year. if chrysler wants to be taken seriously as player it needs to commit itself to excellence in the midsize market where automotive loyalties are won and lost.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
This car resembles the 2009 car of the year hyundai genesis….
Its a damn shame hyundai wins an award like that.
Chrysler better get cars like this out as fast as they can before its all over with!
January 11th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Anonymous is right!!!! somebody need to light a match under chrysler ass
January 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I love it! Build it and they will sell thousands upon thousands.
January 11th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
You people also have to remember whats going on outside of all these concepts and what not. The world right now is in a real big mess. This mess might take many years to clean up.
Both gm and chrysler are basically bankrupt auto companies.Take away these minor loans and they are dry of cash.They are going to need many more auto loans to stay afloat.
A lot of chsrysler electric vehicles, concepts and other things look and sound nice, but when you really think about the situation chrysler is in financially and sales wise really tells a different story.
This will be the year for us to really see if chrysler can be a stand alone car company, like nardelli keeps claiming it can be.
By the way. Were there any other new concepts besides the 200?
January 11th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I’d buy one if it were reasonably priced.
January 11th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Good news, 2009 Dodge Ram pickup 1500 series won International truck of the year award. Thanks Allpar for the information.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
It is most definitely worthy of the Imperial badge and should be adorned with the glorious name. Elegant, yet sophisticated, an incredible Imperial indeed. A grand slam!
January 11th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
The domestic car industry has honed it’s skill of wetting the appetites of its dealers and loyal customers with concept vehicles that will never see the light of day, why wouldn’t it work on Congress or the President.
Behold President Obama the never to be built Chrysler 200C. Look at the earth friendly high tech electric motor and ion battery. See the pretty blue interior lights and loads of homeland security big brother gadgetry.
For the mere price of one F-22 Raptor, we can delivery a vehicle that will in no way shape or form, perform or look like the Chrysler 200C revealed at today’s Detroit Auto Show.
That’s all the 200C and the rest of the vehicles revealed at the Detroit Auto Show are all about, federal loan guarantees.
Over look in all this 200C glorification, the Patriot EV: I think the Patriot EV will be Chryslers first EV offering.
January 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Maybe it will be different this time Rich! Up to this point, Chrysler platforms and autos have been the carry over from Diamler. Chrysler is now like the high school boy getting ready to head off to college. No longer a boy, not quite a man. Give Chrysler a break. This electric may be the next K-car.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Chip,
Keep up the good work, ole buddy, of providing those great links. The last several paragraphs in that Associated Press article in USA TODAY that you linked us to are so important that I’m copying them below for everyone to absorb:
————————————————————————————-
•Chrysler’s chief executive acknowledges that the company’s plan for new vehicles has a hole in it for 2009, but he and other executives say Chrysler will make it through the year and to 2010, when it will roll out important new models.
Speaking the reporters at the North American International Auto Show on Sunday, CEO Robert Nardelli said 2009 is a concern for the automaker, which saw its sales decline 30% in 2008 and 53% in December.
Chrysler plans to introduce an electric car and a subcompact in 2010, and it has a new 300 sedan, Charger performance car and Jeep Grand Cherokee in the works, but until then, there are few promising models to boost sales. Many analysts predict that by then, Chrysler will be acquired by another automaker or sold in pieces by its majority owner Cerberus Capital Management, a New York private equity firm.
The hole in Chrysler’s product plan, Nardelli said, was left by the company’s prior owner, Daimler. Cerberus bought an 80.1% stake in the Auburn Hills automaker in 2007.
Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche told reporters Sunday that when the company made future product decisions about five years ago, “we tried to do everything to go for a very broad and rich product pipeline.”
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Well, Dieter did say “tried”, not “did”.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Anonymous
Rather then the 200C wouldn’t you liked to have seen the new Grand Cherokee or 300C or Charger or the Hornet.
The reason you didn’t see these vehicles is do to the fact they aren’t on track to launch as Chrysler has indicated.
We are suppose to see these vehicles by 2010 model year, if you look back in history we usually get a sneak peak 18 months to 2 years before model launch.
I saw them in clay and in drawing at the dealer meeting back in September, but nothing since.
