Chrysler January sales down 55%
Jeep(R) Wrangler sales increased 4 percent (6,362 units) compared to January 2008 (6,137 units).
- Dodge Journey sales continued to climb as sales reached 3,092 units.
- Dodge Challenger sales reached 2,757 units, up 6 percent over December 2008.
- Dodge Avenger sales increased 6 percent (2,171 units) versus December 2008.
- The Company finished the month with 359,980 units of inventory, or a 151-day supply. Inventory is down 13 percent compared with January 2008, when it totaled 413,874 units.
Chrysler LLC Announces January 2009 U.S. Sales - prnewswires.com
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Holy cow!
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123361017413840779.html
Fiat Races U.S. Deadline to Set Deal With Chrysler
The Wall Street Journal
Feb. 3
http.//poplife.biz/men/?p=191335
Motor Trend blog coverage of Tuesday’s press conference
Both of these items will serve to supplement your reading of the Jan. sales report.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
http://poplife.biz/men/?p=191335
Here’s a working link to that Motor Trend blog article that I tried but failed to post above. Sorry for the failure. It’s definitely worth reading, especially for the skpetics and cynics. Motor Trend posted it shortly after the noon hour on Tuesday, Feb. 3, with this headline:
” We Feel Good,” Chrysler’s Press Touts New Models, Fiat Deal,Reduced Inventory.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Unbelievable! Bye Bye Chry Corp!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
151-day supply
Why are they even building cars?
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I really thought chrysler was going to make it too.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Who cares if theyre down 55%. They build vehicles if they are selling or arent selling anyways.Whats the big deal.
You are going to see a shitload of dealers start to close.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Due to credit restrictions fleet sales were down across the board for all manufacturers including the imports.
Hyundai’s buy back program won’t lead to sustained sales momentum; it’s a gimmick like 2.99 Gas was for Chrysler.
No it isn’t about product this time it’s all about credit and cash flow.
If credit doesn’t loosen up soon it won’t matter if your Toyota or Chrysler they will all be out of business.
Congress and the Senate are playing a dangerous game with the stimulus package.
If Obama isn’t careful he’ll have more in common with Lincoln then he bargained when he’s dealing with a civil war in America. Also keep an eye on Mexico: If the economy continues to sour will be invading our neighbors to the south.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Rich, i believe you said you had a good sales month last month.If so,you must have been the only dealer that sold cars and trucks!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 pm
The credit maket will take another huge hit after all these newly laidoff/people losing their jobs start to file bankruptcy.
Like i said before.This mess is going to take many many years to clean up.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:32 am
I was waiting to see a Fiat symbol on the Dodge Ram pickups, ha ha. Now they won’t even bother doing that!
February 4th, 2009 at 5:41 am
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123367018137943377.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us
Detroit Reels as Auto Sales Skid
Monthly Figures Plummet
Compared with Last January,
Clouding U.S. Bailout Efforts
The Wall Stret Journal
Wed. Feb. 4, 2009
Here’s one key paragraph that doesn’t contain anything new, but it substance seems to have escaped the notice of some folks on this weblog who post comments indicating that they are shocked—shocked—to learn
that Chrysler is going to have to get smaller to survive in a smaller
market:
“The big declines illustrate the need by both Chrysler and GM to
shutter more plants even after a string of closures in the past
few years. Chrysler executives have told dealers the company
may sell only about one million cars in the U.S. this year. But
it has 11 auto assembly plants in North America- enough
capacity to produce 2.2 million or more vehicles annually.”
Folks,once again, there is no putting Humpty Dumpty back together. Get over it.
February 4th, 2009 at 5:45 am
we had great January at our dealership,
these numbers look bad because of 81% fleet sales reduction.
On the retail level sales were not that bad
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 am
So Chrysler has closed the sale for rental?
February 4th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I just get back from my Dodge dealer now, I changed my 07 Dodge Caliber sxt in a Journey sxt.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Anonymous
You read right we had an excellent January, but February isn’t starting off with the same bang as did December or January.
I think people are waiting to see what the stimulus package looks like before making a purchasing decision. The bill might include provisions for writing off portions of vehicle purchase: Sales Tax, License Fee or loan interest.
They’d better get their act together in Washington or February will be a horrible month for all in the car business.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Rich,
I’m just curious, but your located near Irvine which is in OC which is a pretty well-to-do country. Do you think your numbers are up because most of the folks in your area are pretty well off?
Thanks,
Chip
February 4th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Rich - Civil war? Invading Mexico? If we could survive the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl without doing those things I’m sure we can survive this. Geez.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am
http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/38988547.html
GM, Chrysler push to cut union payrolls
Ohio.com
Feb. 4
This article is in very plain English for those who still haven’t absorbed
the fact that the domestic industry is rapidly downsizing and shedding
employees.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Chip
I’m located about 500 miles north of Irvine in Oroville California.
Oroville is the county seat has over 20% unemployment and is the welfare capitol of Butte County.
A couple of things we have going for us is low overhead and low labor costs, which makes us very attractive for online shoppers.
We cater to the financially stable members of our community and offer services that even the metros can’t match.
Our service department is open 7 days a week, we have a full service body shop, do a huge tire and wheel business and offer a no charge lifetime car wash for our purchasing customers.
The store is designed for the female customer, they are confortable with the way we do business and we do everything in our power to insure they understand whats happening with their vehicle in our service department.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Reflex
You must live in the cone of silence.
Since Obama was elected President Gun & Ammo purchases are way up countrywide: I don’t know how good your memory is, but Militias were formed in rural areas by right wing nut jobs who thought Clinton was going to out law gun ownership.
With the failure of Federal and State Government to deal with economic and budget issues there is all ready talk in our part of the country about forming militias.
I employee naturalized Mexican employees, plus my wife is Mexican. My employees are telling me that since the economic collapse in this country that many of their relatives have moved back to Mexico.
Due to government corruption and the out of control drug cartels Mexico is a mess. The mayors of many Mexican towns are telling the residents to stay in doors that they cannot control the streets after dark.
Tijuana is a ghost town you go to San Diego and the first thing they tell you is don’t go to Tijuana. Texas, Arizona and New Mexico law enforcement are over matched by the drug cartels and crime is going thru the roof in communities located close to the Mexico.
Watch the news you’ll see more and more stores about the problems associated with the problems in Mexico.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Rich:
I’m glad to hear that your dealership is doing well. The sales model you describe is the exact model I proposed to a dealer here in the Chicago area three years ago. Sorry to say, he laughed at me so I went to another dealership. We implemented the plan and we survive well in a sales environment that has seen many dealers fall in the last few years. Like your store we concentrate on customer service, female buyers and profit on used vehicles. We buy right or we don’t buy at all. All in all, we remain in the black through these dark times despite the economy and the “whores” that advertise 3 dimes back of tripple net. Continued good luck to you and your staff.
By the way, that first dealer I talked to about my sales model, he’s no longer in business.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Rich,
thanks for your response and for the info. Someone in one of your messages I thought you had mentioned Irvine and I thought that may explained the sales boost.
Here in the DC area there were a couple of excellent independent dealers, Maryland Motors - which is where I used to have my Cordoba serviced and Colonial Dodge. Maryland Motors has now become Courtesy Chrysler and Colonial - was looped in to a franchise Dar Cars which hasn’t been too good. When I went looking for a car, I went to both and the service stunk. I sure wish we had more independent dealers but I totally understand the issue.
When you say on-line does that mean you ship nationwide?
February 5th, 2009 at 10:30 am
There is a God!!!
——————————————————
Consumer Guide says Dodge Ram is Best Buy
February 4th, 2009 by Bill Cawthon
Consumer Guide has named the Dodge Ram 1500 as its “Best Buy” in the Large Pickup category.
“Dodge Ram gets our Best Buy nod thanks to its composed ride, impressively comfortable and quiet cabin and unique cargo storage features,” said Tom Appel, Associate Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive. “Ram is also remarkably maneuverable for a large pickup truck.”
This is the eleventh award for the new Ram since its introduction last year.
“We are honored that Consumer Guide chose the Dodge Ram as a best buy for 2009,” said Scott Kunselman, Chrysler V-P, Jeep/Truck Product Team. “It’s yet another award that confirms that the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is the best pickup truck on the market.”
February 5th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Rich -
Here is an article covering the supposed surge in gun sales: http://www.slate.com/id/2204592/pagenum/all/
As for the rest, Mexicans have been going home for several years now due to the deflating value of the dollar, its not worth it to come up here and risk arrest/deportation when the money you earn is not worth as much back home.
And all that said, whats it got to do with the US invading Mexico or a civil war? You just said these things happened when Clinton became pres and yet we didn’t go to war then, so what is so different now?
February 5th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Chip,
(1) Irvine is the location of Chrysler’s Business Center for the WSest Coast, and is was also where Jim Press had that Jan. 30 meeting with dealers in that zone. delivered his pep talk and showed off future vehicles.
Rich told us in advance that he was going to Irvine to attend that meeting and he again mentioned Irvine in his post on what he saw. I also mentioned something like “Did you see Mopar Dealer in Irvine”, in one of my posts. All of that is probably the source of your misdirection.
(2) Google Ororville Motors to bring up everythng online about Rich’s store.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Chip
Most of my internet sales are within 200 miles of the dealership. I don’t ship if I have an out of state delivery I meet the buyer at the Reno-Carson Airport in Nevada.
Chicago Dave
The dealers in California metro areas are still using the tired heavy discount advertising.
They try and profit in the finance department.
When they come here for service I look over their paper work and have them cancel their over priced service contract and re sale them one at a discounted rate.
I love it when I get a call from the original selling dealer.: Oh yeah I did under cut you on the service contract.
All’s fair in love and war!
February 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070716/SUB/70713061
Chip,
Rich once referenced this Automotive News article when one wise guy on this weblog questioned his bona fides as a Mopar dealer. Everyone may not agree with all of Rich’s views, but nobody can ever say that he isn’t authentic. Man, Rich is real! . Also, note that this article is about a year and half old. The world and the automotive marketplace have drastically changed since it was published, and so has Chrysler’s relationship with dealers like Rich. He may be uniqur in his personality and style, but there are a bunch of others like him who are situated in markets similar in size and demographics to his. None of them could keep their doors open if they conducted their business just like Auburn Hills wants all its dealers to behave. Those drastic changes in the automotive market place are why Rich still keeps getting invited to dealer meetings in Vegas and Irvine to hear the true wisdom as espoused by Jim Press and to see the vehicles coming down the product pipeline. After all, his DM has to have someone to call and beg to buy new vehicles that they can’t sell.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Good new on the dodge ram. Their plants are still down because of large iventories!
February 5th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Ram is getting all kinds of great press.Do they really need three plants building them? I heard all 3 are down right now for inventory adjustments.
Great truck! Horrible economy= Low Sales
February 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
From Automotive News today - Online edition - Anyone out there on this most recent conference call? Pleas, do tell!!!
