Article Comments - Chrysler Does Some Pruning

31 messages, Last post on Aug 28, 2008 at 5:38 PM

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Chrysler Does Some Pruning, But Where Are the New Seedlings? - Chrysler announced last week that it is dropping from its product portfolio four slow-selling models. Going away in 2008 will be the Dodge Magnum and the Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica and PT Cruiser convertible. These are the obvious models to clear away from among the overlapping models in Chrysler's line. (more)

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#6 of 31 Chrysler's Problems by ntouchone Nov 07, 2007 (5:36 pm)
Just wait and see what else is in-store for Chrysler under this CEO's rule. I have had contact with a number of Home Depot employees who existed under his regime at HD and this action is all a big deja vu. I imagine he'll start gutting the employee ranks soon as that was step 2 at HD. Qualified people that had performed admirably no longer could hold the job they had done well in because they didn't have the educational qualifications the Big "N" demanded. Morale went past the toilet non stop to the processing plant and in the mean time - between product boners and low employee morale - Lowes took advantage of the situation and posted huge growth most of it at HD's expense. No question Chrysler needs help but gutting the product line without replacements in hand is hardly the answer. Just much easier for a consumer to look around a showroom, decide there is nothing there and step out to the competition. It will be interesting to see when the second show drops. I'll bet the Grinch makes his move right before Christmas. that would be in character.
#7 of 31 Not the Magnum! by tdiaz339 Nov 08, 2007 (2:58 pm)
I don't understand why they chose the Magnum. That was one of the best retro-looking cars I have ever seen lately, I actually was planning on buying one in 2009, but no more. I always thought that was cool, in fact, the only rear-drive wagon you can buy (besides Mercedes, BMW, etc.) The Durango needs to lose weight, and the hybrid should help a bit with MPG. The PT Cruiser convertible can go. The Pacifica is beautiful, and I rented one, and it was a very nice car. The Crossfire should stay. The Challenger is going to save Chrysler, although I question why only 5000 units with the 6.1 Hemi for 2008. I hope they offer the 3.5 V6 for 2009. I will get one in Hemi Orange. The Avenger needs a 2-door coupe companion like the new Accord and Altima coupes. (Remember the Stratus coupe?) They also need something better than a 235 hp V6, cannot compare with the Accord/Altima's 270 hp V6's. The Jeep Commander needs to go, so does either the Compass or Patriot, they have gotten bad reviews lately. The Dakota needs to be smaller, and offer a regular cab. The Dodge Ram should also offer an extended cab in addition to crew and regular cabs. The Wrangler needs a pick-up counterpart, alla the Scrambler or Gladiator concept. Chrysler needs a small car, alla the Yaris and Fit. Hopefully, they can develop the Hornet concept into something useful. Replies to this message: albook (Dec 01, 2007 8:52 am)
#8 of 31 That's news to me that the new by iluvmysephia1 Nov 09, 2007 (10:14 am)
Dodge Hornet project is stalled. Where did Michelle Krebs hear this information? I must say, I 've posted at another website where they should have been able to answer my question about the Hornet's progress and there was not a single reply back on the issue. I like the Hornet's design and would consider one in about 5 years to replace my '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. But I would need to know that the Chery/Dodge collaboration was working out very, very well. For whatever reason Mr.Bricklin's exchange with Chery Motors left him extremely non-plussed. That is a big warning sign to us because Malcomb was intent on bringing a whole lineup of Chinese rigs to the U.S. at lower prices. I would venture a guess that Chery Motors is demanding more coming to them in this deal then they are giving to Chrysler and that is not a bright way to converge with an American car company that is willing to give you inroads in to a potentially lucrative market. Understand that I am just guessing because no one seems to have inside information on the Dodge/Chery Motors Hornet they suposedly agreed to build together. Give us some more information please on that! I don't like the PT Cruiser so seeing it go would be like having Kobe Bryant suddenly leave the NBA because of some strange personal reason. See ya! The new Dodge Challenger is white hot and I think it will sell pretty well for Chrysler. The other