Where’s the beef, it is all Facade and paper mache.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Sorry guys, but the current crop of chryco products had little shelf life before introduction. The Charger and 300 had maybe 5 months between their “sneek peek” and their official release. The Pacifica was a quick show in Detroit before it officially released in March. Chrysler design has the ability to turn a vehicle from concept to production in as little as 27 months, the shotrtest turn around of any of the automakers. Don’t count this little “concept” out as a 2001 production model released in may of 2010.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:09 am
DaveS,
Thanks for the mention. I went on to Google news and have a Chrysler search. Let me know if you are interested in setting this up.
I hate to poo all over the poo train, but I think the reason we haven’t seen the 300, GC or Charger in concept format is because the company was experiencing so much confusion and financial uncertainty. All development of these vehicles was pretty much off the table. Daimler wasn’t interested in really giving Chrysler a strong footing because they were going to sell it and development takes money. Ceb initially wasn’t interested because they were going after Chrysler Financial. I said all along that what they need is a person of a group of individuals who are passionate about cars because when they are the result is the 200c.
I’m sorry for all you folks who are in the biz. I can’t even imagine the kind of grief you are going through, but you are on the inside and you been battered pretty hard by what is going on. Since you guys are on the inside though, you need to put out the word that the company is still in business and the company still had some pretty good products.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Looks like the 200c is receiving some pretty positive news. NYT story was luke warm, but typical of the Times.
Outside automaker may build Chrysler midsize car
1 hour ago
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5htynXBGVsqDrkwUS9s8reRVEtoJA
A Polished Electric Concept From Chrysler - New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/12/automobiles/autoshow/chrysler-200c.html?em
DaveS, Here is the search I use which you can bookmark.
Chrysler News Search
http://news.google.com/nwshp?tab=wn&q=Chrysler&ie=UTF-8
“Chrysler not looking for merger, Nardelli says”
http://www.freep.com/article/20090112/BUSINESS03/901120326/Chrysler+not+looking+for+merger++Nardelli+says
January 12th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Also I forget that the dealers see the new produc tway in advance of the general public.
Other then the dog and pony show product all future product development has slowed to a crawl.
The only product that Chrysler talks about during webcasts is the new Grand Cherokee and I know they are getting a lot of help from Daimler on that product.
I read and watch everything that Chrysler sends to the dealers and I’ve seen no other updates of any of the other products promised for 2010.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Just read in Automotive News that the Dodge 1500 Diesel Ram is delayed till 2011.
You cannot believe anything these guys say, they told us at the last dealer meeting that Chrysler had put aside all moneys necessary to move forward with product developement of the 1500 Diesel Ram.
Right!
I’m sure this will not be the last annouced cancelation or delay of new product.
Again the Facade Corporation rears its ugly three heads.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Plain and simple.
CHRYSLER DOESNT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW!
CUT CUT CUT…………………………….
There was only 2 new products st the show. An electric sportscar and the 200c.
Geeeezzzzz
January 12th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I just saw the new prius. Looks nicer than the old one and its bigger too.
It also gets 50 yes i said 50 MPG.
I will have one in my garage.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Rich…. The LX, LD and WK are on track…..
There is no reason for you to believe me… but they are.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Jona
Have you read where Chrysler is going to extend plant closures past the original 30 day shut down period?
Chrysler dealers are over flowing with new 09 product.
Chrysler reported that they had less then 2 billion dollars on hand the day they received the 4 billion loan money from the feds.
How do you move forward on future product when you don’t have enough money to pay for day to day operations?
If you don’t have cash flow you can’t fund product developement.
The 1500 Ram Diesel will just be the first of many projects delayed or out right dropped in the coming weeks.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Americans should pay higher taxes on gasoline to make sure they opt for more fuel-efficient cars, said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volkswagen of America. Jacoby said in Europe a gallon of gasoline…………………………………..
WTF is this world coming too? Raise gasoline prices so people can buy these more expensive fuel sippers.I guess you can kiss the truck and suv segment goodbye if this sort of behavior becomes reality.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Rich is right about the Sebring. Yes, the end result was much different than the concept. But this 200c is absolutely stunning. It’ll stop you in your tacks. Hopefully the true form of the concept will stay till the end and the production model will be a beautiful.
