Chrysler may replace LX platform with Fiat technology
From the article: “Chrysler Group LLC may retire the engineering used to make its iconic 300C sedan in favor of more modern architecture jointly developed with Fiat SpA, said two people familiar with the situation.
The so-called “LX” platform, which was used to produce more than 210,000 cars last year, would be replaced by a new structure that could also underpin a full-sized sedan for Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand, said the people, who declined to be identified because a final decision hasn’t been made.
The project would be the first joint product by Chrysler and Fiat and would be the basis for the U.S. carmaker’s highest- volume vehicles as well as Alfa Romeo’s largest sedan. Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of both automakers, has said a company needs to build at least one million vehicles on a single platform to be profitable.”
Chrysler May Replace 300C Engineering With Joint Fiat Platform - bloomberg.com
August 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Maybe this weblog isnt dead!
August 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Good to see!!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Halleluiah! Wonderful news!
August 6th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I work for chrysler. I use to be excited and couldn’t wait to go to work. Now I wake up and get sick to my stomach thinking about going in there. These forieners have ruined chrysler and america. It is over. just waiting for Fiat to get done picking the bones. There is no chrysler really left.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
For your own benefit, it appeas that you need to find a new job, my friend. You will be doing both yourself and Chrysler a favor. There is nothing more unrewarding than working a job that you hate.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Anonymous Says:
August 6th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I work for chrysler. I use to be excited and couldn’t wait to go to work. Now I wake up and get sick to my stomach thinking about going in there. These forieners have ruined chrysler and america. It is over. just waiting for Fiat to get done picking the bones. There is no chrysler really left.
………………………………………………………………………….
Buddy, you make $28.05 an hour. Your job probably isnt that hard neither. If you really hated it that much you would have taken the $100,000 and the $25,000 car voucher. Did you? Of course you didnt, cause you really dont hate it that much, if you really work there.
I work for chrysler and i am blessed to be able to go to work and make the pay and have the benefits they give me.I am excited to see what is ahead for chrysler. New products and a new management team can only be good things to come for chrysler….. This is their last chance…..Hopefully they can do things right this time!
I really dont believe you work there anyway………….
August 6th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I bet you do slovenly work, “Mr. I hate my job”. Good riddance! Don’t let the door hit you on the butt on your way out.
August 7th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I hope this platform scheme pays off for Chrysler. What are the pros and cons of the change? It is too bad dealers don’t have more Chrysler products on their lots now. My local dealer has very few new Chrysler products on the lot. Once “Cash for Clunkers” ends, I am afraid no one will be buying cars. It appears that Chrysler will be in for a world of hurt at that point. My question is whether or not the auditors will issue a “going concern” citation in their management report. Also, any word on the outcome of the recent Board meeting? Where is the board in terms of issuing an IPO? One would think the company would be ramping up the PR and other promotional efforts. It is time to get creative with marketing, advertising, and sales. Chrysler needs a hard hitting, all out sales effort, from the CEO so the public will have confidence in the long term viability of the company.
August 8th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
If Chrysler is out of cars that’s a good thing, as long as they don’t over-produce next year. And I’m glad to hear they kept the PT Cruiser - now they need to modernize it.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Could not agree more. Very functional. Definite niche for vehicle.
August 9th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
It’s time to revisit the California cruiser concept.
August 10th, 2009 at 10:39 am
sounds like more job losses at chrysler
August 10th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Glad to see the Dodge Viper is alive and well.
August 10th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Glad to see the Dodge Viper alive and well.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Just design great looking fuel efficient vehicles! It is really that simple.
And get that 200c out as fast as you can!
Chrysler can be a power-house again………………..
August 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Let’s do it again, faster, better, cheaper than the competition!
August 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Where is the Chrysler PR team? It needs to model its press operation after GM’s. We need to know Chrysler is still in business. Come on!
August 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Well? Where is the PR?????????????????????????????????????????????
August 14th, 2009 at 5:38 am
1.) Welcome back Chrysler Weblog!
2.) What’s an ‘American’ car these days, anyway? Some Honda vehicles are made in Ohio.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Can anyone who works for Chrysler use a different name than anonymous?????
And would you please start building a world class product now that we have got rid of the junk you have been building the past several years?????
Cash for Clunkers is the only reason we sold any cars, and all sales traffic has stopped.
All the dealers here are out of inventory, and none is coming for 60 days.