DETROIT — Chrysler LLC executives, making their second sales plea to dealers in two weeks, urged them today to order 15,000 more cars by Monday to keep the company viable.
“You have two choices,” said Chrysler co-President Jim Press. “You can either help us or burn us all down.”
The executives said 70 percent of the dealer body had heeded the company’s request to order 78,000 vehicles they had been allocated for February. Press made the first plea Jan. 24 at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans.
“We’ve got to get the cash flow coming in so we can get to March 31 as a viable company,” Press said in a conference call to dealers this afternoon. “By doing that right now, we can begin to harvest the long-term benefits of the investments we’re making.”
“By successfully keeping the doors open in January and February, we’ll get the loan,” said Press, referring to $4 billion Chrysler has received from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Chrysler must submit a plan to the government by Feb. 17 to show it’s a viable company. The government will decide by March 31 whether to keep the loan in force.
The automaker is seeking an additional $3 billion in U.S. aid.
Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau declined comment on the sales call.
‘Bucket brigade’
“Think of this as a bucket brigade. Right now 70 percent of positions are filled. If we don’t get the other 30, we’ll all burn down,” Press said in extending Friday’s deadline for orders until Monday.
Press also told dealers: “If you decide not to do that, we’ve got a good memory of who helped this company make it.”
He urged those dealers who aren’t in a position to order cars to discuss their situation with the company.
Chrysler’s U.S. sales have dropped by more than 50 percent in each of the past two months as industry sales totals fell to their lowest mark in 27 years.
Press urged dealers to absorb some short-term pain in the hope of long-term prosperity. He told dealers that if Chrysler can make it through this “rough patch” it would be able to offer a fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles coming from its proposed partnership with Italy’s Fiat S.p.A.
Steven Landry, executive vice president of sales for North America, also spoke to the dealers. It was Landry who cited the 15,000-vehicle wholesale target.
Chrysler reported a 151-day supply of vehicles on Feb. 1, more than twice the level considered optimal. Measured in units, the company’s U.S. inventory was down 13 percent from a year earlier, to 359,980.
After Press’ fiery speech at the NADA meeting, some dealers emerged saying they were so inspired that they would change their plans and order vehicles.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
The article doesn’t fully reflect Mr. Press’s emotion out burst. I felt I was listing to a mob boss: We have friends watching you if you don’t do as I ask you’ll be waking up with the fishes.
I received several calls and emails from dealers in California questioning Mr. Press’s tactics. The Chrysler Dealer Body has been asked repeatedly to meet the challenge to order more product when we 10-12 months of product sitting in our inventories.
This month they’re requesting 77,000 orders next month March Chrysler wants over 95,000 orders!
Where does it end Mr. Press and when does the Chrysler dealer body say enough is enough.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Rich says,
“Where does it end Mr. Press and when does the Chrysler dealer body say enough is enough.”
Rich, it is going to end before you know it. 60,000 units?
Do you think sales will be any better this month or the next or the next or the next?
February 5th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/chrysler-jim-press-channel-stuffing-plea-you-can-either-help-us-or-burn-us-all-down/
February 5th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Why would anyone looking to buy a car right now ever consider buying a Chrysler product in view of the desperate statements made by Mr. Press to the dealer body? Why take the chance that you might be buying an orphan when you can easily go down the street and buy any number of excellent vehicles with a very good chance the manufacturer will be around for the next several years? (unlike Chrysler). I sure as heck would strike Chrysler off my shopping list no matter what incentives are offered. Great work, Mr. Press.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Ah, if Press only had an Imperial flagship to shove down the dealers’ throats the sorry tale would be complete.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090205/CARNEWS/902059976
Saleen buyers have considered Dodge Viper purchase
AutoWeek
February 5th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Anonymous
Thats F***ing Great Imperial Flag Ship.
Oh, wait we have it all ready:Commander
February 5th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
This week so far sales of some product are good.
We really sell Wrangler, Minivans and Challenger.
Caliber is not moving at all with low gas prices. And RAM is not that bad
February 6th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Rich, DaveS,
Thanks for your note, information and clarification - I saw Irvine somewhere and now I know.
Rich,
Wish you were in my neck of the woods, because most of the dealerships around here stink - too many act like its the 70s all over again.
On another note, Chrysler is beginning to advertise in the metro DC area, Which hopefully will bring in some business.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Mann,
(1) Can you tell us what state you are in, or at least what part of the country? What size dealership is it?
(2) You let us know what everyone should recognize, sales of vehicles
in the Caliber category are going to be in inverse proportion to the
price of a gallon of gas, as it has been throughout modern history.
(A) Now, can you please tell us what lessons
you draw from your sales of Wrangler, minivans and Challengers?
Do you see a common thread?
(B) What about the demographics of the buyers? What age group is buying Challengers? Are your minivan customers the soccer
moms, young families, grandparents, and the traditional minivan customer looking for a kid hauler? Are they buying Caravans or upscale TC?. Who is buying Wrangler in this market? What demographics. Are they off-roaders or wanna’be’s?
Many, your dealership is selling medium priced specialty vehicles, not econocars, not family sedans, and not higher priced cars. This is a real indication that there is some stability and confidence in the middle class, at least in your part of the country, and that’s a very healthy sign.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I dont have much time as I am working right now, But we are in Indiana
and this is medium size dealership. T&C is more popular than Caravan and today we just sold our last Wrangler Unlimited.
More older people buying minivans thse days I would say
February 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
What about the Journey sale in the Us? Here in Norway the Journey with diesel really axellerater.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Chrysler to temporarily shut four factories
They forgot to include warren truck assm
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090206/AUTO01/902060438
February 6th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Chrysler to temporarily shut four factories
They forgot to include warren truck assm
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090206/AUTO01/902060438
February 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
DaveS
I’m as real as it gets.
The July 16th 2007 Closed Auction Automotive News article was referenced by a fellow Chrysler dealer at the meeting in Irvine last week. It was used as an example of one of the ways Chrysler has hampered dealer’s ability to conduct business.
It was illustration of cause and effect, Chrysler makes knee jerk decisions without weighing the damage it causes not only the dealer, but to Chrysler itself.
With no success Chrysler and Chrysler Financial have made several attempts to snuff us out: We are the Fighting Porcupines looks like an easy meal, but when you bite us you end up with a mouth full of quills.
I work 7 days a week today I’m sicker then a dog, but I’m here and I sold a car this morning. “Yea”
The problem with Chrysler is they don’t read what they send the dealers, I keep everything, so when they come a knocking I got stacks of memos they have no answers for.
I don’t expect or want anybody to agree with everything I write, but I do write from the heart and it helps me to deal with the stress it takes to run a new car dealership.
The photo makes me look fat! LOL
February 6th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
“You have two choices,” said Chrysler co-President Jim Press. “You can either help us or burn us all down.”
- - -
Press also told dealers: “If you decide not to do that, we’ve got a good memory of who helped this company make it.”
* * *
I am without speech! Well, initially at least. Press only said publicly what execs have been saying for years high up on the 15th floor and high on their horse. This unfolding scenario is most unfortunate.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/Chrysler-Idling-3-Plants-Monday/O0354O97fUqaIZSiWiNT-w.cspx?rss=785
Chyrlser Idling 3 Plants on Monday
February 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
“You have two choices,” said Chrysler co-President Jim Press. “You can either help us or burn us all down.”
- - -
Press also told dealers: “If you decide not to do that, we’ve got a good memory of who helped this company make it.”
Show me proof he said that. Thought so
February 7th, 2009 at 3:18 am
I think all the negative writing about Chrysler in the press. is one of the biggest problem these days.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:10 am
http://www.ritzsite.net/RAI05CON/Jeep_Commander_2_ZEV_2000_r3q.jpg
Is this close to the look of the new Grand Cherokee that you guys were talking about??
February 7th, 2009 at 9:12 am
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123395436044558201.html?mod=todays_us_money_and_investing
More Car Plants at Risk
Capacity Glut Spurs GM, Chrysler to Plan Factory Closures
The Wall Street Journal
Weekend Edition
Feb. 7-8
(1) Am I the only one who is amazed that the facts spelled-out in the
first seven paragraphs of this Wall Street Journal article haven’t made it into the consciousnes of some of those who post on this weblog? There are folks commenting here who seem totally oblivious to factual context, like the state of the economy worldwide, market conditions, overcapacity in the industry, etc.
(2) Note the quoted analysist’s prediction/specualtion that Chrysler’s plan that must be submitted by Feb. 17 to the Feds will probably only call for shuttering the Ram plant in St. Louis, but that eventually either Belvidere or Sterling Heights could be shut down and that the two Jeep plants in Toledo could be consolidated into one..
PLease, spare us any comments which ignores the facts in this key paragraph:
“GM, with 22 auto assembly plants in North America,
and Chrysler with 12, have significantly more than
they need at current sales levels. Chrysler is
expected to produce about one millin cars and
trucks this year - roughly enough to fill five or
six plants.”
Nobody likes the very unpleasant realities that stare us in the face, and nobody has any silver bullets that are likely to put Humpty Dumpty back together again but that’s all the more reason to keep our feet on the ground and our thoughts grounded in reality.
February 7th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Rich,
I like your posts,also I was wondering if you could go down to Mexico for me and pick up a late 90’s early 2000’s RamCharger for me..Since they never sold them here..On a second thought maybe I should ask DaveS to do so..
Also,I also believe the negative press Chrysler gets does not help,it must scare away potential people from buying Chrysler’s..say a guestimate of 20% at least…..If this keeps up I wonder what car companies would be left..Toyota / Honda are really hurting too,Guess we will be like Cuba and drive the cars we have now, forever….
But if we all listen to what Nancy Pelosi says,500 MILLION people a month are losing their jobs….hell,nobody will make it…(how many people does she think live here?)I wonder how someone so high up is so clueless..I think with leaders like this there is no hope for the U.S. yet alone the automakers….I just cant get over a so-called mistake by saying 500Million people a month… But then we will all be o.k with a stimulus package for butterflys gardens…Yep we are going down brothers and sisters…faster than melting sea ice..oh wait we have the most sea ice since 1979 !!! Better act fast no time to wait…
February 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/news/archive/2009/02/07/conrad-black-some-radical-proposals-for-recessionary-times.aspx
(1) Great photo of a Challenger coming down the line at Brampton AP, but this opinion piece by Conrad Black at Canada.com is not sent for that photo or for the views experssed but for the interesting and provocative stuff that begins with the third paragraph from the bottom (”Twenty-five years ago, when Chrysler received loans and loan guarantees from the U.S. government….” )
(2) Rich,
Please scroll up to Dustin’s post, open his great link and respond to his question by informing us if the sharp looking vehicle labeled “Commander” bears any resemblance to the 2011 GC you saw at the Im Press dog and pony show at Irvine on Jan. 30.