That said, I drive a 2008 Sebring and think it is beautiful, on the outside! But the inside, feh!, is garbage. Sad. I don’t have any illusions about it being a chick magnet or anything, but it is trouble free (knock wood) and has 12,000 miles on it less than one year old. I get compliments on it all the time. It’s a looker. (I am lloking forward to reading the link that Rich posted above though, as I can;t remember the changes which were made before production).
I remember back to the early nineties. We were hearing about this new thing called “cab forward”. What the f*&% is that we all thought and then the LH cars came out and we dealers and the Corporation KICKED ASS. People LOVED THE LOOK on these cars (prolly had more plastic on the interior than the cars today, but preferences change that’s for sure). Much like the K car a decade before it was Chrysler’s resurgence into the marketplace, except unlike the K car (utilitarian only), this car had major “eyes”. The 200c gives me the same feeling. I am out of the business, but if Cerberus can pull this off before selling the whole thing or selling brands piece-meal, this vehicle is everyone’s ticket to profitability and you;ll all be singing happy days are here again.
But, for those who do recall (no pun intended) the LH and my little vignette above, they probably remember the multitude of electrical problems, a/c problems, evaporator problems, brake problems, etc. that drove away a SIGNIFICANT portion of the conquest business we gained over such a short period of time. We took in all kinds of foreign trades, highline cars as well. Crazy stuff, but we f*&%ed the dog and chased all our new customers away to the likes of BMW, Acura, Lexus, etc.
I say this because those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Hear me now Cerberus, don’t repeat it. The death knell will all be but in the offing. Peace.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
If the future sedans resemble anything like the 200 then i think chrysler has a chance to survive. If it were to be built at sterling heights would be a plus too.
They need to start filling the holes at all these 1 shift plants Sterling heights, jefferson, mack 1, mack 2, st louis, toledo jeep, etc.
I hate when i hear that nissan might build small cars for chrysler.Chrysler needs to build their own cars to keep plants running and people employed.
I really hope they start building the 200 sometime next year.They really need a car like that to jumpstart things!
January 12th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Chrysler would do well to revive the supreme look of cab forward. The glorious design, a huge and original Chrysler hit, was dumped during the Daimler era.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2009/01/are_these_the_l.html
BusinessWeek article by David Kiley that will break your heart. (That’s a McGraw Hill publication, folks; real mainstream business/industry publication that sang the praise of Chrysler (but not is cars) when it was profitable selling trucks, SUVs and minivans, as late as recently as 2 1/2 years ago),
CHIP, tHANKS to you, I’m signed up with Google for alerts on Chrysler. That’s where I got this BusinessWeek column.
January 12th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123178194133074067.html
Chrysler electric sedan makes waives
The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 12
Heulluva’ a lot of interesting background on the 200C and the fact that it isn not part of Project D but is intended to be a premium vehicle that would sell in smaller volume than the Project D replacement for Sebring/Avenger…
January 12th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123172160917772419.html
INVENTORY TRAFFIC JAM HITS CHRYSLER
With sales down sharply, dealers
aren’t ordering new cars despite
the frail auto maker’s reuests
The Wall Street Journal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 (Page B1)
Mopar Dealer, Rich, Fomrer NY Dealer,
Please share with us your perspective on this article. Those of us who
have never owned an interest in a dealership or never even worked
in one would value your evaluation of the major points in this Wall
Street Journal article.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Well that’s too bad.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Chrysler is back, baby! They produce these cars and the sacrifice will have been worth it. Clearly, out of life’s dung, grows this rose. It’s a seminal moment in Chrysler’s history. In the end, Chrysler’s rebirthing effort will be justified for without pain, there is no gain. Nardelli deserves an A+ for this royal effort at transforming America’s greatest corporate icon in the most difficult of times.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Dave, we can read articles like those allday long.A lot of that stuff is speculation.I do believe if the economy and cars sales dont pick up that most if not all will come true.
The one article where the dealers are overwhelmed by vehicles is nuts.Chrysler could shut down their plants till july and dealers would still have a shitload of vehicles.
My prediction is chrysler will be chopped up and sold to an auto company that can use the trucks and minivans.Pretty much the rest will just vanish.