parts of their puzzle are not so easy to figure out and times are gonna be stressful at Cerberus/Chrysler production plants. The new Chrysler boss, formerly of Home Depot, sounds like he is bringing some of the same wannabe-mojo that the Boeing situation displayed in 2002-03. Ford's new CEO Alan Mullally was at the reins then. Boeing started preaching the doctrine of college degrees and young workers to all of us that were already working for Boeing. That's fine, we're working our butts off right now for you, what do you want us to do? Take Phoenix University classes in our spare time. Classes that have nothing to do with our jobs at Boeing? What a bunch of wannabe aircraft dolts in Boeing management. They wouldn't know a good solid worker if it fell out of the sky and smacked them upside their Starbuck's-soaked thick heads. Boeing management are a bunch of classless jerks and I'm blessed to be out of there. They're immensely cash-rich but their bright solutions to a downturn in orders is to lay 40,000 people off. We're not talking bottom-of-the-barrel workers here, either. I am talking about Boeing workers that know the Boeing system and use it successfully every work day. If Boeing's Everett plant suddenly fell in to Puget Sound and had to do battle with a plethera of octopii down there that were ravenously hungry I'd hardly bat an eyelash as she struggled. If you work for Boeing you might as well not buy anything as they are fickle as all get out and you might be gone in 60 seconds. Not a very good place to make a career, though, I did get 20 years in at the crummy place. The new CEO from HD that is now at Chrysler sounds like he's been drinking the same moonshine Boeing execs were getting tipsy on. I think CEO's and upper managers, even some middle and lower mangement people don't have enough to do. So, they sit around and eat raspberry donuts, drink Starbuck's and think of how they ought to manipulate people that are at their mercy. The larger the company(be thinking Boeing here)the bigger the disconnect and the colder the place is to get a vibe on. Good riddance, have fun getting your "Dreamliner" out before airlines start really burning you with late fees. Chrysler had best be working hard and fast and skipping the jelly donuts with their current "iffy" situation. They are in trouble-trouble. I feel pretty good about Mitsubishi Motors resurgence now and I lvoe my Lancer GTS for 2008. The new Challenger from Chrysler is a beautiful "throwback" car to America's past love for muscle cars. If Chrysler handles that car right it will return dividends for them, albeit limited dividends. It's a niche car that will sell but in limited numbers. Replies to this message: writer (Aug 20, 2008 9:29 pm) dtownfb (Aug 22, 2008 6:13 am) writer (Aug 22, 2008 7:45 pm) and 4 more...
#9 of 31 Chrysler is not luxury by rlyon Nov 25, 2007 (10:36 am)
If the think Chrysler can compete with Lexus, Acura, BWM, Audi, Mercedes, and even Cadillac, they will be doing some permanent pruning soon. Chrysler couldn't sell it's Mercedes products at mid level prices, who's the idiot that thinks RAISING the prices will suddenly help move more cars?!?! haha, that's ridiculous. Replies to this message: albook (Nov 27, 2007 1:55 pm)
#10 of 31 What Chrysler needs to do... by albook Nov 27, 2007 (1:46 pm)
Just heard that Chrysler LLC is making major changes (Dodge all trucks?). Here is what they really need to do: Dodge- All models can stay except the Nitro, Caliber, and maybe Dakota. Interior quality should move up extensively. The exteriors should move away from this bold look to a more refined look (except the Challenger). The Charger is an awesome car, so that can stay bold. Replace the Caliber with something that better competes with the Civic/Scion tc. Jeep- Easy. Cut the slow selling Compass. Turn the Patriot into a real softy so people will stop complaining about the way it handles and interior, but keep its offroad ability. I think there is reason enough for the Comander to stay, but Cerberus has been chop happy, so if they had to chop something else, It would be this. Push Jeep's exclusivity. Chrysler- Hard. Move to luxury (sort of like between Buick and Cadillac). Chop the Sebring line completely. Replace with something that could almost compete with a CTS or BMW 3. Don't Change 300- just improve the interior and driving dynamics to be able to compete with the likes of Cadillac STS. Chrysler Aspen=gone. Replace this and the Pacifica with a crossover that competes with the Acura MDX. Keep the Town & Country. This way, none of the brands overlap. Only two loke models would be the Town & Country and Caravan- and they sell! I hope Chrysler LLC is reading.
