Chrysler sues Daimler over diesel engines
Chrysler Group LLC has sued Daimler AG, accusing the German automaker of failing to uphold parts delivery contracts and jeopardizing the production of key 2010 vehicles.
The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company said without the parts it will be unable to produce several 2010 model-year vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.
The lawsuit revolves around dispute over payments for diesel engines supplied by Daimler. Chrysler accused Daimler of using the dispute as a basis for refusing to sign deliveries of steering columns and torque converters.
“Chrysler Group believes Daimler’s effort to extort Chrysler Group into paying for costs for a diesel engine that Daimler agreed to forego a few months ago is a breach of its obligation to negotiate in good faith,” the company said.
Chrysler sues Daimler over key 2010 vehicle parts - yahoo.com
August 26th, 2009 at 9:31 am
LOL,,,, Who cares!
August 26th, 2009 at 9:46 am
This is what happens when you have no cars people want to buy……
Detroit Three market share sinks as ‘Clunkers’ ends
General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC sold just 38.6 percent of the clunkers sales, far below the companies’ 45.1 percent share of July auto sales. Chrysler ended up with just 6.6 percent of sales, behind both Nissan Motor Co. at 8.7 percent and Hyundai Motor at 7.2 percent.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Tom,
First of all you look like a fool. You post a “who cares” line and then proceed to tell us your statistics?
Secondly we (GM and Chrysler dealers) had low inventory before the clunker sales increase because of the production shutdown which affected the share figures you so brilliantly illustrated.
I’ll give you this, at least your not anonymous!
August 26th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I hope they clean Diamler’s clock!
August 26th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Nissan, Chrysler cancel deal
Nissan Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC have dropped their plans to produce vehicles for each other. The two automakers agreed early last year to pool their volumes in the full-size pickup and subcompact segments, but doubts about the projects arose after Chrysler teamed up with Italy’s Fiat SpA. - 1:00 am
August 27th, 2009 at 5:33 am
As far as the law suit goes bring the componennts back to Toledo Machining were they where in the first place. And stop out sourcing with the competitiion!
August 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
What would Teddy do?
August 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Chrysler should not sue Diamler. That is a diversionary measure. It needs to battle it out in the marketplace for ideas, not the court room.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
California plant closure will be first for Toyota
The decision to cease output next year is momentous for Toyota, proud of never having closed an auto plant since its founding in 1937.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:24 am
fiat should send Fat Tony to talk to the boys in stuttgart
August 28th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Diamler screwed Chrysler, on that we can all agreee. Fiat is trying to turn it around for Chrysler and in a couple of years Chrysler will turn the corner. But success takes time. Don’t get discouraged. The lawsuit is needed for justice. Chrysler will be a very good company again.
August 28th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Cut our taxes and we could afford to drive a new Chrysler. Raise my taxes and we all continue to drive our old beaters. It’s just that simple. Economics 101.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Anonymous Says:
August 28th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Diamler screwed Chrysler, on that we can all agreee. Fiat is trying to turn it around for Chrysler and in a couple of years Chrysler will turn the corner. But success takes time. Don’t get discouraged. The lawsuit is needed for justice. Chrysler will be a very good company again.
…………………………………………………………………
I really hope so.I think chrysler isnt going away neither.It will just take some time to rid all of the past bullshit decisions past management has made. Chrysler can and will produce some of the best vehicles out there in the near future.
Just look at the concept 200c. People would be flocking to dealerships for one of those babies. just go to google and look at pictures of it.It will be one, if not the best friggin cars on the street…..Way better looking than the camry!
August 29th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Tom is spot on. I want a 200c so bad.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Breaking news Hyundai to buy chrysler fiat group !
August 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Breaking news,
larrylaydown is an idiot
August 29th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
idol Says:
August 29th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Breaking news,
larrylaydown is an idiot
LMFAO!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I agree that the 200 looks good, but I thought the Sebring looked good until I saw it in person.
What engine and transmission does it have?
Our mid size cars have a LONG way to go before they are equal or better than a Camry!!!!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Hyundai is too smart to buy chrysler.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Diamler screwed Chrysler, on that we can all agreee. Fiat is trying to turn it around for Chrysler and in a couple of years Chrysler will turn the corner. But success takes time. Don’t get discouraged. The lawsuit is needed for justice. Chrysler will be a very good company again.
The Dealers the were cut need justice !!!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Ram pickup is only new Chrysler for ‘10
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090901/AUTO01/909010324/Ram-pickup-is-only-new-Chrysler-for–10
September 1st, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Looks like chrysler is back selling to fleets. They sold 93,000 units last month and 68,000 were retail…
You can do the math! Chrysler needs new product really fast. They are getting gobbled up by the competition!
September 1st, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Chryslers sales numbers tell you what bad shape chrysler is in.
Sebring, compass, caliber, patriot , nitro and even the 1300unit dodge challenger are duds!
I will pray that chrysler can break even over the next couple years till new product rools out.
The new GC out early next year and charger and 300 near the end isnt going to cut it!
This is to the new owner of chrysler…………………
GET SOME NEW EXCITING SHIT OUT AS FAST AS YOU CAN!
September 1st, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Even chryslers fuel efficient vehicles are doing poor. How in the world does chrysler expect to make any kind of money with these poor sale results?
And im sure these lousy sales numbers are with extreme discounts. I hope the government knows chrylser will be back for billions more in a few months.
Chrysler has 5 fuel efficient vehicles that cant sell over 12,000 units combined.Thats really sad. the camry sold over 27,000 units last month.
I hope the new owner see’s what is going on and makes changes really fast. And im not talking about the ugly fiat panda, or the ugly fiat 500. Chrysler needs its own image for success.
This really is the last chance for chrysler. The gov wont be supporting this failure of a car company forever!
September 1st, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Chrysler has at least one year left before she dies!
Sad, but true…….
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
Very true, mopar dealer!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Greg, that is what happens when a community organizer who has never met a payroll in his life becomes president and proceeds to tell for profit enterprises how to run their business, what kinds of products to produce, and who their Chief Executive Officer should be. Sad, oh yes, my friend, it is very sad! This whole nation is going to crash and burn.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
The Wall Street Journal reports “Toyota sale rose 6.4% to 225,088 and Honda Motor Co. sold 161,439 vehicles, up almost 10%….Ford… sales [have] jumped 17% to 181,826 vehicles.” Interestingly enough, “GM reported a 20% decline in sales to 245,066 vehicles” and “Chrysler Group LLC… sales fell 15% to 93,222.”
Question: Which two automobile companies took tax payer money and subsequently have been pressured by the community organizer to produce the products he thinks you and I should drive?
Answer: GM and Chrysler.
Moral of the Story: Don’t let the government take over what is best left to the private sector.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Has the 200c been cut for 2010?
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Has the 200c been cut for 2010?
Yes, unless they really pull something out their asses!
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I cant judge anything until i see the ceo of fiats stradegy plan.
Chrysler just needs to get some new product out and theyll be fine……
Ralph gilles wont let us down.
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 am
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/689655
Story says 200C is now the new Alfa 169. Will be built in Brampton.
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Ralph gilles wont let us down.
what about the sebring,charger and new minivans ?
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
That was a fake post—-I think that Chrysler will survive and exist with FIAT for many years. Chrysler has made it before and will do so again. We are out of cars like every other CJD dealership, hurry up and ship some new cars would you all anonymous MoPar employees!
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
That was not very funny Mr. MoPar Dealership man. All the Chrysler loyalists were suddenly depressed. Please keep us all posted with good news, not silly rumors, jokes, and the like.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
how can all these cjd dealerships be out of cars. The plants that produce them can build up to 20,000 units a month!
So dont give me that shit that there arent any vehicles available…… Inventory at 120,000 explains it all!
September 4th, 2009 at 1:05 am
The sterling heights plant builds 4,500 units a week. That equals 18,000 a month. They only sold about 5,000 sebrings last month….
So why are they saying there isnt any product available?
The press is so full of shit!
September 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Unemployment spikes to 9.7%, a 26-year high. It will be even harder to sell Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps in this environment.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Breaking News!!! The Financial Times reports “Gold prices hit a six-month high on Thursday, approaching the $1,000 a troy ounce mark for the fifth time in two years, as wary investors pulled back from equities.” Could economic recovery soon peter out? Is it all but over for the auto industry?
September 4th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Chrysler will be Fine! look at the new 300! WOW
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/fiat_gets_busy_in_a_hurry_to_fix_chrysler-feature
September 5th, 2009 at 6:55 am
It looks like chrysler will have a whole new product lineup! The new 300 and charger are going to be great!
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/fiat_gets_busy_in_a_hurry_to_fix_chrysler-feature
September 5th, 2009 at 6:55 am
It looks like chrysler will have a whole new product lineup! The new 300 and charger are going to be great!
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/fiat_gets_busy_in_a_hurry_to_fix_chrysler-feature
…..
September 5th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Annon, you are a clown… And ralph gilles didnt have any saying in the design of the sebring, charger or minivans.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Financial Times reports “The number of working Americans turning to free government food stamps has surged as their hours and wages erode, in a stark sign that the recession is inflicting pain on the employed as well as the newly jobless.”
Not only that, but also FT reports “I’m sort of stunned, it seems like a dire warning . . . that even the jobs people are retaining in this recession aren’t at the wage level and hours level that they need to provide for their families,” said Heidi Shierholz, economist at the Economic Policy Institute.”
How can people afford any new cars or trucks nowadays? Obama’s economic policies are not working! Unemployment is now 9.7% among all workers. The dollar is in the tank. And the deficits are coming!
No more borrowing, no more government bailouts, and no more give aways to the Health Care lobbiests.
GM, Chrysler, and Fiat may be in a heap of hurt if this economy does not turn around in a hurry. Let’s all hope the Chrysler will survive long enough to get past the wreckless spending that is sure to render more problems for the economy in the months and years to come.
That Fiat 500 cannot come fast enough.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Good news for the domestic auto industry??? Disgraced Obama partisan and green czar, “Van Jones has resigned amid controversy over past inflammatory statements, the White House said early Sunday” according to the Associated Press. Maybe the pressure will be off as time rolls on. This cap and trade thing could wreck the economy and kill off what’s left of teh domestic auto industry. Was Van Jones the kind of change so wanted? I think not!
September 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Economix reports, “According to … job report, the overall unemployment rate (the percentage of people in the labor force not working but looking for work) in August rose to 9.7 percent, its highest level in 26 years. The teenage unemployment rate, however, is at 25.5 percent, its highest level since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began keeping track of such data in 1948.” Pitiful! But want can one expect from a community organizer with no practical business experience? Chrysler won’t make many sales in this economic environment!
September 6th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Breaking News! Obama appoints another tzar. Is this #30? What role, purpose, and function will a manufacturing tzar fill? Why is this person needed in the first place? Will Chrysler gain anything from this appointment? Why do tzars only report to him and not to the Congress? What does this all boil down to? A union payoff? To the victor goes the spoils? Let’s hope not. Why are so many companies still going out of business under Obama? Will the manufacturing tzar make a significant difference turning things around? Will he forge more consumer loans to consumers? Foster pro-growth employment policies? Whip inflation now? Ignite nationalism and an America first attitude? End globalism as we know it? Is there a health care angle?
September 6th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Reports state that Obama is committing the same mistakes made by policymakers during the Great Depression, according to a new study endorsed by Nobel laureate James Buchanan. If true, “Ain’t nobody gonna be selling cars.”
September 6th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Reuters reports - Capitalism is evil. That is the conclusion U.S. documentary maker Michael Moore comes to in his latest movie “Capitalism: A Love Story,” which premieres at the Venice film festival Sunday. Michael Moore? Is he the one who filmed Roger & Me? Is he a few fries short of a happy meal??? He does not appear very happy.
September 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the
government from wasting the labours of the people under the pretence
of taking care of them.
— Thomas Jefferson
September 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
General Motors is planning to offer customers a money-back guarantee. Why doen’t Chrysler-Dodge do the same? We need to regain our footing on the confidence front with our buyers!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Tom—Ralph Gilles was the lead designer of the Chrysler Sebring Sedan.
He brought the car to a private dealer introduction in 2007 that I personally attended.
Not everything he touches turns to gold my friend.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Why would you want to knock one of our very own?
September 11th, 2009 at 2:50 am
Chrysler will start leasing again says the wall street journal!
September 11th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Chrysler Seeks Return to Leasing
Auto Maker Is Still Deciding on When It Will Re-Enter the Business
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125262485350001363.html#mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business
September 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
General Motors is planning to offer customers a money-back guarantee. Why doen’t Chrysler-Dodge do the same? We need to regain our footing on the confidence front with our buyers!!!
Because every one buying a Chrysler would return them !
September 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Why would you want to knock one of our very own?
Some times the truth hurts !!!
Chrysler Died in 1998 !
In less then 24 months dodge and chrysler names will be in the grave yard.I see fiat using the jeep brand for wranglers and grand cherokee ,ram used as the brand name for trucks and minivans and everything else will be alfa/fiat badged.
Fiat is only in the game to get the jeep,ram and caravan brands . once this has been done you will never here of chrysler again.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Because every one buying a Chrysler would return them !
I bought a new grand cherokee 6 months ago and i love it.. Super smooth ride for an suv and i get about 23-24 mpg on the freeway! And its a 4×4! And the new jeeps are going to be so much better!
No problems what-so-ever! So suck on a big one, Dildo!
September 11th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
MoPar Dealer the Sebring could have worked if Daimler hadn’t turned it into a rental car.
I remember viewing the the Sebring in Las Vegas at the dealer meeting it was gorgous it certainly wasn’t the same car that showed up on the transporter 6 months later.
The Fit & finish sucked and we all know the story on the interior.
No I don’t think Giles design should take the blame for the end result.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
What’s the big deal about the car rental lots? Golly Moses! I have rented many a Camry in my life from the car rental lots and it’s still the #1 best selling car of all time. Let’s lose that lame excuse about rentals because it just does not pass muster with the buying public. Besides, where else does the buying public go to test drive a car they buy? Me and my wife always test drive (beforehand) a rented version of the car we eventaully purchase. I suspect many Americans do the same so as to avoid buying a product you don’t like and then have to live with.
September 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Lido, I disagree with ya pal. Fiat would be foolish to do away with the Chrysler and Dodge brands. But even if it wanted to do it, Fiat can’t because it does not have the legal authority. Contractually, the dealers have leagal rights that Fiat cannot do away with. But with the help of the government and the good lord, Chrysler will be a strong brand once again.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I blame Bob Eaton for the demise of Chrysler. That’s what happens when greed - one of the 7 deadlies - takes over. Iacocca’s greatest mistake was making Mr. Eaton the heir apparant. I was always a Lutz man myself. Iacocca should have swallowed his pride - another of the seven deadlies - and appointed Lutz as his successor. Chrylser would be the #1 domestic brand in America had Lutz been in charge.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Lido, I disagree with ya pal. Fiat would be foolish to do away with the Chrysler and Dodge brands. But even if it wanted to do it, Fiat can’t because it does not have the legal authority. Contractually, the dealers have leagal rights that Fiat cannot do away with. But with the help of the government and the good lord, Chrysler will be a strong brand once again.
WHAT ABOUT THE 789 DEALERS THAT GOT DEAR JOHN LETTERS ?
I see another bk coming !
September 13th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I blame Bob Eaton for the demise of Chrysler. That’s what happens when greed - one of the 7 deadlies - takes over. Iacocca’s greatest mistake was making Mr. Eaton the heir apparant. I was always a Lutz man myself. Iacocca should have swallowed his pride - another of the seven deadlies - and appointed Lutz as his successor. Chrylser would be the #1 domestic brand in America had Lutz been in charge.
LUTZ MADE A BUNDLE ON THE SALE TO THE NAZIS
September 13th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
The Financial Times reports another Obama blunder. “A full-blown trade row erupted on Sunday night between the US and China after Beijing accused Washington of ‘rampant protectionism’ for imposing heavy duties on imported Chinese tyres and threatened action against imports of US poultry and vehicles.” What next?
September 15th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Sadly, Wall Street Journal reports a chilly autum for Chrysler. “Most car makers expect a sales lull after an August surge sparked by the U.S. government’s “cash for clunkers” incentive program. But analysts say Chrysler is on track for a significantly weaker showing than rivals.” Hopfully our dealers will prove them wrong! Time to ramp up production now! Let’s blow them out of the water with our best sales month yet.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Anonymous Says:
September 15th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Sadly, Wall Street Journal reports a chilly autum for Chrysler. “Most car makers expect a sales lull after an August surge sparked by the U.S. government’s “cash for clunkers” incentive program. But analysts say Chrysler is on track for a significantly weaker showing than rivals.” Hopfully our dealers will prove them wrong! Time to ramp up production now! Let’s blow them out of the water with our best sales month yet.
…………………………………………………………………………
I think last month will be the best sales month chrysler will see for some time to come. What new products will people be rushing to chrysler dealers to buy? Thought so. Chrysler needs to get their asses in gear quick, before the money runs out and they liquidate!
September 16th, 2009 at 7:03 am
anyone have a bucket? the water is getting deep in auburn hills.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I just wish Chrysler would build our orders we have ordered, what we were told to and no trucks get built only cars and vans, give us what we need to succeed
September 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I just wish Chrysler would build our orders we have ordered, what we were told to and no trucks get built only cars and vans, give us what we need to succeed
Fiat will once the pentastar is removed from the side of the Ctc and our memory
September 16th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The situation at recently rescued Chrysler Group is even more dire than first thought, the CEO of Italy’s Fiat — which came to the aid of the U.S. automaker — said Wednesday.
“We were surprised by how little had been done in the past 24 months,” Sergio Marchionne told reporters in Frankfurt, Germany.
Chrysler will present a revised business plan in November, Marchionne told reporters.
“We have to be absolutely clear about what we want to do with Chrysler and, as a management team, where the organization is going to be in five years,” Marchionne said, according to the industry newspaper Automotive News.
Unlike General Motors, which has continued to roll out new and redesigned products even as it entered and exited bankruptcy, Chrysler has had little to tout. Its most recent new market entries are the Dodge Challenger muscle car — essentially a re-bodied Dodge Charger sedan — and the Ram pick-up.
The only new product Chrysler has entering the market this year is an industrial-duty version of the Ram truck. After that, a new version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee mid-sized SUV isn’t expected until the middle of next year.
Even if the Grand Cherokee is a terrific product, its timing is unfortunate, said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst with Edmunds.com.
“The 2011 Grand Cherokee is an SUV being launched into a market that doesn’t favor SUVs,” she said.
In terms of smaller cars and more fuel-efficient crossover SUVs, nothing is expected from Chrysler in the near future.
Industry analyst Todd Turner of Car Concepts Automotive Research, speaking from the floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show, found it difficult to believe Marchionne’s assertion that he didn’t know how little work had been going on at Chrysler.
“I’m a little surprised that he was surprised,” he said.
0:00 /5:30Mercedes rolls out hybrids
More likely, Turner said, Marchionne is laying the groundwork for drastic actions that will be announced in November but may have been planned all along.
“That is that Chrysler is over, basically,” he said of Chrysler’s flagship car brand. “Within five years, you’re going to see nothing.”
