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The Progression of Chrysler

73 messages,  Last post on Jun 12, 2013 at 5:48 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler, Fiat, Automotive News

Messages Page 8 of 8

#64 of 73 Jeep's best year ever by steve_ HOST

Jan 09, 2013 (1:04 pm)

"Jeep's biggest challenge in 2012 was keeping up with demand. Adding a third shift at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit in November helped. It is exploring ways to expand Wrangler production in Toledo."
 
Chrysler's Jeep brand sold 701,626 SUVs globally in 2012, its best year ever (Detroit Free Press)

#65 of 73 Re: The Cherokee is back - and the and Grand Wagoneer [steve_] by andre1969

Jan 09, 2013 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Dec 09, 2012 11:18 am)
I like the name Cherokee, but wonder...is it politically incorrect nowadays? Chevy took a lot of flak way back in 1959 for calling a truck "Apache". Isn't "Cherokee" sort of the same wavelength?
 
I'm surprised names with "Grand" in them still work. I associate them with the 1970's mainly. "Grand Prix", "Grand LeMans", "Grand Marquis" and if you get a little sloppy..."Gran Torino", "Gran Fury".
 
But, I guess the Grand Cherokee has done well enough over the years, that the name hasn't been tarnished.

#66 of 73 Re: The Cherokee is back - and the and Grand Wagoneer [andre1969] by steve_ HOST

Jan 13, 2013 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 09, 2013 5:51 pm)
It's a storied name that's been "borrowed" by a lot of companies. Not as bad as that DC football team or the Cleveland mascot if you ask me.
 
In other news, "Fiat, Chrysler and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. are getting closer to reaching an agreement to produce Jeeps in China for the Chinese market, an Italian newspaper reported Sunday."
 
Fiat, Chrysler deal to build Jeeps in China nears (Detroit Free Press)

#67 of 73 exceeding projections by steve_ HOST

Jan 30, 2013 (6:54 am)

Chrysler reports $1.7 billion net profit for 2012 (Detroit Free Press)

#68 of 73 overspending with a clear intent by steve_ HOST

Jan 30, 2013 (12:33 pm)

The Fiat-Chrysler group released a new product plan for the North American market Wednesday that calls for the introduction of 47 new or significantly refreshed models over the next four years — including six Alfa Romeos.
 
Fiat-Chrysler plans to introduce 47 new or refreshed models over four years (Detroit News)

#69 of 73 more growth details by steve_ HOST

Jan 30, 2013 (8:20 pm)

"Chrysler Group told analysts on Wednesday that it plans to add five additional Fiat models to its U.S. portfolio and that it has canceled several Fiat-based models that had been slated to be sold in the United States as Chryslers and Dodges.
 
The re-engineered heavy-duty Ram and chassis cab have been pushed back to 2014, one year later than originally planned. What is believed to be a compact, front-drive, Fiat-based van has been delayed one year, until 2015. The truck is slated to compete with the Ford Transit Connect."
 
Chrysler Group Shakes Up Future Vehicle Strategy

#70 of 73 Pinto redux? by steve_ HOST

Jun 04, 2013 (5:21 pm)

"The federal safety agency issued a recall request letter proposing that Chrysler recall approximately 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee in model years 1993 to 2004 and the Jeep Liberty in model years 2002 to 2007 to fix fuel tanks that could leak and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
 
“Chrysler Group has been working and sharing data with the Agency on this issue since September 2010,” Chrysler said in a statement. “The company does not agree with NHTSA’s conclusions and does not intend to recall the vehicles cited in the investigation. The subject vehicles are safe and are not defective.”
 
Chrysler rejects feds request to recall millions of Jeeps (mlive.com)

#71 of 73 more details by steve_ HOST

Jun 04, 2013 (8:05 pm)

"Federal safety regulators have asked Chrysler to recall the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-'07 Jeep Liberty. Last June, NHTSA expanded its investigation into Chrysler fires and upgraded the matter to an engineering analysis, citing 15 deaths and 41 injuries allegedly caused by rear crashes in some Jeep models. The focus was originally on the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the investigation now includes 1993-2001 Jeep Cherokees and 2002-'07 Jeep Libertys."
 
Chrysler Refuses To Recall 2.7 Million Jeeps, Despite Pressure From Feds
 
Next up - arguments over bean-counting the cost of a recall vs the cost of a wrongful death suit.

#72 of 73 Re: more details [steve_] by berri

Jun 05, 2013 (8:41 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 04, 2013 8:05 pm)
I think Marchionne is doing a good job resurrecting Chrysler, so I hesitate to second guess his decisions. I also don't know if he really wants a dragged out court battle, or is looking to negotiate a smaller recall with less financial repercussions. However, I'm not sure about this decision. You can win a battle (in court), but lose the war (consumer perception). Ram and Jeep are leading Chrysler's turn around. Court battles can go on a long time and we're already seeing pictures of burning Jeeps and burned out hulls in the media, and as the battle drags on I suspect injured consumers (especially children) from accident fires (related or not) may make it into this media coverage. I think more than a few consumers are leery of Chrysler Corp. quality and longer term durability, so this media coverage could reinforce those views and also affect buyers who are undecided. I know GM once got a court victory on pick up truck recalls. It saved them some money I suppose, but Ford still leads in sales. Speaking of the latter, I believe they initially resisted a recall on the Explorer blaming Firestone, but quickly retreated and replaced the Firestone tires on their own (and Firestone is no longer a major tire brand in the marketplace).
 
Generally, unless NHTSA made serious errors, substantially deviated from it's normal courses of action, or had egregious behavior, it is probably going to result in the court affirming the recall. That means appeals which will result in even more time for media coverage. If Chrysler gets a conservative judge and wins, that victory might also be Pyrrhic. Some may well perceive it as big business and corporate money trumping the little guy buyer. I doubt it will keep NHTSA from doing future recalls and may inadvertently result in NHTSA retreating to very narrow, strictly quantitative measures in future recall decisions which isn't necessarily to the industry's advantage.

#73 of 73 Re: more details [berri] by steve_ HOST

Jun 12, 2013 (5:48 am)

Replying to: berri (Jun 05, 2013 8:41 am)
The scuttlebutt is that Chrysler can't afford the recall, which could run to a half-billion dollars and they are just barely hanging on by a thread as it is.

Messages Page 8 of 8

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