PR would be nice, but we have to have products that people want
August 14th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Cash for Clunkers is the only reason we sold any cars, and all sales traffic has stopped.
All the dealers here are out of inventory, and none is coming for 60 days.
OK! WTF
August 14th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Here again, another screw up. Our local dealers have very litte Chrysler products on their lots and are turning to selling pre-owned.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Finally some justice! The Wall Street Journal reports that, “Chrysler’s creditors can sue its former parent, Daimler AG, which the creditors accuse of stripping Chrysler of its most valuable assets in 2007.” It’s about time!
August 14th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Does Chrysler parent, Fiat, own the Tesla? What, if any, is its relationship to the SMART car?
August 15th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Has “Cash for Clunkers” really hepped Chrysler dealers all that much? 9 out of 10 deals go to the foreign transplants. Boo Hiss!
August 15th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
More bad economic news. The Wall Street Journal reports “Regulators seized Colonial Bank on Friday… the sixth-largest bank failure in U.S. history.” When will all this madness end? How can they say the recession is over when banks are failing? Mortgage defaults rates are about to explode, again. Unemployment rates keeps rising. State and local government are on the verge of bankruptcy. Crude oil prices are increasing and are expected to reach $100 per barrell by year end. Federal deficits are rapidly rising.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Unemployment has actually leveled off over the past couple of months. So get your facts together before posting false information!
August 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Unemployment rate - The percent of the labor force that is unemployed, not seasonally adjusted.
April = 8.6%
May = 9.1%
June = 9.1%
July = 9.7%
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Last updated August 10, 2009.
Just the facts, man, just the facts!
August 16th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Breaking News…
Unfortunately, more bad economic news!
AP - Washington. “The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver of Montgomery, Ala.-based Colonial, with about $25 billion in assets, and Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association, located in Pittsburgh. The agency approved the sale of Colonial’s $20 billion in deposits and about $22 billion of its assets to BB&T Corp., which is based in Winston-Salem, N.C. The failed bank’s 346 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas will reopen at the normal times starting on Saturday as offices of BB&T, the FDIC said.”
August 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
The sky is falling! All you little Anonymous chicken-shits had better run. You can blame Obama later; it’s time to run and hide now. “More bad economic news,” says Anonymous. The sky is falling!
August 16th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
George???!!!??? Did anyone mention Obama? Don’t be so sensative.
August 17th, 2009 at 6:37 am
chicken little is finger licking good !
August 17th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Report: Chrysler to build Fiat 500 in Mexico, engine in Trenton
August 17th, 2009 at 8:03 am
New Fiats from Chrysler’s Mexico plant
Also this ayem, the WSJ is reporting that Chrysler plans to build the Fiat 500 subcompact at a Chrysler plant in Mexico. Given the (still) relatively high labor costs in the United States, I greeted this with a “duh” this morning. But the report, which quotes “a person familiar with the plans,” goes on to say that the Fiat 500 engine could come be built in the U.S. along with a larger compact car. So, that’s some good news.
I guess we’ll see how well Chrysler’s trial balloon flies on building a car in Mexico with the U.S. government as a part owner, with 8% of the company. Feel free to vent your thoughts about it here, as I’m sure you will …
Meanwhile, the WSJ also reports that Fiat is expanding in China, setting up a partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., where, surprise-surprise, the market is still hotter than 90 degrees. Automotive sales there are up 60% over the prior year. (By comparison, U.S. new car and truck sales are down 32% through July.)
August 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
My friend, the UAW will never go along with Chrysler production in Mexico, nor will the U.S. Government. The New Chrysler must produce in the USA to survive.
August 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Conservatives now outnumber liberals in all 50 states, says recent Gallup poll. Outlook for more federal stimulus spending programs in the future, such as the recent “Cash for Clunkers” program, is not good.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
“I work for chrysler. I use to be excited and couldn’t wait to go to work. Now I wake up and get sick to my stomach thinking about going in there. These forieners have ruined chrysler and america. It is over. just waiting for Fiat to get done picking the bones. There is no chrysler really left. ”
From the tone & content of your post, my guess is you’re salaried. Number one - - I’ve never known an hourly to be “excited” about going to work. Number two, an hourly would never get a “sick to my stomach” feeling about work - - and if he did, he wouldn’t be going to work because he’d call in!