Chrysler also makes Dodge and Jeep vehicles.
Even if the Chrysler name survives, Turner predicted, the vehicles marketed under that name will be Fiat products.
On the other hand, Marchionne may simply be enjoying his freedom to be more honest now that the Chrysler deal is completed and laying the groundwork to make himself and Fiat seem all the more like saviors. suggested James Bell, market analyst for the auto Web site KBB.com.
“If they didn’t come in as the proverbial white knight, Chrysler would be going through liquidation right now,” he said.
Chrysler had no comment about Marchionne’s statement to the press.
In its deal to rescue Chrysler, Fiat took a 20% stake in the struggling automaker in exchange for partnering with Chrysler on new products, especially small and mid-sized cars . Fiat did not invest any cash into Chrysler and, Marchionne told reporters, does not plan to do so now.
He said he hopes no outside investment will be needed as part of the new restructuring, according to Automotive News.
Marchionne said he expects U.S. auto sales, industrywide, to total about 11 million vehicles next year. If demand doesn’t go up to that level, from the current level of roughly 10 million units, Chrysler may have to close more factories, he said, according to the newspaper.
First Published: September 16, 2009: 12:30 PM ET
September 17th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Once again speculation runs wild…As we all know Chrysler is in trouble,if the economy continues to tank ..help us!!!
But alot of the recent down sales are due to minimal inventory on dealer lots..In August many dealers ran out of Caliber’s…also,many dealers had no minivans,no Rams,no lx cars and no Grand Cherokee’s!!!!None!!!Thus resulting in no sales!!!
We will have to wait until November to here the news,until then the speculation will fly..And remember the analysts predictions of Chrysler’s sales were predicted to be worse than they actually were in recent months.But with the lack of inventory on dealer’s lots September may not be that good either,but with the return of leasing and by mid October-November dealers should have a better supply of vehicles,so hopefully sales pick up also hope the economy picks up..
Lido,
We will have to wait until November to know if Fiat/Chrysler is dropping a brand such as Chrysler cars,Dodge ect…One wild rumor is the Ram will be a stand alone truck and still have Dodge cars,that makes no sense as Gm is shedding brands why would Chrysler be adding?Chrysler,Dodge,Jeep,Mopar,..Ram..?Wild rumor..crazy!! A Ram Caravan is insane,that you mentioned.They would lose pretty much of their truck sales by doing this,people would be uncertain of a Ram brand,in these times they still need the strong name of DODGE to sell the Ram as in DODGE Ram…Ram as a brand name sounds stupid and would FLOP!!!
Anonymous,
I was saying that for years now,there are tons of Rental Toyota’s,Honda’s at rental outlets and it seems the journelists have no problem with this,if its a rental Chrysler they mock the whole Chrysler brand!!!I love it when dolts say the 300 is underpowered cant handle and they refer to the whole model line up of 300 even putting down the SRT-8 300 because they drove a base model 2.7 300 they think its the same as a SRT….IGNORANT DOLTS !!!!!
September 17th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Walking away from the Chrysler brand begs the question, what replaces it? What replaces the sales and profit of the Town & Country (118,000 sold in 2008) or 300 (62,000 sold in 2008). 335,000 Chrysler brand cars were sold in the US in 2008. I wish I could find accurate US sales numbers up through Sept of this year, but I suspect it’s equal or greater than Cadillac, Audi, Lexus and several other brands, none of which are being discontinued.
Chrysler does need to be refocused, it needs a purpose, it needs differentiation from Dodge.
Perhaps the intent is to replace Chrysler with Alfa-Romeo in the US market (as the intended “premium” brand). But I doubt very seriously that Alfa-Romeo will ever come close to 100,000 units a year. Not when it seems to want to sell big, $70,000 alfas (the opposite of what Fiat and Alfa are good at–small cars). Maybe if Alfa sold cars as good as GTI or Jetta or CC, it could blossom into something. But it’s not quite there yet. And why not feed such product into an established brand? How will Fiat succeed where Saturn has failed, Acura and Lincoln overall have failed (compared to Lexus), where Sterling failed, where Scion (even backed with Toyota and all that means) barely sells 30,000 cars a year, where Mazda has failed with premium cars (the stillborn Amati brand and the poor-selling Millenia and 929). Fiat should keep the Chrysler brand in its orbit if it really wants to sell 6 million cars per year, worldwide.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I should clarify that my post is in reference to Turner’s analysis in the article above. Turner’s comments aren’t confirmed, Fiat’s CEO hasn’t said this is happening yet. But something to think about nonetheless.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hogwash!
September 17th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
FRANKFURT — Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said today that the new auto alliance can reach a production of 5.5 million to 6 million cars a year on its own once the economy and car markets stabilize.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:01 am
The only new product Chrysler has entering the market this year is an industrial-duty version of the Ram truck. After that, a new version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee mid-sized SUV isn’t expected until the middle of next year.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Marchionne is a good CEO and has really transformed Fiat. 6 million cars is achievable, but alot of that will depend on success in the US-still the largest market for the combined Fiat and Chrysler Group.
So I’d be surprised if he’d let the Chrysler brand fade away after 2011 or later in favor of Alfa-Romeo. But stranger things have happened–such as DCX killing Plymouth, one could argue, in favor of Smart or Maybach within the DCX orbit (at the same time DCX supposedly saved money on ending Plymouth, they poured it into the creation of those two brands with far less sales potential). If they were to let Chrysler go the way of Plymouth, essentially with Alfas taking the place of 300 or what might exist as the 200C, with Alfa SUV’s supplanting T&C, I doubt they would ever achieve the sales numbers Chrysler has in the US. Sometimes what is “rationalization” on paper doesn’t translate that way into reality.
How do they get to 6 million units? Focusing on existing strengths.
Alfa-Romeo was always a niche player in the US, fading to oblivion by 1995. The main appeal was that it was something different from a Benz or a domestic. they didn’t sell on quality–and still can’t. A comparable Audi or VW is still a better car. MiTo is changing that, so should Milano–but those might be competitors to GTI or Jetta. So a plan to position Alfa as a competitor to Mercedes (with a big sedan and big SUV’s) in the US seems flawed.
September 18th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Isn’t it about time to rethink the Plymouth decision? It was a bad decision then, and it’s still a bad one. If we keep Chrysler, we’ve got to bring back Plymouth. This I believe.
September 19th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I doesnt matter what car companys do if the economy doesnt improve….. Millions of people lost good paying jobs and now those good paying jobs are long gone. Where will these people work? Blockbuster? I dont think so. They just announced that they will close pretty much all of the stores in the next several months.
Its really bad out there guys. And its not going to get any better anytime soon. Fiat is projecting its numbers on a stable economy, just like the other carmakers. What if the economy continues to falter? How can anyone say the recession is near end? Are employers hiring? Are home prices going up? NOOO…
Its not going to be a pretty road ahead for nobody.We just have to pray that our government has enough balls to get things going. There may need to be more bailouts. Chrysler might need billions more. We have to protect our manufacturing base here in the united states. Without that, we have nothing.The auto industry is so vital to our economic survival.
May god help us all!
September 19th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
My friend, it’s all but over. Obama is so far in over his head it is pathetic - and he hasn’t a clue. Does he know which way is up? He’s turning out to be another Jimmy Carter.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
My friend, thanks Anon for your insightful political comment, but this is the Chrysler Web log. My friend, take your politcal bias elsewhere. My friend, you add nothing to the discussion here. My friend, your ignorance is showing. My friend, you are a broken record. My friend, we know you hate the President. My friend, you are tiring.
September 20th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
3 Chrysler Group vehicles in Phelan’s 15 hot cars list
Posted Thursday, Sep 17, 2009, 11:43 am in Company Comments Off
Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press has named his 15 most significant or intriguing models to watch in 2010, and they include the following three Chrysler Group LLC products:
Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger: “The second generation of the last great cars Chrysler developed. They’ll be under a microscope, because the originals were so good, and because they’re the first new Chryslers since Fiat took control of the company. The cars’ styling recaptures the originality and excitement of the first Chrysler 300, and their rear-drive platforms should delight fans. Fuel economy will almost certainly be a challenge, however,” Phelan said.
Jeep® Grand Cherokee: “An all-new version of the vehicle that spawned the luxury-SUV craze and became an icon for its brand. The new Grand Cherokee’s sleek, modern looks and significantly improved interior are major selling points, but it faces a market that’s grown cool to SUVs. Boosting fuel economy significantly while maintaining the off-road capability of a true Jeep will be a challenge,” Phelan said. (Detroit Free Press)
September 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
http://wot.motortrend.com/6558523/auto-news/chrysler-to-offer-more-luxury-than-cadillac-in-brand-restructuring/index.html
Motor Trend article on the Chrysler brand moving upscale, Jeep remaining true
to its off-road tradition, and Dodge being more than a sporty brand by “changing from being a linebacker to being Lance Armstrong.”
September 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Chrysler-Fiat’s grand brand plan
>
> Product strategy calls for an upscale Chrysler, a more refined Dodge
> and a wider range of models
>
> Luca Ciferri
> Automotive News | September 21, 2009 - 12:01 am EST
> FRANKFURT — A Chrysler brand with more luxury than Cadillac.
>
> A Dodge brand known for driving dynamics.
>
> A Jeep lineup that is — well, Jeep.
>
> And vehicles to cover every market segment so that wildly fluctuating
> fuel prices won’t destroy sales.
>
> That’s the rosy outline that’s emerging as Chrysler Group and Fiat
> executives plot Chrysler Group’s product portfolio.
>
> Chrysler Group’s three brand chiefs are attempting to define clearer
> brand identities as they fit together a much broader product portfolio
> that will take advantage of platforms and powertrains from Fiat.
>
> Chrysler plans to go public with an outline of the product plan in
> November. The lineup seeks to reduce Chrysler’s dependence on minivans
> and trucks.
>
> Given the volatility of fuel prices, “We’re going to have to offer a
> broad array of products across every one of the segments,” said Peter
> Fong, Chrysler brand CEO and head of sales for all the brands. He
> wants to take the Chrysler brand upscale, but he’s considering a
> subcompact entry.
>
> Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne reorganized
> Chrysler along brand lines after Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11
> reorganization June 10. Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler.
>
> Michael Manley, CEO of the Jeep brand and head of product planning for
> all the brands, vowed that while Fiat technology and platforms will be
> part of the plan, “You won’t see Fiat DNA in our brands.”
>
> The three brand chiefs and other Chrysler executives are planning to
> separate Dodge from Chrysler more clearly and take Chrysler into a
> more luxurious position. Since the vast majority of Chrysler Group’s
> sales are at stores that carry all three brands, the group can avoid
> similar offerings from two brands.
>
> The brand chiefs outlined their aspirations in an interview with
> Automotive News at the Frankfurt auto show.
>
> ‘Jeep is Jeep’
>
> “We began analyzing the market and consumer trends in the U.S. and in
> Europe for the next decade to get the information to see where each of
> the brands should be,” Manley said.
>
> He had the easiest job, he said, because “Jeep is Jeep.”
>
> The Chrysler and Dodge brands required more work, in part because they
> share sister models, such as the almost identical Dodge Grand Caravan
> and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.
>
> By contrast, a single large-car platform provides an example of how
> Chrysler and Dodge can be distinctive while sharing.
>
> “The [Chrysler] 300 and the [Dodge] Charger share the same
> underpinnings, but they attract two different customers, so they are
> already in the right direction,” said Michael Accavitti, Dodge CEO and
> head of marketing for all the brands.
>
> Accavitti said the Dodge brand needs to evolve, transforming the
> muscle-car spirit from brute force to driving dynamics. Dodge will go
> “from a middle linebacker to Lance Armstrong,” he said.
>
> “We will remain a sporty brand, with a lot of emphasis on the
> performance area, but also on better fuel economy, benefiting from the
> great technologies Fiat is bringing to us,” Accavitti said.
>
> Chrysler looks upscale
>
> Fong envisions the Chrysler brand as “a notch above Lincoln, a notch
> above Cadillac.” This suggests a substantial change, because Chrysler
> vehicles generally sell for many thousands of dollars less than
> Cadillacs.
>
> “The [Chrysler] Sebring and the [Dodge] Avenger attract different
> customers, but their prices are too close to each other,” Fong said.
>
> Accavitti and Fong vow to separate Chrysler and Dodge.
>
> “It is a dead process to have small differences which erode the
> brands,” Accavitti said. “Today customers want a focused viewpoint.
> Our mission, consequently, is to separate and amplify what a brand is
> about.”
>
> Manley’s job at Jeep will focus more on fine-tuning than reinventing.
> The off-roading Wrangler will remain the image-maker, he said,
> although the brand is broad enough to continue include front-drive
> vehicles such as the Patriot or Compass crossovers.
>
> “For CAFE reasons, Jeep should remain relevant in smaller segments,”
> Manley said.
>
> Until November, when the company reveals the product line, the brand
> CEOs are revealing little about specific vehicles.
>
> They did suggest that the minivan twins should be more sharply
> differentiated as the group strives to maintain its dominant position
> in the segment.
>
> “Chrysler Group has 40 percent share in minivans, a segment we owned
> since we created it in 1983,” Fong said.
>
> “Our target is winning customers away from Honda and Toyota rather
> then stealing them from our other brand.”
>
>
> Peter Fong envisions Chrysler “a notch above Lincoln, a notch above
> Cadillac.”
September 21st, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Please pass the Pipe
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I was a dodge hard core fan,until chrysler made me deal after deal to buy back my 2005 3500 . every time I took the deal they backed out.it was a lemon,and dodge scrued me over and never intened to fallow through with any deal.so now we are in court. the fed. court .so I dont see how anyone can trust a company that does not stand by its deals
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Will, they knew you were a sucker when they saw your spelling!
Did you even pass the 6th grade? WOW!
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
By the posting above, it looks like fiat is going to really try and fix chrysler.The previous owners could of given two shits about chrysler and its employees!
thank you, Fiat!
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Yes, Fiat deserves alot of credit. The news about the Chrysler brand is very good. This isn’t taking an axe to everything, it’s a plan to try to be competitive. Fiat seems like it wants to build on the stongpoints that Chrysler already has in its three brands.
I also like the way Chrysler seems to be transitioning to sales practices that order new cars only when the customer wants them, rather than keeping them on lots (hopefully avoiding repeats of the sales banks). That is what I was told by one dealer anyway. I just ordered a Challenger this way and was very satisfied with them, they seemed to care that I got the car I wanted, and I can honestly say that buying a Chrysler product was a good experience, much better than I’ve seen with Toyota, etc. (A dealer closer to where I live just did everything they could to try to force me to buy what they had on the lot regardless of what I wanted to purchase. And so they lost a sale).
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Fiat only wants to pick the bones of a walking deadman
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
DEAR CHRYSLER, PLEASE BUILD THE IMPERIAL IN 2012 TO RELEASE IN 2013 WE NEED A CAR LIKE THIS TO TAKE SALE FROM THE NEW CTS AND LINCOLN. WE LOVE THE IMPERIAL IT IS HOT HOT HOT
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
This is the best news ever! The Italians know better than anyone else how to build luxury sedans. A motor coach more luxurious than a Cadillac can mean only only one thing. The Crown Imperial will reign supreme once again! This is a game changer for Chrylser, which will lift the brand among all makes and models.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
If what you report is true, then Plymouth is surely on the Horizon. For there can’t be a luxurious Chrysler Imperial in the mix without a value-priced Plymouth.
September 24th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I have to think this will be gradual. No brand reinvents itself overnight. The new 300 would raise the bar the same way Cadillac did with the CTS–six hears after the first model. Then it’s a matter of what other products fill out the Chrysler stable: whether that be a rear-drive 200C, or even a front drive model with the same good looks and interior. Perhaps it will mean some refinements of the T&C (which is still the best-selling Chrysler, so I wouldn’t expect anything radical immediately). It might mean a premium compact or small car–BMW, Lexus, Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick, all have them or are planning them.
Cadillac and Audi reinvented themselves, so I don’t doubt Chrysler can too. Regardless of what happens, I’m proud this new leadership will TRY to do it. But the heart of the premium market is cars like the ES350 or E-class Mercedes, 3-series BMW, etc. Cadillac abandoned the Sixteen concept (if it EVER was serious about building it) and it’s “flagship” will be a front drive model, so Chrysler really can meet and exceed that with a 300-derivitive–maybe you could call that an Imperial, I don’t know if that means anything to today’s buyer, but it wouldn’t be a $100,000 luxury car, it might be something in the range of $50,000-60,000 to compete where Cadillac has arguably failed with the STS. Keep in mind, even Mercedes is considering killing Maybach. So I doubt Chrysler would try to build uber-luxury models (i.e., anything competing with S-class, 7-series, A8, Maybach makes no sense).
Same story with Plymouth–even Scion, backed with the full weight of Toyota–has not sold all that well. Saturn absorbed billions of dollars and is being dropped by GM. Chrysler has no need for another brand when we have Dodge that needs product desperately, and you have various Alfas and Fiats that are to be marketed under their own branding. Like
Imperial–the name means alot to us Mopar fans–but to the average Camry and Accord driver it means nothing. Dodge at least remains in people’s consciousness.
September 24th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Fiat to rebrand trucks and vans as ram.
R.I.P. Dodge truck division
Sounds like Sergio plans to axe dodge cars and chrysler cars in the future.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Serge can tell us he’s going to design a rocket ship, badge it as a Chrysler and then drive to the moon but until it actually happens I’m going to be skeptical. I think it’s a mistake to try and compete against Caddy & Lincoln. Don’t waste your resources on that, use them for something revolutionary like they did with the minivan. But what could that be? Maybe a 3 wheeled car? Reducing the number of tires would fit in well with fix it again Tony’s idea of eliminating waste.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
DaveS Says:
September 24th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Fiat to rebrand trucks and vans as ram.
R.I.P. Dodge truck division
Sounds like Sergio plans to axe dodge cars and chrysler cars in the future.
…………………………………………………………………………
Who cares what they axe! As long as they design vehicles that are better than what the chrysler group has to offer now. They said the name chrysler may be gone in 6 yrs. I dont care what its called as long as they creat cars better than the sebring, avenger, compass, caliber etc.
This merger is the best merger of the last clowns that owned chrysler. DaveS, you need to give these news guys a chance……You need to stick to copy and paste. Because you really dont know whats going to happen with fiat and chrysler.You really have no clue to whats going to happen.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
The ram and minivans are the bread and butter of the company…Do you rerally see these vehicles going bye bye?
Come on, kid!
September 24th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
R.I.P. Dodge truck division.
Where is the proof?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Ram Nameplate Will Become a Full Brand
Date posted: 09-23-2009
STORY TOOLS
Digg this!
del.icio.us
LONDON — Chrysler Group is likely to promote its Dodge Ram nameplate to a full brand, which will sell pickup trucks, vans and some SUVs as a marque in its own right, Inside Line has been told.
Chrysler is also likely to withdraw the Dodge brand from Europe, where it was launched in 2006. The changes are part of a new product and brand strategy being developed with Fiat, according to an insider familiar with the subject.
Fiat will announce its plans for the Chrysler Group in mid-November in Detroit.
