Joe Eberhardt, executive vice president of global sales and marketing for the Chrysler
group, said that a Chrysler 300 convertible would have a large premium over the hardtop. Speculation is that it would
be around $7,000, but it may be more or less depending on how the convertible is produced. Chrysler is reported to be
taking its time to determine whether to build a production 300 convertible. Most of the debate is
probably centered around rigidity, and what production scenario makes the most sense. ASC, Inc., the company who
engineered and built the Helios
concept, could end up building the 300 convertible for Chrysler in small numbers. If not, Chrysler would need to make a
lot of changes to 300 production to make it come together.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Harry @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
Chrysler would have a better business case to build the 300 convertible if they also included a coupe. A 2-door hardtop could result in a Chrysler 300 coupe and a Dodge Charger fastback. They would have a GTO killer with either car equipped with the 425 HP Hemi.
Matt Gabriel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
In the '90s, there were shops who would turn your Caddy Eldo or Lincoln Mk VIII into a super-swank luxo droptop for a price. Around $7000. If VW can make a bug convertible for less than half of what it cost to pay custom carbuilder to make the conversion, Chrysler can jimmy something with the 300. Hell, they already did with the PT Cruiser... you're not paying a $7000 premium for an open air PT.
I also agree with a previous poster... Chrysler needs a coupe variant of the platform. They'd sell a zillion. And no, it wouldn't be to compete with the Pontiac GTO. No-one is buying the Goat, no one cares about the goat, no one gives the goat a second glance, even if it is painted yellow, except for maybe a confused Dodge owner disappointed with how bland that new yellow Stratus looks.
Competing with the Mustang? Now you're talkin'.
Gary @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
But really, the problem is with making the 4 door into a convertible, which is what the Helios concept showed. It is possible, but there are significant structural changes necessary to provide the necessary rigidity. If there was already a 2 door, it probably could be done in house relatively easily. Of course, I don't want to get the whole 2 vs. 4 door debate going again!
Reggie Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
Everyone call customarmoring and tell them spam sucks. then redial and do it again, and again, and again, and again, and again.
James @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
The Chrysler group will take another year to determine whether it will build a production version of a concept car unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January
david glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
Christ on a pogo stick, you mean Chrysler execs have never contemplated, until now, whether a convertible 300 would sell. Either they aren't very 'forward-thinking' or they have their heads in another part of their anatomy. Even Ford had the small smidgen of foresight necessary to design 'convertability' into the new Mustang platform.
This will go on the list of 'marketing clue-less-ness' of the past couple of decades:
- VW: wait, you mean retro will sell?
- Saturn: so design and style do matter?
- GM: so when we marginalize design it affects our sales? No way.
- Chrysler: So you saying a convertible version can increase the sales of a popular car? We must study this.
Motorin' @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
Chrysler is definitely jumping well out of the box on this one. As another poster mentioned, it's a surprise that they haven't tried to do a coupe first and then do the normal route of a convertible based on a coupe.
I think there are plenty of manufacturers that don't consider a FOUR door convertible as a product variant. Maybe a coupe and then a convertible based on the coupe, but not a 4-door convertible. That's definitely an engineering challenge. The 300C is quite unlike a Mustang (which was already a sports coupe and added to that, it already had a history of a convertible variant).
Tom T @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
I want a 300 4 door convertible. As i reach the age where all i do is pick the kids up from soccer practice at least I can pretend I am still young on the way there. Does anyone know if Helios will build the convertable custom, or was it on only on spec.
Tom T @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
I want a 300 4 door convertible. As i reach the age where all i do is pick the kids up from soccer practice at least I can pretend I am still young on the way there. Does anyone know if Helios will build the convertable custom, or was it on only on spec.
Tom T @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
I want a 300 4 door convertible. As i reach the age where all i do is pick the kids up from soccer practice at least I can pretend I am still young on the way there. Does anyone know if Helios will build the convertable custom, or was it on only on spec.
ccb @ Dec 18th 2005 10:44PM
I don't care how but someone needs to make a 4 door convertible. They are completely missing out on the"hot mom generation". We work hot, own homes and have a good income. I am a attractive single atractive parent. I work hard and want to drive a convertible. But I am holding out on purchasing a new vehicle until I find a convertble that has sass and style but does not require my being squished everytime my preteens get out of the car.
I am not a mini van SUV kind of girl. A 4 door convertible would be wonderful!!!!!