But I agree that Chrysler’s not the same place it was last November when the buyouts were being offered to salaried people. If they were ever to offer the same package now I’d be willing to bet you’d see a take rate of 60 to 70% heading out the door.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Well that’s not good! Now who rammed the Fiat/Chrysler deal through?
Happy anniversary! Today is the sixth month anniversary of the $787 billion bailout. Since then:
1. Home foreclosure notices - up
2. Federal budget deficit - up
3. Consumer spending - down
Question. Is the stimulus working?
August 18th, 2009 at 9:15 am
1. Home foreclosure notices - up
Its going to keep going up for a long time……
I thought this was a chrysler weblog….Seems to me that it is a economic discussion board now………What a lame weblog!
August 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Let’s keep opinions on economic policy and other politics off this site - there are myriad other sites you can bloviate on.
August 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
How will Chrysler ever make it if the economy remains in the tank for years to come? Without sales and economic profits, we are all in trouble! Whose to blame for all this mess? The good ole boys and fat cats in Washington DC!
August 18th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
How will Chrysler ever make it if the economy remains in the tank for years to come?
No shit? Who would make it if things dont get better. They say the way things are now that chrysler will break even the next 2 to 3 yrs. Thats worse case senerio. If the econmy improves somewhat, then who knows whats going to happen.
So many negative assholes on this weblog anymore….What if this…What if that…. get a friggin life and quit worrying so much.
August 19th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
A $4,000 car from GM?
The company sees a market for an ultra-low-cost compact, a segment automakers are focusing on after the plunge in sales in North America and Western Europe.
[Related content: car shopping, GM, cheap cars, manufacturing, automotive]
By The Wall Street Journal
General Motors is targeting the emerging ultra-low-cost car market with plans for a compact for around $4,000, possibly producing it in Asia.
August 19th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Aug. 19 (Bloomberg) — Gasoline surged as crude oil surged after oil supplies fell 8.4 million barrels last week, and as motor fuel demand improved.
Thats what happens when the stupid fucking oil companies decrease production because their profits arent what they used to be……
Before we know it, gas prices will be $3.25 to $3.75 a gallon…
If that happens, the economy will never ever improve. Chrysler may really be in trouble then!
August 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
State’s July jobless rate slightly down from June
Lansing — Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped for the first time since June 2008, with the July jobless rate slipping from 15.2 percent to 15 percent, edging down two-tenths of a percentage point. - 2:52 pm
August 19th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Eddie, why are you posting Michigan’s unemployment figures on this web site? And why do some of you others post general economic data here? We all get that info from numerous other sources.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I guess eddie has to post something here since this weblog isnt what it used to be.
There is no real discussion here about chrysler anymore!
August 19th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Chrysler cuts powertrain warranty to 5 years
Automaker drops lifetime guarantee
spokesman Rick Deneau said the decision was driven by market research that showed consumers prefer warranties with a fixed time period. Powertrain warranties typically cover repair or replacement of transmission and engine parts.
“Basically, the assumption of a lifetime warranty just wasn’t that big a deal to consumers,” Deneau said.
The 5-year, 100,000-mile warranties will be transferable to new owners if the vehicles are sold before they run out, he said. The previous lifetime warranties were not transferable.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
GM with a $4,000 car? You have got to be kidding me. Is it a Saturn?
Isn’t that supposed to be Fiat’s market? Chrysler better get on the stick or it won’t even have that market.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
What happened to LaSorta? Is he no longer with Chrysler? What is he doing now? Is he still in the auto industry? Did he go to work for the competition?
August 19th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Warren Buffett, who loves his Chrysler, warns this country may soon become a banana republic. Sad.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Anonymous Says:
August 19th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
What happened to LaSorta?
———————————————————–
I believe its ‘Lasorda’ you fucking retard!
August 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am
chrysler owners = fucking retard with bad credit
August 20th, 2009 at 10:48 am
LOL, im a chrysler owner with a perfect credit score you idiot!
August 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
having been a credit buyer for gmac,ford,chrysler and honda i agree that chrysler buyers tend to have the worst credit in the market.