Relaunching Ram as a full brand will free the Dodge line-up of commercial vehicles, and allow it to develop as an affordable performance-car brand that will share some product development initiatives with Alfa Romeo.
Dodge is likely to be dropped from the Chrysler Group’s European line-up despite having been launched as recently as 2006 as part of a three-pronged strategy to increase the group’s sales using all three brands.
Inside Line says: Although it has scored some success, Dodge sales have fallen short of forecasts, and increased the promotional burden both for Chrysler and its dealer network. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
September 25th, 2009 at 8:45 am
After the BK of the New New Chrysler motors I plan to take Ram,Caravan and
Jeep to Italy .
This is what America gets for ruining Pizza and Pasta !
September 25th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Most of you guys need to layoff the Koolaid.Chrysler has as much of a chance to survive as Communist Russia in the late 80s !
September 25th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I think the “Ram” story will turn out to be a false rumor, just like the rumors about killing the Chrysler brand have been proven false by Fiat now saying it is to be moved a bit upmarket. All we can do is wait and see. The economy will have alot to do with what survives or doesn’t.
I suspect they may use the Ram name on other products like vans, perhaps the Fiat-based replacements for the Sprinter will be called Ram Van. That would be in keeping with Dodge’s previous model names, and would tie in the new vans to the succesful Ram pickup.
Launching any new brand would seem to be very wasteful at this point, with little chance of success. I suspect they’d make better use of those resources in launching the Alfa and 500 brands in the US. Dodge being turned into a sports car brand wouldn’t make any sense–it’s arguably a truck brand, a minivan brand, a muscle car brand, a cop car brand. It can be a great everyday brand with the addition of a couple good small cars and a more competitive midsize car. I doubt Fiat would try to make it a niche player, what with cars like Sky/Solstice fading away, Scion TC sales being as lackluster as they are.
i remember a few years ago Corvette was supposed to be its own brand, and more recently there was supposed to be a Mustang four-door and wagon. Look at old car mags and they are filled with rumors and reports that grab attention but never come to fruition.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:14 am
It’s understandable they’d drop Dodge in Europe. No need to compete with Fiat’s own products. I assume they would still sell Chrysler-badged Voyagers in europe. So essentially they’d go back to what they were doing in the 80’s and 90’s.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
If you guys believe that the public will buy a $ 60K Chrysler then please tell me the color Kool Aid you are drinking!
Most of the customers shopping at our dealership do not have much confidence that Chrysler will be around in a few years—they are looking to steal cars.
Chrysler dropped 25% of its dealers and it will be paying for that decision for many months.
I applaud the decision to take Chrysler upscale—-it will take years to do this, and it will take a much better product than we currently have.
Our customers won’t buy a $ 60K Chrysker in my opinion—not today at least.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Silly boys! They won’t drop Dodge.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Chrysler to punch the pedal on new models
Chrysler Group Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne is emphasizing speed and freshening the company’s product lineup, with an early focus on minivans and enhancing its small crossover utility vehicles, said people familiar with the plan.
Specifically, Marchionne wants new looks for the Town & Country and Caravan, along with the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot in about 18 months. These are projects that normally take between two and three years.
To execute the makeovers faster, Chrysler’s design, engineering and product development staffs are expected to work overtime in coming months, and management is preparing to rehire a modest number of people who were laid off or accepted buyouts last November and December.
Terms of the rehiring are being hammered out between the company and UAW Local 412, which represents many of Chrysler’s salaried designers. Neither company nor union would discuss the matter publicly, but sources familiar with the talks said one issue is whether some people who were laid off or accepted buyouts late last year could be rehired as contract workers.
(2 of 2)
No rehiring is expected until the board of directors signs off on the product plan. The board meets Friday in Auburn Hills. And President Barack Obama’s auto task force is expecting an updated business plan by Wednesday, according to company insiders.
Parts of the plan include new vehicles that are already more than halfway through the development process.
For example, next year Chrysler is expected to launch a redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee unveiled last April at the New York International Auto Show, as well as a new 300C full-size sedan. Both were well under way before Fiat took 20% ownership of Chrysler.
The company has already decided to revive its iconic PT Cruiser.
Fiat intends to make its 500 minicar at Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico, plant and introduce it in the United States by mid-2011.
Last week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Marchionne said he was surprised at how little product work occurred at Chrysler over the last two years.
Since Fiat took a 20% ownership stake in Chrysler, Marchionne has spent considerable time not just in Chrysler’s Auburn Hills headquarters, but making unannounced visits to manufacturing plants.
“I feel a lot better right now,” Marchionne said.
Chrysler workers and industry observers are most curious about Marchionne’s plan to make Chrysler competitive again in the midsize sedan market, a segment where Chrysler has struggled for years but represents a large percentage — more than one-fourth — of U.S. auto sales.
Insiders who have seen examples of the possible future midsize car designs said the replacement for the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger will have a Fiat underbody, but a clear Chrysler exterior look. It’s unclear how soon Chrysler can bring that model to market or where it will be assembled.
Parts of the plan include new vehicles that are already more than halfway through the development process.
For example, next year Chrysler is expected to launch a redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee unveiled last April at the New York International Auto Show, as well as a new 300C full-size sedan. Both were well under way before Fiat took 20% ownership of Chrysler.
The company has already decided to revive its iconic PT Cruiser.
Fiat intends to make its 500 minicar at Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico, plant and introduce it in the United States by mid-2011.
Last week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Marchionne said he was surprised at how little product work occurred at Chrysler over the last two years.
Since Fiat took a 20% ownership stake in Chrysler, Marchionne has spent considerable time not just in Chrysler’s Auburn Hills headquarters, but making unannounced visits to manufacturing plants.
“I feel a lot better right now,” Marchionne said.
Chrysler workers and industry observers are most curious about Marchionne’s plan to make Chrysler competitive again in the midsize sedan market, a segment where Chrysler has struggled for years but represents a large percentage — more than one-fourth — of U.S. auto sales.
Insiders who have seen examples of the possible future midsize car designs said the replacement for the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger will have a Fiat underbody, but a clear Chrysler exterior look. It’s unclear how soon Chrysler can bring that model to market or where it will be assembled.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I would really love to know what you guys do for a living that post here.
Chrysler has been fucked in the ass the past several years and is hanging on like a motherfucker. Fiat is going to make a last stand effort to stabalize this broken company.
All you guys do, is copy and paste, and look at the negative topics to talk about.
We have to give these guys a shot.They have the technology to help chrysler in many ways. I believe with their technology and the help from the gov will make chrysler into a viable company again…..That is if the economy ever gets better!
So you friggin morons that dont know jack shit about anything need to relax and give fiat a chance………………
This is chryslers last chance……………..
September 26th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Chryslers last chance was back in 98 !
September 26th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Please! No potty mouth on the Chrysler Weblog! Please!
September 26th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Marchionne is not going to let Chrysler go down without a fight. It is easy to lose sight of the lesson of Good Friday/Easter Sunday. That is, we would not experience the joy of Easter Sunday without the pain, suffering, and sacrifice of Good Friday. Lesson for Chrysler? It’s rebirth can only take place after the pain and suffering of its recent bankruptcy. Those of you who understand corporate strategy know exactly what I am talking about. Chrysler will come back a smaller, but leaner and meaner competitor. Look out GM, Toyota, and Ford - Chrysler will survive and thrive!
September 26th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
The religious analogy is pathetic. Chrysler rising from the dead like Christ on Easter?! You gotta be that f’n nutcase Oscar.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
chrysler wil thrive again if the economy improves.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
You faggots dont know shit!
September 26th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
The economy isn’t going improve. Now Obama wants to tax health insurance up 40% on the working man. The US of A is on a downward spiral. Inflation is about to soar. The dollar will soon be replaced as the world’s currency. And our enemies are not about to give up.
September 26th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
My fellow brothers and sisters, please show some respect.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I agree. What ever happened to civil discourse in America? Who are we today? What have we become? Did our parents raise us to be so disrespectful to one another? Language is a window to the soul. Have we lost our way? If so, we will not last more than one generation. So let’s shape up for the good, America! We can do it, and so can Chrysler!
September 27th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Have we lost our way?
Yes if you think Fiat will save Chrysler.
September 27th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Come look at new Fiat,jeep,rams with 25% less dealers that will offer less service , less discounts and less quality on your new fiat built by the former Chrysler.
Can you see the light ?
September 27th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I first want to thank those who have shown this website great respect by posting decent comments. Second, I will ask that we please do not post vulgar language on this website. If you continue to do so, we could lose the privilage to share important information and great conversation. NOT TO MENTION for those who do post these indecent words your web names can be tracked. Please show respect we would hate to lose chating with you.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
2001- Bought a Cherokee- Loved it!
2002 - Leased a Grand Cherokee- Loved it!
2006 - Leased a Town & Country- Loved it!
2006 - Bought the Grand Cherokee and lease end-Still loved it! 2001 Chrokee was stolen-very bummed out!
2008- Bought a Patriot- Love it!
Made all the payments on time for all of these great products!
Also in 2008, leaae ends on the Van. Chrysler offered to sell it to me for $0 dwn 6 monhs before. Extended the lease instead. Three weeks before lease end, called Chrysler, had not heard from them. A week latter, they call and tell me that they now need $2000 down on the van to purchase. I needed another week given the short notice. They refused, insisted that I turn the van in. They have now hired a lawyer to SUE ME for $8600 in mileage charges! Had they given more notice or provided another week, I would have bought the van and not incurred these charges. RESULT, I will not buy another Chrysler. Want to save your jobs, get your company to be fair with good customers!!!
September 27th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Sad. Hope you get it straightened out soon to your satisfaction.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:01 am
this is typical of chrysler financial
September 28th, 2009 at 9:15 am
this is typical of chrysler financial
Good thing GMAC is the source now!
September 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I think the leases stayed with CF .
September 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Former Good Customer this will make your day!
Every company wants to have satisfied customers. But few companies actually succeed. At Chrysler Group, we’re committed to helping our dealer network to be world-class – by helping you provide a consistent, superior customer experience. It’s good business for everyone… and will help us to enjoy the prosperous future we’re all working so hard
to create.
My customers have a had a terrible time with dealers outside our area honoring factory warranties and recalls. Many are now filing complaints againist the dealers and Chrysler with California’s Burear of Automobile Repair.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Sterling Heights Assembly to remain open!
September 29th, 2009 at 6:05 am
more uaw losers living off the taxpayers sweat .
September 29th, 2009 at 9:43 am
more uaw losers living off the taxpayers sweat .
And what do you think you would paid for if chrysler were to go away.There would be higher taxes in your city and your home would really decrease in value.So many more foreclosures would take place.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be lost if chrysler were to vanish. Just because you dont like chrysler or has lost a job with them doesnt mean you should wish bad on others….
You piece of shit!
September 29th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
more uaw losers living off the taxpayers sweat .
And what do you think you would paid for if chrysler were to go away.There would be higher taxes in your city and your home would really decrease in value.So many more foreclosures would take place.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be lost if chrysler were to vanish. Just because you dont like chrysler or has lost a job with them doesnt mean you should wish bad on others….
You piece of shit!
Bruce is a Faggot name !
September 29th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Anonymous, are you a sweating taxpayer? You sound like a juvenile-brained loser living at home in his moma’s basement.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
what comes around goes around !lol
Long Live the 789 !
Any hippie will tell you what Chrysler is finding out as it tries to kick-start its product development to life: karma’s a bitch. In the pre-bailout era, Old ChryCo held the dubious distinction of having the worst supplier relations in Detroit. Now, for some odd reason, suppliers aren’t wanting to shoulder the cost of developing components for new Chrysler vehicles. The Wall Street Journal reports Chrysler isn’t making any production volume promises for future products (an ominous sign in its own right), which means cash-strapped suppliers aren’t rushing in to spend their money developing parts. “Why would we want to tie ourselves to Chrysler when GM and Ford are a known factor?” asks one interior-component supplier. “We’re already financially strapped so we have to be more choosey in where we will spend our money.” Meanwhile, this supplier recalcitrance is making it hard for Chrysler to plan anything.
Chrysler’s board of directors is waiting on Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to present future product plans for the US market, but with no help forthcoming from suppliers, well…
It is unclear whether the board will be able to approve the five-year product plan at this point, however, because Mr. Marchionne’s management team is still trying to work out many of the details of how Chrysler would build the vehicles
Recent estimates show that as much as 60 percent of all auto R&D could be done by suppliers by 2012. Chrysler’s going to have to fix this problem at some point, and until it does its BoD will be waiting impatiently
KARMA IS A BITCH !!!! LOLOLOLOLOL
September 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Any hippie will tell you what Chrysler is finding out as it tries to kick-start its product development to life: karma’s a bitch. In the pre-bailout era, Old ChryCo held the dubious distinction of having the worst supplier relations in Detroit. Now, for some odd reason, suppliers aren’t wanting to shoulder the cost of developing components for new Chrysler vehicles. The Wall Street Journal reports Chrysler isn’t making any production volume promises for future products (an ominous sign in its own right), which means cash-strapped suppliers aren’t rushing in to spend their money developing parts. “Why would we want to tie ourselves to Chrysler when GM and Ford are a known factor?” asks one interior-component supplier. “We’re already financially strapped so we have to be more choosey in where we will spend our money.” Meanwhile, this supplier recalcitrance is making it hard for Chrysler to plan anything.
Chrysler’s board of directors is waiting on Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to present future product plans for the US market, but with no help forthcoming from suppliers, well…
It is unclear whether the board will be able to approve the five-year product plan at this point, however, because Mr. Marchionne’s management team is still trying to work out many of the details of how Chrysler would build the vehicles
Recent estimates show that as much as 60 percent of all auto R&D could be done by suppliers by 2012. Chrysler’s going to have to fix this problem at some point, and until it does its BoD will be waiting impatiently
Karma is a Bitch
September 29th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
The economy will kill chrysler,that and shit product .
September 29th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Boys, boys! Behave!
September 29th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Sadly, the “Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it is dropping its lifetime powertrain warranty in favor of a five-year, 100,000-mile guarantee” according to the Wall Street Journal. How will customers respond to this devolution of corporate strategy?
September 29th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
They need to build attractive, solid, high quality autos ASAP for sale in the U.S. market.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Sadly, the “Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it is dropping its lifetime powertrain warranty in favor of a five-year, 100,000-mile guarantee” according to the Wall Street Journal. How will customers respond to this devolution of corporate strategy?
———————————————————–
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it is dropping its lifetime powertrain warranty in favor of a 5-year, 100,000-mile guarantee.
Chrysler 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.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Sadly, the “Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it is dropping its lifetime powertrain warranty in favor of a five-year, 100,000-mile guarantee” according to the Wall Street Journal. How will customers respond to this devolution of corporate strategy?
———————————————————–
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday that it is dropping its lifetime powertrain warranty in favor of a 5-year, 100,000-mile guarantee.
Chrysler 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…..
September 30th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Toyota to recall 3.8 million vehicles
Washington — Toyota Motor Corp. will recall more than 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles, its largest ever U.S. safety recall, after drivers reported that floor mats slid forward and in some cases jammed the accelerator pedal, the company and the U.S. government said Tuesday. - 1:00 am
WTF?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Toyota to recall 3.8 million vehicles…………..
Washington — Toyota Motor Corp. will recall more than 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles, its largest ever U.S. safety recall, after drivers reported that floor mats slid forward and in some cases jammed the accelerator pedal, the company and the U.S. government said Tuesday. - 1:00 am
WTF?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Auto recalls
Largest U.S. vehicle recalls by manufacturer, year and problem.
1. Ford, various years, 9.6 million vehicles, cruise control switches
2. Ford, 1996, 7.9 million vehicles, ignition problems
3. General Motors, 1971, 6.7 million vehicles, engine mounts
4. GM, 1981, 5.8 million vehicles, rear suspension bolts
5. Ford, 1972, 4 million, seat belts
6. Toyota, 2009, 3.8 million, floor mats
7. GM, 1973, 3.71 million, engine shields
8. (tie) VW, 1979, 3.7 million, windshield wipers
Honda, 1995, 3.7 million, seat belt buckles
10. GM, 2004, 3.66 million, tailgate support cables
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
September 30th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Toyota warns on potentially deadly floormats
NHTSA and world’s largest automaker warn drivers to remove driver’s side floor mats in 7 models.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Toyota recalls 3.8 million vehicles:
Mats can cause stuck accelerators.Driver’s side floor mats that can stick under accelerator pedals led to the recall of 3.8 million vehicles. Last month, four people were killed in a crash that may have been caused by such a problem.
Wow, four people killed. And i thought the NON-UAW workers at Toyota built quality products.Tell that to the family members that lost their loved ones thanks to junky Toyota products.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Chrysler buys out engine plant in Dundee
Firm is likely to build four-cylinder Fiat motors at the factory
Mike Ramsey and Bill Koenig / Bloomberg News
Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker run by Fiat SpA since exiting bankruptcy in June, said Thursday it bought out Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. stakes in a Michigan engine factory.
The U.S. carmaker took full ownership of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee, effective Aug. 31, said a statement. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The venture, formed in 2003, has been making four-cylinder engines used in Chrysler vehicles.
Buying out the two partners clears the way for Chrysler to produce Fiat-designed engines. Fiat owns 20 percent of the Auburn Hills-based automaker and can get an additional 5 percent by making fuel-efficient engines in the U.S., under terms of Chrysler’s U.S. government-aided reorganization.
September 30th, 2009 at 4:46 am
2011 Charger:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/charger-2010.html
This out to be a sweet ride.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
How about the aspen volare recall? i made a ton of money replacing those fenders LOL
September 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
159 Replacement delayed until 2012
The current Alfa Romeo 159 is a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde affair. Unspeakably gorgeous on the one hand, its aging, Saab-based platform means its dynamic performance doesn’t come anywhere close to cashing the checks its aggressive styling writes out. So those enamored of its design will be happy, but those disappointed by its drive will be disappointed, to learn that the 159’s replacement has reportedly been pushed back until 2012, thereby giving the current model a little longer to live.
This, according to Alfa’s new boss Sergio Cravero – recently promoted after years as communications director following Luca de Meo’s departure – in an interview with Italian daily La Stampa. The statement contradicts previous reports that the new sedan, dubbed Giulia in revival of the classic nameplate, was being rushed into development in light the current model’s poor sales. Sources suggest – and by sources, we mean our own speculation – that the program has been postponed so that it can be integrated with a Chrysler platform, and could, like the replacement for the 166, be built in North America.
Chrysler will be dead before 2012. LOL
September 30th, 2009 at 8:46 am
The current Alfa Romeo 159 is a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde affair. Unspeakably gorgeous on the one hand, its aging, Saab-based platform means its dynamic performance doesn’t come anywhere close to cashing the checks its aggressive styling writes out. So those enamored of its design will be happy, but those disappointed by its drive will be disappointed, to learn that the 159’s replacement has reportedly been pushed back until 2012, thereby giving the current model a little longer to live.