(3) Dustin,
Thanks for that link. Do you have any idea if the vehicle in the photo, presumably a concept, was being shown at some foreign auto show, like Frankfurt, or where? Anybody see that vehicle before? I haven’t? It was obviously shown before the formal debut of Commander, but one wonders if the lines on the sheet metal may make their way into the 2011 GC.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
http://www.wjjeeps.com/concept/commander.htm
It was out as a concept in 1999, DaveS.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Add: I think you mean that’s a Viper in that pic.
So is Conrad Black writing that from prison, or is he out and about now?
February 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Dustin, i hope the new jeep looks nothing like that. It need to look almost identicle to the trailhawk.
Does it even matter anymore in this economy?
February 7th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Jim Press should ask, “Are you with Chrysler or again it?” Those again it should go quietly and leave. Those who are for it should do everything they can to hep it succeed. For crying out loud, even the high and mighty Toyota is losing money. Chrysler is coming out with Great products. In the end, he who laughs last, laughs loudest.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
How long can Chrysler survive with sales down by that much???
February 7th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I dont think chrysler can survive with numbers like that.
With toyota losing money last year. Does that mean the big 3 dont have to get their labor costs inline with the japs?
Looks like if the big 3 get down to their level they will still lose money like toyota is.
I dont think its the uaw’s wages that are causing the problem!
February 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
gforce:
1. Thanks for the great link and for pointing out that Dustin’s link contained a photo of a 2000 concept for the Jeep Commander. It’s a relief to know that so that we can continue to hope that the 2011 GC will resemble the Ttrailhawk concept.
2. You are absolutely right about that being a Viper at the Connor Ave. plant, not a Challenger at Brampton. Hell, the caption of the photo, which is at the very bottom of the article instead of under the photo, even says that it’s a photo of a Viper at Connor Avenue. Man, did I screw up on that one. Haste makes waste.
3. Re: Conrad Black… Check- out his bio in Wikipedia. It says that he already wrote one book while in prison and has promised to produce another one before his 2013 release date. So, it’s not too far-fetched to see him conntributing to a blog.. White collar criminals in the Federal system are confined in minimum security prisons,and while they are definiitely not country clubs, they ain’t exactly the gulag.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I don’t think the Cuba comparison is all that off. We may be reaching a point where people actually stick with their purchases for a significant amount of time. It always has amazed me how people trade in perfectly good paid for vehicles for a new car payment.
That said, if it becomes the case we would see a drastically reduced auto industry….I have no idea if thats ultimatly a good or bad thing. In the short term its obviously a lot of pain, in the long run it would most likely simply shift the jobs around, from production to service-side.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Jim Press convinced me to buy 17 vehicles when I
swore that I wouldn’t buy anymore.
91% of the dealers in our sales district accepted their
allocation.
Sales are up in February for us.
Chrysler will survive.
Bring on Fiat.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Chrysler can and will survive, if they build down the production. Today the have to high production of cars, and to many people on the floor. The whole company needs a reconstruction.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Yes, DaveS, I think the Commander concept’s styling cues are what became the 2005 GC. So, this next version should definitely be an evolution beyond that.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am
http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/feb/08/hendrdodge/
This South Carolina Dodge dealer conveys the same optimistic attitude as Mopar Dealer, and he also looks forward to the alliance with Fiat. Secondly, note that this store operates on an entirely different business plan than the one Rich has successfully implemented. That just goes to show that good business people on the ground can figure out that what works in Oroville, CA may not be what works in Charleston, SC. This is a very big country and there is more than one way to skin a cat.
February 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
With the Fiat alliance, do you think they will start custom-building those Italian-made Imperials again? Granted, we all know they would have to build the new flagship based on the Maserati model and not the Caddy or Lexus formula. Is it possible? The Italians are great car makers!
February 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
http://seekingalpha.com/article/119225-is-chrysler-viable
Is Chrysler Viable?
This is a skeptic’s incisive and questinoning commentary that serves as a kick in the gut to those of us who are more disposed to looking on the brightr side and hoping for the best.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Daves , copy and paste some stuff we dont know. Everyone already knew what that guy was blabbing about.
i also agree with what Reflex said.
‘We may be reaching a point where people actually stick with their purchases for a significant amount of time. It always has amazed me how people trade in perfectly good paid for vehicles for a new car payment.’
That is so true.Vehicles last so much longer now and the 2 to 3 year lease program is dead.I just dont see how any of these plants Especially chrysler can even run them.
Its a different era folks. You people related to the auto industry better cross your fingers and go back to school before its to late!
February 8th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Our weekend business was great.
We sold 2 Ram 3500’s One Ton Pickups—the first time we sold 3500’s in over 6 months.
New ‘09 Ram 1500’s are selling and so are Town & Country minivans.
The Challenger is so hot I can’t keep them in stock for more than a week or two.
I’m not saying that everything is rosy, but it is a heck of a lot better than October!!!
February 8th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
http://www.northjersey.com/business/39276347.html
Would you believe it? Roger Penske earned $248 million in the first nine months of ‘08 buying Smart cars from Daimler and selling them to U.S. dDealers, and look how customer’s order ‘em….Earlier in this Bloomberg News article, we learn that “Penske had forecast sales of 16,00 Smarts for last year, its first in the United States. Instead, sales totaled 24,622, more than 50-% above expectatios…In January, Smart delivered 1,776 Fortwo vehicles in the U.S. compared with 641 in January 2008.” YOU DO THE MATH. Who knows if this method of selling via the Internet is the wave of the future or just a passing fancy.
Mopar Dealer,
Warmest congratulations on your great weekend of good sales. It’s also great to have you back on this weblog. We missed you during your wise commentary and sharp observations during what seemed like a prolonged absence. o
February 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/02/jd-powers-dodge-could-pass-nissan-by-2010/
J.D. Powers: Dodge could pass Nissan by 2010
Allpar Feb. 8
Allpar just posted this item. Who says there’s no basis for any optimism? Not Mopar Dealer, who had a solid good sales weekehnd, and not J.D. Powers.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Once again Chrysler dealers are being called on to save the company.
We are ordering cars even though we don’t need them, and we are going to sell our way out of this problem.
Chrysler has excellent products like the 300, Charger, Challenger, Grand Caravan, Town & Country, and Wrangler.
These are all world-class products.
Our quality is vastly improved, and warranty costs are continuing to drop.
Chrysler had the fewest recalls in the industry.
Chrysler has plants that are as efficient or better than Toyota.
We have a great leader in Jim Press.
Everyone wants to kick Cerberus around—but without them where would Chrysler be?
Maybe a division of Magna or Tata?
It’s a great time to be a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealer!
February 8th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Son, Lord, have mercy! The tax package Obama allowed Peolsi and Reed to write will have this country in such a deep hole, we’ll be 20-25 years digging out. Don’t say I told you so. That is what America deserves for voting in an amatuer community organizer. Those Dems. in Congress have steamrolled Obama, and he doesn’t even know it. He doesn’t need to fear the Republicans, the Democrats are his biggest problem now. Obama is soon to be so weak, that our advisaries around the world are just waiting to clip is arrogant wings. What is the impact for Chrysler and the auto industry? They are all in the crapper, even Toyota.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
A lot of you so called sales people claied you had a great month last month.They company only sold 60,000 units.
Who are you kids trying to fool?
February 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/chryslers-new-ally-takes-a-pragmatic-approach/?scp=3&sq=Chrysler%20&st=Search
Chrysler’s New Ally Takes Pragmatic Approach
NY Times Feb. 3
February 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/chryslers-new-ally-takes-a-pragmatic-approach/?scp=3&sq=Chrysler%20&st=Search
Chrysler’s New Ally Takes Pragmatic Approach
NY Times Feb. 3
February 9th, 2009 at 2:23 am
You people aint seen nothing yet
February 9th, 2009 at 5:09 am
To Anonymous:
When Chrysler considers a vehicle sold, it is different than when a dealer sells a vehicle. Sales may have picked up at the dealer, but they have plenty of vehicles to sell. So the orders to Chrysler for more vehicles could lag a sales uptick until the dealers reduce their inventory and orders more vehicles.
So, the dealers could have a good month and Chrysler might have a low sales number.
On a side note, supposedly in 2006 the top 1000 executives made 70% of the combined wages of the 40,000 plus UAW workers. I wonder what the percentage is now that the UAW work force has been cut back to about 26,000.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Ben Says:
February 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
“You have two choices,” said Chrysler co-President Jim Press. “You can either help us or burn us all down.”
- - -
Press also told dealers: “If you decide not to do that, we’ve got a good memory of who helped this company make it.”
Show me proof he said that. Thought so
Ben - Don’t call me out like that. I do not knowingly post erroneous statements and in the event that my post is anything less than first hand knowledge, I clearly equivocate.
ANYONE ON THAT CONFERENCE CALL CAN VERIFY THE ABOVE statements attributed to Press by Automotive News.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Those were his words. I imagined that he was spinning on the ceiling at the end of the call.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
DaveS
I didn’t get the same feeling of optimism you felt about the South Carolina Dodge dealer article, also he isn’t the dealer he works for Rick Hendrick.
Rick Hendrick Dodge sold 31 new units in January out of a 220 New Dodge inventory, that’s over a 200 day supply of New Dodge Inventory and as of today he has not posted a single new vehicle sale for the month of February.
When he spoke about new vehicle sales the only vehicle he identified as selling well were 09 Challengers. He had praise for the new Ram & Durango Hybrid, but no word on how well they were selling or if they were selling at all!
I checked his inventory and it’s a mess, way to many 08’s in stock, plus the kiss of death 07 & 08 Dodge Sprinters.
DaveS if I were this guy I’d try to paint a positive picture just to hang on to my job another month.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
chrysler financial stopped flooring non chrysler motors product today !
here come the lawsuits
February 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
CF notified me that they will floor new chrysler orders for april and may but will not let me order any new nissan or volkswagen product allocation for the same months.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This is funny
February 9th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Rich,
Thanks for your insight and for correcting my ill-informed view on that article on the South Carolina Dodge store. We count on you to puncture baloons like that and to cut through the BS.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123415779977362699.html
Everybody,
For some perspective on how bad things are world-wide, check-out this Wall Street Journal on Nissan. Keep in mind that Nissan buys trucks from Chrysler and it makes small cars for Chrysler to sell in South America and it is going to be sending us the Hornet. Note especially this sentence from Renault-Nissan’s CEO, “The global automotive industry is in turmoil.”
February 9th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Lets see, the same company that provides floorplan for many non-chrysler lines through Chrysler Financial also holds a controlling interest in GMAC and dealer floorplans through that financial arm. Now, that same company also holds a controlling interest in Chrysler. So, if I’m a dealer that cant get any non-chrysler inventory because CF wont finance it, or I cant get any inventory because GMAC wont extend me any more credit. How long will it be before I either go out of business or just sell Chrysler product? And what three headed dog might be controlling tis whole mess?
