Comments on: Sorting it out

By: mark

mark — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:05:32 +0000

CHRYSLER HAS SOME OF THE BEST BULIT CARS ON THE ROAD AT THIS TIME…THEY DO NEED SOME GAS MILAGE CARS THOUGH THE AVENGER AND SEBRING ARE VERY GOOD CHARGER
NOT BAD AT ALL…SO WHY ALL THE BAD PRESS …MAYBE THE OTHER CAR LINES ARE WORRIED????

By: buyacargetacheck

buyacargetacheck — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:17:14 +0000

“I’d appreciate it if your comments focused on what is likely to happen, not what you’d like to happen.”

Assumptions: CAFE standard of 31 mpg in 2011 rising to 35 in 2020. Global peak oil production in 2010 - a leveling off of production through 2015. More regional resource wars, possible nuclear confrontation. Low to no US growth through 2011 as consumer credit remains tight, foreclosures remain high in FL, CA and NV. C-Segment becomes the new American family car gradually outselling D-segment. Challenger excitement will wane, the redesigns of 300/Charger will not have the impact of the originals, gas approaching $5/gal will lead Chrysler to consolidate LY and JS into a front-drive D-segment sedan (Dodge), extended wheelbase sedan (Chrysler) and convertible (Chrysler) built either at Brampton or SHAP sometime after 2012. 70% of all dealers will be C-D-J by 2012 up from 55% in 2008.

Product for 2009-2012:
B-Segment built in Japan by Nissan
Belvidere - Caliber, Compass, Patriot, PM or JS sedan
Sterling Heights - Sebring, Sebring Convertible, Avenger, Journey
Brampton - 300, Charger, Challenger
Connor - closed (Viper cancelled)
Jefferson - Grand Cherokee, Commander
Toluca - closed (PT cancelled)
Warren - Ram, Dakota
Windsor - T&C, GC
STL South - closed
Newark - closed, (Durango and Aspen cancelled after 2009)
Saltillo - closed
STL North - closed
Toledo South - closed
Toledo North - Liberty, Wrangler, (Nitro cancelled)

By: Chryco fan

Chryco fan — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:14:28 +0000

You have good ideas, especially the untapped potential left for the PT. I would prefer to see the Gladiator, or whatever it will be called, replace the Dakota, with two and four door models; and improved versions of the Journey more or less replacing the Durango. This would avoid Gladiator and Dakota competing against each other and help Dodge’s CAFE average. Dakota is nto selling that well anyway. We’re basically going back to the late 80’s, early 90’s in terms of the SUV market–there’s room for a well engineered GC (sales are still good for the GC) but not a need for a Durango, in my view.

Chrysler definitely needs to stop selling downmarket cars, whether they be FWD or RWD. And stop advertising all three brands together. You don’t see Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Aveo in the same TV ads, or Lexus LS with Yaris.

By: Bethlumboy

Bethlumboy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:56:15 +0000

Chryco fan — my idea is that Dodge has the BOF “work” trucks (Durango, Dakota, Ram) and that Jeep covers the unibody (except for the BOF Wrangler) off-road and “lifestyle” trucks. A GC-based Gladiator pick-up could be offered in off-road, base, and luxury versions, as could the GC.

The Chrysler brand would have no trucks but it would keep the minivan and maybe get a mid-size crossover (SWB LY Pacifica). Also, if the Chrysler brand is going to move upmarket, they need to stop selling FWD C- and D-segment cars (PT, Sebring). If Plymouth isn’t coming back, then the PT needs to be moved upmarket as a larger MINI Clubman fighter. Throw a B-segment “baby PT” in there too and it could go up against the MINI Cooper.

I doubt very much that Chrysler has the technology to release a Prius-fighter by 2009. Hopefully ENVI is working on that but I think the most we can hope for in 2009 is a C-segment sedan/coupe (Rebel). Even that may be too much to expect.