SRT safe from the firing squad
It's no secret that Chrysler's going through a rough patch right now as it sets its turnaround plan in motion. Just last week, the automaker announced additional job and manufacturing cutbacks and killed off four underperforming models. Of interest to enthusiasts, however, is the news that SRT, the in-house tuner responsible for niche vehicles like the Dodge Charger SRT8 shown above, went unscathed.
In an interview with Edmunds Auto Observer, SRT marketing head Michael Accavitti weighs in with his thoughts about SRT's current position and future direction, how the Daimler split affects it (not much, apparently) and how it'll fare under new Chrysler boss Bob Nardelli (Accavitti is extremely "up" on the former Home Depot chief). We encourage you to read the interview in full, but based on his comments, it seems that SRT remains very much in the plan for Chrysler. It has received support from new sales/marketing/product czar Jim Press, who understands the need to have halo cars such as the SRT models, and for his part, Accavitti doesn't come across as someone who's worried his toys might get taken away from him anytime soon. Check it out by clicking here or hitting the "Read" link below.
[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]
Photo Copyright ©2007 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
J. D. Billiford 5:55PM (11/07/2007)
>>> No drama or surprises here. It only makes sense for Chrysler to keep the SRT Group intact. The company would need such a team to produce specialized "halo" vehicles to compete with similar offerings from other companies.
Apparently, the new leadership at Chrysler understand this philosophy and I applaud them for their insight.
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Xcountryflyer 5:56PM (11/07/2007)
The SRT folks are the only ones turning Chrysler's sow's ears into anything remotely driveable and interesting.
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paul34 7:28PM (11/07/2007)
Agreed. My first drive in a Charger SRT-8 *completely* changed my entire perception of Dodge. Don't get me wrong; I still see their cars for what they are, but it convinced me that they are actually capable of something better.
Oh, and those SRT-10 Rams, too, although it makes much more sense in a Viper, which is pretty cool too for what it is.
Declan 6:20PM (11/07/2007)
I'd read all about Chrysler, or whatever they're called this week, but for the most part they might as well be making toasters for all the sex appeal and want factor that their vehicles generate.
The crowning turd in the equation is the bunch of losers they put in charge, and you just know in your gut that the company is dead. I couldn't find a car guy in there, but sure don't they know their names over on Wall St.
Heres a little game to play.
Think of a Chrysler product, first one that pops into your head. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. Answer the next bit truthfully.
Was it crap?
PS If they were smart they'd be flooding Western Europe with the cheapest cars the American Peso could provide...
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Luis 6:26PM (11/07/2007)
I'd like to see this "toaster" in a two-door version...
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sdcarnut 11:17PM (11/07/2007)
here is your 2 door
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/2278/img0464ka7.jpg
Tony 6:42PM (11/07/2007)
@Luis
You're wish has been granted. Just contact your Dodge dealer. He'll have the keys to 1 of the 5000 available 2008.
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rar 7:47PM (11/07/2007)
Declan, some of the Chrysler cars are crap, but not all. Have you driven a 300 or a Dodge charger? Very nice cars. I am not lucky enough to have an SRT, but my RT Charger does just fine. Tony, the lil Bush thing is funny.
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MemphisNET 7:54PM (11/07/2007)
I don't know how to say this without sounding like an A-Hole, - Declan : Some people like this stuff. Many have very positive feedback and like their vehicles. Just because YOU don't like something, doesn't mean its crap.
Take the Neon for example. There were big problems (headgasket) when the car launched in 95. By 97 it was mostly resolved, but in those 2years, they sold that car under three different brands, and sold close to 750,000 of them. So, even tho it was a relatively easy, inexpensive fix, you've got almost a million people right PISSED and the car never really recovered. Sure they still had 120,000-200,000+ sales per year, but there was always a stigma. I own two ( a 95, 365,000km, for Winter, an 01', 155,000km, for everything else ) and aside from normal maint. and wear and tear items, neither has let me down.
That ties into PERCEIVED Quality. I will agree, that most Chrysler products have crap interiors. Materials, gaps, finishes etc.... not the greatest. But that doesn't make a car bad, it just makes it harder to justify the price for some. At my work site, nobody wants GM or Ford trucks ONLY because its a dirty dirty mess here, and nobody wants to mess up those nice interiors. The Dodge may not look that great on the inside, but at least it cleans up easy.
One last point on styling. Their current big-blocky style IS working. They're seeing great sales on their core products. It's subjective like anything else (Pontiac GTO/Cavelier anyone?)
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johnhender 9:19PM (11/07/2007)
i Have i dodge ram 2500 qaud cab it is the best truck i have ever owned. I think once dodge gets it mojo back watch out Hopefully one day i will be rolling in a viper I think the srt stuff is great i hope they will make some power parts for my hemi soon
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SherbornSean 6:56AM (11/08/2007)
Nobody asked him why they couldn't do AWD in the Caliber SRT.
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John R 8:03AM (11/08/2007)
There was either a C/D or M/T article I read that said Chrysler didn't do AWD or an AWD variant because of costs.
It came down to whether or not they thought they could get away with selling a Caliber for Evo/STI money. Seeing as how there isn't AWD, I guess they thought couldn't get away with it.
Chad 9:01AM (11/08/2007)
They need to ditch that grill they slap on everything. Ugh!
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Declan 1:49PM (11/10/2007)
Fellas, I'm not dissing your SRT cars, but thats the exception to the rule. The rule remains that each vehicle offered is a reply to a question answered long before by a foreign manufacturer or domestic competitor (not sure what the difference is any more).
Neighbor has a 300, not my style, but it has style. It is the exception as well. Also don't forget that both these cars (SRTCharger + 300 (+discontinued Magnum)) are all based on the same lent chassis form a ten year old E Class Mercedes, so judging these cars individually is hard.
You guys can fight about the particulars, I don't care and I don't wish to fight. I have nothing but goodwill for America and American industry. All I'm saying, and I think you know this, is that the cost cutting in regard to product at Chrysler is long and deep.
That is all.