And i also believ the new carzar cant wait to decide chryslers fate………
There are just too many auto companies and vehicles out there.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I saw the 200 at the autoshow. It is one of the nicest looking cars i have seen in a long time.
I really liked the 300 when it came out, but this vehicle looks 100x better than the 300 did. Great job guys!
January 12th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I agree Heather. I loved the 300 when it came out, but today it has become “gansta” and less and less attractive to me as I see pimps and the like driving them more and more.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
DaveS, I just read the BusinessWeek article. Please don’t post any more articles like that as they do nothing for sales or employee morale. I have full confidence in the motor company and that it will find a way to pull out of the current crisis.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
DaveS
In December of past years DaimlerChrysler would go into over drive, Sales District Managers would call you on the hour pushing pre built cars and trucks known as Sales Bank Vehicles down dealers throats.
When the economy was hot DaimlerChrysler could unload distress vehicles on dealers by offering them both cash incentives and/or hot product to off set the losses you’d incurr on the distress vehicles.
This is where it got tricky, in December of 2006 DaimlerChrysler had a huge amount of Sales Bank Vehicles upward of 150,000 units to unload in the month of December.
Credit was loose and dealers were hurting for cash, DaimlerChrysler throw buckets of cash at the dealers to take Commanders, Durangos, Pt Cruiser Convertibles, Grand Cherokees and Gods knows what else, oh yea I forgot Pacificas and Crossfires: Couldn’t give those bastards away.
That was the beginning of the end for DaimlerChrysler, they saw the hand writing on the wall and all options were put on the table Feburary 2007.
Fast Forward to October of 2007, The New Chryslers Las Vegas New Vehicle announcement show. Both Bob Nardelli and Jim Press made in passioned speeches proclaiming the end of sales bank:We will build only what you want to order.
Yeah Right, Old habits die hard.
So this last December of 2008 The New Chrysler found themselves in possession of over 100,000s prebuilt orders, Closed dealership orders, Bad Fleet deal orders and to much production: We can’t call it Sales Bank, because Jim Press gets upset and threatens anybody that uses the term Sales Bank.
Just ask Brad Wernle of Automotive News who first exposed Chrysler for their Sales Bank sell off in an article he wrote in December.
Jim Press demanded Mr. Wernle’s head on platter.
Chrysler was offering dealers up to $4,500.00 cash per unit they took over and above 110% of your normal allocation.
Many cash strapped Chrysler Dealers bit and now their lots are overflowing with floored distressed vehicles.
Chrysler need to do this to create cash flow and to clean up 2008 production. The problem now is the dealers have spent the cash and their isn’t any wholesale flooring left to take on new product in the first quarter.
Watch for February 1st 2009, it will go down as the day that Chrysler died. Up to 600 dealers are slated to go out of business on that day the day that Chrysler Financial calls in the markers on any aged inventory.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Mitch pull your head out of your ass and deal with reality.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
VW: Electric cars an unproven gamble; diesel the best way
Chrysler has a slew of diesel vehicles that get over 35 mpg.The problem is they are all sold overseas.The sebring and avenger diesel both average over 38 mpg. The jeep patriot diesel acheives 42 mpg…….
Why cant they just let them sell em here in the united states?
January 12th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Coming Home to Chrysler. Wow! This car is beautiful. Yes, I will be coming home. I have been away for many, many years, but with the 200C, I will be back. I am ready to buy American again.
January 13th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Whatever happend to Ross Parrot’s plan to go green with natural gas cars? Don’t hear much about it but would that be easier to do than an electric? I’m thinking some retro fits would work just fine. Then people could hook up at home for fuel if they had natural gas. I’d do it. Would they consider doing that? I am sure many fleets could do the same.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:18 am
The Chrysler 200C EV is a range-extended electric vehicle. But more importantly, it’s a new Chrysler mid-size sedan. The carmaker promises that this vehicle, or one very much like it, will head to showrooms soon. It will also be available with a gasoline-only engine.
It would be an important step for Chrysler if it can get the car to market in time to save itself. First of all, electric powertrains are an important part of the automaker’s turnaround plan. But just as importantly - so are better-looking, better-built cars and trucks.
