Chrysler, GM set sales records abroad
Despite losing customers in its home market, both General Motors and Chrysler have set sales records overseas during 2007.
The General's CEO, Rick Wagoner, said during a Bloomberg News interview that around 75-percent of GM's sales will come from outside the U.S. within the next decade, up from 58-percent in the third quarter of 2007.
Chrysler's sales abroad have risen by 15-percent over the 2006 numbers, with 238,218 vehicles sold last year, compared to almost 207k the previous year. Good news, but that's a drop in the bucket considering that sales outside the States only account for nine-percent of Chrysler's worldwide retail action.
[Sources: Bloomberg, Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fizzandpop 5:54PM (1/07/2008)
It's the Lacetti, the star of the "star in a reasonably priced car" isn't it? I think they wreck so many of them that it has an effect on the sales figures.
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J M C 3 5:48PM (1/07/2008)
To Chrysler
May I suggest...Building on the appeal of your beautiful 300C here stateside.Do a coupe (I prefer a formal roofline with rear hinged rear doors )And do a retractable hardtop cabrio.Oh yeah,and trim out that interior real nice.
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AlfaMike 12:15AM (1/08/2008)
I hear you, I think a long coupe 300 with a nice dogleg side window, and a convertible would be very lovely cars. Sort of like the big cruising convertibles Detroit built in the 50s and 60s.
Also I've always wondered if Chrysler made an extended version of the 300, adding about 5 inches to the back seat area, if it would be one of the more competitive large sedans on the market. Certainly one of the better looking.
Seems like it would involve minimal extra engineering work, as well, if you're just adding a few inches in between the B and C pillars.
TigerMil 5:53PM (1/07/2008)
If GM sold the same cars here that they sell in Europe, much less (Buicks in China?) other places, perhaps they'd do as well here too.
There's only a couple GM cars worth a damn...Corvettes and Holden-GTO. Cadillac, naah.
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catgirlshyla 6:19PM (1/07/2008)
What GM needs to do is import some of the Fine Aussie cars to the states. Think about how much ink they could get brining a revived El Camino to the States.
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Chris Vitale 6:45PM (1/07/2008)
They are...only as a Pontiac.
roar 10:06PM (1/07/2008)
America has swallowed the import cool aid, it will take a long time before it is "OK" to drive a domestic car again no matter how good the domestic is made and how poorly the import is made. Do you think the the imports are as good as people think and the domestics as bad?
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J.Crew 11:56PM (1/07/2008)
Exactly, the biggest problem GM now has is changing the consumers perception gap. Their new models are doing it one at a time and it is the only way it is going to work as that is how Honda and Toyota built their current reputations. GM's products are on par with the imports in perceived quality and actual quality now with each new product released. Chrysler on the other hand has a way to go still. It is unfortunate that they have the worst leadership group put in place... Nardelli is the leader with no head on his shoulders which ties everyone elses hands behind their backs at Chrysler Corp.
Pat 9:07AM (1/08/2008)
I agree ... people categorically don't even consider American cars just on the basis that they are American.
Two years ago, after being disappointed with horrible after-sale service from Toyota, and pompous dealers at Mazda & Honda, I walked into a Ford dealership and leased a Ford Fusion ... You know what, 2 years later, it has had less problems and less rattles than my last 2 japanese cars ... and I got a much better deal.
Too bad for all those missing the point and hanging on to their overpriced Toyotas.
MemphisNET 10:49PM (1/07/2008)
Everyone has a preference. Until about 2 years ago I wouldn't have even considered a GM if only because they were pretty boring, with the only exciting cars being WAY out of my price range. Reliability wasn't even on my radar because I enjoy working on my cars - focus on the good, work on the bad as it comes up.
And I agree with JMC3. 300C Helios and Coupe. Affordable Challengers sooner than later. And more importantly, focus on bread & butter cars. Bring back the Neon, do what GM did with the 'Bu and make the Avenger a real player. Back and promote your products instead of waiting (Pacifica is a prime example)
But it's good to see them on the right track.
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