#11 of 31 Re: Chrysler is not luxury [rlyon] by albook Nov 27, 2007 (1:55 pm)
Replying to: rlyon (Nov 25, 2007 10:36 am) If the think Chrysler can compete with Lexus, Acura, BWM, Audi, Mercedes, and even Cadillac, they will be doing some permanent pruning soon. Chrysler couldn't sell it's Mercedes products at mid level prices, who's the idiot that thinks RAISING the prices will suddenly help move more cars?!?! haha, that's ridiculous. I said the same thing about Cadillac 7-8 years ago. I think it would take awhile, but if Chrysler starts slowly, they can get at least near that level.They would have to drop a lot of products like the Sebring, but they have a bit of a start with the 300, which is better looking than any Cadillac offering of that size (STS and DTS). First raise quality and performance to Lexus level, then raise price. But Chrysler HAS to do something- or they will be on the chopping block.
#12 of 31 $38K Challenger by hpmctorque Nov 29, 2007 (11:50 pm)
Chrysler announced the introductory price of the SRT8 6.1 Hemi Challenger will be $37,995. While more affordable Challengers will be introduced later, it will be interesting to see what the average sale price of Challengers will be after the initial orders are filled, and how well the SRT8 holds its value.
#13 of 31 Re: Not the Magnum! [tdiaz339] by albook Dec 01, 2007 (8:52 am)
Replying to: tdiaz339 (Nov 08, 2007 2:58 pm) The Challenger is going to save Chrysler, although I question why only 5000 units with the 6.1 Hemi for 2008. I hope they offer the 3.5 V6 for 2009. Not even close. A car like this is purely so Chrysler can show off. If they want to save themselves, make the Avenger something that can really compete against the Accord and new Malibu. The Durango needs to lose weight The Durango is the lightest full size SUV on the market. It just looks bad compared to competitors like the Tahoe. Chrysler needs a small car, alla the Yaris and Fit. Hopefully, they can develop the Hornet concept into something useful. I'd say Chrysler has to much to worry about with improving or dropping models to add anything new. They shouldn't even worry about that sub compact market right now. And the 4 year old concepts they bring to shows 4 years ago are nothing but memories- never to be used. Chrysler has a lot of those.They really brought the Hornet out 4 or 5 times (the Razr, etc.) At least they aren't likek Ford who brings a concept out and waits 3-4 years for it to go into production- when it looks even more dated. (MKS).
#14 of 31 . by wtd44 Dec 01, 2007 (1:04 pm)
Cerberus will not readily allow Chrysler to fail. I will not be surprised to read sometime later about some very big change in product and marketing.
#15 of 31 I don't think Chrysler's going to prune by iluvmysephia1 Dec 01, 2007 (2:33 pm)
off the Hornet just yet. Chery Motors of China recently announced that it will take a while for them to adapt to stringent U.S.emissions and safety requirements and that they are in no hurry to rush that process. Probably a good plan, eh? We do tend to like our cars to pass Fed.emissions requirements(as if we had any say in the matter)and crashworthiness is getting more and more important for American buyers. Chery is eager to break in to the American car sales market but it will take time. I don't think that means that Chrysler is going to 86 the whole Hornet program at this time, though. The Caliber is too big and heavy and is not getting rave reviews from everybody. The small car gap is still there for Chrysler and the Hornet has received a good response from potential buyers so far. From looking at a concept on the net, anyway. Replies to this message: albook (Dec 01, 2007 9:41 pm)