This, according to Alfa’s new boss Sergio Cravero – recently promoted after years as communications director following Luca de Meo’s departure – in an interview with Italian daily La Stampa. The statement contradicts previous reports that the new sedan, dubbed Giulia in revival of the classic nameplate, was being rushed into development in light the current model’s poor sales. Sources suggest – and by sources, we mean our own speculation – that the program has been postponed so that it can be integrated with a Chrysler platform, and could, like the replacement for the 166, be built in North America.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
And what do you think you would paid for if chrysler were to go away.There would be higher taxes in your city and your home would really decrease in value.So many more foreclosures would take place.
Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be lost if chrysler were to vanish. Just because you dont like chrysler or has lost a job with them doesnt mean you should wish bad on others….
The 789 Dealers chrysled cut employed more people than Chrysler corp and all chrysled divisions worldwide.
September 30th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Buying the engine plant is another very positive sign that Chrysler is in it for the long haul. Rehiring the engineers who recently took the buy-out offer is another. I’m beginning to feel that we’re finally turning the corner. The momentum is beginning to build!
September 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Fiat bought it to sell to china when the time is right.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Well, I feel sorry for the poor customer who now has a major problem just as the mileage clock ticks to 100,001 miles… As I see it, Chrysler is going backward with this warranty rollback. If Lee Iacocca taught us anything, it is that warranty enhancements actully make money for the company as customer confidence grows. Duh!
September 30th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
The 789 Dealers chrysled cut employed more people than Chrysler corp and all chrysled divisions worldwide.
They claim they are losing money with all those dealers. Why would they close the dealers if they were making chrysler money?
Please explain………
September 30th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
This a easy one you may understand.
If you are a crackwholsaler(chrysled) why would you want to pop a cap in the ass of 25 % of your customers(dealers not buying public ,the buying public gets a cut version of the crack from the dealer) ?
September 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Ask Phil Scroggings . He sure aint as sharp as his Oldman .
October 1st, 2009 at 6:48 am
Yes ask Mr Scroggins aka “mental midget”. The company should have unloaded alot of their management and preserved the dealer network which had been acknowledged as a prized asset of Chryslser. Looking at who remains in management does not encourage alot of faith in the future.
Good luck to all whose fortunes are related to Chrysler in any way. Finally I believe Toyota made Jim Press not the other way around. I stand by my warning on this forum when Mr Nardelli was appointed.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:26 am
I asked Phil’s Oldman about the closures and he said it was up to the business centers and their weak leadership.
Even Oldman Scroggins thinks chrysler is already dead and fiat is just waiting to steal the healthy product.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:11 am
I asked Phil’s Oldman about the closures and he said it was up to the business centers and their weak leadership.
Sounds like Pin the tail on the donkey . lol
October 1st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Phil Scroggins is a Punk!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:54 am
Economic news today was horrible.Stocks plunging, but oil is up over $5 in last couple days…..
And to top it all off…. Chrysler only sold 61,000 UNITS!
Obama and his staff better get more bailout money ready for these auto companies….. For only sold 116,000 UNITS…
October 1st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
chrysled would have sold around 80000 units and a hell of a lot more parts if the 789 were still on board .
Rot in hell chrysler
October 1st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
The bailout babies of the US auto industry took a pummeling in the post-Cash For Clunkers sales environment, as Chrysler very nearly matched GM’s precipitous decline. Unlike GM though, Chrysler isn’t predicting a turnaround by year’s end. “We believe the remainder of 2009 will continue to be a challenge for the U.S. automotive market,” says Chrysler brand boss Peter Fong [via PRNewswire]. “Credit markets have thawed slightly, but still remain tight, and consumer confidence, as we saw in September, is tenuous.” And yet nothing seems to be quite as tenuous as Chrysler’s grip on its razor-thin market share.
By brand, only Jeep managed to avoid total collapse, as sales of the off-road brand fell a dainty 20 percent. Dodge slid a significant 43 percent, showing why Fiat is reportedly considering stripping off the Ram truck brand and selling it off if things don’t improve. Meanwhile, the Chrysler brand showed why rumors of its brandicide continue to persist, falling a staggering 61 percent.
Quick, name the only Chrysler-branded nameplate to increase its sales over last September. Give up? The Crossfire, which sold 127 units to last September’s 113. And that, folks, is as good as it gets. 300 dropped 20 percent, while Town and Country fell 61 percent. Sebring shed 73 percent of its sales, while PT Cruiser and Aspen dropped 89 percent each. That Fiat executives believe a few facelifts can turn these numbers around is testament to either their faith in ChryCo’s design teams or the quality of the intoxicants in which they indulge.
Quick, name the only Jeep-branded nameplate to increase its sales over last September. Give up? The Grand Cherokee, which surprisingly added 23 percent to its sales, hitting a monthly volume of 5,601. Otherwise, Wrangler was down 2 percent, Commander fell six percent, Liberty dropped 45 percent, Patriot slid 57 percent and Compass was off by 90 percent.
Quick, name the only Dodge-branded nameplate to increase its sales over last September. Give up? It was a trick question. Sprinter and Charger were best-off with four percent and eight percent declines respectively. Challenger fell by 25 percent, Ram was down 35 percent, Avenger and Dakota were off by 36 percent, Journey fell 38 percent, Nitro dropped 55 percent, Caravan fell 63 percent and Caliber plummeted 89 percent to 654 units.
Where does Chrysler Group go from here? Though it seems that there’s nowhere to go but up, the reverse is likely to be the case. The Chrysler brand is every bit as damaged at this point as Saab or Hummer. No product in the firm’s entire portfolio has been able to maintain steady sales month-to-month. And with future product plans materializing in the form of quickie reskins, there’s absolutely no reason to believe the bleeding will stop anytime soon. Year-to-date, only the Journey, Wrangler, Ram and Challenger have failed to decline by 30 percent or more. That’s the sum total of Chrysler’s “success” in 2009, and it’s nowhere near enough to keep the company going.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Phil Scroggins is a Punk!
I disagree with your statement Lido
In my opion Phil Scroggins is a Saladtossing Muppet whos daddy got him a paycheck/job
October 1st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Yet, there is positive news as well: Wrangler has held onto number one spot, GC and Charger sales are up:
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/10/chrysler-reports-september-sales-down-42-percen
Chrysler brand 133,534 year to date.
Jeep brand 182, 052
Dodge 399,930 (Ram alone accounting for 143,205 units)
Compare that to BMW, for example, at 179,219 YTD in the US.
This company can make it. There are opportunities to learn from the competition that is doing better–like Hyundai, with sales up 27% (although YTD sales are still only 342,217). Probably ought to consider matching the 10/100 warranty and the Hyundai buyback plan–at least for Dodge; maybe something for Chrysler along the lines of the old “Crystal Key” program–yet much better. Chrysler’s current TV ads for 300 are very good. But if Chrysler really is to compete with Cadillac, Lexus, it needs to offer buyers the experience that those brands do at their dealers.
The new Charger, coming next year ought to give at least one, continued success. Fiat products should add at least 55,000 sales a year when they come on line in 2011, if you take a conservative estimate that they’d sell 30,000 Fiat 500’s a year, 10,000 Sprinter-replacement vans, and 15,000 Alfa-Romeos (Mini sales were 34,996, 2009 YTD; Sprinter sold over 11,000 last year). Only 798 Sprinters sold last month: I submit that a well-designed, less expensive, Fiat-based alternative could grow those numbers.
I like Fiat’s plans so far. I think they can acheive their 5 million cars/ trucks a year goal if they play their Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep cards well.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Also, look at the sketch of the new Charger on Allpar:
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/charger-2010.html
It will be more than just a facelift. This is a car that will keep growing its police sales, and the new V-6 engines with better mpg, and a great new interior will really give Dodge a good competitor to cars like Taurus, Avalon, Impala. It’s really will have them all beat on looks, price, rear-drive handling, and the interior.
Yes, we desparately need our equivalent of the “Fusion” or “Sonata” too, but all is not lost.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Daves, it isnt chrysler that did horrible last month, it was all automakers. Nissan, Honda, Hyudai, Toyota ,etc etc etc , all did bad.
If the economy doesnt get better, then you can kiss the whole damn auto industry good bye.Plus hundreds of thousands of jobs along with them. Do you think people are going to let that happen?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Chrysler Canada Reports September 2009 Sales Up 10 Per Cent Over August
September sales up 10 per cent over last month
Best September ever for Dodge Ram pickup as sales increased 16 per cent versus last year
Minivans maintain momentum: Dodge Grand Caravan up six per cent over Sept. 2008
Best Dodge brand results of 2009
“Dare to Compare” program continues with dealership events planned during October
Windsor, Ontario, Oct 1, 2009 - Chrysler Canada today announced sales of 15,857 for the month of September 2009, an increase of 10 per cent compared with the month of August. Two Chrysler Canada vehicles, the Dodge Ram Pickup and the Dodge Grand Caravan, made the list of Canada’s Top 10 best-selling nameplates.
“You can’t sell off of an empty wagon - we were finally able to replenish our depleted vehicle inventory levels, and it showed in our September results,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO - Chrysler Canada. “Sales were exceptionally strong in September of our recently-awarded J.D. Power ‘Most Dependable’ minivans as well as the Dodge Ram 1500, this year’s recipient of the AJAC ‘Best New Pickup Truck’ award.”
October 1st, 2009 at 11:24 pm
We knew Phil when he was a pup in Orlando.
He is not a mental midget—but he is no Einstein.
He’s just a regular guy who is probably in a job three times his capability because all the good old guys ahead of Phil were shitcanned and the company promoted regular guys like Phil who are loyal, reliable, and average.
Phil (and his Dad) are honest and hardworking.
And just average. Same with most dudes left at Motors.
The real smart ones were the Chrysler Financial guys.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne Discusses September, 2009 Sales
Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 1, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne commented on September, 2009 sales results during a brief photo op with visiting Italian Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajora at Chrysler Group LLC World Headquarters.
The 3:00 video is available at the right.
The audio is low. A transcript is below:
“On the issue of Chrysler I think that one of the things you need to be absolutely careful about is that when you start looking at market share data, for any of the automotive producers in the U.S., there are a number of things that have impacted on market share, volumes in the month of September. We have just come off a substantial inducement to consumption that was associated with the Cash for Clunkers program, and that in and by itself is a disturbance that, at least from Chrysler’s standpoint, one, was unexpected and was announced at a time in which our industrial machine was just about ready to get started up and running. Effectively, most of our plants had been out for a substantial part of the spring and part of the summer; and the machines had not come back on until the end of July. Secondly, this process that we’re going through, and we have been through this on the Fiat side. When I arrived in 2004 we had to go through the same type of painful process of watching market share decline as we cleaned up our commercial practices in the field. And so a lot of the inducements that were being offered in the marketplace by American car manufacturers are beginning to disappear. So the heavy incentive checks that one could find in most dealers are no longer available, the discipline required to maintain pricing in order to stay profitable in the car making business, the benefits of that philosophy are beginning to work their way through, we are not the only ones that are adopting this structure ourselves, General Motors has become a lot more disciplined on this than we have been. That is bound initially to cause a contraction of the position because your starting point was exaggerated and so you need to work through this process of cleansing; it’s painful it looks ugly, people sit back and say ‘what are you going to do to try and incentivize the demand, the real issue is that we need to go back to making products that people want at a price that is accessible and defensible in a competitive framework. All the work that has gone on here since we came in on June 10 has been geared at providing the framework to effectively drive volume over the medium to long term. September is not an indication of future performance, I’m not apologizing for it, it is the consequence of a number of actions that were taken in the past, all of which have culminated in the month of September – you may see similar numbers in October, I don’t know. Our intention is to improve share from this point on, but I don’t get alarmed. The machine is timed, we’re not bleeding as people think we are, the level of cost consciousness at this house is probably at a historical high, the real important issue is to try and build a future. And I would just ask you to wait until November and you can see it. The future is a lot a lot better than the market share in September would indicate.”
October 1st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
http://media.chrysler.com/show-video-gallery.do?method=videoView&vID=1458,1453&docId=9172
Watch the video!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
http://media.chrysler.com/show-video-gallery.do?method=videoView&vID=1458,1453&docId=9172
Watch the video!
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 am
Look what chrysler did to the orlando zone ! Chyrsler closed a bunch of strong dealers and let the ass kissers stay open . LOL
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 am
Rumors, credible rumors, are beginning to circulate in the car industry and the automotive press, that Chrysler may not make it another year primarily due to its falling sales and growing financial losses at partner Fiat.
Chrysler sold a 62,197 cars in September down 42% from the same month last year. The figure was down from 93,222 in August when traffic to dealers was pushed up by the ”cash for clunkers” program.
Chrysler’s problems may only be beginning and, if so, Fiat, the ”managing partner” among Chrysler’s owners may not be able to keep the American company intact.
Chrysler has operated at a disadvantage to the Japanese for some time. That has been true of all three US car companies. Now that each has restructured, each has more leverage against a lower costs base. That should allow GM, Ford (F), and Chrysler to make an operating profit even with domestic light vehicles sales running at a rate of only 10 million a year. But, Chrysler still has disadvatages which start with the age of its fleet and extend to the problem that it no longer has enough market share to cover even a lower cost base.
GM has the capital and the daring to offer its cars for a 60-day test drive. There is some financial risk to the action, but GM has enough new models coming to market that the odds of people turning in cars is relatively small. GM had a hard September with sales down 45% to 156,673, but the new promotion ought to improve its share in October and November. Ford has demonstrated the ongoing strength of its new model line. In September, Ford’s sales only dropped 5% to 114,655. That means that Ford is picking up market share rapidly and some of that is probably coming at Chrysler’s expense.
The Congressional Oversight Panel has already said taxpayers will not see most of the $81 billion that they put into the American car industry. The $14.3 billion put into Chrysler is more and more likely to be lost completely. The biggest single loser if Chrysler cannot survive is the UAW which owns 55% of the company.
The daily management of Chrysler is controlled by Fiat which owns 20% of the US company with options which could take that amount to 35%. Fiat has not put any money into Chrysler, so if the American firm becomes a significant operational or management burden there are very few reason for the Italian company, which has sales troubles of its own in Europe, to stay long term. Fiat lost $254 million in the second quarter, so its board may eventually believe that Chrysler is a distraction and one without a future.
Chrysler is not just up against the traditional competition of its two domestic rivals and Toyota ™, Honda (HMC), and Nissan. South Korean upstart Hyundai is posting sales improvements even as the car market remains weak and in September it posted a sales increase of 27% to 31,511, about half of Chrysler’s sales for the month. Hyundai’s strength is in small fuel-efficient cars, the market where Chrysler needs to find success with its products and those from Fiat. At this point, the Chrysler product line is still dominated by mid-sized sedans, SUVs from Jeep, minivans, and pick-ups like the Dodge Ram. The company has no real product in the alterative energy/hybrid segment. Chrysler’s domestic market share in September 2008 was 11.1%,according to Edmunds. Based on sales figures released by the industry today, that share is now closer to 7.5%
Even Chrysler’s traditional rivals are doing well despite a harsh market. Nissan sold 55,393 light vehicles last month, down only 7% from a year ago. Toyota sold 126,015, down12.7% and now has sales which are about double Chrysler’s. Honda’s sales for the month were 77,229 cars and light trucks. The number was down 20%, but it means Honda was still very likely to have picked up share in the American market.
Chrysler sales are now running at the rate of 750,000 a year. It probably does not have the capital to wait through another year of low US car sales with a market share that is almost certainly to stay below 8%. It does not have models tailored to the current market tastes. Chrysler is going out of business. The company just hasn’t made official.
Top Stocks blogger Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Yes, that isn’t great news, but Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep will still sell roughly twice as many cars as Hyundai this year. The Dodge brand alone has outsold Hyundai by 50,000 units. Everyone is hurting. Even Toyota has reported losses this year. CEO Sergio M says things will look better by Nov. Let’s give them a chance.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
Youre right, Chryco. Lets just hope chrysler has cut costs enough to make it through these painful times.
There is no way in hell, that chrysler would be left to liquidate in this economy. It would take the economy many many more years if chrysler were to go away…. I dont think michigan alone would ever recover…..There would be too many jobs lost!
Toyota president expresses regret over fatal crash
Tokyo
– Toyota’s president said it was “extremely regrettable” an American family died in a crash in which a floor mat in one of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles is suspected as the cause.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
The difference between Hyundai and Chrysler is Hyundai has money in the bank and a future.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Three months after coming through a federally-financed bankruptcy, the new Chrysler Group still faces serious trouble with no quick solution in sight.
The carmaker may have been given a sleek and shiny new balance sheet, but the products on the showroom floor are the same stale cars and trucks from before and there’s not much new to look forward to.
MORE AT CNNMONEY.COM
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In the hyper-competitive American car market, that empty product pipeline is potentially disastrous. Newly designed and engineered cars and trucks are what keep automakers in the game.
“It’s the most important thing,” industry analyst Jesse Toprak of Truecar.com said of new product offerings. “It’s the lifeline.”
Besides a new heavy-duty version of the well-regarded Dodge Ram pick-up going on sale soon, there’s nothing new coming from any of Chrysler Group’s brands before the middle of next year.
Chrysler needs to move fast to shore up its product plans, said Matt Stone, executive editor of Motor Trend magazine.
“I think they will run out of steam quickly,” said Stone. “How long could they prop it up with color changes and incentives? Another year or two, maybe.”
New car and truck models are important because consumers are always interested in the newest stuff, Toprak said, but all-new products with the latest engineering and the trendiest designs take years to develop — time which many experts say Chrysler does not have.
Chrysler is currently scrambling to gather the resources, including additional staff and suppliers, to quicken the process, according to media reports.
To try to turn its own situation around before it’s too late, Chrysler Group is expected to release a new revitalization plan in November. Interviews published recently by the industry newspaper Automotive News provide some insight into what Chrysler Group executives might be thinking.
Under the new plan, both the Chrysler and Dodge brands will undergo serious image makeovers.
Dodge will continue to be a performance-oriented brand but now focus more on fun-to-drive qualities than on raw engine power. Chrysler, meanwhile, will move upscale. Way upscale, setting its sights on competing with Cadillac, BMW and Mercedes.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:33 am
CNN is pretty biased in their analysis. The Ram was all-new for ‘09. How is that “stale” when it’s newer than GM’s and Toyota’s entries? The minivans were all-new for ‘08? How is that stale when the Honda, Toyota and Kia vans are older designs? Journey and Challenger are other, fresh designs. A new Charger–still one of Chrysler’s bread and butter products –is on the way for next year. Minivans and fullsize truck sales still lead Toyota.
They don’t report any of these positives, or the fact that Charger stands a chance to be the dominant player in the police cruiser market and no longer faces competition for civilian sales from Pontiac’s G8.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Ecxactly chryco! There are a lot of stupid people out there….. They only want to state the negatives or false statements… No wonder why chrysler has a hard time selling their products.Its analysis that make them look like pieces of shit!
Chrysler has been owned by thieves the past several years…Give me a fuckin break! At least fiat has some kind of plan for them! Hopefully it works, if not, then hundreds of thousands of people will lose their jobs…..
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Chrysler has been owned by thieves the past several years…Give me a fuckin break! At least fiat has some kind of plan for them! Hopefully it works, if not, then hundreds of thousands of people will lose their jobs…..
The 789 employeed more people than chrysler motos and all chrysler divisions.