August 20th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
What’s your point about credit scores? I’ve bought three new Chrysler vehicles over the past 20 years and paid cash for each. Enough of the generalizations.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Please! No vulgar language on the ChryslerWeblog. Please! Can you not make your point without insulting another? Please! Grow up! Please!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
“Administration officials had initially expected the $3 billion program to last through Labor Day, Sept. 7. But a big wave of summer buyers, as well as administrative bottlenecks, prompted officials to end the program early” said the Wall Street Journal. How will this decision impact Chrysler? Good news? Bad news? No news?
August 20th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
The Detroit News reports, “President Barack Obama today defended his decision to boost loans to GM and Chrysler to a total of $65 billion, after his predecessor’s administration loaned them $17.4 billion last winter.” From the get go, should this have been done? In sports, you don’t change strategy unless something is not working. Should more federal monies be pumped into the auto industry? The bailout was a big mistake - fact or fiction?
August 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
My friend said that Carly Fiorina, largely acclaimed for the Compaq/HP merger, may be joining one of the Big Three to lead consolidation and partnering efforts to strategically transform their business model. Is this true? What does she know about autos?
August 21st, 2009 at 10:38 am
Detroit automakers’ ‘clunkers’ sales fall to 41 percent
Foreign manufacturers widened their lead in overall “cash for clunkers” sales, with Toyota Motor Corp. increasing its share of overall sales. As of 7 a.m., dealers had submitted 489,269 vouchers seeking $2.04 billion. The program is set to end at 8 p.m. Monday. - 12:57 pm
OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
August 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Top-ranking Press will reportedly leave Chrysler
Jim Press, Chrysler Group LLC deputy CEO and the last senior executive from the company’s pre-bankruptcy leadership, will leave the automaker before the end of the year, the Wall Street Journal reported today.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Home sales soar 7.2 percent in July
First-time buyers rushed to take advantage of tax credit
WASHINGTON - The U.S. housing market is rebounding faster than expected.
The question is, can it last?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Oil prices soared on Friday to their highest level since October as investors grow hopeful that a recovery of the world economy is in sight.
Light, sweet oil for October delivery rose 98 cents to settle at $73.98 a barrel — its highest closing price since Oct. 20, 2008, when crude prices settled at $74.25 on Oct. 20, 2008.
All told, oil has surged by two-thirds this year after closing out 2008 at $44.60 per barrel.
Manouchehr Takin, petroleum analyst at the Center for Global Energy Studies in London, said the increases in oil prices don’t make sense when you look at them purely at face value.
“On the fundamentals of supply and demand, one cannot explain why the price is high,” said Takin. “All the [global] inventories are full. The outlook for the demand for oil in the coming weeks is really weak.”
But investors who lack confidence in the volatile stock markets have shifted their money into commodities like oil, which is why prices have been escalating, said Takin.
“There is not much confidence in the stocks around the
August 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Oil prices soared on Friday to their highest level since October as investors grow hopeful that a recovery of the world economy is in sight.
Light, sweet oil for October delivery rose 98 cents to settle at $73.98 a barrel — its highest closing price since Oct. 20, 2008, when crude prices settled at $74.25 on Oct. 20, 2008.
All told, oil has surged by two-thirds this year after closing out 2008 at $44.60 per barrel.
Manouchehr Takin, petroleum analyst at the Center for Global Energy Studies in London, said the increases in oil prices don’t make sense when you look at them purely at face value.
“On the fundamentals of supply and demand, one cannot explain why the price is high,” said Takin. “All the [global] inventories are full. The outlook for the demand for oil in the coming weeks is really weak.”
But investors who lack confidence in the volatile stock markets have shifted their money into commodities like oil, which is why prices have been escalating, said Takin.
“………
August 21st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
With Press out, I am afraid it all but over. This news is very, very, very, very, very, very, very sad.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Dude! Don’t go getting all “wee weed-up” on us! The sky is not falling! Chill!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
“Can it last?” What planet are you on my friend? Obama is to raiae 10-year deficit to $9 trillion! Yes, that’s $9 trillion! This place is going to hell in an handbasket! Hell no it won’t last! The fat lady has sung!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
What happened? Is Press going back to Toyota? Was he shoveled out, or did he quit in disgust? Who will fill the void he leaves? Do employees trust the new CEO?
August 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Did anyone see what happened to the price of a barrell of oil today? Can’t be good for Ram sales.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Anonymous Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Did anyone see what happened to the price of a barrell of oil today? Can’t be good for Ram sales.
…………………………………………………………………………….
When oil was $135 a barrel they were still selling 16,000 rams a month if not more.