February 9th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Did anyone see the Obama press conference? If he was 1/2 the man he thinks he is, America would be all the better for it. That dude is one arrogant piece of work. He’s the kind of guy that will run out of gas fast, then change the subject. It is easy to write checks. It is hard to earn the money. He will soon bankrupt the country.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Heard on the Street - Bob Lutz is set to retire from GM by the end of the April. This measure puts into play a move by which Lutz can eventually to Chrysler as CEO. This is great news for the icon.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Joe Biden is becoming the next Dan Quayle. Even Obama dis’ Biden. He has a good case of diarrhea of the mouth.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Lutz is heading for aruba. How much did he make on the dcx deal?If i had Bobs money i would spend mine developing a car that runs on monkey sperm and exhaust lollie pops .
February 9th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Did you guys hear that GM will be slashing 30,000 white collare positions? Sad part about it , gm wont be able to offer buyouts to any of those 30,000.Under the terms of the loan gm is not allowed to offer buyouts to salaried/white collar workers….
What is this world coming too?
February 10th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Obama is too big for his britches.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Since both Chrysler Financial and GMAC have received TARP/bailout funds, they are de facto required to finance the purchase of cars made by the Detroit Three. Said another way, there would be popular outrage if CF and GMAC used taxpayer money to floorplan cars made in Asia or Europe. The political repercussions of that popular outrage would make the firestorm over the auto execs flying on private jets to Washington to seek government loans seem minor and insignificant.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Anon - Did you miss the memo? The nation was bankrupt before Obama was elected. Now its just a matter of putting together what pieces remain.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/02/treasury-to-help-industry-dealers/
Allpar just posted this on Tuesday, Feb. 10, after Sec. of the Treasury
Geithner’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
February 10th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Reflex
Is correct this Country has been bankrupt for along time, even before Bush II or Clinton.
The countries debt has been shuffled from one credit card promotion to another. We couldn’t save money if we tried and if we do now we’re told that’s not good for the economy.
It all came to end when we stopped saving for what we needed verses borrowing for what we wanted. Got to have it today cause the TV tells me so.
I’ve seen it before, you hang in there doing the right things and you get farther and farther behind till you say screw it, looks like everybody else is having a good time, but me!
Problem is you wake the next day with a big old hang over that’s going to last a very long time.
Yeah this country is bankrupt all right it’s bankrupt of personal responsibility. We could work our way out of this mess if people would start taking responsibility for their own deeds and stop blaming everybody for the situation they found themselves.
I hate to say it, but Obama reminds me of Jimmy Carter when he says things like: This plan isn’t perfect, I’m going to make mistakes, This one’s on me.
February 10th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I was on the same conference call as “Former Dealer” and he speaks the truth.
I was proud of Mr. Press on that call—he has a set of big, brass you know whats!
February 10th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
DR Z
If Lutz got a check from the “merger” it was well deserved.
If you look back at history you will see that Mr. Lutz strongly discouraged the Mercedes–Chrysler merger publicly and privately.
He told Schrempf that the two cultures wouldn’t mesh.
When the merger (laughable!) I mean acquistion happened he smartly jumped ship.
Bob Lutz did a hell of a job for Chrysler and one of the few mistakes Lido did was picking Eaton over Lutz.
Lido couldn’t stand Lutz personally!!!
February 10th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
The big 3 will eventually claim chap 11.
There isnt much hope for any industry in this economy.
The big 3 were in dire needs before this big mess.Now they are in such a hole not even a groundhog could dig himself out of.
Congress said the big 3 has to get down to the labor costs of the non union transplants. toyota is going to lose 4 billion dollars last year. If toyota is losing 4 billion dollars, then what does it matter about labor costs. Toyotas labor cost are lower and they are still losing money.
Is there really any hope for chrysler? Do you really think obama or anyone else in this world cares if chrysler makes it?
I mean, 60,000 units last month. Is anyone really going to miss chrysler these days?
February 10th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I must admit that I do enjoy some of Rich’s posts but I also must say that his dealership has not done a very good job of selling new vehicles for Chrysler.
In defense of the low new car sales results the store is in a small town near a large park and has decent customer handling scores.
They do a good job of selling used cars and repairing vehicles.
Due to poor MSR performance ( they were at less than 50% of the minimum sales requirement ) his store and others temporarily lost the ability to attend closed factory auctions.
Rather than make hundreds of posts telling everyone how to run Chrysler (and the country) maybe he should go to work and try selling more than 6 or 7 new vehicles a month!
February 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Bought 4 Chryslers since 2001! Leased a 2006 van. Offered to buy it. Chrysler wanted $0 dn and 7.9%. Chrysler talked me into extending the lease. Said I had right to 1 year extension 6 months at a time. At the end of the first 6 months, I finally go hold of Chrysler 3 weeks before the end. They demanded $2000.00 dn and 13%. I was shocked and told them I could not come up with $2000 on such short notice. Requested the final 6 month extension. CHRYSLER REFUSED. I had to turn the van in. Now Chrysler calls me every day deamnding $8000.00 in over mileage! They are threatening to RUIN MY CREDIT! Did I mention that I bought 4 cars from them since 2001. I was a good customer. They would not work with me. The are threatening to sue me!!!
I loved my Jeeps. I will never buy another one given this treatment!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
hey ex-field employee,
you say rich’s dealership didn’t do a very good job of selling new vehicles for chrysler. did you ever stop to consider the possibility that chrysler didn’t do a very good job of producing competitive vehicles for him to sell?
February 10th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
This customer should have never waited until 3 weeks before the end of the lease to “get hold of Chrysler!”
It defeats the purpose of the lease to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease—sounds like he should have bought it in the first place.
Chrysler Financial did extend leases for some of its customers as a courtesy—it didn’t have to do so.
No customer had the “right” to any extension of the lease agreement!
Interest rates fluctuate and are not constant. Chrysler Financial can not predict rates or terms six months in advance.
The customer’s rate depends on several factors including credit record, vehicle year, etc.
Chrysler is not giving anyone another lease extension with one exception—they will extend the lease for 30 days IF the customer orders a new Chrysler product.
Chryler Financial was forced out of the lease business as a covenant of its finance conduit.
Doesn’t this customer realize that the market has changed since he made the lease? He signed a agreement with a specific ending date. Chrysler extended that date once as a courtesy—he could have turned it in and walked away.
He probably didn’t because of an artificially low subvented lease term that couldn’t be duplicated.
Then Chrysler gave him a heck of a deal—-0 down and 7.9%—but he still wanted the low lease payment.
Now when the world is in a financial credit crisis he is surprised the terms are different and he claims mistreatment?
CRAZY!!!!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
‘Now Chrysler calls me every day deamnding $8000.00 in over mileage!’
If you went over the mielage then you owe the money!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Rick,
All CJD dealers sell the same product.
His store’s new car performance is amongst the worst in the nation in terms of MSR.
We certainly have a way to go in producing more competitive product and need to do much, much better.
But his store sure seems to sell all the used Chrysler products they could get.
Wrangler, Ram, Town & Country, Charger, 300—are these vehicles competitve??
Rich is a good dealer and we need every good dealer possible—but they need to do a MUCH better job of selling new vehicles.
I have not seen the store’s results in several months…I hope they have improved greatly.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Dear Lease Renewal Salesman, all entrepreneurs know this golden business rule, “The Customer Is ALWAYS Right!” It is too bad that technocrats such as yourself do not have the capacity to understand this business rule. By his own account, he has purchased four Chrysler products in recent years. Doen’t that count for something. What happend to the rule that the “Customer is a King.” Have you lost focus of “treating others as you would want to be treated if your position was reversed”? Have you devolved to the point that customers are mere numbers, dollars, to you. You, my friend, are an idiot. It is guys like you that have Chrysler in the tank today and customers going to the Japanese.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I too would be outraged if they wanted $8,000 from me. That is hiway robbery, corporate theft! Greed is the root of all evil.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Your first incorrect statement is that the customer is always right!
Everyone knows that is B.S.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
The Six Phases of Obama’s Presidency: (1) Enthusiasm, (2) Disillusionment, (3) Panic, (4) Search for the Guilty, (5) Punishment of the Innocent, and (6) Praise and Honors for the Republicans.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Anon and Agree - Then let’s just put it this way. The customer is not always right, but seldom is he wrong. In the end, he who owns the gold makes the rules. Don’t play by the customer rules and you lose a sale. Let’s see now, why has Toyota overtaken GM as the #1 auto company in the world. Could it be GM’s attitude that “the customer is not always right”? Think about it boys, then look at your financial statements.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
What cloud did this anonymous clown drop from??
The customer signed a contract and made a deal.
Just because he bought previous cars from Chrysler (maybe he never did business with Chrysler Financial?) does not mean that he can drive THOUSANDS of miles over the term and walk away!
What would the customer say if CFC called him and said “you know we have an agreement but we want to end it early so please turn in your car!”
He would sue them just like they may sue him for not honoring the agreement.
Your “customer is always right” philosophy may work if you’re selling burgers and fries…but not with expensive cars and legal contracts.
Oh, and by the way Dealers like Carl Sewell author of Customers for Life do not agree that the customer is always right!
February 10th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
In defense of Rich I’m going to say this. You can hammer his performance when it comes to selling new cars but It has been my experience that Chrysler makes it harder for dealers like Rich to sell new cars then it has to be. For five years I fought with Chrysler about the mix of cars I was able to order every month. When Magnums first arrived my customers wanted RTs, hemi’s but the only cars Chrysler let me order were v6 models. Almost a 10 to 1 ratio. By the time I received any v8 models, my customers had moved on to the mega store where v8 magnums were plentiful. The same thing happened to Charger sales. Sure I could order Chargers, just not the ones that were selling. I needed 20k v6 models and I could only get 40k v8’s. But the mega store down the block got whatever they wanted. So I’ll stick by Rich when he tells Chrysler to shove their allocations. If Chrysler wants Rich to increase his new car sales then they had better allow him to order the cars that his customers want not the cars that they want to sell! Get your heads out of your asses Chrysler! Listen to all of your dealers! Let them tell you what their customers want to buy, then build those cars for them! Then you will have reason to give dealers like Rich a hard time when they dont sell new product. Until then, shut the hell up!
February 10th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Breaking News - Financial Times.com asks, “Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed?” It was reported that, “In normal times, this would be a ludicrous question. But these are not normal times. They are times of great danger. Today, the new US administration can disown responsibility for its inheritance; tomorrow, it will own it. Today, it can offer solutions; tomorrow it will have become the problem. Today, it is in control of events; tomorrow, events will take control of it. Doing too little is now far riskier than doing too much. If he fails to act decisively, the president risks being overwhelmed, like his predecessor. The costs to the US and the world of another failed presidency do not bear contemplating.”