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
How is that “stale” when it’s newer than GM’s and Toyota’s entries?
the consumers pocketbook deemed the chrysler product stale.
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 am
Yes, that isn’t great news, but Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep will still sell roughly twice as many cars as Hyundai this year. The Dodge brand alone has outsold Hyundai by 50,000 units. Everyone is hurting. Even Toyota has reported losses this year. CEO Sergio M says things will look better by Nov. Let’s give them a chance.
Only in the North American market.How about world wide ?
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
If there is one lesson to be learned from history, it is to never count Chrysler out. Why? Because of its core business principles. Granted, in recent years some owners have moved away from those principles, but not the Italians. Chrysler will be positioned against Lincoln and Cadilliac. Dodge against the Chevy and Ford. Jeep should probably be sold to raise funds for the core brands.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Any word on Jason Vines? Will he be one of those returning now that Chrysler is rehiring and Nardelli is out?
October 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
If there is one lesson to be learned from history, it is to never count Chrysler out. Why? Because of its core business principles. Granted, in recent years some owners have moved away from those principles, but not the Italians. Chrysler will be positioned against Lincoln and Cadilliac. Dodge against the Chevy and Ford. Jeep should probably be sold to raise funds for the core brands.
Go anywhere in the world and people know the name Jeep,try to do the same with chrysler or dodge.
Fiat came a calling only for Jeep.I can picture a ram with a jeep grill and a Awd minivan with a diesel .
Too bad chrysler and dodge names are heading to car hell along with american motors,packard,oldsmobile,pontiac,saturn,eagle,Isuzu cars.
October 4th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Worlwide chrysler sold almost 101,000 units last month…..If they cut enough costs then they should be able to get through these tough times!
October 4th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Why do some on this blog continually trash talk everything Chrysler? They will tell you that Dodge has no brand equity! No equity? Are they kidding me? They don’t even realize that a 60’s Dodge Dart brings more money today than any comparable Chevy or Ford. Yes, that’s right! Like $50,000! Heck man, if that is not equity - I don’t know what is! The Italians just need to figure out how to tap into it! Bring back the Dodge and Plymouth Muscle cars and I will show equity – The Barracuda is one of the top sellers today. Why? Those who know have figured out that Chrysler-Plymouth-Valiant-Dodge-Dodge Trucks are just built better. If I were the Italians, I would roll out the highest end Imperial possible and let that product lift the entire Chrysler line up!
October 5th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Musclecars are not volume products,Imperial would not be a volume brand.
Average Joe could care less about 50,000 $ DART.
Chrysler needs a Camcord type product .Without value based product and high volume Chrysler is dead.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
As Colonel George Taylor would say, they’ve finally done it. Chrysler, the formerly bankrupt, federally-financed, Italian-owned carmaker has created a fourth automotive brand: Ram. As the company can’t come out and say they’re hiving-off Ram trucks to simplify Chrysler’s inevitable Chapter 7 fire sale, CEO Sergio Marchionne’s birth announcement blamed Dodge for the move (of all things). “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand.” Yeah, ’cause all those Dodge Rams were muddying-up Dodge’s otherwise pristine image, used to such great effect with the Caliber and Avenger. To continue Dodge’s evolution towards filling Pontiac’s performance remit (I shit you not), Sergio’s appointed Ralph Gilles as the old brand’s new head, which will, presumably, no longer be that of a male sheep. As Gilles is the Canadian designer who unleashed the gangsta-riffic Chrysler 300, here’s hoping for an official name change to “The Dodge Boyz.” Meanwhile, The Detroit News [sub] is ROTFL about Sergio’s intentions to take Chrysler upmarket. Apparently, it’s going to be a “tough sell.”
Here, finally, is a Detroit News story that eviscerates of a boneheaded Motown plan. Never mind that they rely entirely on “analysts” for the disemboweling bit. It’s all good. I mean, bad.
- “GM spent $2 billion over 10 years on Cadillac — and it was already upscale,” said Rebecca Lindland, head of industry research for the Americas for IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. . . .
- “At this stage of their rehabilitation, I think that’s real folly,” said analyst Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting Inc. in Short Hills, N.J.
- “To maintain anywhere near their former healthy volumes, they would be counting heavily on Dodge vehicles to capture current Chrysler buyers, which is in no way a given,” [John Sousanis, director of information content for Ward’s Information Products] said.
- “Fiat needs to do a tremendous amount of market research before jumping into this,” [Lindland] said.
- Libby said Chrysler would need a complete makeover of existing vehicles to justify raising prices and would have to radically change its lineup, including the addition of a flagship sedan in the $70,000 range, and its starting point is “not nearly as strong as Cadillac or Lincoln.”
- It would not be an easy shift, said John Casesa, managing partner of Casesa Shapiro Group in New York. “It’s much easier to go downmarket than upmarket.”
- “They’d be faced with the problem of introducing a new luxury brand to a public that already has misgivings about the Chrysler brand name in general,” [Sousanis] said.
- Quality issues have dragged down consumers’ perceptions of the brand, Phillippi said, and people shopping for a luxury car are unlikely to think of Chrysler.
All those in favor say “aye.” Anyone? Bueller?
October 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Chrysler Group has split its Dodge brand into an auto and a Ram truck unit, and said two recently appointed brand-level chief executives are leaving the company.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram brand and the Dodge car brand organizations,” Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said in statement Monday. “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand.”
October 5th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Chapter 7 coming !
October 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Chapter 7 coming ! LOL! Could be…….
October 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Chapter 7 coming ! LOL! Could be…….
Chrysler will live forever.I hate all this crap about chrysler not being #1
and how chrysler builds and markets bad product.I think we should point the finger at the other automakes ,the compettion created all of the problems for Chrysler by stealing future product designs .
Soon Chrysler will overtake Toyota for total sales worldwide !
October 5th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Soon Chrysler will overtake Toyota for worldwide sales !!!!!!
October 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said in statement Monday. “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand.”
Sounds like Sergio is about to cut the pizza pie up.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
The Detroit News reports that nastiness between Chrysler and its former overlords at Daimler could prevent the much-needed (by ChryCo) launches of new versions of the 300/Charger and Grand Cherokee/Durango. Apparently production of these new products can’t take place until Daimler and Chrysler agree to terms for Daimler-supplied components. Chrysler needs to resolve its legal differences with Daimler within 20 days in order to prevent delays to the roll-out of the Grand Cherokee/Durango. If the conflict continues, Chrysler admits it won’t be able to find a new supplier until January 2011. The Grand Cherokee/Durango and 300/Charger are planned to be Chrysler’s only 2010 debuts.
Daimler-Chrysler legal disputes have covered the supply of axles, torque converters, diesel engines and steering columns, but since Chrysler has declined to purchase the agreed-upon number of diesel engines for Europe, the other parts contracts have been held hostage. Chrysler wants the court to stipulate that all past agreements remain in effect and no more money is owed, and has said it will seek an injunction if Daimler stops shipping parts. On the other hand, “Chrysler has too much at stake to take a chance,” say spokesfolks for the New Chrysler. “These are important vehicle programs at a critical point in their launch cycle. We can’t afford any delays.”
October 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Pentastar Mess: Douglas A. McIntyre has written that Chrysler may not make it another year, due to its tumbling sales and growing financial losses at partner Fiat.
Chrysler only sold 62,197 cars in September - down 42% from the same month last year. Chrysler is being handily outsold by GM, Toyota, Ford and Honda. Nissan and Hyundai are nipping at Chrysler’s heels. The only five-digit monthly seller at Chrysler is the Dodge Ram pickup - Chrysler’s sole model in the list of top 20 vehicles by sales volume. 13,452 Rams were sold in September, compared with 33,877 Ford F-Series.
I was pessimistic about Chrysler’s survival when it first filed for that bizarre banana-republic bankruptcy, which I now refer to as Obamaruptcy. And the subsequent shotgun marriage to Fiat - a nuptial which only made sense after a lot of drinking or a severe head injury.
But - drunk or brain-damaged - you and I are on the hook for Chrysler, since we have become Involuntary Stockholders. The $14.3 billion we taxpayers put into Chrysler is more and more likely to be lost completely. Getting our money back is as probable as winching a ‘58 Crown Imperial limo out of a bubbling tar pit which has just been declared a National Historic Site.
McIntyre concluded, “Chrysler is going out of business. The company just hasn’t made it official.” (permalink)
October 5th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I understand that the us goverment will let chrysler release the 1000 mpg carter thermoquad equipped Dart Imperial slant six sixpack hemi to buying public .
I think big oil will be pissed .
October 5th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I understand that the us goverment will let chrysler release the 1000 mpg carter thermoquad equipped Dart Imperial slant six sixpack hemi to buying public .
The timing could not be better, now Chrysler will overtake toyota in worldwide.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I understand that the us goverment will let chrysler release the 1000 mpg carter thermoquad equipped Dart Imperial slant six sixpack hemi to buying public .
I had a prototype Cordoba using that carb running on toilet water back in 1979.once big oil found out they sent sinatra over to my place to make me a offer i could not refuse.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Why all this negativity? A seperate Dodge Trucks Division is a wise strategy. This will allow Dodge to focus on performance products such as the Charger and Challenger. As for minivans, they should be rebadged as Plymouths. An upscale Chrysler-Imperial Division is a brilliant idea! I think Sergio will go down as one of the greats! Keep up the good work Sergio, most of us think you are doing a fantastic job!
October 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I think serigo will chapter 7 chrysler and take the 1000 mpg thermoquad and give it to fiat.I bet with a little work fiat will be able to get 50000 mpg out of the thermoquad slantsix sixpak hemihead engine.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
The new Dodge Truck Division surely will be a home run hit! What Chrysler needs now is a new PR campaign to kick off the strategy. One that focuses on building brand image! Remember the Driver’s Education Campaign a couple of decades ago? It was a socially responsible way to build the brand while at the same time connecting with youth market through high school driver’s education classes. That strategy worked then and it could work today with some creativity. Does anyone at corporate still have contact information on Thurlow Spurr and the Spurletts? Are they are still a concert group? I loved the album: “It’s Christmas: Time for Song”. Splitting off the truck division from cars will have numerous benefits. We just need to find a modern day way to educate the consumers on this exciting opportunity.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler on Monday shook up its brand strategy and executive ranks, saying it has created a new brand called Ram for its trucks. In a stunning move, the automaker has anointed its top designer, Ralph Gilles, 39, as CEO of Dodge cars. It said he will wear two hats, continuing to lead the product design organization in Chrysler.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand, which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler CEO. “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge brand.”
However, no specific product announcements were made on Monday.
The executive shakeup included a purging at the top levels of the company. Michael Accavitti, who had headed the Dodge brand, “has resigned to pursue other interests,” Chrysler said in a statement. Olivier François was named president and CEO of the Chrysler brand, ousting Peter Fong, who “has resigned for personal reasons,” said Chrysler. François comes to the automaker from Fiat, where he headed Lancia, a position he will retain, said Chrysler.
The elevation of Gilles seems to parallel a similar move made in July at General Motors. Designer Bryan Nesbitt was named as chief of Cadillac in that unexpected appointment. Nesbitt, 40, had strong ties to Chrysler, where was known for designing the Chrysler PT Cruiser. The new appointments for Gilles and Nesbitt seem to herald a new era of influence for designers that stretches far beyond the confines of the design studio.
At the same time, Chrysler named Fred Diaz, Jr., as president and CEO of the Dodge Ram brand. He was previously the director of the automaker’s Denver Business Center.
Inside Line says: Fiat apparently is convinced the Ram brand is more powerful than the Dodge brand, while designers look to be the new darlings of the executive ranks in Detroit auto circles. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
October 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
The ousting Peter Fong is a mistake. Mark my words. What is going on here?
October 5th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
How much government money will this strategic move fetch? Obama should be in for another 5, 6 Billion dollars, right?
October 5th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Hey DavesS? You cant get enough of those copy and pastes can you? I love how you add the extra comments in!
Why dont you put your name anymore? LOSER!
October 5th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Chrysler Group LLC Announces New Appointments
Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 5, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announces brand and commercial organization changes.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Mr. Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC said.
Fred Diaz Jr. is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Ram Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Ram product portfolio. Mr. Diaz will also be the lead executive for the Sales organization in the United States. He was previously the Director of the Denver Business Center. Mr. Diaz has been with the Company since 1989 in positions of increasing responsibility. The Company will announce Mr. Diaz’s replacement with a separate announcement.
Ralph Gilles is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Car product portfolio. Mr. Gilles will continue to lead the Product Design organization of Chrysler Group which he joined in 1992.
Olivier Francois is appointed President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, with profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio. Mr. Francois joins the Company from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia Brand, a position he retains. Mr. Francois will also be the lead executive for the Marketing organization with responsibility to coordinate worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Car and Dodge Ram brands. He will continue to lead these functions within Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Francois joined Fiat in 2005.
Michael Manley will continue as the President and CEO, Jeep Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Jeep Brand product portfolio. Mr. Manley will also be the lead executive for the international activities of the Company outside of NAFTA and will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network. Mr. Manley has been with Chrysler since 1998.
Joseph Veltri joins the Management Team as Head of Product Planning. Mr. Veltri started with the Company in 1988. His career has included positions in product planning, marketing, business strategy, and finance. He served most recently as Product Planning Lead and Head of Truck/SUV Planning.
Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler Brand has resigned for personal reasons. Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand has resigned to pursue other interests.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Mopar® and Global Electric Motors (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Chrysler Group LLC Announces New Appointments
Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 5, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announces brand and commercial organization changes.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Mr. Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC said.
Fred Diaz Jr. is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Ram Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Ram product portfolio. Mr. Diaz will also be the lead executive for the Sales organization in the United States. He was previously the Director of the Denver Business Center. Mr. Diaz has been with the Company since 1989 in positions of increasing responsibility. The Company will announce Mr. Diaz’s replacement with a separate announcement.
Ralph Gilles is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Car product portfolio. Mr. Gilles will continue to lead the Product Design organization of Chrysler Group which he joined in 1992.
Olivier Francois is appointed President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, with profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio. Mr. Francois joins the Company from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia Brand, a position he retains. Mr. Francois will also be the lead executive for the Marketing organization with responsibility to coordinate worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Car and Dodge Ram brands. He will continue to lead these functions within Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Francois joined Fiat in 2005.
Michael Manley will continue as the President and CEO, Jeep Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Jeep Brand product portfolio. Mr. Manley will also be the lead executive for the international activities of the Company outside of NAFTA and will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network. Mr. Manley has been with Chrysler since 1998.
Joseph Veltri joins the Management Team as Head of Product Planning. Mr. Veltri started with the Company in 1988. His career has included positions in product planning, marketing, business strategy, and finance. He served most recently as Product Planning Lead and Head of Truck/SUV Planning.
Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler Brand has resigned for personal reasons. Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand has resigned to pursue other interests.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Mopar® and Global Electric Motors (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. ……..
October 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Chrysler Group LLC Announces New Appointments ……..
Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 5, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announces brand and commercial organization changes.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Mr. Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC said.
Fred Diaz Jr. is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Ram Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Ram product portfolio. Mr. Diaz will also be the lead executive for the Sales organization in the United States. He was previously the Director of the Denver Business Center. Mr. Diaz has been with the Company since 1989 in positions of increasing responsibility. The Company will announce Mr. Diaz’s replacement with a separate announcement.
Ralph Gilles is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Car product portfolio. Mr. Gilles will continue to lead the Product Design organization of Chrysler Group which he joined in 1992.
Olivier Francois is appointed President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, with profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio. Mr. Francois joins the Company from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia Brand, a position he retains. Mr. Francois will also be the lead executive for the Marketing organization with responsibility to coordinate worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Car and Dodge Ram brands. He will continue to lead these functions within Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Francois joined Fiat in 2005.
Michael Manley will continue as the President and CEO, Jeep Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Jeep Brand product portfolio. Mr. Manley will also be the lead executive for the international activities of the Company outside of NAFTA and will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network. Mr. Manley has been with Chrysler since 1998.
Joseph Veltri joins the Management Team as Head of Product Planning. Mr. Veltri started with the Company in 1988. His career has included positions in product planning, marketing, business strategy, and finance. He served most recently as Product Planning Lead and Head of Truck/SUV Planning.
Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler Brand has resigned for personal reasons. Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand has resigned to pursue other interests.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Mopar® and Global Electric Motors (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. …………
October 6th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Chrysler Group LLC Announces New Appointments ……..
Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 5, 2009 -
Chrysler Group LLC today announces brand and commercial organization changes.
“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge Ram Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations. This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand,” Mr. Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC said.
Fred Diaz Jr. is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Ram Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Ram product portfolio. Mr. Diaz will also be the lead executive for the Sales organization in the United States. He was previously the Director of the Denver Business Center. Mr. Diaz has been with the Company since 1989 in positions of increasing responsibility. The Company will announce Mr. Diaz’s replacement with a separate announcement.
Ralph Gilles is appointed President and CEO, Dodge Car Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Dodge Car product portfolio. Mr. Gilles will continue to lead the Product Design organization of Chrysler Group which he joined in 1992.
Olivier Francois is appointed President and CEO, Chrysler Brand, with profit and loss responsibility for the Chrysler product portfolio. Mr. Francois joins the Company from Fiat Group Automobiles where he serves as head of the Lancia Brand, a position he retains. Mr. Francois will also be the lead executive for the Marketing organization with responsibility to coordinate worldwide marketing strategies, brand development and advertising for the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge Car and Dodge Ram brands. He will continue to lead these functions within Fiat Group Automobiles. Mr. Francois joined Fiat in 2005.
Michael Manley will continue as the President and CEO, Jeep Brand with profit and loss responsibility for the Jeep Brand product portfolio. Mr. Manley will also be the lead executive for the international activities of the Company outside of NAFTA and will be responsible for implementing the co-operation agreements for distribution of Chrysler Group products through Fiat’s international distribution network. Mr. Manley has been with Chrysler since 1998.
Joseph Veltri joins the Management Team as Head of Product Planning. Mr. Veltri started with the Company in 1988. His career has included positions in product planning, marketing, business strategy, and finance. He served most recently as Product Planning Lead and Head of Truck/SUV Planning.
Peter Fong, head of the Chrysler Brand has resigned for personal reasons. Michael Accavitti, head of the Dodge Brand has resigned to pursue other interests.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Mopar® and Global Electric Motors (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. …………
October 6th, 2009 at 6:42 am
DaveS is a LOSER just like all the other Chryslerfanboys
October 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Chrysler is the greatest of them all! Never, never, never forget that point. Servio has a vision which is different by design to serve consumers who have changing needs. Within 5 years, it will be the premier automotive company. It will offer luxurious products and will empower its customers to actualize their dreams. Inspired by Chrysler’s heritiage, it will recommit to the values of value, luxury, and innovation.
October 6th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Chrysler is the greatest of them all! Never, never, never forget that point. Servio has a vision which is different by design to serve consumers who have changing needs. Within 5 years, it will be the premier automotive company. It will offer luxurious products and will empower its customers to actualize their dreams. Inspired by Chrysler’s heritiage, it will recommit to the values of value, luxury, and innovation.