The sleek 200C could replace the current Sebring, a slow seller that’s been criticized for its design as well as for its lackluster performance. (The 200C is a little larger than the Serbring, and Chrysler isn’t saying what it would replace — if anything.)
Chrysler hopes that when the economy improves, cars like this will bring back some of the market share it has lost.
“You’re going to buy a car that checks all the boxes,” Chrysler’s vice president for design, Ralph Gilles, said in an interview at the auto show. “It’s efficient, it looks good, it feels good, you’re proud to drive it. And when it does that, you win. That’s all we can do.”
January 13th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Rich, since you got a chance to see the new Grand Cherokee, what do you think. Is it a 10? Larger then the current GC.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:15 am
So much for the Rich that was excited about 2009 and the future. I knew that wouldn’t last long.
Figures, when Chrysler actually looks like they might have some decent future product… he tears back into them. Since he is apparently a CPA for Chrysler, he knows exactly what is going on and has insight at Cerberus as well.
As if Cerberus called and canceled the diesel Ram themselves. Thats about as stupid as you can get. Wow… just when you were actually starting to win me over, you make a stupid comment like that. Cerberus isn’t an ATM. They just can’t give Chrysler a debit card either smart guy.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Anonymous, that’s what happens when we don’t take our meds. My first wife was that way. When she took her meds; fine. When she would fall off the wagon, look out. I simply could not take it any longer with her, bless her heart. That might help to explain the jubilation on one hand and the disgust on the other. As for me, I’ll always remain loyal to Chrysler, in good times and in bad. Let’s just hope the rest of America does the same. Always be honest, loyal, and do a good job.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:34 am
DaveS said “Mopar Dealer, Rich, Fomrer NY Dealer,
Please share with us your perspective on this article.”
I appreciate that you would like my perspective, but my opinion is in any way an “all knowing” one and I find that most people on this message board have something interesting or pertinent to say (though you have to dig pretty deep on some of them and find your way through the emotion).
In large part I agree with the sentiment Mitch expressed above - stop posting / reading these types of articles. Truly from an owner’s perspective the articles are self-defeating, counter-productive, unhelpful, and moral killers for everyone, including owners. It is hard though, you know, to look away while in the midst of the fire storm; especially in light of the fact that the Dealer is in many way no better off than the average consumer with respect to obtaining information about what is going on. We, like most, glean our information from stories like the WSJ one in question and attempt to piecemeal together something close to coherence in the search for what the f*&%$ is happening.
That said, some Dealers are more closely connected than others, i.e. are on the National Delar council. Or, have particularly close relationships with their DMs, DOMs, or higher ups in the BC and beyond.
As for what Rich said above, January 12th, 2009 at 10:11 pm, his assessment is pretty damn accurate, though I am not sure about the doomsday scenario in connection with CFC on Feb. 1, 2009. But as I understand it, the “new” floorplan rules are onerous and IF CFC indeed does try to collect, or in fact simply EFTs the amount directly out of the dealer’s account on whatever day, the results will be felt immediately - dealers not SOT (Out of Trust=dealer has not paid for vehicles already sold and off the lot), will be SOT overnight.
Chrysler has played the Sales Bank, push inventory model method ever since I can remember. I go back to 1982. The theory is to sell our way out of a mess. It kind of works too if enough money is thrown out into the marketplace. We all know who invented “Buy a car get a check”, right? But that meant the consumer would get the check. The consumer rebate was meant as an incentive to get the consumer to buy resulting in lower dealer inventories and a corresponding reduction in sales bank / increase in dealer orders from the factory.
And so it went, the factory would push units onto the dealer with the promise that the next big incentive will come, “don’t worry”, “trust me” your DM would say, so Dealer would take him on his word and order, because the last thing a Dealer need was for the DM to be telling the truth -if he didn’t buy any additional units Dealer would be f*&^%ed and have no vehicles to sell.
Along the way, the factory had to get creative because consumer incentives just weren’t getting it done. Fast forward through dealer incentives and stair step programs, etc and we get to the point where the G-d%^$# factory started to pay dealers just to buy vehicles for stock to keep the factories running. Notice that the focus shifts away from creating demand in the mind of the consumer to shipping vehicles to dealers without a corresponding increase in demand in the market place.
Sounds unsustainable doesn’t it?