February 10th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Thanks for the article anon. Many comparisons are being made to Carter. In fact, many predict that Obama’s Prsidency is Carter II as opposed to Clinton III. Unlike Bush 43, Obama will go down in complete flames and Bush 43 will become known as one of our greatest presidents for saving the nation from terroristic attacks and for keeping the economy strong.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
What would the late Sam M. Walton say to your notion that the “customer is not always right”? Obvious you guys have little business acumen or savy.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Obama’s approval rating has dropped a shocking 19 points since inauguration day (from 83 to 64 points). Even more troublesome for the Dems. is Obama’s ineffectiveness using the bully pulpit. Only 57% approve of his stimulus package. Troublesome for the ’10 congressional elections. Will favorable auto legislation pass?
February 10th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Walmart sells Chinese junk and is destroying America—
Who cares what Sam Walton would think!!!
Customers are NOT always right and are often wrong!
The trick is to not let them know that!!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
P.S. It’s spelled savvy dummy!!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Whose more successful, Sam, you or the late Mr. Walton? He had more business knowledge in his little finger than you have in your entire being. Now whose the dummy?
February 10th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Some of you on this weblog are rather inconsiderate, rude, arrogant, and cause one to want to vomit. A little kindness goes a long way and can make your dealer a lot of money. Sam Walton has a 10 foot rule that has made him millions and cost him nothing. The rule is that anytime a customer comes within 10 foot of an empoyee, said employee is to look the customer in the eye, smile, and greet them. Of course, sadly, some of you yankees will never be able to comprehend this rule.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Clearly you are the dummy Tom!!!
Whose is not a word—-next time try who is
or who’s——–DUMMY!!!!!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Civil War is over Tom and the Yankees won!!!!
All Americans are Yankees……Dummy!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
You are living in the past Tom!
WalMart is a mess.
Sam is 6 feet under and can’t enforce his 10 foot
rule.
When I go to Walmart no one complies with that “rule”
except for the paid greeter.
Let Sam R.I.P.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Tom - Maybe they are all those things, but at least they are on their medications. You need to find yours.
Bush gave us a strong economy? Seriously? Did you sleep through 2008?
February 10th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Score=
Slinging Sam’s. 3
Tom. 0
February 10th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Tom got crushed by the Sam’s!!!!!
LOL
February 11th, 2009 at 8:38 am
But Chrysler is still in the top ten with total sales of each of its three brands in the US. I still have to have hope.
Somehow the market has to get used to 10-12 million sales a year. The dealers and manufacturers that care for their customers and provide quality and value will survive. I have to believe that is true. I don’t see the government saving any of us. In the great depression the mantra was, “prosperity is just around the corner.” The Obamas of that day said that for months and months, finally years. I think the $800 bil. “stimulus” may make things worse. We are pouring money into pork-barrel projects and borrowing money as a short-term bandaid.
Chrysler has to build cars that people are excited to buy and it has to work with Chrysler Financial–not in conflict. It can’t afford to give its dealers any more average products. Dealers have got to change as well. When a customer walks in it can’t be business like the old days. Make the customer happier than he would be at a Toyota or Lexus store–not that hard really–and word will eventually get around. The Chrysler brand itself should be treated as premium, like Cadillac or Lexus.
February 11th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Ex Field Employee
You shouldn’t throw rocks if you worked in Chryslers Glass House.
Currently we are a Tell a Service dealer, one of 46 that our sales DM is responsibile. For over 50 percent of the time over the past 10 years we’ve had “NO” direct contact DM or tell a service sales DM.
When having to meet your MSR to attend closed Chrysler vehicle auctions became an issue we received a letter from Mr. Landry stating that dealers would receive additional support from Chryslers Sales District Managers to help meet MSR goals.
One problem we didn’t have a Sales DM at the time and when I spoke to the DOM at a Chrysler Grass Roots meeting he told me in person that I could expect not to get any support from his staff.
I always go the extra mile, I’ve written letters to the business center directors, I’ve attended all dealer meetings and voiced my concern with how rural and secondary market dealers are treated.
I was in Hawaii with Darrel Jackson, then VP of sales for Chrysler and voiced my concerns. When I returned home and spoke with the business center I was told Mr. Jackson has no juice out here, that I could expect to receive the same treatment as always.
I have it all documented and I will continue to do what works for me and our dealership.
Ex Field Employee give me a call and I’ll discuss any issue you want. In fact if any of you read the article reposted by DaveS you’ll know how to reach me and I’m willing to talk about whats going on and help you understand how is to be a Chrysler new car dealer.
February 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
http://orovillemotorsinc.com/
Ex Field Employee,
Rich can be reached at Oroville Motors by calling 1-800-200-2535, the number shown on its Web site which you can access via the URL above. Go ahead, please take him up on his invitation and fill us in after you two chew the fat.
February 11th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Ex Field Employee, Everybody,
By way of additional background on Rich, his dealership is referred to and he is quoted in this Automotive News article. Bear in mind, that his business situation has apparenty changed in the 90-days since this was published on Nov. 10, 2008.
————————————————————————————-
Life at 11 million: Slash, rethink
Suppliers, dealers, retail groups must adjust — or crash
Amy Wilson
and Pat Scott
Automotive News
November 10, 2008 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT — Auto dealers and suppliers are moving heaven and earth to adjust to an annual auto sales rate not seen in a quarter century: fewer than 11 million units.
October sales plunged 31.9 percent to 838,592. The paltry 10.9 million unit seasonally adjusted annual selling rate was the lowest since the dark days of March 1983, when sales were crushed by soaring oil prices.
Get used to it. Sales around 11 million “probably is the appropriate base to plan from” maybe for the next six months,” said Ford sales analyst George Pipas.
The new realities
So what will life be like at 11 million?
– Suppliers will be saddled with “tremendous excess capacity sitting idle and adding to losses,” said Neil De Koker, CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association. “It will be the final straw for suppliers.”
– Dealerships selling Detroit 3 brands are closing their doors every day, but with an 11 million SAAR they’ll go bust at an even faster rate, say executives and analysts.
– Suppliers and dealers are combing their operations for savings. Dealers are rethinking comfortable old assumptions about advertising, facilities planning and staffing in a frantic effort to slash costs.
“Dealers have to look at everything — people, buildings, service, inventory and advertising,” said Cliff Cummings, owner of Toyota of San Bernardino in California. “Physical plants shrink, and expansions and renovations are put off.”
Given the decade-long average of 16.9 million sales, could dealers hang on in an 11 million-unit market?
“The premise of the question is wrong,” said Cummings. “We’re already there. Watch for how many dealerships are going to close. A friend of mine let go 32 people yesterday. We’ve already begun to adjust.”
AutoNation Inc. is writing down the value of dealerships. The No. 1 publicly traded retail group took a $1.46 billion charge for goodwill and franchise impairments in the third quarter. AutoNation posted a net loss for the quarter of $1.41 billion, compared with a profit of $72.1 million a year ago. Excluding the charge, the company earned $44 million.
Lithia Motors Inc., the public group with the largest concentration of Detroit 3 dealerships, had planned to divest 15 stores. Last week it raised that number to 30.
Group 1 Automotive Inc. announced $35 million in cuts by year end, focusing on personnel and advertising expenses.
“I do not want to imply that $35 million is enough at this moment,” said CEO Earl Hesterberg. “I think that we’re going to need to go deeper than that.”
Adjust, scramble
Small dealers are revamping their business models.
“We’ve become a 100 percent used-car dealership,” said Richard Carpenter, owner of Oroville Motors, a small Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership in Oroville, Calif. “I don’t have to sell a new car to make money.”
Carpenter keeps his service department open seven days a week. Why? Many Chrysler stores in neighboring Sacramento have closed.
At 11 million units, “the trick would be how to keep your head above water and survive it,” said Leonard Northcutt, owner of Northcutt Chevrolet-Buick and Toyota stores in Enid, Okla. “That’s a question everybody will struggle with.”
“If you are geared toward a business of 17 million or 15 million and then go to 11 million, you have to downsize,” he said. “Parts and service is not enough to offset such a drastic reduction. Beyond that, are you going to need the space you have?”
Dealer Cliff Cummings is changing his advertising focus by targeting only previous customers.
“The expense of bringing in a new customer is much more,” he said.
Domestic-brand dealers must be especially aggressive because the Detroit 3 have an increasingly smaller piece of this shrunken pie. The Detroit 3’s share was 46.5 percent last month, down from 51.3 in October 2007. In 1983, the Big 3 — remember that lofty moniker — had a 76.6 percent share.
More failures likely
Consultant firm Grant Thornton has raised its projection of the number of new-car dealerships that could fail in 2008 and 2009.
Earlier this year, the firm said more than 2,700 dealerships would have to close to maintain sales per store at 2007 levels of 750 vehicles. At the start of October, the firm revised that to 3,800 closings during the two years.
Said Grant Thornton partner Paul Melville: “I think you might see some speeding up of that number.” Instead of by the end of 2009, it might happen as early as mid-2009.
For suppliers, producing for an 11 million market would be devastating.
Two years of reorganizing in bankruptcy courts were not enough to keep Dana from announcing still more plant closings and an additional 2,000 job cuts last week.
As quarterly losses widened, new Dana CEO John Devine last week called for even more draconian measures. Now he is considering putting three business units on the auction block — structural, sealing and thermal products. The former Ford Motor and General Motors CFO acknowledged that they could be a tough sell.
Small suppliers are looking for ways to stay afloat. Continental Plastics, a Detroit area trim supplier, will cut workers’ wages 5 percent each quarter if revenue numbers are not met.
EnovaPremier in Montgomery, Ala., a supplier of tire-and-wheel assemblies for Hyundai’s Montgomery plant, has gone to a 36-hour week — six six-hour shifts. That keeps EnovaPremier’s output in step with Hyundai. But plant manager Eric Chartrand remains flexible with his workers.
“I’ve told everyone that if they want to work an extra four hours a week just to get their 40 hours in, they can come in and do training or help clean up the shop,” he said.
Ford’s Pipas said the annual selling rate may not stay as low as 11 million each month. Higher year-end incentives such as GM’s Red Tag sale, Ford’s year-end clearance and Lexus’ December to Remember could push the sales rate up for November and December.
But if there’s an elevation from the 11 million level for those reasons, there would be payback in January, February and March, he said.
“The situation we’ve seen develop is going to persist well into 2009,” said Pipas. “Well into 2009 doesn’t mean January; it means well into 2009.”
Robert Sherefkin and Donna Harris contributed to this report
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DEALMAKER.COM wrote:
Wake up! Get smart! The future of cars and parts sales will be over the Internet. Get over it. Keep your real estate for service. The world’s leading automotive consultants, such as Capgemini have been interrogating new car buyers for the past 10 years. The trend is unmistakable. In some countries over 80% of car buyers now say they want to buy online.
Get the 10th annual “Cars Online 08/09 Study” from http://www.capgemini.com/industries/automotive/. Read page 17. Then read the conclusions for the next 10 years.
