Chrysler predicts increased market share by end of 2006
At a time when the "traditional" Big 3 are losing market share to imports at a feverish pace, Chrysler Group has some good news. The company expects to actually gain market share by year end, according to Joe Eberhardt, Chrysler executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service. Speaking at a launch event for the 2007 Chrysler Sebring and Aspen (pictured), Eberhardt said that the company would cut production and work with dealers to run inventory down to acceptable levels, particularly with its trucks -- currently, the automaker has a ballooning surplus of trucks and SUVs that it has so far failed to staunch.
Chrysler will also move away from incentives a la Ford Motor Company and General Motors, both of which are trying to get away from incentives in favor of lower overall transaction prices. We'll be keeping a close eye on Chrysler's performance through the end of the year starting with its performance in August, the results of which should be released tomorrow.
[Source: Reuters via Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ryan 11:40AM (8/31/2006)
Okay, from that "dead on" view this thing looks horrible.
BUT-If I was Chrysler I would have done the same thing, hell just change the sheetmetal around (I would have done it way better!) and BAM! You have another SUV.
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dreesemonkey 11:49AM (8/31/2006)
I'm assuming I must have missed the news where DC was using the ford explorer? Looks too similar to be a coincidence. If I missed the news, I apologize - SUVs don't interest me in the least.
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Sebastian S. 12:00PM (8/31/2006)
Okay...they are calling this new Aspen the, "300 of SUV's". Are they serious? This is so NOT the 300 in the least of ways, I see no inspiration of the 300 in this SUV. Personally, I think the Pacifica looks more elegant than this. Over all the Aspen doesn't look bad, but it will never give them the appeal the 300c did. They had a better chance by making a statement with the Sebring...
And let me not even bring up the new '07 Sebring. I am so disappointed in Chrysler for even approving that thing for production. I just cannot believe how they messed that car up. Their object should be the build a better midsize sedan than the Camry/Accord and price it below the competition...and this car will not be enough to dethrone the Camcord.
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Tri-Bob 12:16PM (8/31/2006)
Bold statements, not sure what they were taking, but I'd like to be hallucigenic on my checkbook numbers too. Anybody else think F-150 when they saw this picture?
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Richard Warren 12:37PM (8/31/2006)
The real headline was
"Chrysler predicts increased use of hood creases by end of 2006"
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s 12:32PM (8/31/2006)
I see Lincoln Mark LT and I also see dead sales.
I don't think the design is bad but it ain't extraordinary either.
I don't like any interior of the (all) Chrysler products. The interiors are SO CHEAP!!! Horrible grey neutral interiors! Obviously Diamler isn't willing to give them any money for better plastic but a few suspension, sparks pluggs, German hoses are being traded.
Their truck sales are down.... Aspen will do the same.
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KT 12:52PM (8/31/2006)
They will have to use some "new" math to gaiin any share. They are soooooo bloated with inventory and dealers are pushing back. The media as a whole hasn't caught on that Chyrsler/Dodge is in just as much of a pickle as GM/Ford. It's sort of like the "quiet" recalls of Toyota.
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asolar 12:37PM (8/31/2006)
Am I the only one who actually likes the new hood styling? I have a theory: The new Chryslers are going to be a big hit, and all of the other manufactures are using posters to bash Chryslers products out of fear and loathing.
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Ryan 12:48PM (8/31/2006)
"7. The real headline was
"Chrysler predicts increased use of hood creases by end of 2006"
-LMAO, this thing has more creases than an American's smomach!
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Ryan 12:51PM (8/31/2006)
"smomach!"
Sorry, supposed to be stomach
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PJ 12:55PM (8/31/2006)
Despite a few product flubs--the Crossfire and the way-too-old '06 Sebring--Chrysler actually does seem to have one of the more competitive lineups among domestic brands.
The 300, PT Cruiser, and Pacifica are all quite compelling vehicles, and even the Town & Country's not a bad choice. And unlike Mercury, Chrysler hasn't overextended itself by throwing half-assed rebadges into a dozen market segments, nor is it devoid of unique-to-the-brand vehicles.
As for the Aspen, I imagine Chrysler had the same MO as Buick did with the Rainier: slap together a cheap rebadge, attract a few thousand first-time Chrysler shoppers, and in a couple of years, quietly cancel it. Unfortunately, GM's timing was better. This Aspen venture may not end up paying for itself now that fuel economy is on most mainstream buyers' radars.
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mike 1:02PM (8/31/2006)
That is not good looking at all, and it looks worse in real life. Give me the new Tahoe or Yukon over that anyday.
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Ken 1:09PM (8/31/2006)
I saw this at teh Detroit show, it IS uglier in person! Nasty, to be exact.
I totally agree with you (#5) about DCX interiors, I wonder how much they are paying Rubbermaid to design them. Ever see the Charger or Magnum interior? Yuk! For those of you here who think us DCX bashers are employeed by other manufacturers (#6), go read Car & Driver's reviews of the Jeep Compass interior. DCX does horsepower, NOT interiors!
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Nick 9:01PM (8/31/2006)
#6, you are not alone. I also like the hood creases quite a bit, and I think it is one of the smartest ways I've seen to build brand identity in a long time.
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Jake B 1:41PM (8/31/2006)
From dead on this chrysler looks way too much like the current F-150. From the size and proportions of the grille to the headlights, to the slightly large front bumper. Good try Chrysler, maybe you should hire some more monkeys for your R&D.
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Lithous 1:48PM (8/31/2006)
Oooh, i love it!
In fact, even if I don't I'll still say I do, just because I LOVE "domestics" and hate anything Japanese.
I'll follow this up with one of my trademark looong diatribes about how Americans can't count and aren't as educated anymore, and that's to blame for why people buy Japanese cars! Even though one has nothing to do with the other!
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fawgcutter 2:04PM (8/31/2006)
Engineers put in fluting (grooves) to stiffen inappropriately thin sheet metal ;) (just kidding).
I thought last year Chrysler announced that they weren't going to lower themselves to GM's and Ford's pricing tactics. That didn't last long.
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Richard Warren 2:35PM (8/31/2006)
Actually the grooves are in honor of the Lawrence Welk show, sponsored for years by Dodge, you see it's an accordian hood. A wundaful! a wundaful! The other sponsor? Geritol!
Think about it.
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JarryHames 5:01PM (8/31/2006)
I agree with Tri-Bob. It looks like the bastard child of a Dodge Durango and Ford's F-150! WTF with that tacky hood?
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kevin 9:52AM (9/01/2006)
The Aspen serves a very specific purpose for the Chrysler Group. allpar.com has a DCX marketing type explaing that 25% of the people that trade-in their Pacificas in the first 2 yeas do so to buy an SUV. So to respond to what their consumers are asking for DCX reskined the Durango.
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