Please add recalls and rotten resale value.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Chrysler delivers. Chrysler is a good company and will continue to improve over time. Rome was not built in a day! But, day-by-day, in every way, Chrysler is getting better and better. Putting actual design people in charge of the brands as opposed to bean counters is a huge step in the right direction.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Chrysler will survive and thrive!
October 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Now that Dodge cars and trucks will be split into two divisions, will the logos change? One would expect the “Ram” will continue as the logo for Dodge trucks, but what about the Dodge car division? Will the highly acclaimed “Fratzog” logo return for the Dodge Car Division? Best idea in many, many years!
October 6th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Will the highly acclaimed “Fratzog” logo return for the Dodge Car Division?
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Please add recalls and rotten resale value.
Chrysler hasnt had too many recalls as of late..And hopefully their resale value will be better in the future….
Why do you people that dislike chrysler even post here?
UNREAL!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Why do you people that dislike chrysler even post here?
UNREAL!
Maybe because they bought a chrysler shitbox
October 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Maybe because they bought a chrysler shitbox
Trust me! Half of you buffoons probably never even owned more than one chrysler product!
October 7th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Trust me, half of you fools have probably never owned a chrysler product! I’ve owned several and they were all great vehicles. Never had any problems with any of them…..I own a jeep grand cherokee now and it is a solid built vehicle….
Just glad i didnt own any tundras with they frames rusting out completely..Or the new 300,000 recall toyota just had with the flooring where a family of 5 died……..WOW!
Go ahead and comment back…Thats all you low-life’s do…
This weblog is nothing like it used to be…I remember when some of these so called dealers would talk about their dealerships and whats going on with them….Looks like they closed their dealers and now all they can do is trashtalk chrysler left and right!
You kids will be OK!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
here are some truths
there is no free lunch
there is no tooth fairy
there is no santa claus
chrysler is shit
October 7th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
True story: New Chrysler’s Italian boss has promised America’s taxpayer/owners that the former bankrupt will release its “five-year plan” on November fourth. Setting aside the laughable idea that Chrysler has enough money to survive ’til 2011 (never mind 2014), one wonders whether the CEO of a multi-billion dollar automotive conglomerate could be that ignorant of history, or that good at post-modern irony. Lest we (or he) forget, the Soviet Union’s Gosudarstvennyi Komitet po Planirovaniyu (GOSPLAN) pretty much coined the phrase “five-year plan” when they tried to force the state-controlled Russian economy to do . . . whatever they told it to do. And how did that turn out? “Altogether, there were 13 five-year plans,” the Wikipedia hive mind reports. “The first one was accepted in 1928, for the five year period from 1929 to 1933, and completed one year early. The last, thirteenth Five-Year Plan was for the period from 1991 to 1995 and was not completed, as the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991.” Not to put too fine a point on it, the USSR’s five-year plans were a monumental failure; an effort at social control that resulted in misery (e.g. starvation, forced migrations) for millions of people. Marchionne’s use of the term is about as bad as it gets without evoking Godwin’s Law. Still, can’t wait!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Plagiarizing Robert Farago? Wow, that really is the bottom of the barrel.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Anonymous, youre postings are old and lame…..
Give me some real news about chrysler.Maybe when they submit their plan next month you can copy and paste it here for the rest! I would really love to see what some of you do for a living! You guys crack me up with some of this stuff you come up with!
October 8th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Chrysler Group LLC will present details of its 5-year business plan Nov. 4 at its Auburn Hills headquarters, a company spokesman said Wednesday.
Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne presented the plan Sept. 25 to the company’s nine-person board of directors.
Members of President Barack Obama’s automotive task force reviewed it and signed off on it last week, according to a Treasury Department spokeswoman.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Does Oscar work for the Kokomo Tribute? Just read an article for a planned format change to luxury and performance cars out of the Dodge camp. One possible vechile mention was the….IMPERIAL!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:59 am
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Share Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Chrysler to outline 5-year business plan
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Chrysler Group LLC will unveil its five-year business and product plan Nov. 4, the company said today.
The briefing by CEO Sergio Marchionne for media and analysts will be held at the Auburn Hills headquarters.
Chrysler and Fiat SpA formed a new company June 10 and Marchionne has been working with his management team on a strategy to better differentiate the brands in a business structure where each is responsible for its own profits and losses.
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The automaker plans to move the Chrysler brand more upscale, separate Dodge into a car brand and Ram pickup and commercial vehicle brand, continue to promote Jeep internationally, and develop Mopar aftermarket parts into a stronger standalone entity.
Marchionne and the company’s other executives have largely avoided public comment since Chrysler Group emerged from bankruptcy.
apriddle@detnews.com (313) 222 - 2504
October 8th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Brand Mid-size Full-size
Toyota Camry:25,745 Avalon:1,939
Nissan Altima:12,149 Maxima:5,901
Hyundai Sonata:7,898 Azera:339
Ford Fusion:10,834 Taurus:5,077
Chevrolet Malibu:10,479 Impala:13,047
Chrysler Sebring:1,451 300:3,411
October 8th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
CEO: Chrysler profitable by 2011
Marchionne says 5-year plan coming Nov. 4, with public stock offers
After a four-month deep dive into the workings of Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne remains convinced the automaker can be profitable in two years.
The Auburn Hills automaker is on track to divulge its five-year plan on Nov. 4, to make public its quarterly financial statements next year and to offer public stock as early as 2011, he said.
A recent report by analyst Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley supports Marchionne’s forecast. Jonas said Chrysler could report an operating profit of $841 million in 2010, but end the year with a net loss of $169 million. Full profitability is expected in 2011: $2.48 billion in operating profit and $952 million in net income, Jonas said.
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In an interview with Toronto’s Globe and Mail, Marchionne affirmed Thursday that the automaker could reach profitability in 24 months. Just a week before, the CEO contended that “we’re not bleeding as people think we are,” noting that “the level of cost consciousness at this house is probably at a historical high.”
Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting Inc. said Chrysler and General Motors Co. have dramatically lower break-even points because bankruptcy allowed them to shed liabilities and emerge with good balance sheets.
Chrysler will flesh out its state of affairs at the Nov. 4 briefing with presentations by Marchionne and his management team, ending a self-imposed period of silence since the new Chrysler was formed with Fiat June 10.
A new era of transparency will include public reporting of financial results in 2010. As a private company, Chrysler does not have to, and did not report earnings under previous owner Cerberus Capital Management LP.
Chrysler is hoping to offer public stock in the company as early as 2011, with stakeholders such as a United Auto Workers health care trust fund eager to divest their shares as soon as possible.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
CEO: Chrysler profitable by 2011
Marchionne says 5-year plan coming Nov. 4, with public stock offers
After a four-month deep dive into the workings of Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne remains convinced the automaker can be profitable in two years.
The Auburn Hills automaker is on track to divulge its five-year plan on Nov. 4, to make public its quarterly financial statements next year and to offer public stock as early as 2011, he said.
A recent report by analyst Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley supports Marchionne’s forecast. Jonas said Chrysler could report an operating profit of $841 million in 2010, but end the year with a net loss of $169 million. Full profitability is expected in 2011: $2.48 billion in operating profit and $952 million in net income, Jonas said.
Advertisement
In an interview with Toronto’s Globe and Mail, Marchionne affirmed Thursday that the automaker could reach profitability in 24 months. Just a week before, the CEO contended that “we’re not bleeding as people think we are,” noting that “the level of cost consciousness at this house is probably at a historical high.”
Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting Inc. said Chrysler and General Motors Co. have dramatically lower break-even points because bankruptcy allowed them to shed liabilities and emerge with good balance sheets.
Chrysler will flesh out its state of affairs at the Nov. 4 briefing with presentations by Marchionne and his management team, ending a self-imposed period of silence since the new Chrysler was formed with Fiat June 10.
A new era of transparency will include public reporting of financial results in 2010. As a private company, Chrysler does not have to, and did not report earnings under previous owner Cerberus Capital Management LP.
Chrysler is hoping to offer public stock in the company as early as 2011, with stakeholders such as a United Auto Workers health care trust fund eager to divest their shares as soon as possible……………….
October 8th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
CEO: Chrysler profitable by 2011
After a four-month deep dive into the workings of Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne remains convinced the automaker can be profitable in two years.
Lets all hope! Too many jobs involved for a company this big to go under!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:55 am
You’re right Ralph! Chrysler employs wat too many people to go under. i couldnt imagine this economy/country without chrysler. It would be a disaster!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Keep drinking the Kool aid boys. LOL
Nov 4 = chapter 7
October 9th, 2009 at 7:51 am
DodgeRam trucks still a Dodge Ram !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Oh yeah,here is a link…
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/10/09/business/doc4acf124fd894d296160996.txt
October 9th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Keep drinking the Kool aid boys. LOL
Nov 4 = chapter 7
Keep smokin your moms bud! LOL
October 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
WASHINGTON/AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — A major fight is brewing between Chrysler and the Center for Auto Safety, which is demanding that the government recall as many as 2.3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a possible fire hazard.
The Grand Cherokees, which were built between 1993 and 2004, are three to four times as likely to catch fire in a rear-impact collision than other midsize SUVs, according to the petition filed by the Center for Auto Safety.
The Center contends that the Jeep Grand Cherokees in question were involved in 172 fatal fires, resulting in 254 deaths — a higher fatality rate than for the Ford Pinto, which was subject to a recall in 1978.
Chrysler fired back on Wednesday on its corporate thefirehouse.biz blog, saying that the petition “presents a simplistic, unsubstantiated review of raw accident data. Indeed, its conclusions are flawed, as they are based solely on a database that does not discriminate the cause or origin of a fire. Nor does it contain accurate critical real-world accident data that takes into account significant factors that influence crash outcomes, such as the speed of a rear impact and the weight of the vehicles involved.”
The automaker added that it is “confident that a proper study which considered all the factors in all collisions including rear collisions with fire would show that the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees perform as well as or better than other vehicles in their class.”
The petition contends that the fuel system in the 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee is defectively designed because the plastic fuel tank can rupture and is unshielded.
Consumer Reports notes that the petition filing “indirectly raises an interesting question of whether the U.S. government now faces a conflict of interest as a vehicle regulator and an owner with a 10 percent stake in Chrysler.”
October 9th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Wish my mum had some buds
October 9th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Chrysler needed to get rid of Fong and most of the other fools in Auburn Hills.
Press needs to hit the street tomorrow.
It wasn’t too many dealers, it wasn’t too many trucks, it wasn’t too many SUVs.
The problem was and is THE PRODUCT.
It is not good enough.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Dodge has great products; yes some of the best products on the market. People just need to get out and test drive one so they will know the truth. They need to avoid negative thinking of the talking heads. I love my Caravan!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Dodge has great products; yes some of the best products on the market. People just need to get out and test drive one so they will know the truth. They need to avoid negative thinking of the talking heads. I love my Caravan!
Did you find Moms stash ?
October 9th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Will you explain what you mean by the phrase “mom’s stash”?
October 9th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I love all things Dodge too. My grandfather was a Dodge man. His truck would drive through mud ruts that left many Ford and GMC trucks stuck in their tracks. My father was a Dodge man too. He bought his first Dodge shortly after he got married to mother. Me and my wife bought our first Dodge shorthly after we got married. It is perfect.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Mothers little helper
October 9th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
My parents always drove Plymouths, which were very good, yet inexpensive cars. The Smith family on our right drove Chevy’s, and the Johnson family on our left drove Ford’s. Across the street, the Mattis family drove DeSoto’s. The kids down the street were very rich. Their parents drove Chryslers, which could comfortably seat 8 people.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Wish my mum had some buds
LMAO!
October 10th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Yes, what could be more American than a Volkswagen-engined Plymouth based on a Simca design? Actually, big spenders could get the ‘81 Horizon with Chrysler’s new 2.2 engine, which upped the American-ness to some extent.
The Omni/Horizon did its job, which was to provide a semi-homegrown econobox to help replace the captive-import Mitsubishis and keep the revenue flowing until Chrysler could start moving K cars into the showrooms and pay back that big government bailout loan. In fact, this platform continued in production until 1990
October 10th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
What has happened to this website? Its time to remove it from my favorites. Is the website owner alive?
October 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
The K-car. Now that’s a blast from the past! Darn good cars which came out at the right time. We need another hit like it - now more than ever.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Press was the best thing that Chrysler had going for it. As for Fong, he’s a quick study, but he was promoted too quickly. Chrysler-Dodge will miss them as it moves forward out of bankruptcy.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Breaking News!!! WSJ reports that Chrylser and Fiat are working together on electric vehicle. Nice team work - gentlemen.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
The new charger is so nice looking! Wait till you see it!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:32 am
The new charger is so nice looking! Wait till you see it!
I hope it has a big stars and bars flag on the roof and 01 on the doors.
October 11th, 2009 at 6:48 am
That is great; I am happy for Dodge, but my next car will be a Chrysler. I am prepared to purchase the new luxurious Chrysler being developed. My only hope is that it is a Chrysler Crown Imperial.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Yeah, im waiting for the 200c. Such a nice looking car!
October 11th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I want a new reliant or a volare .
October 11th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Tyere is always a smart aleck on this blog. Why? Why? Were these people not educated to be nice to others? Please! Let’s all be kinder and gentler to others as we wish others to be kind to us.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Why dont they bring back the neon? The Neon sold 8,500 units on its last month of production.Why would they let that go?
Bring back the neon with some tweaking and watch how good sales will be!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I say bring back the Cordoba and LeBaron.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I understand that fiat/chrysler is buying daimler. is this true?
October 12th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“What do you think the percentage likelihood is that, if we give this deal a chance, it will succeed?” Rattner didn’t make the decision any easier. “Fifty-one per cent,” he said. “But, Mr. President, in my experience, deals get worse, not better, over time.”
Ryan Lizza recounts the decision to bail out Chrysler in his epic New Yorker piece on Larry Summers and the president’s economic team [via Kausfiles]. This exchange came after the economic council split 4-4 on the automaker bailout, and Rattner was identified as the tie-breaking vote. Is it safe to say now that nobody expects Chrysler to survive?
October 12th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Is it safe to say now that nobody expects Chrysler to survive?
I hope they do survive.There are thousands of people employeed at chrysler.I think it would be a nightmare for the state of michigan and many other cities across this country if chrysler were to disappear.
Chrysler was raped by the previous 2 owners.They could care less about chryslers products and employees.At least Fiat has some sort of plan to make them into a player agian.Will the plan work?Only time will tell. If they got their costs inline, then they should be able to hang on for a couple of years until they get some good product out there….
I just dont know why you guys keep asking if we think chrysler is done or finished. And i really dont think chrysler is the only company in the united states that isnt in good shape.GM is also hanging on by a thread.
If the economy keeps improving over the next few years then chrysler shoulkd be OK! If the economy gets worse or doesnt improve at a decent pace then chrysler may be force to liquidate….Then you will see every japanese/chinese company scopp up the remains. It will be a damn shame if we let that happen….We need to protect OUR manufacturing base!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:07 am
I heard Chrysler is buying China .
October 13th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I want chrysler to revive the rootes and simca brands. A cricket would be the right car to make chrysler dominate again.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
A Cricket! Yes, brilliant! I can see it now, a Cricket with a Landau roof and faux wire wheel covers badged as an Imperial flagship. The idiot-Oscars will buy ‘em as fast as Fiat can make ‘em. Brilliant.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
a cricket with leanburn and lil red express stacks riding on dubs
October 13th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Has any read the recent articles about GM? Why beat up on our very own Chrysler when all companies are having trouble surviving this anti-business environment brought on by the current administration. I agree with Frankly Lk. Why is there such rude behavoir on this blog. Chrysler is a good company and Fiat is trying to make it better and better, if they can just hold on. The new Jeep and Dodge car ads are great and will surely generate enough showroom traffic to translate into good sales. It is all about the law of averages. Let’s stop beating up on Chrysler, stop with the rude behavior, stop with the constant complaining. We should support Chrysler, or leave it.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Ford recalls 4.5 million vehicles for faulty switch
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Washington — Ford Motor Co. agreed to expand its largest-ever recall by about 4.5 million vehicles over a faulty switch linked to hundreds of vehicle fires.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Chrysler is not as bad off as some of you make it! She will come back mean and lean.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:03 am
We should support Chrysler, or leave it.
I will never leave i want a New Diplomat.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, known in the retail world as Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, will be buying about 40,000 fewer Chryslers than it did last year. Previously, the company was contractually bound to ensure that 75% of its fleet was composed of Chrysler vehicles. After the bankruptcy kerfuffle, the contract has been revised to compel Dollar Thrifty to purchase a new minimum number of vehicles, and the company is using the freedom to increase its model mix.
Instead of being so Pentastar-heavy, from now on, Reuters says that Dollar Thrifty’s fleet figures to be 30% Chrysler, 34% Ford, 20% General Motors, 6% Nissan, and 10% left over for Hyundai and Kia. The model mix transition should also help Dollar Thrifty stabilize the income from fleet sales; the company took a beating when the residuals market took a dump, especially due to the fact that it was trying to flog so many products from a company thought to have a dubious future.
All three domestics have talked about getting away from low-margin fleet buyers for some time now. Still, the 40,000 hit to Chrysler’s sales still probably isn’t the best of news – Chrysler didn’t want to get this far away from fleets.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:36 am
I want a chrysler that is not a shitbox .
October 15th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Chrysler needs to become knowns again as the premier American car company known around the world for its innovation, engineering, design, and creative features.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Chrysler needs to become knowns again as the premier American car company known around the world for its innovation, engineering, design, and creative features.
They will………….
October 16th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Chrysler needs to become knowns again as the premier American car company known around the world for its innovation, engineering, design, and creative features.
They will
By building fiats .
October 16th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Fiat + Chrysler = Shitbox
October 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Fiat + Chrysler = Shitbox Imperial Flagship for Oscar.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Chrysler needs to become knowns again as the premier American car company known around the world for its innovation, engineering, design, and creative features.
They will………….
This was Jim Press’s mantra for the last 2 years. Good luck!!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Check out the Long Term Test Verdict of the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country in Motor Trend’s November 2009 issue. They put 32,000 + miles on the vehicle, and found reliability was not its strong suit. What MT experienced was the usual Chrysler failings - a leaking radiator, two defective radiator caps, defective power steering hose, premature brake wear, electric folding seats jamming, rattles everywhere, and more. It’s hard to see any sense in plunking down $40 large for a rattletrap with multiple mechanical issues. Same old same old Chrysler. Will they ever learn, or will they continue foisting sub par vehicles on those of us dumb enough to buy em? Are you listening Fiat?
October 16th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I haven’t been on anonymous’ blog for awhile.
Thought it was a Chrysler weblog, the real question is can they build enough cars to survive. Right now the dealers have limted cars/trucks. They are screaming for product. They screwed their suppliers and are paying the price. Dollar/Thrifty wouldn’t commit to their “new pricing” strategy, they gave the majority of their buy to Ford…so who picks up the slack. The union perhaps who owns 50% of the company.
All the while Press/Lnadry sleeps peacefully with their golden parachutes.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
The Chrysler Company should have never let Jim Press slip through its fingers. He was an effective leader with a vision.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I have a town & country with 45,000 miles on it and no problems with it. Its hard to believe that all the stuff happened you talked about in a previous posts……
October 17th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I have a Challenger R/T and it is a shitbox .