This is not another mickey-mouse report. Over the past 10 years Capgemini have been as skeptical as their clients. ‘But they can no longer deny such overwhelming evidence.
2009 is the cataclysmic event; the tipping point. Dealers, change your focus now while you still can.
11/10/2008 3:13 PM EST
Recommend (1) Report Abuse
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February 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Ex Field Employee
Today Chrysler sick’d our “NEW” Tele Service Service & Parts DM on us to take more 2009 product.
We haven’t had a Service DM for over a 120 days: She’s been our Tele Service DM for 2 & half days.
She didn’t ask me about the 2005 Sebring Convertible that has un-repairable barometric problem all her inquires were about our NADA survey and taking product.
I put us on voluntary flooring hold it lets me slow down the process and not get caught up in the buying frenzy.
When I first did it over a year ago my dealer buddies thought I was crazy, today many are gone and others wished they’d put themselves on voluntary hold.
February 11th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Boys the party ended in 2006!
Chrysbus sucks.
former dealer council member
top 5 jeep dealer (80s thru the 200X)
top 10 dodge dealer(70s thru the 200x)
40 year chrysler dealer.
I just heard Bob Dance passed away.Bob was a great car guy and a true gentleman .
We will miss you Bob !
February 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
DaveS
The Automotive News Article was referring to our ability to survive after Chrysler is no longer in business.
We’ve been a Chrysler dealer for about 15 years, before that we ran an auto brokerage, service and detail center, body shop and auto wholesale: I’ve worked all facets of the business.
A year and half ago we worked on a business plan for life after Chrysler. The plan was implemented over a year ago and it appears we can operate as a stand alone used car operation and service center if needed.
Don’t get me wrong I’d prefer that Chrysler stay in business, but we can live with or without them.
By the way the 800 number you provided is only good in California the nationwide number is 866-922-5118 and my best website is orovillejeepdodge.com.
February 11th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Rch, what is the deal with those Barbie Jeeps?? Those are heinous!!
February 11th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/welcome-to-a-chrysler-dealers-world/
Welcome to a Chrysler Dealer’s World
The Truth About Cars
Will one of you dealers out there please tell the rest of us if this is really Dealer Floorplanning Economics 101, or does the dealer who posted this have his facts wrong? If it’s correct, then I’m glad that I never got into the retail segment of the business because the stress would kill me.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Forget it boys, you are all idots and technocrats who have no business acumen. Iacocca asked the right question, “Where have all the leaders gone?”
February 11th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Dave S - please lay off the long emails which no one reads. Today’s busy executives don’t have time to read long drawn out documents. Please learn how to write concisely. Thanks!
February 11th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Tom
The dealers have kept chryler alive since before Iacocca and in return chrysler has treated the dealers like shit.Lido treated us ok but never like we were his best customer.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
gforce2002
The Pink Barbie Jeep Makeover: You don’t like it, but you reacted!
I’ve sold several Pink Barbie Wranglers to woman between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. Black for the bad Barbies White for the good Barbies.
They are a big hit at local parades and they create alot of drive by trafffic for the dealership, no different then flags or a balloon display.
I had several woman make the suggestion, so I went for it and its been a big hit.
February 12th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Rich,
Cool idea - if it works, go for it! Funny thing is, the previous owner of the 2003 Liberty that I used to have said she called it the “Barbie Bus” (don’t worry it was all dark blue!) and I told her that I didn’t want to know that!
Anonymous,
Somehow I think that if corporate executives are that busy, they are not reading Chryslerweblog.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
damn daves.can your famous copy and paste be any longer?
February 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/02/chryslers-plans-detailed/
Frank Klegon details Chrysler’s plans
Allpar -Feb. 11
February 12th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Automotive News | February 12, 2009 - 4:27 pm EST
CHICAGO — Chrysler LLC succeeded in getting dealers to buy enough vehicles to keep the company operating after twice extending a deadline, co-President Jim Press said today.
“We’re buttoned up for the month,” Press said here at the Chicago Auto Show.
Chrysler had set a goal of 78,000 orders for February at last month’s National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans, where Press urged dealers to buy more cars to ensure company survival.
Press repeated the request in a conference call last week as he extended the deadline three days. “You can either help us or burn us all down,’’ he said then.
The Wall Street Journal said this week that Chrysler was 10,000 units short of its goal after another extension.
Press sought the orders to keep the company’s viability plan on target after U.S. sales dropped more than 50 percent in December and January. Chrysler must deliver a report on its restructuring efforts by Feb. 17 to keep $4 billion in federal loans and help secure an additional $3 billion in U.S. aid.
Press said Chrysler was able to help some struggling dealers order more cars by working with Chrysler Financial and other institutions. He didn’t elaborate.
PRINTED FROM: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090212/ANA02/902120291/1078&template=printart
——————————————————————————–
Entire contents ©2009 Crain Communications, Inc.
February 12th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
More bad news for chrysler corp.
Report: Nissan puts Chrysler alliance plans on hold
http://www.freep.com/article/20090212/BUSINESS01/90212066
February 12th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Anonymous - quit yer bitch’in at DaveS. If you don’t want to or are unable to read his posts, just skip over them. You whine way too much. Go find something to do.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Tomorrow Loyal Members of the Chrysler Dealer Party have a telephone conference call with our glorious leader for life Kim Jung Press.
Glorious Leader will ask party members to identify less loyal Chrysler Dealers who refused to cooperate with Leaders demands to take their fair share of Februarys over production.
Glorious Leader Press will then use his unquestionable authority to demand that those less loyal Chrysler dealers who did not take their fair share of February over production now must take more then their fair share of March’s over production.
Failure to do so will lead to an outburst of emotion yet unseen by Glorious Leader for life Kim Jung Press: He has a great memory and will not forget those that did not support the Chrysler Dealer Party agenda.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Rich, I love it… a great sense of humor you have.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Another step back for chrysler.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Wasn’t it true that Helen Walton drove a Chrysler? Don’t be too fast to dis the Walton family. America needs more of her rich and famous to drive Chrysler products. That is where the Imperial brand comes in and why it is so important to reestablish the brand, especially for the new rich. I am thinking they could take that Dodge Viper facility and convert it to building custom-made Imperials. Then Chrysler could tap into the top one to two percent of the nation. The opinion leaders such as Paris Hilton and all the new rich. Once the masses see the rich and famous driving a fancy Imperial, they will all want one, but since they won’t be able to afford one, that pent up demand will drive traffic to the Chrylser brand. That is where a New Yorker comes into play. It is all about the product at the top which will inspire others and drive traffic to other brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth. If people of various means had a brand they could associate with, I believe more people would be driving Chrysler products.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
TOM
PUT THE PIPE DOWN AND GET SOME HELP!
Chrysler needs high quality cars from 15k to 30k that people want to purchase .
February 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Roy
I believe that is where an all new revitalized Plymouth brand comes in. Chrysler should have never abandoned that market. It needs the Plymouth Valiant market more than ever. The first cars that parents buy for their children. Good, basic, low-cost transportation. Chrysler could create tension in that market to want to trade-up to the Dodge muscle cars. It is a brilliant strategy. The key is that each division know its limits and not build product that blurrs the brands. For me it is not an either or situation, but one - if done correctly - where Chyrsler builds a product for each social class. As people move up the ladder, there is a Chrysler product for everypocket book. Plymouth should be the value car brand. Dodge stand for muscle cars. Imperial should be the flagship of the entire industry - hand-built and custom-made for each buyer. The Chrysler is for the upper middle class who are not yet at the level of the Imperial. The DeSoto should be the car for the middle class and those on the fast track and upwardly mobile. Finally, the Fargo should be built for the commercial grade truck market and for farmers.
A good business plan and good implementation = top quality management and above average profits.
*Do it right the first time.*
February 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Plymouth should have been kept, but only as a rental car brand; not sold as new through the dealerships.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
The Imperial flagship forever! You are a friggin genius Tom and so is your crazy uncle Archie.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Archie does have some good ideas, but the DeSoto? That’s a little old school. I doubt anyone would buy a DeSoto these days. My uncle Earl drove a DeSoto, but he was old school. He thought himself a king driving that old boat. Now as for the other ideas presented. I like them. Keep up the good works Archie.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Nissan-Chrysler product sharing in trouble
Automotive News | February 12, 2009
10:09 pm EST
NASHVILLE — Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co. have “paused” a project to share a North American-built small car and a full-sized pickup until they can bring down their costs.
A third vehicle-sharing project to give Chrysler a version of Nissan’s compact Versa sedan remains on schedule, both companies said Thursday night.
The two automakers blamed the interruption on a changing economic picture that is affecting variables as diverse as uncertain sales forecasts and the dollar-yen exchange.
The Versa-sharing deal will give Chrysler a car known as the Hornet later this year to sell in South America.
“Because of current economic conditions, Nissan and Chrysler teams working on the two other projects have been asked to ensure that financial objectives for both companies can be met before these two projects move forward,” said a statement distributed Thursday night by Nissan North America Inc.
The plans now on hold include the next-generation Nissan Titan, which was to be a spin-off of the Dodge Ram pickup, made in Saltillo, Mexico. The other paused project was to be a fuel-efficient Nissan-built B-segment car that used a Chrysler concept and design.
Deal was product of better times
Nissan and Chrysler inked the arrangements last year when Chrysler was groping for a global technology partner after the demise of its merger with Germany’s Daimler AG. At the same time, Nissan badly needed a leg-up in the full-sized pickup segment, where its U.S.-built Titan was proving a development resource drain.
Now a year later, both automakers’ situations have worsened.
Chrysler LLC faces a Tuesday deadline to assure Congress that it is a viable manufacturer in order to claim $3 billion in additional federal bailout loans.
And earlier this week, Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn revealed that Nissan stands to post a $2.9 billion loss this year, and is cutting 20,000 Nissan jobs around the world.
Chrysler’s dire outlook has drawn a new player into the equation: Italy’s Fiat S.p.A.
A Chrysler source said the interruption of its plans with Nissan has nothing to do with Chrysler’s global partnership talks with Fiat. But that deal would supply Chrysler with a lineup of new models based on Fiat’s European vehicle architecture.
The Chrysler source said the kink in Chrysler’s Nissan plans is simply about reducing the costs of the truck and small-car projects.
Japan’s automakers have been stunned by the appreciation of the yen against the dollar in recent months. Higher yen values raise the manufacturing cost of critical Japanese-made components, such as small-car engines and electronics.
Both Nissan and its chief Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. have reacted to forecasted losses by ordering stern reductions in operating costs around the world, and by making cuts in capital investment plans.
“Earlier this year,” said a Chrysler statement released Thursday night, “due to the current economic conditions, Nissan and Chrysler leadership directed their teams… to improve the financial objectives for both companies before the projects move further forward.”