Oil is traded in markets. Baonholders are in charge of the price of oil.Market goes up, oil goes up. Its not about supply and demand right now….. Someone needs to take charge of these insane crude oil increases…..
And, yes, they do have a hybrid dodoge ram in the works that will acheive 25 mpg at best…….Dodge ram isnt going anywhere anytime soon!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Don’t put any more ideas into to Obama’s head! America can ill afford to take over the oil indrusty too. I am sure he could come up with some strategery for it.
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
What the big media and big government don’t report is that Chrysler has made significant cuts in operating expenses and it can now break even with lower sales volume. Not only that but also a lot of the drop in Chrysler sales this year has come from sales to the rental car market. As a matter of fact, Chrysler actually generated a small market share gain in the individual vehicle market during the first five months of this year. As with some of you, I too worry about who will run the company when Marchionne is in Italy now that Jim Press is out. Press was such a talented and a well respected leader. Who will step into the deputy CEO role now that Press is out? Is there any chance Lutz will make the journey home to Chrysler? We need a miracle!
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Never mind that crap, unemployment in California hits post-World War II high - 11.9%.
Americans are beginning to believe Obama is in over his head.
Buyers remorse setting in???
You betcha!
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 pm
What is the desired share of the U.S. market for Chrysler-Dodge?
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Anonymous Says:
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
What the big media and big government don’t report is that Chrysler has made significant cuts in operating expenses and it can now break even with lower sales volume. Not only that but also a lot of the drop in Chrysler sales this year has come from sales to the rental car market. As a matter of fact, Chrysler actually generated a small market share gain……………..
Good post, anon!
Chrysler will be ok. Just wait until they get their new prodcuts out there over the next couple of years…
August 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
What new products? There’s nothing in the pipeline b/c Cerebus cut off the money flow when they took over and with that went the new product development.
An aging product line with very little new on the horizon for a few years is the greatest problem facing Chrysler right now. It’s not like Fiat can instantly have something ready for next year. And even if they could, will it be any different this time than it was the last time Fiat tried to become a player in the north american market?
August 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I think Chrysler’s biggest problem will be leasing. Here in Canada, I see foreign auto-makers with way lower lease rates than GM or Ford. I can’t afford to pay full price for a Chrysler. I would love a new Dodge Grand Caravan but have to look at Kia or Toyota to afford the lease monthly payment. No, buying a vehicle over 84 months is not an option in my book.
Here’s something interesting I noticed playing on the websites, the lease on a BMW X3 SUV is about the same monthly price as a fully loaded Ford Edge in Canada. And BMW has 4 year bumper to bumper and full maintenance. So… why would you buy a Ford? And why would you finance a Chrysler?
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
The Financial Times reports fear of a “double-dip recession.” Why? “[Because] oil, energy and food prices are now rising faster than economic fundamentals warrant, and could be driven higher by excessive liquidity chasing assets and by speculative demand. Last year, oil at $145 a barrel was a tipping point for the global economy, as it created negative terms of trade and a disposable income shock for oil importing economies. The global economy could not withstand another contractionary shock if similar speculation drives oil rapidly towards $100 a barrel.”
Meanwhile, America is trillions more in debt than just a few short months ago and it is beginning to have buyer’s remorse while Obama vacations on Martha’s Vineyard. Is this the 1930’s all over again?
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Can anyone tell me why Jim Press was reduced to an advisory role? He was so nice and friendly, yet very competent auto executive. Why? Why? I just don’t understand what is going on here. Was he pushed out?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:57 am
China: Toyota recalls 690,000 cars for window bug
SHANGHAI — Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 690,000 of its China-made vehicles after finding problems with their electric window controls, China’s quality watchdog says.
The recall involves 407,503 Camry and Yaris passenger cars made by Toyota’s joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group. Tianjin FAW Toyota is recalling 280,811 Vios and Corollas for the same reason, said a notice by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:58 am
As long as chrysler breaks even at best over the next couple of years, that will give them time to get new product out!
August 24th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I for one look forward to not owning a car with the style of a sebring sedan and the quality of a fiat .
August 24th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Lido Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I for one look forward to not owning a car with the style of a sebring sedan and the quality of a fiat .