Yet, the mindset of the dealer is that I better buy these extra units (and pay the extra floorplan etc.) because if I don’t and the factory does come out with something I’ll be screwed. Bear in mind that most dealers do not have any insight into what kind of incentive will come down the pipe except those like a previously mentioned above.
This difference in availability of information serves the factory’s purpose and fosters the dealer’s mentality that he’d better buy units. Now, I realize that I am going on and on, but bear with me.
So getting back to the factory PAYING dealers to buy vehicles - at least at the very beginning it was fair, for the most part. Dealers were on an equal footing payment wise. Then, the factory, seeing that this model was no longer producing the desired results, i.e. too many units in sales bank or unordered at the factories - the factory started to pay delars for units in unequal amounts. And not by a little either, by a lot. Sometimes the difference could be in the THOUSANDS, which means a Dealer who does not play the game will be at a significant competitive disdvantage in the marketplace. So, now you have no demand in the market place and excessive inventory on dealer lots - inventory that one delaer is at a competitive disadvantage to sell against another dealer just down the street.
Sounds unsustainable right?
Right.
* * *
Look, I try to not let emotion cloud my judgment or opinion. It’s difficult. Some will say that I am persona non-grata for jumping ship. The truth is, I got out of the business at the end of 2005 because I was not satisfied in my life - I did it for over 20 years, right out of college, and wanted to do something else. I was lucky. I did not have a crystal ball. Though I did not like the direction of the business overall, I certainly did not see this coming AT ALL. And, had I acted later, well, I prefer to not really think about it. It is too painful. I still have a lot of friends in the business whom I wish well and think about every time I read a WSJ article like the one DaveS posted.
Shoot - I just realized that I went on a tear. It’s prolly too long a post so my apologies to the Administrator in advance. And my apologies to everyone if I went off on a tangent.
Peace.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Anonymous
I comment on the whole package: Some positive but because there’s so much of it mostly negative.
The sales numbers for December had a positive shift month to month and that’s the number I was commenting about. Also our dealership sales are thru the roof, we had the biggest December the store ever had and January has shown no signs of letting up.
All used vehicles sales and total give away prices on new vehicles, we make no money on new vehicle sales.
Chrysler Management is still working out of the old play book that leads to cycles of over production and bland product offerings. It is reactionary verses proactive.
When sales show signs of life they over produce, then when sales crash they abandon product development and quality suffers.
Isn’t it ironic that the bottom line always falls to product quality and desirability, yet no matter who has ownership of Chrysler they continue to fail on these two points.
Show me a 200C that you plan on building and give us a hard intro date, we are all tired viewing auto show concepts that should have been, could have been and would have sold well if produced as viewed.
I don’t like comments from senior management like: We need to gauge public reaction to the vehicle before we’ll consider possible production of the 200C.
What???
January 13th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Selling diesels in American would be great, but the US has tougher standards for emission controls than in Europe (ever seen the soot that accumulates on the buildings there. The Cummings Diesel hasn’t been taken off the table, but in the end is it really cost effective??? Sure diesel achieve better mpgs but the cost of diesels is noticeably higher than regular fuel.
The following was taken from Allpar’s News Section.
Dodge diesel delayed
January 12th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Dodge Ram 1500 pickup buyers will have to wait at least another year to have a diesel option. The new light-duty Cummins engine scheduled for introduction in 2010 has been pushed back to 2011 at the earliest.
Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s VP of product development said the company is re-evaluating its approach to diesel emissions because of tougher federal regulations that mandate a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by 2010. To meet the requirements, the company must go with with either a catalytic converter or a urea system.
The delay probably won’t have a serious impact on sales unless there is another run-up in gasoline prices like the one that hit the U.S. in late spring and summer last year. Current diesel demand for light-duty trucks is not strong at this time and both Ford and Toyota have put their plans for such engines on hold.
At this time, the 6.7-liter, 6-cylinder diesel offered in Dodge’s heavy-duty Ram trucks is the only one that meets 2010 emissions standards.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I can’t give away Ram’s with the 6.7L Cummins engine!
What a shame, as it used to be our best seller (and biggest gross profit producer!)
The warranty is not competitive with Chevy or Ford, and there has been too many issues (sensors, emission, flashes, etc.) for our “loyal” customers to buy them.