October 17th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Regular maintenance, as recommended by the manufacturer, will go along way in terms of auto sustainability. I have never had a problem with any of my Chrysler products. I have numerous problems with my Chevy. New fuel pump, plugs, wiring, and cruise control - I will never buy a Chevrolet again. My Dodges, on the other hand, have never given me a problem. I am firm about performing scheduled maintenance. It will save you much money and heart ache!
October 17th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I find it very exciting that Sergio Marchionne is considering a refocus of the Chrysler brand on the high end super-luxury market. May I suggest a return of the flagship - Chrysler Crown Imperial Ghia Landau Limousine? Given the demise of GM, Chrysler is uniquely positioned to strategically take advantage of this rare opportunity. Let’s do it while we can!
October 17th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
May I suggest a return of the flagship - Chrysler Crown Imperial Ghia Landau Limousine?
As long as it has a 413 v-8
October 18th, 2009 at 10:30 am
The constant name changes in Chrysler’s line up have been a mistake. It should stay with the tried and true to build up brand equity over time. The brand names they could grow and build equity in are:
Plymouth Valiant / Fury
Dodge Dart / Monaco
DeSoto Adventurer / Fireflite
Chrysler Newport / New Yorker
Imperial Crown / Le Baron
October 18th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Today I discovered someting very, very odd driving through the new vehicle lot of a Dodge Dealership. I could not find a single new Dodge truck! That’s right, no new Dodge trucks! They were all branded “Ram”. What’s up with that? Will any buy Rams? I don’t understand.
October 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Dont forget the cricket and sapporo
October 18th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
It’s disturbing that the Dodge name no longer appears on the brand’s trucks!
October 18th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Dodge is DEAD
October 18th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
That is not true as I did see on the same lot some Dodge Chargers, Challengers, and so on…
October 18th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
The previous posts do beg the question. Is Fiat preparing to sell off the Dodge truck division as Ram so as to keep the Dodge brand? Interesting strategy - if true. It’s a crafty way to raise cash, but then what would be left?
October 19th, 2009 at 7:17 am
fiat will close the dodge brand and keep ram .
October 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Say it ain’t so! I would much rather drive a Dodge than an so called Ram.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Say it ain’t so! I would much rather drive a Dodge than an so called Ram.
I agree !
I want a Dodge Dart .
October 19th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
They can’t get rid of Dodge. They have great products such as Viper, Charger, and Challenger. Phasing out Dodge is the nuttiest idea that I have ever heard. What will they call it, the Ram Charger? NUTZ!
October 19th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I too love the Dart. It, along with the Valiant by Plymouth, were to of my favorites. I wish they would bring back those twin successes!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:40 am
TOO MANY CHICKEN STUFF BLOGGERS TO CONTINUE READING ON THIS SITE
ANONYMOUS THAT MEANS ALL OF YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Ram Heavy Duty, Dakota take Texas top honors
Posted Monday, Oct 19, 2009, 5:19 pm in Company, Dodge Tagged: Dashboard, Lead | Comments Off
Last modified on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009, 4:24 pm.
The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty and Dodge Dakota took top honors at the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) annual truck rodeo outside of San Antonio, Texas, this past weekend.
TAWA members named the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 “Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas,” giving Dodge top honors over ¾- and one-ton competitors. The 2010 Dodge Dakota also won “Mid-size Truck of Texas.”
“We’re very proud of these awards; they affirm our leadership in the truck market,” Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer Dodge Ram Brand, said.
“In a head-to-head competition, our all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty un-seated last year’s winner, right in the pickup truck capital of the U.S. Ram is not only the best heavy-duty truck we’ve ever built; it’s the best heavy-duty truck on the market, hands down. We’re also proud that the Dodge Dakota won its category, affirming Dakota’s capability and versatility.”
October 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
If I by a new Jeep and the company goes under, will Fiat honor my warranty?
October 20th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
And if you buy that new Jeep, you will have plenty of need for that warranty.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
The only Jeep to buy is made in Egypt
October 21st, 2009 at 9:24 am
WTF! The price of oil keeps going up and up and up!
October 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Annonymous,(Dont know which one)
As for driving through a dealer ship,did you look at the logo on the tailgate of the Dodge Ram and center of the dash,only place it says Dodge.I have seen some 2010’s with the Dodge name on badge on tailgate..
Also,the 2005-2008 Dodge ram 1500’s never said Dodge on them as the 2005-2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty never said Dodge on them..only the 2004 and older said Dodge on them.
I own these…..
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Q.C Chrome Dodge letters on tailgate…
2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab no mention of Dodge anywhere but my added Dodge sticker on rear window..
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Q.C Says Dodge on the Ram logo middle of tailgate,and center of dash..
It better remain a DODGE or else this DODGE boy got screwed !!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
and Peg’s panties keep dropping
October 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Increasing oil and gasoline prices cannot be good for Dodge Ram sales.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:00 pm
What Chrysler should consider is raising prices on its vehicles so as to enhance its image in the public arena.
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I agree. High Price = High Quality in the mind of Joe the customer.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
How about if Chrysler raises the quality?
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
The IMPERIAL needs to come back…
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Will the TARP government pay cuts for CEO’s that Obama implemented today apply to Sergio M.?
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
What happened to Free Enterprise in America? What is happening to the USA? How is all the anti-market activity possible in America?
Well ole chumps, the dark days of winter will be upon us very, very soon. It looks as if we are in for a very bumpy ride.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
What is happening to America’s leadership? We survived the great depression and we won two world wars. But now, reports abound that America and the dollar are in decline. Chrysler is struggling as is the President. News outlets report that the “decline in Obama’s popularity since July has been the steepest of any president at the same stage of his first term for more than 50 years.” This is all starting to depress me. No more Imperial or Plymouth. Dodge is being phased out. What’s next?
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
The housing market is doomed. Going to be many years before we ever see some kind of recovery…….I think chrysler is on very thin ice. They have no product at all. They better hope they cut costs enough to get them through these very bad times…..
560,000 new claims for unemployment…..WTF
Goodluck everyone! This world is really fucked up….
And to top it all off. We will be paying over $3.00 for gas soon!
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
“We survived the great depression and we won two world wars”
And what has the US done since WWII? Couldn’t beat Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afganistan…what would happen if the opponent was more than a middling backwater of a country and actually had some military clout?
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Problem is, if you start cutting costs you end up suffering in quality and design. How can quality do anything but decrease when you’ve got someone doing what was the work of two people, when you’re putting shit parts on because you told your suppliers to cheapen the product….and how does your design do anything but decrease when you’ve got no money or talent to develop new product and your 2010s look the same as the 2005s did except for a few different badges and decals.
Maybe Serge can save things?
Uh oh, he’s got to save his own company first. Sooner or later everyone will realize that it’s not a superpower like Honda or Toyota that’s running Chrysler…it’s a piss poor Italian operation that’s had chronic quality issues and failed in their last foray into the North American market.
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 am
Yep, looks like Lee Iacocca knows it all. Fiat has improved quality and has a nice slew of super fuel efficient vehicles it will be bringing here. Wait until chrysler puts them 1.8 liter turbos on their vehicles. 190 hp that get 45 mpg.
The same people are on this site daily talking about the same old thing. Its kinda funny and its really old. Chrysler was led by piss poor management for many years.They only cared about their money not their vehicles.
Look at the new dodge ram. Best interior and exterior ever seen on a dodge product. Plus it won more awards than the F-150!
Im sure you fools will reply with a post calling all chrysler shitboxes or your chrysler vehicles doors are falling off.
Shit gets old….. And where are all the people that used to post here that worked at dealers? Im sure they lost their dealer and now post under Anonymous because they are to pussy to use their real name! COWARDS……….
Anyway, i love my 2009 Grand Cherokee! No problems with it at all.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
FIAT is shit in Bedrock
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
Ole General Custer is very selective with his memory. First off, he failed to mention the success of the American military machine in Operation Desert Storm and the success of Operation Sidewinder in Grenada or the Falkland Islands. Then, of course, where was mention of the defeat of the USSR without firing a shot under Presidents Reagan and Bush with the assistance of Thatcher and Pope JP2? And the turn back of left leaning regimes in the 1980’s under Reagan in Central America. Yes, America may be misguided at this point in history, but her people are getting their fill of the sorry leadership these past few months. But believe me, things will get corrected in the next election cycle. I just hope that Chrsler can stay afloat until then. I think it is an agregious violation against the American Free Enterprise system that our CEO’s pay is being cut. I say, let’s payoff the government TARP money ASAP.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Chrysler did all that stuff? wow i thought chrysler only made shitbox automobiles.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Chrysler murders another dealer.
Bob Swift passed away wed.
R.i.p
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
The big tent dealership strategy of combining all Chrysler brands under one roof is aimed at the heart of Toyota. We need to draw a critical mass of customers at prestigious, high volume, locations. That is, a selective distriubtion strategy which serves to drive up profits for dealers and sales for Chrysler.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
The big tent dealership strategy of combining all Chrysler brands under one roof is aimed at the heart of Toyota. We need to draw a critical mass of customers at prestigious, high volume, locations. That is, a selective distriubtion strategy which serves to drive up profits for dealers and sales for Chrysler.
LOLOLOLOLOL!
I guess you have never owned a dealership.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I guess you have never been in an Apple store! You must have a brain the size of a pea.
October 24th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Apple sells products people want , chrysler offers product no one wants.
October 24th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Chrysler doesnt have anyproduct because they have been lead by piss poor management. If chrysler can survive then you will see some of the nicest vehicles from chrysler you have ever seen!
October 24th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
There is not enough time before the money runs out.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
cHRYSLER NEEDS HELP! wHERE IS kIRK kIRKORIAN WHEN YOU NEED HIM? i WISH THEY WOULD DO AN ipo SO WE COULD INVEST IN THE COMPANY. i DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WON’T LET AMERICANS INVEST IN THE COMPANY.
October 24th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Before throwing in the towel on Chrysler, why don’t some of you nuckleheads at least take a look at Chrysler’s new product strategy? Finally, Chrysler has the independent Board of Directors it deserves and they are making the hard decisions now so that when their news products come out, all will be ranked very highly in those consumer reporting magazines - I’m told.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Back in ‘79 the only new product Chysler had was the Omni and Horizon. Times were really bad, we just took government backed loans, new products (K car) were a year or more away. Interest rates were horrible, the economy was in shambles, the American economy seemed to be down for the count.
Back in ‘92, Viper and the newly-freshened minivans were about the only new product we had, Ward’s Auto World had “possible Chrysler bankruptcy” on the front cover, and new products (LH–aka “Last Hope”–and Ram) were more than a year away. We were in a recession that seemed as if it would never end, smart thinkers believed Japan would own the US lock, stock and barrel.
Each of those periods were followed by years of success. So now, we know the problems, new products again a year or more away; as long as unemployment is near 10 percent, we will be in a recession, psyhclogically if not actually. But Chrysler can bounce back.
Maybe things are worse now, in some ways–for what’s happened to dealers, the fact that we’re subject to government and foreign controls, that we’ve less good will from the public, and do not have a leader that can make the appeal to the public like Iacocca could. But I still wouldn’t want to bet against Chrysler.
Nissan was in bad shape in the late 90’s, early 2000’s. Losing money, badly styled cars, they’d lost their way. They were taken over by a foreign firm. But the new leaders made an effort to bring styling and performance back, to bring Nissan back into economy cars, sports cars, trucks, and luxury cars in a competitive way and they turned it around. The same COULD happen for Chrysler. It will be tough–but it COULD happen.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Thank you Chryco!!! That’s what I am talking about!!! Napolean Hill sums up my perspective best when he said, “What the mind CAN conceive and believe, it CAN achieve!” No more loser talk on the CWB - anymore!
October 25th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
chrysler sucks !
October 25th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Rich
Nice words about Bob in the AN .
Best wishes
In the same boat
October 25th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Unfortunately, Chrysler is in a survival mode and must take the steps necessary to keep its doors open in the long run. That being the case, much cost cutting and skills transfer between units is in order. The good news is we have an independent Board that is not a rubber stamp for top mamanagment. We have some independent thinkers at the helm finally. One final thought, remember that Rome was not built in a day; Chrysler’s resurection won’t be either. We need a steady hand at the leadership position who wants to earn money the old fashioned way - by earning it; not through fancy gimmicks such as selling cars with a $2.99/per gallon gasoline guarantee. What more can one expect with a lumberyard man leading the charge? As for me, I am confident that Sergio can and will turn around the situation.
October 25th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Unfortunately, Chrysler is in a survival mode and must take the steps necessary to keep its doors open in the long run. That being the case, much cost cutting and skills transfer between units is in order. The good news is we have an independent Board that is not a rubber stamp for top mamanagment. We have some independent thinkers at the helm finally. One final thought, remember that Rome was not built in a day; Chrysler’s resurection won’t be either. We need a steady hand at the leadership position who wants to earn money the old fashioned way - by earning it; not through fancy gimmicks such as selling cars with a $2.99/per gallon gasoline guarantee. What more can one expect with a lumberyard man leading the charge? As for me, I am confident that Sergio can and will turn around the situation.
DOES THAT INCLUDE DRIVING SOMEONE TO KILL THEMSELF ?
October 25th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Anonymous Says:
October 24th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
There is not enough time before the money runs out.
How do you know how much money they have?
RETARD!~
October 25th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
“Rome was not built in a day”, “earn money the old fashioned way” “throwing in the towel” Anonymous, do you know any more cliches you can use? You write like that idiot Oscar. Are you Oscar?
October 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Bye Bye Dodge!
Fiat to kill Dodge, sell Italian cars in US……………..
October 27th, 2009 at 7:58 am
WALLSTREET JOURNAL REPORTS FIAT TO KILL DODGE
I TOLD YOU LOSERS SERGIO WAS GOING TO DO MONTHS AGO !
I CAN’T WAIT FOR SERGIO TO KILL CHRYSLER !
REVENGE IS SWEET FOR THE 789 !
October 27th, 2009 at 9:52 am
DEEPTHROAT…. Slow down there , gayboy!
Chrysler Road Map Leaves Most Dodges Behind
Fiat, Alfa Romeo Cars To Play Big Part In Reorganization
The future of Chrysler will likely end up looking very different from anything the automaker has done in the past.
The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company is planning to unveil a product road map that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat while abandoning many of its own models, according to a report Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal.
The plan to be unveiled Nov. 4 includes the return of Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. in 2012 and the introduction of the Fiat 500, a tiny car that is already popular in Europe.
The two automakers are also tapping into Fiat technology for several new vehicles planned for release in the U.S., including a midsize Chrysler sedan set for a 2012 debut.
In the meantime, Chrysler is preparing to phase out many current Dodge models, including the Caliber compact, Nitro SUV and Avenger sedan.
The Jeep Commander is also slated to end next year. By 2012, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring midsize sedan and Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot SUVs all will exit the market and will be replaced with new vehicles. The auto maker also plans to phase out the Grand Caravan in the next five years, leaving the Chrysler Town and Country as the company’s only minivan.
However, the automaker will keep the Dodge Challenger and the full-size Charger sedan along with the Dodge Ram Pickups, attempting to keep to one of its strengths in blue collar muscle cars.
Chrysler, which emerged from bankruptcy protection four months ago, has seen its cash position improve since then, thanks in part to a $9 billion loan from the U.S. government. Fiat has reportedly said it won’t inject any money into the company despite receiving a 20 percent ownership stake, instead contributing technology and management expertise.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’ve read the same report on the following link: http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27928.
I don’t believe they’ve said they’re dropping Dodge. Of course, as Forbes has pointed out, it will take billions to get new cars in production using Fiat mechanicals. It will be an uphill battle to preserve the three brands and launch US/Mexico built Alfas and 500s. I will just have to wait and see. Sergio M. has done a good job with Fiat’s turnaround to profitability in Europe.
Really, preserving Dodge and Chrysler is to Fiat’s advantage–if they develop new cars for the US market, it will only serve to improve what they offer in Europe. Currently only the 500, Grande Punto, 8C, and, Ducato, and MiTo are really good /exceptional cars. The rest of Fiat/Alfa’s range are mediocre/average. Developing really good midsize cars for Dodge/Chrysler lets them also have really good ones for Fiat/Lancia in Europe. Caravan could form the basis for a better van for Fiat in Europe. Developing small cars that meet US standards would ensure a full range of Fiat small cars in Europe that better compete with VW, Opel, etc. A Corolla sized car could be badged a Dodge in North America, as a Fiat in Europe. Car designs would be global as Ford as shown to be the way to go. Keeping Dodge and Chrysler in the US means 800,000 or 900,000 sales every year in the Fiat orbit–sales they’d never get with the Fiat or Alfa brands alone. They don’t have a premium brand like Lexus or Infiniti: Chrysler could be that brand in the US, Canada, Mexico, and some European countries like Russia. So Dodge and Chrysler’s existence should be a boon to Fiat if managed right. It is much like Renault’s descision with Nissan/Infiniti–mantain and foster the brands as a supplement / complement to Renault. This could really be the synergy promosied by Daimler, but never delivered.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:47 am
DEEPTHROAT…. Slow down there , gayboy!
Chrysler Road Map Leaves Most Dodges Behind
Fiat, Alfa Romeo Cars To Play Big Part In Reorganization
The future of Chrysler will likely end up looking very different from anything the automaker has done in the past.
The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company is planning to unveil a product road map that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat while abandoning many of its own models, according to a report Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal.
The plan to be unveiled Nov. 4 includes the return of Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. in 2012 and the introduction of the Fiat 500, a tiny car that is already popular in Europe.
The two automakers are also tapping into Fiat technology for several new vehicles planned for release in the U.S., including a midsize Chrysler sedan set for a 2012 debut.
In the meantime, Chrysler is preparing to phase out many current Dodge models, including the Caliber compact, Nitro SUV and Avenger sedan.
The Jeep Commander is also slated to end next year. By 2012, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring midsize sedan and Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot SUVs all will exit the market and will be replaced with new vehicles. The auto maker also plans to phase out the Grand Caravan in the next five years, leaving the Chrysler Town and Country as the company’s only minivan.
However, the automaker will keep the Dodge Challenger and the full-size Charger sedan along with the Dodge Ram Pickups, attempting to keep to one of its strengths in blue collar muscle cars.
Chrysler, which emerged from bankruptcy protection four months ago, has seen its cash position improve since then, thanks in part to a $9 billion loan from the U.S. government. Fiat has reportedly said it won’t inject any money into the company despite receiving a 20 percent ownership stake, instead contributing technology and management expertise…..
October 27th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Looks like DEEPTHROAT is getting tired washing those dishes at Bob Evans!Now he posts anything that might be negative at chrysler. I guess i would too, if i went from owning a dealership to washing the toilets!
Keep on SCRUBBING buddy!
LMFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAO!
October 27th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Finally, after years of mismanagement marked by a distinct lack of tangible product decisions, the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands seem likely to get a thorough makeover via its new Fiat corporate overlords. Whether this turns into a good thing or bad thing for the three brands remains to be seen, and the stage is set for the plan to be officially released on November 4.