PRINTED FROM: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090212/ANA02/902120285/1117&template=printart
Entire contents ©2009 Crain Communications, Inc.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
What is the GEM and how is it different from the ENVI? Does anyone know? Will the ENVI and GEM merger one day? Will all Chrysler products become ENVI? Is there a place for H. Ross Perrott’s natural gas fleet within Chrysler? Will ENVI branch out into other alternative fuels such as fuel cells? Solar panels? Hydrogen? Will Chrysler be going to the airless tire soon?
February 12th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Am interested in the 1948 Chrysler Windsor. Any info. would be helpful.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Gem vehicles are low speed( less than 35 mph) all electric vehicles built on a golf cart like body.
Envi works on the development of building highway speed electric drive vehicles that may or may not have an internal combustion engine.
February 13th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
1. Phil and George,
SUGGESTION: Allpar.com is THE online source for ALL information about EVERY vehicle that Chrysler has ever produced as well as all of its current operations.. Chrysler aficionados use that wonderful resource as the beginning-point for all of their research.
2. Everybody, this is a helluva animportant read:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e6fd74f6-f954-11dd-90c1-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1
Chrysler faced with equity carve-up
Financial Times, Feb. 12
February 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Chrysler in a crunch
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/12/autos/chrysler_lookahead/index.htm?postversion=2009021316
February 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Pelosi to automakers: Plans better be good
http://www.freep.com/article/20090213/BUSINESS01/90213052
February 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
When I see what BMW is up to these days (see the following article) I have much more hope for a renaissance of Chrysler:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/auto_shows/2009_geneva_auto_show_auto_shows/concept_debuts/bmw_5_series_gran_turismo_concept_auto_shows
Talk about a stalwart losing its way. Chrysler keep fighting, get the 200 C in production and a 300 with an interior as good as the Ram and you may be for drivers in the 2010’s and 2020’s what BMW was in the 80’s and 90’s.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
On Today’s Chrysler Conference Call Glorious Leader for Life Kim Jung Press fell on his symbolic sword by admitting that he the Glorious Leader may have gone to far on the last conference call when he threaten retaliation against dealers that did not take their full February allocations.
The Glorious Leader has received several complaints from the mostly obedient Chrysler dealer body and thought best that he offer his olive branch with full knowledge that he intends to ask his minions to take more then they need when the March allocations are received by the dealers.
Only time will tell if Glorious Leader Press intends to stay the course with his new found enlightenment or will he again berate his loyal subjects when they either refuse or do not have the ability to absorb an allocation larger by 13,000 units then the previous 77,000 February allocation: March allocation is 90,000 total units.
February 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
What the hell does that old hag (aka wicked witch of the west) know about running a busienss? Does she even know what a business plan is?
February 13th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Anonymous, there you go again with your whinning.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Wasilla and Pelosi - Enough with the psycho babble already!
February 13th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
DaveS -
Thare you go again with the long emails. please limit your emails to a couple of paragraphs. Nobody reads those long winded emails.
February 13th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Dude, the ‘48 Windsor is one of the ugliest cars ever built. Don’t buy one.
February 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
http://www.allpar.com/history/auto-shows/chicago-2009.html
Good photo of the Chrysler display at the Chicago Auto Show posted on
the Allpar Website
February 14th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Ronnie, I don’t find the Windsor ugly. But is a ‘48 in fair condition worth $5,000. I know it is a fixerupper, but will have time to do it once I retire.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Obama’s stimulus package is just a Democratic power grab. Nothing more. Problem is. It will back fire and leave our economy in the crapper for decades to come.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
http://www.google.com/search?q=1948+Chrysler+Windsor+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
George,
You probably did this already, but here’s what a Google search for 1948 Chrysler Windsor brings up, pages and pages of material on the Internet.. You may even find someone in your neck of the woods who’ll lend an ear and let you pick his brain.
February 14th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
There you go again, Anonymous, whinning about politics on the Chrysler Weblog. You must live a miserable life fixated on Obama as you are. Go get a hobby, read a book, talk with some folks who can lift your spirits, or for pete’s sake, get some professional help. Life is short my complaining friend. You say we’ll all be in the crapper for decades to come, but it appears you are already there.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
http://topcars-loki.blogspot.com/2009/02/chryslers-sema-freak-show-out-in-force.html
Chrysler at the SEMA Show.
Scroll down for all the great pix.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am
An armchair pschologist, we do not need, Wasilla. No one listens to the “I’m OK, You’re not OK” crowd anymore.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Obama’s urgent stimulus package on hold for his weekend off…
According to the New York Post, “After pushing Congress for weeks to hurry up and pass the massive $787 billion stimulus bill, Obama promptly took off for a three-day
holiday getaway.
Obama arrived at his home in Chicago on Friday, and treated wife Michelle to a Valentine’s Day dinner downtown last night…
[Obama] plans to spend the Presidents’ Day weekend in the Windy City, and is not expected to sign the bill until Tuesday, when he travels to Denver to discuss his economic plan.
Both the House and Senate passed the bill Friday night.
The push to get the bill through before the holiday weekend was so frantic, members of Congress didn’t have a chance to read all 1,071 pages of the document before they could vote.
“In a perfect world it would have been nice to have had more time to process it,” said Ilan Kayatsky, a spokesman for Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).”
February 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
So we are going to borrow $787 billion from the Chinese to to finance a stimulus package so that citizens can buy more Chinese goods to pump up the economy? Has anyone in the administration stopped to think how much interest the government will pay on $787 billion? Why not just give the American tax payer a tax holiday and avoid borrowing the money in the first place? Duh.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
At $65.5 trillion dollars, Moneynetdaily reports “federal obligations exceed world GDP.” Scary thought! Does anyone think Obama will even try to reverse these figures? If anything, these figures will grow on his watch.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
http://www.ohio.com/business/39604897.html
Fiat Deal Contingent on Restructuring, Chrysler says
AP article in the Akron Beacon Journal’s Ohio.com
Feb. 14
February 15th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090215/ap_on_bi_ge/gas_prices_unhinged
CRUDE OIL IS GETTING CHEAPER, SO WHY ISN’T GAS?
Associated Press, Feb. 15, 2009
February 15th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/13/AR2009021302147.html
GM, Chrysler Need to Think Change - - Big Change
Warren Brown, in The Washingnton Post, Feb. 15
This analysis is very skeptical of the business plans that both Chrysler and GM will submit to Washington asking for additional loans. It argues that those plans are not going to be persuasive in convincing the decision-makers that the two companies can survive without more drastic changes, and it offers some painful, and maybe unattainable, suggestions for big change that just might pry more money from the Feds. This column is not at all an encouraging, but it’s definitely worth a read before the plans are due on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Obama = Incompetence
February 15th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
CRUDE OIL IS GETTING CHEAPER, SO WHY ISN’T GAS?
Associated Press, Feb. 15, 2009
The reason is Obama. He won’t let them drill offshore.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Are you sure it is Obama who is causing high gasoline prices? He has only been in office a few weeks. Try ExxonMobil.
February 15th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Whatever happened to T. Boone Pickens and the Picken’s Plan?
February 15th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
The Wall Street Journal reports, “President Barack Obama has turned fearmongering into an art form. He has repeatedly raised the specter of another Great Depression. First, he did so to win votes in the November election. He has done so again recently to sway congressional votes for his stimulus package.” The Journal reports, “Obama’s Rhetoric Is the Real ‘Catastrophe’, In 1932, automobile production shriveled by 90%”….
February 15th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
DaveS, do you ever write anything yourself?
February 15th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
The only thing DaveS knows how to do is copy long winded articles, which nobody reads.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I know for fact that DaveS does makes posts that are self-written, if you care to actually read them all that would be obvious. Extra bonus: They’re all on-topic, which can’t be said for many here.
February 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Anonymous = whinning
February 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-news/fiat-to-introduce-the-500c-in-geneva?model=500C&artid=105159
Fiat to Introduce 500 C at Geneva Auto Show
Please note especially the last sentence of this article.
—————————————————————————————
Say, Folks,
This is the CHRYSLER WEBLOG. Courteous and decent people who want to post comments about politics will go to one or more of the several hundred (or is it several thousand) sites on the Internet pots founded by and intended for Republicans or Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Libertarians, Vegetarians, whatever, for subjects near and dear to their heart. Everyone understand the need for community, and this is not the appropriate community for postings not directly related to Chrysler and the automotive industry. No Chrysler aficionado would post stuff about Chrysler on a political/ideological Website. Please return the favor. It’s the decent thing to do. You do your cause –whatever that cause may be—no good when you intrude into a place reserved for an entirely different subject matter.
And to those who suffer from attention deficit disorder, there is competent professional help available and we hope that you will avail yourself of it and get some treatment.
Please allow me to respectfully suggest to all serious Chrysler aficionados that we NEVER respond in any way to postings of political stuff, whether of the left or right, to inane and immature prattle about Imperial and DeSotor from those who need clinical treatment for their attention deficit disorder, and the self-centered, opinionated stuff that disdains any serious, sophisticated treatment of a subject.
Mike, Anonymous,
You gentleman must be newcomers to Chrysler Weblog. It is not a social networking site where we are supposed to write out own bullet points. Before it began attracting opinionated dilettantes, this was a site a place where serious Chrysler aficionados, many having a history with the company or its dealers or suppliers, posted news about Chrysler and the autmotive industry. If you do not want to read about Chrysler or prefer to compose your own bullet points, please move to one of the many social networking sites. Facebook is one where you can converse in short bursts with all of your buddies. Nobody is likely to post articles about Chrysler on Face Book. You should find a welcome home there.
Enough said! OK folks, do not respond to the unpleasant people who are going to get PO’d at my respectful suggestion that they take their non-Chrysler related stuff to a more appropriate venue.. Just resist the temptation to respond to them and to the simple- minded fools who just live for the responses they provoke when they post idiocy about Imperial and De Soto. Likewise, please ignore those who think the world revolves around their own experiences and that their views and their values should rule the world, and to hell with the objective evidence and the empirical data. Maybe all of them will take the hint and go away if they are ignored completely.
Let’s all resolve not to post one other thing that is not directly related to Chrysler or the automotive industry on this Weblog. RESIST THE TEMPTATION.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/02/chrysler-dealers-could-be-selling-fiats/
Chrysler dealers may sell Fiats by 2010
Allpar
Feb. 16
February 16th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Please note that the posting above about the Fiat 500C and that is also is addressed to “Say, Folks” was posted by DaveS, not Anonymous. Apparently I failed to get my name completely typed-in before hitting the send button. Experience teaches that failure results in its being posted as coming from Anonymous. But I want no one to be misled about who posted that message.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Dont listen to, daves. I was the one to copy and paste the article above…
other people can do it to, daves.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I like the chryslerweblog the way it is.
I use it as a barometer of what people are thinking and how it affects our business.
When the subject matter leaves the core Chrysler topic and turns into a bickering he said he said bitch off about politics or the length of some ones blog, my business suffers.
When the subject is about product and what programs are available for consumers or what’s going on at Auburn Hills then my business has an up tick.