They are not gonna make the ever slow unwanted sebring anymore…..Do you think they will ever design a vehicle that even closely resembles the sebring anymore? I DONT!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Why not? The Sebring is an excellent sedan! I just don’t get it. Most people love it!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Chrysler needs a game changer. And fast! Will it be electric? Will it be natural gas? Ross Perrott had a fantastic idea with his natural gas plan. Convert cars to gas, covert homes to solar, and get the heck off of oil. Personally, I like the nuclear option, followed by clean coal. Ethonol sucks as a fuel!
August 24th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
“Sebring is an excellent sedan.” Yep, it’s an excellent sedan if this was 1995. “Most people love it.” Yep, that’s why it sells so well. And how about the resale value of that “excellent sedan”? Where yo head at, Anonymous-man?
August 24th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
There are several Sebring owners in the area and no one EVER complains about the machine. As a matter of fact, one neighbor has driven his Sebring from one coast to another without any mechanical issues, and he is a mechanic who knows his cars. On his last trip to Conneticut, he chose to drive his convertable Sebring over his wife’s Cadilliac. Again, it’s a perfect car from my perspective and one they should keep in the line up. That’s my 2 cents worth.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
The sebring isnt a bad vehicle.Its just the horrible press it has gotten!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:32 am
The Sebring, mechanically, is fine. It will run all day at 75 mph, even with the 4 cyl, and get 30-35 mpg in the process. It’s quiet and quite smooth running. Only above 3500 rpm, and going up mountain grades, did the 4 cyl become obtrusive in my drives of the car.
But the styling is off; the interior is off, and it’s a bit too small in rear seat passenger room. So its an uphill battle against cars like the Accord or Camry, that are roomier and look better. Those were the corners, unfortunately, that were cut by the Daimler-Benz overseers.
They can’t get a redesign–in an order off magnitude similar to that of Ford’s redo of the 2010 Taurus–fast enough.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Chryco fan, you nailed it.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Could they perhaps jazz it up with some less costly features - at least in the short-run? Maybe some more chrome and/or a Sebring VIP Special Edition? I would hate to see them drop such a standard barrer in the Chrysler family. It takes so many years to build a brand. That is why Ford brought back the Taurus!
August 25th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
When was the last time you saw a President, a member of Congress, or a celeb driving a Chrysler? Really! Could it have been Jackie Kennedy or Paul VI in an Imperial during the 1960’s? The one thing Chrysler must do is bring back the Imperial flagship - even if it is a rebadged Maseratti. Chrysler needs a product that will lift up the entire fleet, thereby, elevating sales across the entire spectrum.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Obama owns a 300c you friggin retard……………..
August 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
UAW official: Sterling Heights plant may stay open past 2010
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC could delay the closing of its Sterling Heights sedan plant to buy time for new models to be developed with Fiat SpA, according to a union official.
The plant is one of eight Chrysler factories slated to be shut down under the agreement that created Chrysler Group in an alliance with Italian automaker Fiat SpA after Chrysler filed for bankruptcy.
“I believe they haven’t made up their mind,” said Bill Parker, president of United Auto Workers Local 1700, which represents workers at the Sterling Heights plant, set to close in December 2010. About 1,300 people work at the plant.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Anonymous = Oscar
Oscar = Dinosaur with his head in the sand living in the automotive past.
Usually his giveaway is when he calls models “The Plymouth or The Dodge”
August 26th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Chryco the Sebring was designed by Ralph Gilles and the Chrysler team—-I’m sure Daimler set the budget, but to blame the Sebring’s faults on Daimler is a huge reach to me.
August 26th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Love dem Plymouths Dodges DeSotos and Imperials
August 27th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Mopar Dealer, with all due respect, read the first sentence of this article:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/chrysler/200C.html
“it looks like the Sebring prototype before Daimler got ahold of it”
The flaws in the Sebring were a result of Daimler’s cost cutting ax, which swung widely from 2001 to 2005. This car wouldn’t have made it to production like that pre-1998, nor even in the final year or so of Dr Z’s reign when Daimler did begin to realize they had cut out too much.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:22 am
nothing says quality like a chrysler built fiat !
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I’d bet they could use about 800 more dealers about now. Most of them purchased cars,trucks,and parts with regularity. Smart decision by some mental midget in Detroit or Washington that should never been allowed the light of day. RIP.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Can you say Obama? That’s what happen when a community organizer elected president attempts to replace a free enterprise principles with a command and control economy. Let the free markets reign supreme again, forever and ever.