I am losing a lot of these sales to Ford particularly—the word on the street is to stay away from the 6.7L.
I sell used Ram’s with the 5.9L diesel engine almost immediately.
I know no one from Ma MoPar is listening—but if you are—HELP!!!!
January 13th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Rich is absolutely correct about the doomsday scenario on 02/01/09.
My “bill” or curtailment to CFC is over $ 180K.
We are losing about 50K a month—-where do I come up with $ 180K.
CFC is not a “partner” it is killing the dealer body.
They won’t (can’t) buy any deals and now they are going to shut us down.
Anyone want a Ram 3500?
January 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I wish they would cut this crap out. Either freaking merge with someone or decide to go it alone. These kind of news stories are just driving folks away from the dealerships.
Chrysler in talks with Renault and Magna: sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50D0H020090114
DETROIT (Reuters) - Chrysler is in talks to sell key assets to Nissan-Renault and auto supplier Magna as it rushes to restructure after taking $4 billion U.S. government loans, according to people with knowledge of the discussions.
The string of potential deals would deepen ties between Chrysler LLC and two of its key current partners but could also mark the end of the struggling No. 3 U.S. automaker as an independent venture.
Renault-Nissan and Chrysler, which is owned by Cerberus Capital Management, had some contact about a sale of all or parts of the U.S. automaker last year before the U.S. government stepped in to bail out Chrysler and GM in December.
The present round of talks with Renault-Nissan gathered momentum in recent weeks and have included discussions about a deal to sell Chrysler’s iconic Jeep brand, according to three people with knowledge of the talks.
Renault-Nissan, an alliance headed by Carlos Ghosn, has been looking to clarify whether a deal to acquire assets from Chrysler would jeopardize the company’s access to U.S. government funding, one of those familiar with the talks said.
Representatives of Chrysler, Cerberus, Magna and Nissan had no comment. Renault, which owns a controlling 44 percent stake in Nissan, could not be immediately reached for comment.
(Reporting by Poornima Gupta, Soyoung Kim and Kevin Krolicki; editing by Peter Bohan, Gary Hill)
January 13th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Funny how these threads always turn into a Chrysler bashing session. Dealers and former dealers alike turn to this board to air their opinions about how Chrysler management screwed them over and ow they want to put them out of business. Well people, you got what was coming to you!
The doomsday scenario that Rich and DaveS describe is going to happen and true to form of any doomsday scenario, there will be those who survive. They will be the smart ones. They will be the intelligent who, when business started to turn bad, looked at ways to insure themselves of a client base and stay the course. They will be the ones who saw opportunity in building customer loyalty and profit in taking care of the customer. They will not be those who operated on the screw everyone principle. Gone will be the dealers who advertised cars for thousands below tripple net only to bag the customer on overpriced paint protection and useless warranties.
Business operates in cycles and this business is no different. The strong and the smart, the dedicated and the honest will survive. They will live to see the day that cars like the 200c will make it to market and Chrysler will once again build quality vehicles with a loyal following. I submit that some dealers will survive and they will be stronger for it. I just hope that when the crisis passes they will realize that there is no longer a place for business as usual.
As my father once told me, the greatest customer you have is the one you have yet to sell.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
MoPar
Thanks for having my back, I like the Doomsday reference: We’ve been calling it Black Sunday.
I don’t want anybody to agree with everything I write, but if you’d shake yourself and take a step back from your hard core beliefs about Chrysler and the car business you might just learn something.
We have loyal Mopar owners, people who work in the plants, some that work for corporate and those of us that own dealerships on this blog.
I’ll admit I don’t know that much about the manufacturing end of the business or how the UAW works, but I’m willing to learn and to listen so that I get a better understanding.
New car dealerships are very complicated businesses, one mistake and your done.
I live on the edge every day when it’s good it’s great when it’s bad it’s really bad. It isn’t just about me, it’s about my family, my employees, the community and our loyal customers who know we’re going to be here when they need us most.
Last Saturday January 9th 2009 thousands of residents held a rally for Prospect Motors a Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealer located in Jackson California. Our good friends at GMAC(Cerberus) punked the store out of business on December 23rd 2008.