Currently the subject matter has turned into a bitch off and nothing with any substances is in play: My business sucks.
When talk turns to how the stimulus package and what part of a new vehicle purchase I can write off on my taxes then business will jump.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Well put Rich! Anon’s comments were such a downer. What is the status on the auto czar? At any rate, it’s about over folks. The fat lady is about to sing. Tomorrow tells all.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Do you really think that the cats in D.C. will pull the plug on Chrysler or GM???
Hell No! They are already “wet” in the deal.
They will blow a few horns, grade the reports, and some will bitch a little bit about FIAT being foreign, blah, blah and then they will give the rest of the money to the factories—it’s too late for them to switch courses now.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Mopar Dealer, what do you mean by the term, ‘”wet” in the deal’?
February 16th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Anon’s comments were about as inspiring as well, I won’t go there.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Rich,
I understand and appreciate your cynicism—but I think your criticism of Jim Press maybe should be reconsidered based on some of the following:
Mr. Press is the only top manager at since Tom Gale at Chrysler who has a real future product plan.
Mr. Press is the first leader at Chrysler to talk straight to the Dealer Body since Tom Pappert.
The team assembled by Mr. Press has drastically improved the interiors, and overall quality of Chrysler products.
It’s not Jim Press’ fault that the market has slipped to under 10 million SAAR—the HUGE March allocation of 90,000 is based on the previous market as you know.
We are in this sinking boat mostly because of shitty product and a poor product plan—not because of the Glorious Leader (I think that is a Chinese reference, and a Japanese title would be more appropiate for Mr. Press.)
I’m sure we and others will disagree with all the above statements so let me ask you one Question please—
Q. Do you believe that the total Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicle quality, inside and outside the vehicle is better, worse, or the same since Mr. Press has come on board as leader?
February 16th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Since Chrysler cannot play in the major leagues any longer, does anyone think its plan tomorrow will emphasize a niche differentiation strategy focusing on high-end, custom-built speciality products such as a Masaritti? In that case, its logical that Chrysler will drop everything but the Imperial.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Susan,
It’s just a silly expression!
By “wet in the deal” I mean that the Government has already committed.
It’s like jumping in a pool….once in you are wet.
The government is in the pool and they are wet.
Since the government recently has given the automakers money they can’t stop haphazardly and pull the plug in my opinion.
It’s somewhat like being pregnant I guess!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Thanks, Mopar. I’ve never heard that term before. Interesting, but true.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aR9ub_Rrfdic&refer=home
GM, Chrysler push for more U.S. aid after legacy of mistakes
Bloomberg News Service
Feb. 17
Mopar Dealer,
The quotation in this article from David Cole of Ann Arbor’s Center for Automotive Research appears to be in line with your assessment that Washington won’t let GM or Chrysler fall by the wayside. It is no doubt unrealistic to expect that the plans either company submits will be promptly accepted as written. More than likely those plans will catch a lot of flak from critics and there will be a lengthy and anguishing period of four-way negotiations , just as Cole predicts, with much give and take before something productive comes out of it. My guess is that the government will have to insure payment of at least part of the legacy costs in return for the UAW’s membership being willing to agree to more major concessions. Also, as an alternative to getting damned near nothing if GM or Chrysler were forced into bankruptcy, the suppliers and some creditors might be be offered some novel tax breaks or loans in return for writing off more of the debt owed to them by GM and Chrysler. This is of course pure speculation.
Mopar Dealer,
Since I vented my spleen about about what has gone wrong with this weblog, let me share with everyone my view of what is right about it.. The sharp exchange of views between you and Rich is interesting and very worthwhile. That level of discourse by people who know what they are talking about is what Chrysler Weblog started out to be and what it should remain. Here’s hoping it stays at that high level forever and never again becomes the playground for those who really would be more comfortable on political and social networking sites.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:04 am
On am 950 earlier an auto expert was speaking and said chrysler coporation might survive but theyll have to close 5 to 6 more plants.
If they close 5 to 6 more plants there wont be any chrysler corporation left.That would amount to about 45,000 a month.
The ceo’s of chrysler will get laughed at today!
February 17th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Anonymous says: “You gentleman must be newcomers to Chrysler Weblog. It is not a social networking site where we are supposed to write out own bullet points. Before it began attracting opinionated dilettantes, this was a site a place where serious Chrysler aficionados, many having a history with the company or its dealers or suppliers, posted news about Chrysler and the autmotive industry. If you do not want to read about Chrysler or prefer to compose your own bullet points, please move to one of the many social networking sites. Facebook is one where you can converse in short bursts with all of your buddies. Nobody is likely to post articles about Chrysler on Face Book. You should find a welcome home there.”
Hey dude, many of the so called “Chrysler aficionados” having a history with the company are long gone. Now all you have to deal with is us pesky customers. After today, you may not even have us to kick around anymore. Then you can sit around and blog about the good old days.
February 17th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Worse, Ive had 05,06, they were fine the 2008’s and 09’s 0n the other hand is a different story. Ive experience rattles, steering problems etc.
The quality in my opinion has change.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
MoPar Dealer we differ on our views of Jim Press.
I’m all about results and so far Mr. Press hasn’t impressed me. Fire and brim stone threats that you have to apologize for later aren’t a sign of leadership.
It’s not just about Jim Press am disappointed with Chrysler as a whole. Chrysler is a dysfunctional organization.
I have a problem with egos getting in the way of solutions and good business practices.
An example of this: Jim Press has a gift of expressing infectious enthusiasm when speaking about the product. The dealers recognized this gift and we expressed our desire to have him become Chrysler’s front man not unlike the Iacocca days.
But as we were informed at our dealer road show meetings having Mr. Press the focal point of advertising would bruise egos in the corporation and we can’t have that can we.
As per the SAAR, why is it that many of us with limited resources saw it coming, yet none of the automobile manufacturers with all their Billions didn’t see it coming or just opted to ignore the signs altogether.
Auto sales were fueled by the housing boom, when housing boom collapsed the manufacturers choose to ignore the warning signs and continued to build vehicles at record numbers.
MoPar I just got off the phone with my Tele Sales District Manager, he’s responsible for 44 dealers. Today he informed me that along with his 44 Tele Sales dealers, he’s now responsible for the whole state of Washington.
Just another example of lack of vision and poor leadership.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Durango-Aspen-Pt Cruiser have been killed.
Chrysler is asking for 5 Billion dollars thats 2 Billion more then orgional asked.
2,000 more job cuts.
Chrysler wants to remain stand alone with alliances: Fiat-Nissan-VW
This month retails sales are off 35% industry wide-Chrysler is off just 20%. GM’s off 45% Ford off 47% Toyota off 46% Honda off 42%
February 17th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I’m a cash buyer for an 09 challenger r/t- offered 8% under invoice and was laughed at- things must not be so bad, or maybe dealers are just waiting for more bailout to prop up chrysler?
By the way, my current ride is an 06 3500 cummins bought at 9.3% under invoice, so I assumed that could be duplicated on a chally, if dealers were hurting as bad as press reports seem to say-seems to be some very intelligent individuals posting here, please share your thoughts..
February 17th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Scott.
You’re such an AH. Do you really expect to be taken seriously making assinine comments like the above? You probably tip your server 8% and think that you are sooooo generous. Get lost dipshit. Yeah, yeah, yeah buyer’s market blah, blah, yadda, yadda…STFU.
(I am not a dealer so don’t hold this post against them, but I am one of the other “very intelligent individuals posting here”)
February 17th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Scott, never mind Russo. He has few social skills and can be very rude. By the way, what is a “chally”? I am not familiar with that term.
February 17th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Chally - Challenger Too cute.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Thanks, George. We learn something new everyday, don’t we? I have been a Dodge man all my life, but have never heard that term used before. I just hope the new plan works. I prefer Chrysler to remain a stand alone company, but am OK with the strategic alliance. I just don’t want to see her fold or to be sold off in bits and pieces. God bless you.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Scott
A independent business owner can not sell for a loss.
your local chrysler dealer is a independent business (not owned by chrysler)franchised to sell chryslers.
Roy
February 18th, 2009 at 8:04 am
trust me, I’ve had many salesman laugh at offers over the course of my life, and comments like troll russo mean nothing to me- I didnt get to my position in life by making buying decisions on emotion.
roy, thank you for your post, i assume that to mean that you feel 8% under would be at a loss to the dealer, which is the type of information I was hoping to gain from this informative blog-
The dealer I puchased the cummins from had very lagre volume, which i understand factors in to what true cost of product is, just trying to figure out where the magic number to make it a win-win is.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Scott
I turn down any challenger deal that is under msrp.Offer the dealer 1000.00 over invoice and stop being a mooch !
Roy
February 18th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Did the moderator lose his job too? We havent had an update in forever..
Man, things are bad out there!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
What is so wrong with trying to be thrifty with one’s money?
February 18th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
let the dealer make money. the dealer can not suckle uncle sams tit.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Scott,
I would not accept your offer, we only have 1 Challenger R/T in stock.
The vehicle is fairly priced at MSRP.
It is a great car—go buy it!!
February 19th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Rich,
I agree that Chrysler is dysfunctional. Is this Nardelli’s responsibility, Press’ responsibility, or both??
Personally I would hate to have to deal with Chrysler Motors without Jim Press–he may be one of the last pro-dealer executives in the CTC. Certainly he is the highest ranking pro-dealer Chrysler employee.
My sources indicated that Cerberus Capital Management has lost patience with Mr. Nardelli—not Mr. Press—to the point
that they would replace Mr. Nardelli now if the timing was not so bad.
As Mr. Nardelli is receiving $ 1.00 per year it
probably is not the best time to switch managers.
I also hear that Nardelli has no confidence in CFC and feels that they do not support Chrysler Motors, or at least they haven’t during his tenure.
Between Chrysler Motor and Chrysler Financial I am more scared of CFC. I think CFC will put more dealers out of business now than Motors!!!
February 19th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
MoPar Dealer
You answered your own question: At Chrysler Everybody is in charge and nobody is in charge.
Steven Feinberg of Cerberus needs to be asked who’s in charge, isn’t he the one that hired Nardelli?
The whole thing is a joke.
If the Feds bailout Chrysler and Cerberus with draws their interest in the company, who’s in charge then, the government?
February 20th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Re: Scott - I agree with Russo on this one.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:22 am
Nardelli has got to go! Isn’t he the same guy who screwed up Home Depot? Wasn’t he pass over at GE for the top spot?
Has he ever managed anything that he did not leave in worse shape than when he began? Ready, Fire, Aim! Put Press in charge now! It’s a no brainer.
Steve shoud just subordinte frat buddy ties with Nardelli to the general interest of Chrysler’s survival.
January 1st, 2010 at 7:17 am
Chrysler takes advantage of people and treat them like dirt. They are cheaters, beaters, and contract switchers. And they wonder why they are going under. I know for a fact from the way I was treated. I will never buy another chrysler vehicle.