I have been in the auto industry now for 25+years. I wonder if the current delays regarding the launches of certain product is as unprecedented as we seem to think. Or has our perception been altered,and amplified by our new awareness of said launch dates thanks to the internet. If I go back 10+ years, I don’t recall ever actually knowing “launch dates”. We just knew that the new cars and Jeeps would show up in the summertime. However now with everyone being so connected to the Internet, it seems like there is this need and desire to know everything the second it is available and if by chance that information changes it is someone’s fault…… I just wonder if things are actually as dysfunctional as some here would like us to think. Or is it simply that we all desire to know too much too soon ……..
I have to agree. Although the internet has allowed me to be more of an enthusiast. I am more tuned into the happenings of Chrysler now than Ive ever been.
In the Seventies they had that sales bank. I'd keep checking the lots for something in production for a couple of months and the sales staff would just shrug their shoulders. After I bought something else, a week later, dozen of a vehicle I asked about would show up.
CJD isn't trying to diagnose the delays, or determine the causes. He is just curious if there are more actual delays now than there were 10+ years ago, or if the intenet has just made it more apparent when a delay happens.
I think it is a little bit of both. The launches are so close together, that a slight delay in one pulls resources from the next, and so on. But the internet makes it much easier for people to follow the press releases from the manufacturers.
Delays in manufacturing is common, even on new projects. Acceptable delays of a month or two are inconsequential.....delays measured in quarters are not.
Press releases have been aroundlong before the internet. So, anyone paying attention would notice the delays. Investors are very sensitive to delays as it is an impediment to profits.
Allpar has been around for quite a few launches. Delays were the exception. Today, we are seeing delays as the norm.
I think what's probably going on in many of these instances is the result of a very aggressive launch schedule.
I've heard a similar story several times from different people. Some supplier or Chrysler employee will report to Marchionne that a job can be accomplished in 24 months. He gives them 12 months to finish. It eventually gets done in 18 months.
When the job is done, it is actually six months later than what Marchionne demanded, but six months earlier than what the supplier/employee said could be accomplished.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a glass that is half-filled with water, where the subjective opinion of the observer determines its volume.
Delays in manufacturing is common, even on new projects. Acceptable delays of a month or two are inconsequential.....delays measured in quarters are not.
Press releases have been aroundlong before the internet. So, anyone paying attention would notice the delays.Investors are very sensitive to delays as it is an impediment to profits.
Allpar has been around for quite a few launches. Delays were the exception. Today, we are seeing delays as the norm.
This is the key issue with ALL global manufacturing today...investors demand profits and are pushing hard on manufacturers for timelines and holding them to those estimates.
In reality, who here hasn't told their significant other that a job would take 5 days knowing full well it could be done in 3 but getting screwed over cause a supplier couldn't deliver on a required/promised product. We all need to stop speculating and promising and just breathe...No one knows what tomorrow brings.
Hmmm. Are you talking about particular huge investors or ordinary stock buyers? Because the latter seem to be very sensitive to whatever inane coverage or rumor or prognostication is popular at the moment, not to anything in reality itself. (Did Apple really become half as valuable in a couple of weeks? Back in '92 or '93, did Chrysler really quadruple in value due to a NY Times story about cars that many people already knew about — even me?)
Hmmm. Are you talking about particular huge investors or ordinary stock buyers? Because the latter seem to be very sensitive to whatever inane coverage or rumor or prognostication is popular at the moment, not to anything in reality itself. (Did Apple really become half as valuable in a couple of weeks? Back in '92 or '93, did Chrysler really quadruple in value due to a NY Times story about cars that many people already knew about — even me?)
The simplification of that answer comes down to this: On wall street there are only two emotions controlling it GREED OR PANIC. Seldom does real value meet the actual bid value.
I have been in the auto industry now for 25+years. I wonder if the current delays regarding the launches of certain product is as unprecedented as we seem to think. Or has our perception been altered,and amplified by our new awareness of said launch dates thanks to the internet. If I go back 10+ years, I don’t recall ever actually knowing “launch dates”. We just knew that the new cars and Jeeps would show up in the summertime. However now with everyone being so connected to the Internet, it seems like there is this need and desire to know everything the second it is available and if by chance that information changes it is someone’s fault…… I just wonder if things are actually as dysfunctional as some here would like us to think. Or is it simply that we all desire to know too much too soon ……..
I'm really glad you posted this. Some perspective goes a long way.
IMHO, the internet has done wonders for product launches. Not only does the public know more than they probably should with leaks, but any issues of quality will spread like wildfire. The pressure really is on these automakers.
With that said, the only true unacceptable delay is the Dart R/T. The Dart has so much untapped potential.
I feel like in Sergio's mind, he would have had the full control of Chrysler by now. The European car market completely destroyed his merger plans, future models, and allocation of resources. I think the company will be much more efficient once it is fully owned by Fiat.
What is the launch quality now compared to then? That is the real issue.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Allpar Forums
757.1K posts
47.9K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, AMC owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!