Merry Christmas from the Three Headed Dog folks!
That doesn’t happen in America people don’t rally to save their local car dealer, maybe people are starting to wake up to the fact that corporate America don’t give a crap about anybody, but itself.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Dealerships you should quit your whining. Some of you have made enough money to open multiple dealerships and still have money left over.
If you don’t like it get out and do something different. You don’t care about the customer its all about the numbers. Looks like your being treated like everyone else.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Report: Chrysler in talks with Nissan-Renault, Magna
http://www.freep.com/article/20090113/BUSINESS01/90113119/Report++Chrysler+in+talks+to+sell++key+assets+
January 13th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Citing anonymous sources, Reuters news service late today reported that Chrysler LLC is in talks to sell “key assets” to Nissan-Renault and Canadian auto supplier Magna International Inc.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50D0H020090114
Chrysler in talks with Renault and Magna
Reuters, Jan. 13
Here’s that Reuters’ article that Don mentioned in his post immediately above this one. The Detroit Free Press has also picked up this Reuters piece.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Shit is really going to start hitting the fans!
Chrysler in talks to unload brands
Troubled Big 3 automaker may sell important assets to Nissan-Renault and Magna, an auto parks firm.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/13/news/international/chrysler.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009011321
January 13th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Shit is really going to start hitting the fans!
Chrysler in talks to unload brands
Troubled Big 3 automaker may sell important assets to Nissan-Renault and Magna, an auto parks firm.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/13/news/international/chrysler.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009011321
January 13th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Nice find, don!! I think it would be best for chrysler to hook up with either nissan or magna if not both. An alliance of this magnitude would be great, i think.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Chrysler is finally about to be chopped up and sold.Nissan wants the Jeep brand and Magna wants 2 to 3 plants with certain contrat conditions.
If i were a chrysler employee i would really be worried right now.For instance, Magna will be able to make their own wage and benefits scale.They are not going to buy into a company and expect to pay them $70 in wages and benefits.
We all knew this was going to happen when Cerberus bought the company.Well folks, the day has finally arrived.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Automakers talk of stabilizing the price of gas
Wild swings in market have some looking to European tax model
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28643952
January 13th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Let’s just hope that if Magna does buy it, they will be smart enough to bring back the multibranding strategies of Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and Imperial.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I think we are all in the crapper.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
The press can speculate all they want about Chrysler mergers and brand sell offs.
Nissan doesn’t have the cash to swing a deal nor does Magna.
Both have financial issues and liquadity problems that would preclude them from gaining enough credit to make a deal happen.
Nissan stores aren’t tearing it up and do to the slowing of production Magna has cash flow problems.
Its the same thing that stopped GM from gaining access to Chrysler, CREDIT.
Nobody in the financial market is willing to stick their neck out on these kind of deals.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
The fire sale has officially begun. I was thinking about buying a new dodge ram too.
I cant buy a vehicle from a company thats on the brink of disappearing.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
An interesting article.
Magna’s hire fuels talk of a Chrysler sale
http://www.freep.com/article/20090113/BUSINESS01/301130008/Magna+s+hire+fuels+talk+of+a+Chrysler+sale
January 14th, 2009 at 1:46 am
I wonder if the 200c they showed in the auto show is now going to be called the nissan 200 z.
Or maybe the magna 200!
January 14th, 2009 at 2:09 am
Chrysler is in bad shape guys.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Is the glass half empty or half full? Some see problems, while others see challenges. Some are problem-conscious, while others are solution-conscious. I am afraid too many on this blog have a negative perspective. Chrysler will get through these tough times, as will the rest of the country.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Question does the EV systems gas engine also charge the batteries or do you have plug in?
Any one Know?
January 16th, 2009 at 6:44 am
This is sure to be a chick magnet. I want one now!
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I think it would be relatively awesome if the Chrysler 200C goes into production. In my opinion the car has that ‘American Look’,it’s tough enough that Chrysler decided not to proceed with production of the Chrysler Imperial that once again in my opinion looks American. So if Chrysler has the money and is optimistic that the 200C is pretty profitable,by all means,start producing this type of vehicles(s) in the near future! Finally even if I’m not fortunate to ever own the 200C it be consolation enough to know that the car could simply exist.