Detroit's sharp intake of breath over the very real possibility of increased federal fuel economy standards apparently doesn't include Chrysler's voice. CEO Robert Nardelli has told The Car Connection that rather than waste lots of time and energy opposing the likely increase to a 35 mpg fleet average, Chrysler will put its head down and get it done. Attaining the goal will not be without pain, however. Cuts will be made, and the books are still in the red.
There is hope, though, if Chrysler and parent Cerberus Capital can stick it out. A new contract with the UAW eases some of the automaker's financial burden, allowing that money to be plowed into development of more fuel efficient vehicles. There's a new two-mode hybrid system, co-developed with Daimler, GM, and BMW, which should help lift the fleet average without Chrysler abandoning their bread and butter moneymakers. With a lineup heavy in less-frugal vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and minivans, Chrysler's acknowledged the holes in their product mix and will set about plugging product into the voids. First up is the new Journey, the company's first crossover vehicle. The CUV segment is red-hot right now, so having a model to sell is a plus. Having a good model that will continue to sell well is an even bigger plus. At this point, Chrysler's facing an uphill climb.
[Source: TCC]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TriShield @ Dec 13th 2007 11:41AM
I thought the Pacifica was Chrysler's first crossover vehicle.
Mike @ Dec 13th 2007 11:56AM
My thoughts exactly. I guess it didn't take very long for the Pacifica to be forgotten.
Pete @ Dec 13th 2007 11:58AM
It was and the 2004 MY was freaking awesome until they decontented the hell out of it.
The only reason they are killing it is simply because it doesn't share enough parts with current Chrysler vehicles. It's just too German.
From what I am seeing on my end...Cerberus really is adding some content to the vehicles and FAST.
Dan Roth @ Dec 13th 2007 12:20PM
Pacifica was called a "sports tourer" by Chrysler. It wasn't at all sporty, but I guess you could go touring in it.
Andre @ Dec 13th 2007 1:03PM
"The only reason they are killing it is simply because it doesn't share enough parts with current Chrysler vehicles. It's just too German."
The Pacifica? It's all homegrown; it was based on the Caravan.
Pete @ Dec 13th 2007 1:37PM
Yeah not so much buddy. The navigation, rear suspension, and several other interior components (seat adjusters on the door) were Mercedes pieces.
I could get a whole list of things from former product planners CS, but I'm not going to bother.
Andre @ Dec 13th 2007 4:18PM
I did forget about the suspension pieces, but "it's too German" is a looooong way from a modified RS platform with some bespoke M-B parts added.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Pacifica
Brent @ Dec 13th 2007 12:07PM
Sounds like a Neon replacement is coming! hahah
TriShield @ Dec 13th 2007 12:27PM
Yeah, they call the Magnum a "sports tourer" as well but they weren't fooling anyone.
I too remember when the Pacifica debuted. It was a very rich, expensive looking vehicle and had Chrysler's best modern interior design and materials. Then they cheapened it to oblivion and Chrysler interiors have gone downhill ever since.
It's a shame they've given up on the Pacifica, it was ahead of it's time and deserves a redesign. The Journey looks horrible.
Xcountryflyer @ Dec 13th 2007 12:44PM
They better go develop some gas savers quick. The crappy Caliber certainly isn't the best miser.
geo.stewart @ Dec 13th 2007 1:49PM
most likely, current owners arent planning on being around that long, so they will make noises and movements like they are working on it, but no cares about progress.
alan @ Dec 13th 2007 2:41PM
I wonder if anyone at Chrysler has considered the turbine/electric engine as a possible hybrid?
calebe @ Dec 13th 2007 3:05PM
what was the name of that '60's movie that had the Chrysler turbine car in it?
500 @ Dec 13th 2007 8:48PM
I just hope this doesn't mean they're planning to kill off their performance models, just when Chrysler was finally starting to build vehicles (like the Challenger SRT8) that I would actually buy!
And apparently THIS is why the Journey doesn't come with a decent powerplant...
Christopher Fotos @ Dec 13th 2007 10:26PM
A bunch of us at a Jeep Patriot forum are drooling over the diesel mileage available outside the U.S. But word apparently the U.S. has the toughest diesel emission standards in the world and we don't get the next-gen CRD until 2010!