Klegon: No more job cuts

Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president for product development, says the company is not including additional workforce reductions in the viability plan to be submitted to the federal government next Tuesday.
Klegon’s comments came after the announcement of General Motors’ plan to trim an additional 10,000 people from its payroll. Klegon noted Chrysler had a major [...]

Chrysler’s plans detailed

Writing for the Associated Press, Tom Krisher interviewed Frank Klegon regarding Chrysler’s twin business plans, one including Fiat and the other standing alone. He wrote that two teams were independently working on the plans. In either case, Chrysler plans to provide equity to bondholders to get concessions from them, and is talking with the UAW [...]

Product development reorganization

Chrysler has re-organized their product development teams to reflect new processes and synergies. Key appointments are:
Scott Kunselman, Jeep/Truck Vice President. Reporting to Scott are several chief engineers for specific programs, as well as directors of program management, body engineering, interior engineering, and chassis engineering. 
Daniel Knott, Car/Minivan/SRT Vice President. Again, reporting to Daniel are various chief [...]

Dodge diesel delayed

Dodge Ram 1500 pickup buyers will have to wait at least another year to have a diesel option. The new light-duty Cummins engine scheduled for introduction in 2010 has been pushed back to 2011 at the earliest.
Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s VP of product development said the company is re-evaluating its approach to diesel emissions because of [...]

Frank Klegon: next-gen big cars to get better mileage

According to Automotive News, Chrysler’s Frank Klegon said that the next-generation LX series (apparently re-classified from LY) will have strong gas mileage improvements, through better aerodynamics, new transmissions, revised axle ratios (this has already been implemented for Charger squad cars), and engine upgrades. The Phoenix engines will naturally be used, with variable valve timing and [...]

Chrysler execs get millions while asking for US aid

DaimlerChrysler left Chrysler with a “retention incentive plan” which will give around $30 million in bonuses to 50 executives, according to the Detroit Free Press in a story affirmed by Chrysler’s Nancy Rae, executive vice president for human resources and communications. The story notes that Rae said the plan made sense at the time, because [...]

Chrysler shows 4 new electric models on CNBC (updated)

Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” this morning to discuss the state of Chrysler, the auto industry, government funding and to unveil four new Chrysler vehicles.

Nardelli and Lebeau drove the all-electric Dodge EV sports coupe with a lithium-ion battery pack which can hit 60 in under five seconds and has a range [...]