The Wall Street Journal has apparently procured a little inside knowledge on the plan, and, if accurate, there are a few surprises. First, the expected: Chrysler will begin offering the Fiat 500 in its own U.S. dealerships as soon as possible; Alfa Romeo will make its long-awaited American comeback with an established dealer network and the majority of the Dodge and Chrysler lineups will be reworked atop Fiat platforms, save the rear-wheel drive architecture of the Dodge Charger/Challenger and Chrysler 300.
Looking further down the line, the Dodge Grand Caravan will reportedly be dropped in favor of the Chrysler Town and Country and unloved nameplates like Dodge Nitro, Caliber and Avenger will be forgotten, probably along with the Jeep Patriot and Compass. New models will be brought in from Fiat to replace these outgoing cars, including a new mid-size sedan in 2012. Finally, Alfa Romeo’s resurgence will begin with the subcompact MiTo in 2012 and a larger sedan a year later.
We won’t know how much of this is accurate until we hear it from the horse’s mouth next Wednesday, but it definitely gives us plenty to chew on. Thanks to all who sent this in!
October 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Fans of oil-burners, brace yourselves. Dodge is confirming [via Detroit News] that a hybrid Hemi version of its light-duty Ram pickup is in the works. A diesel option, however, is still being reviewed. And its prospects aren’t looking good. When Chrysler senior vice president of engineering Scott Kunselman confirmed that the hybrid would be a reality, the only thing he would say about the diesel option is that he “isn’t convinced there is enough of a market among recreational buyers,” who buy light-duty trucks. His argument is that recreational light-duty buyers don’t see the long-term reliability of diesels as being worth the extra price of admission, a perspective which reflects both the classic “Detroit knows best” attitude and a resignation on Chrysler’s part to doing business from Consumer Reports’ cellar. Especially considering Chrysler’s partners in developing its two-mode hybrid appear to be walking away from the technology. And since 85 percent of heavy-duty rams are bought with the diesel engine, you’d think it would make a certain amount of sense to offer a Cummins option in the mass-market model. But it’s looking like that train will not be coming back to the station. Meanwhile, has anyone seen Mahindra lately? We’re starting to worry…
October 27th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Though we don’t have a [sub] for Consumer Reports‘ members-only data, their latest reliability survey summary has enough interesting tidbits to warrant a mention. Based on their subscriber base’s 1.4m autos, and using only data available for at least 100 examples of a given model, the survey is one of the better indicators of reliability out there (although when it comes to this topic there is no gospel). If nothing else, it’s hard to argue that CR’s reliability results aren’t influential, so sales are definitely at stake. The results? All Toyota/Lexus/Scion received ratings of “average” or better, an improvement over last year when CR found Camry V6, Tundra V8 4WD, and the Lexus GS AWD to be lacking. Honda/Acura and Subaru also showed extremely well where complete data was available, and Hyundai/Kia models were average or better except for Sedona and Entourage. Hybrids also scored surprisingly well, with nine gas-electrics scoring above average. But CR is making the biggest fuss over Ford, which they say is “on par” with the Japanese firms on all but a few truck-based models. The rest of the Detroit firms? Not quite so much.
General Motors is a mixed bag. Among the bright spots is the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu; in its first year, the four-cylinder version is better than average and the V6 is average. The Buick Lucerne with a V8 and the Pontiac G6 with a four-cylinder are above average, and the Chevrolet Avalanche has improved to average.
But a quarter of GM models are still well below average in reliability. Some that didn’t fare well are fairly new designs that did well in our testing, such as the Cadillac CTS and the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook SUV triplets. Chrysler trails the pack. Almost two-thirds of its products rate below average for reliability. The redesigned 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans earned low scores, as did the Chrysler Sebring V6 and Dodge Avenger sedans and the Jeep Liberty SUV. The Sebring Convertible has the worst score: 283 percent worse than average. The only above-average models are the Dodge Caliber hatchback and Jeep Patriot SUV.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Looks like dickhead got a 15 minute break from washing dishes and decided to post some more bad news about chrysler…..
How does living in your sisters basement feel?
OUCH!
October 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Why in the hell cant chrysler improve quality?
I really think their time is near. Just too many better vehicles out there……..
In 2 yrs chrysler wonth have any vehicles in their lineup…Just what Fiat wanted!
So long Chrysler!
October 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Ed
How much do you get paid to suck cock ? Fuck off loser !
By the way My Honda store sells 500+ new and used a month.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Looks like DICK was on his lat break when he posted that immature comment…..Buddy, that porter job you had at that closed dealership was a niggers job. You have more skills than a nigger dont you?
Keep scrubbing them dishes and someday you will work the cash register or something……You will be free from nigger status……..
789 dealers too many…..You guys should have seen the writing on the wall…..Im sure DICKHEAD sees the writing on the wall everytime he gets a break and reads on the wall that washing dishes is a niggers job…..
DICKHEAD…..You have to get more skills in life.Washging dishes is for a 16 yr old!
Im glad all those unwanted dealers closed…Too much overhead….. Get an education and better yourselves….
DICKHEAD, you are a loser porter-dishwasher NIGGER…..
I feel sorry for your family!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:24 am
No more money for Chrysler ,you all be racist !
October 28th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
So will the Dodge Ram will be rebadged the Fiat Ram.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Nissan Ram
October 29th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
They need to cut more dealers……I have 3 chrysler dealers by my house within a 2 mile radius….Do they need that many?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
all of them will be cut soon enough
October 30th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I find the racial and obscene language used here very offensive. Some need to apologize. Good bye.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:19 am
The Detroit News…
Dodge Ram pickups show big improvements
The Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups are all business, serious business.
They are the pair of Dodges that feel more like trucks and less like pickups.
But for the 2010 model year, these big rigs — in all five trim levels — finally offer interiors and exteriors that are executive worthy, though the truck has blue collar roots. But now architects can finally arrive on job sites in the same vehicle the crews they hire use.
Following the successful launch of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, it was only a matter of time before the brand’s heavy-duty trucks adopted the same looks, which are stunningly better. Fortunately for Dodge, that time came sooner.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
With all the reported badges being dropped and the elimination of 23,000+ jobs, it does appear that Chrysler’s best days are behind it.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Obama made a real ass out of himself today in New Jersey. The country knows it’s Obama’s recession now, not Bush’s. Fortunately, Obama’s coat tails will prove extremely short in the upcoming elections. If he was a real man, he would find ways to keep Chrysler Financial and Chrysler Group llc afloat, just as he does GM and GMAC. He is coming off as a weak world leader and an ineffective domestic manager - always a good campaigner, but unable to govern effectively.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Yes, what does a community organizer know about running an auto company anyway? His insistence that Chrysler be acquired by Fiat will eliminate Chrysler altogether from the auto scene. Did Fiat picked up Chrysler only to re-enter the states on the cheap? One has to ask the question.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 am
With all the reported badges being dropped and the elimination of 23,000+ jobs, it does appear that Chrysler’s best days are behind it.
They are offering buyouts so they can get new people in at a much lower pay scale.They arent just eliminating the people to stop running the corporation!
Retards!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
They are offering buyouts so they can get new people in at a much lower pay scale.They arent just eliminating the people to stop running the corporation!
Sounds like outsourcing to india will be next
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
So are people just another comodity to be traded for the lowest price? Is that what we have become now?
Even Sam Walton knew better. His motto was, “Our people make the difference!” Remember that one? Not only did he say it, but he meant it. And Andrew Carnegie, who created more than 20 millionaires in the middle of a depression, summed it up best when he essentially said, take all of my assets, but leave me my people, and I will rebuild this great company out of the ash heap that is left.
The only thing retarded here, pal, is getting rid of all the good and loyal employees who have built up the Chrysler company throughout their many years of service. Now that is retarded!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Obama is incompetent? Where is the proof? Snappy dresser? Yes, and so is his wife. Get a life!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
How about dem Phillies!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Recent news reports confirm fears - Chrysler, Fiat merger may take a decade to ‘fully bear fruits’. If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. We all wondered what Fiat had in the works for Chrysler; now we know. Sadly, it appears like the Diamler saga all over again for Chrysler-Dodge.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Chrysler’s implosion continued unchecked in October, with sales down 30% from October 2008. Here are some of the details: Sebring: -32%; 300: -15%; PT Cruiser: -96%; Aspen: -95%; Chrysler brand Total: -36%.
Jeep fared only slightly less badly: Compass: -62%; Patriot: -65%; Wrangler: -16%; Liberty: -30%; Grand Cherokee: -42%; Commander: -47%; Jeep Brand Total: -37%
The (non Ram)Dodge was the bright spot: Caliber: -87%; Avenger: +13%; Charger: -22%; Challenger: -20%; Journey: -16%; Caravan: +8%; Nitro: -42%; Durango: -95%; Dodge Brand Total: -22%
And the (un Dodge) Rams: Dakota: -46%; Ram P/U: -30%; Sprinter: -52%; Total Ram: -32%
Total year-to-date sales for all Chrysler vehicles: -39% And the beat goes on.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Dodge needs to think outside the box, they are caught up in chasing everyone else, the VVT timing form Fiat is a starting point and, turbo charged engines is another step as well diesel technology. tehy were onto something with the patriot but they didnt offer it in any other vehicle jeep wrangler or what ever and they omitted manual transmissions. they needed to broaden the linup that it was available in. the US market is changing consumers are more mpg contious since the $5.00 per gallon days woke us up and we are now all mroe receptive to alternative approaches.
Blue ocean strategy vs Red ocean if everyone else is making hybrids why compete for the limited number of customers come after the customers who can’t get manual trannies anymore, cant get high mpg quiet diesel engines anymore, want the utility vehicle that has a long trouble free service life. Dodge could make it if they would just focus on whats been successful and what can be grown in a market where they can carve out a nitche instead of fighting tooth and nail.
The small US diesel arena is a huge untapped market. But they need to offer options the liberty was a good start but only available with an automatic. the 1/2 ton dodge and the dakota vehicle lines might have been saved through the high gas price days if they had vehicles that got better than 14 mpg but just like the lumber industry the old gaurds preach that “its a suicide mission” change can’t happen consumers will never accept it………aren’t those the same guys who also said the liberty diesel would never sell? the same guys who said everything needs a V8. the V8 is great except when fuel prices hit $5.00 and everyone realized power is nice but mileage is equally as important…….i would never suggest eliminating V8 gasoline engines but consumers are rapidly changing seeking higher efficiency, mileage and options.
look at the success of the turbo charged VW diesel it is being accepted by more and more consumers every year. GM refuses to take note since they single handedly killed the light duty diesel market in the US, and now they dont even offer a manual transmission in thier HD pickups. Ford toyed with it and pulled back to what they have always used as main stay V-8’s and horsepower….. Dodge had an opportunity to tap into a market that was not yet being taken advantage of, one that is jsut beginging to develop and is often ignored by the big 3, the high mileage utility vehilce market one where they could use thier existing platforms and integrate 1 or 2 small turbo diesel engines into and enter the market place using their existing drivetrains manual and automatic tansmissions. People still want a 4×4 suv or utility truck with the option for an automatic or manual tranny to go where they like going they just dont like the standard 14-17mpg that 90% of the rigs out there get. Go to Europe, Canada, Iceland or Argentina and see vehicles that are very similar to the US counter parts sporting diesels that get exceptional mileage, and excellent drivability (My hilux in argentina rivaled my current camary hybrid on long trips for mpg at 33-34 and it was a 4×4 my camary gets 36 on a good day)
Hybrids are sexy today but after 7 years the new batteries and repair bills make them a throw away car. Sell it before you have to repair it.
If our company could we would buy our outside personel 1/2 ton dodge pickups with a 5/6 speed manual and a small turbo diesel engine getting 24-28 mpg vs our only choice right now is a v8 with automatic.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Rover,Simca,Rootes and Talbot group are involved in Highlevel negotiations to purchase the Fiat/chrysler group.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
The Hyundai knockouts continued unabated in October. Sales in October were up 47% from ‘08. Year to date totals are up a solid 5%. Total sales for the month were 54k, which is starting to get precariously close to Chrysler’s 66k total for the month. Post to be updated as soon as details for Hyundai and Kia brands are available.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
In its first year-over-year sales increase since January 2008, GM posted a 4% increase in October, and estimates a 21% market share. The four core brands (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac), which now account for 95% of GM sales, were up 11.6%. Year-to-date totals are down 34%.
Cadillac led the way with a 22% increase, reflecting a 280% increase of the new SRX. CTS was down 27%; STS: -44%; DTS: +19%.
GMC had the second highest increase, with a 20% increase. Terrain: +85%; Sierra: +6%; Acadia: +7%; Yukon/Yukon XL: +72%
Buick came in with a 19% increase, led by LaCrosse, beating its last year’s sales by 103%. Enclave: 38%; Lucerne: -28%
Chevrolet brought up the rear, with a 9% increase. Aveo is still lagging, down 54%. Impala also dragged, down 43%. Malibu was up 11%. Camaro sold just over 8k units, continuing its lead in the pony car field. The new Equinox was up 177%; Colorado: -32%; Traverse sold over 9k units. Silverado pickups held even; Tahoe: +111%; Suburban: +72%.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Chrysler needs to bring back the marine and airtemp divisions
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
If Chrysler can just hold on for one more year, it can beat this thing as the Republicans are back baby! They are beating back the Dems, which is excellent news for Chrsysler. And that is the kind of change we can believe in. Not only that, Toyota will be severly damages as a result of the floor mat recall issue, which may be an opening for Chrysler in the long run.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
LOLOLOLOLOL @ Toyota recall.
CHRYSLER IS TOAST !
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
All this anonymous stuff is boring……I hate to say it but I (almost) miss Oscar.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
“Obama is incompetent? Where is the proof? Snappy dresser? Yes, and so is his wife. Get a life!”
His wife is hot so it doesn’t matter how useless he is. I’d love to bend her over and taste some of that dark chocolate!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:11 am
His wife is hot so it doesn’t matter how useless he is. I’d love to bend her over and taste some of that dark chocolate!
Animal abuse !
November 4th, 2009 at 8:27 am
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Chrysler is again offering early retirement packages in an effort to entice some of its 23,000 hourly employees to hit the road. The buyout packages are the first offered by post-bankruptcy Chrysler, though the terms of the buyouts are very similar to earlier offerings. The Freep is reporting that all workers with at least one year of service can walk away from their current job and receive $75,000 plus a $25,000 voucher. Those who wish to participate in this program will also continue to receive health benefits for an additional six months with the option to purchase coverage for a year after that.
Retirement-eligible workers age 55-59 with a combined 85 years of service or workers age 60 or older with at least 10 years of service can receive $50,000 plus a $25,000 voucher. A third package for workers between the ages of 55 and 62 with at least 10 years of service can receive immediate full retirement benefits. The workers have two weeks to decide whether or not to take the buyout/retirement packages, as the offer will be pulled from the table November 13.
Chrysler’s newest buyout program comes as many facilities across the country are either closing or have already closed. Without a jobs bank to keep paychecks coming, we’re guessing the take rate could be substantial in affected areas.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
We all know the routine. Push the talent out the door and replace them with nuckleheads at about 1/2 the pay. Can’t build a company that way.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Does anyone have an update on how well Chrysler’s lawsuit again Diamler motors is going?
November 18th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
No.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:14 am
Around these parts they NEVER advertise the Caliber, the only good MoPar. And why don’t they sell it with the diesel that they EXPORT to Europe????
Walter is rolling in his grave.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I fell in love with Chrysler back in 1991. Really. The LH sedans were the first four door cars I ever wanted to buy. Sports car looks. 214 horsepower. Of course they were just in the developmental stage back then with only a Viper or two out in the real world. I didn’t care. As I studied more of Chrysler’s other show cars of that time and reflected on the company’s restructuring measures (I was an industry wonk even then), I smelled the opportunity of an 18 year old’s lifetime. I bought 260 shares of Chrysler at just over $10 a share. Two years later I thought LH stood for, “Lordy Hallelujah!” as I spent my newfound fortune on babes and booze. Make that one babe who thankfully became my wife, and a laptop computer.
Today everyone is still singing automotive praises… about Ford. The Fiesta will truly be a celebration. The F-150, Taurus, and Fusion all seem to be on solid ground. Heck, even the MKS is a marketable vehicle if you have the right color scheme on it. But there is one unavoidable reason why the chorus of congratulations is so loud for Ford. The stock price. Within the last year Ford has gone from the near abyss to the near profit. It’s always well and good to be a Monday morning quarterback. But I believe there’s one other company that will be even better.
Hyundai? That ship has sailed. Personally I find all of their designs to be derivative and I think the Genesis is a completely ugly piece of crap. The new Sonata? I just can’t embrace that look. A Korean car company stealing German designs with crayola quality interior accompaniments doesn’t do it for me. Hyundai found the plot about five years ago with their small cars but now, they’re trying to reach a premium look with botox inspired plastic panels. I don’t see it becoming the next spirit of the times and I don’t think the market will either.
Where do I see this going? One direction thanks to China, India and Obama (and Bush). Efficient cars that are fun to drive. I’m not talking about small cars that look like wedged pieces of cheese. With five star safety ratings and airbags aplenty, I can see models of all shapes and sizes start to encroach on the territory of the midsized cars. Just as minivans were snubbed by ever larger SUV Sally’s and Sam’s, the under-30 new car shoppers (all three of them) will look past the Boomeresque splendor of Grandpa’s Camry and choose something that is unique. Even a bit ugly at times, but unique.
So I am throwing my first gauntlet towards something almost all of you truly hate. The Honda CR-Z. The B&B have been saying ‘Eeeewwww!!!!’ to the design for the longest time now. But let me ask you. Is it uglier than a Camry? OK, let me throw in an even bigger thought out there. Are the overwhelming majority of cars out there even remotely good looking? Or do they all look like bulbous and deformed jellybeans of varying types. If you picked B then you’re going to truly appreciate what I’m about to say.
The Honda CR-Z will be brilliant. Not perhaps for ‘looks’ but for image. It will be absolutely perfect for the times because it hits every strong societal G-spot that’s out there and then some. Frugal? Yes. Fun? For folks whose idea of fun is watching a display light up in mpg’s… yes. Is it a Prius? No, so it gets double points for that because everybody’s mother or nerdy uncle already has one of those boreathons. All kidding aside, I’ve driven it’s ancestor for nearly 6 months and 20,000 miles now and it’s a complete revelation. It makes my late model S-Class feel like an antique (albeit a quiet one) and it involves me in the daily driving experience in a way that no other car can.
55 miles per gallon. Tons of room. As flickable as a New Jersey switchblade with enough feel for the road to give it an almost 1st generation Miata like quality. The new CR-Z will not hit the same MPG’s or even the same weight class as my Insight. But compared to what else is out there… there will simply be nothing else quite like it. Except for maybe a Kia Soul, or the dreadful Nissan Cube, or that contemptible Italian piece from Chrysler that will ultimately be the last hurrah for that company. Speaking of that, I’m thinking that when the Ram brand and tooling get sold off, Honda will buy it. That and an unbreakable grip on everything Accord sized and under will make Honda the next winner.