Recent Comments:
Convertible sales retracted in 2007 {Autoblog}
May 16th 2008 12:53PM The old Celica convertibles were shipped to the US as hartops and then were modified into convertibles. If they had had their tops removed in Japan they really would have folded in half during the trip.
All Chrysler convertibles since the 1987 LeBaron have been designed from the begining to be convertibles with the required extra barcing designed in from the start. They generally have been less prone to rattles and other issues that have plagued other convertibles in their price range (mainstream autos, were not talking about 100k exotics).
Recently The Truth About Cars website did a comparison review of the G6 and Sebring hardtop convertibles. They preferred the Sebring to the G6, and they hate Chrysler products.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-pontiac-g6-gt-hardtop-covertible-vs-chrysler-sebring-limited-hardtop-convertible/
Rumormill: Dodge to replace Sprinter will full-size van from Nissan {Autoblog}
May 15th 2008 12:35PM Hate to burst your bubble Ahmed, but according to JD Powers, Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep have had less problems than Nissans in their 3 year ownership survey. This is a common misconception (myth).
It was also thought that Mercedes had better quality than Chrysler at the time of the "merger of equals", and that Mercedes could teach Chrysler how to make better cars. The truth was that Mercedes was the less reliable make. I think it has to do with that thing called perception vs. reality.
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 1:20PM Jamie,
You are correct about the A1 being in existence now. I think the issue is that when you get into getting it ready for the US market you end up making so many changes it is cost effective to just develope a whole new car. For example you can't make it pass modern safety tests by adding more airbags and some well placed structural steel bracing. So what I think that Lasorda means by three years is that they are coming out with a an all new car (they've been at it for a year), and it will be engineered from the ground up to meet US/Canada and even European regulations.
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 12:08PM Just so you know the industry average to develope an entirely new car from the ground up (not a refresh, or a reskin of an existing platform) is 5 years. Some can do it in 4 years, but it burns up a lot of cash. Ford's Focus is a much updated car but it's not all new because it uses the same platform. Same for the Taurus update in '92, but the Taurus in 96 was all new. For some reason Ford has always taken longer to develope all new platforms. Hopefully Mullaly is changing that.
Chinese-made, Dodge-badged cars coming to Mexico next year {Autoblog}
May 14th 2008 12:02PM Well, at one time (pre Dumbler), Chrysler was one of the quickest to market automakers. They studied what Honda did to develope new models, combined that with lessons learned from their aquisition of AMC/Jeep and created platform teams that handled everything in developing a new vehicle. And mgt was not allowed to interfere and gum up the works. The result was cars developed faster for less cost. At one point I think they developed a car from scratch in 42 months. That's the real reason they made so much money in the 90's. The sales were very good, but the cost savings from their development process saved them big time $$.
Of course Dumbler, instead of adapting it for Mercedes use, replaced it with their process and forced Chrysler to use Mercedes parts and consultants - for a fee of course. Could you imagine developing a new Mercedes for 10, 20, or even 30% cheaper than before but selling it for the same or more $? They would be swimming in Euros right now.
SMS to tune Challenger, SMS 570TM and 570XTM on the way {Autoblog}
May 13th 2008 9:53AM Yes, Carlos, it will be gone before 2015 because of CAFE regs. BUT NOT BECAUSE OF UNPROFITABLITLY.
I have been making this point repeatedly. Chrysler will make money on everyone they sell. Why? Because they will only make what sells. The Challenger is made in the same plant that makes the 300 and Charger. They do not need to make thousands and thousands to efficiently utilise the plant. If the public wants 30,000 they will make 30k. If they want 100,000 they will make them. The factory in Canada is a flex facility. They can mix and match the cars coming down the line to suit demand. If the Challenger takes off they can change the line to build as many as they want. If it doesn't they will build just a few and turn out more Chargers and 300's. The business case for this car was to make a profit with 35,000 cars. So do the math - the 1st year (really 1/2 2008 and 2009), they will sell way over 50,000. 2nd year - less but still substantial say a little less than 50k. 3rd year 35k plus. Then they will call it good and cease production. All the while they will make money on each one and get tons of free publicity. GM is in a different spot. If they don't sell 100,000 Camaros a year they are in trouble. So after the first year I expect rebates and 0% financing spiffs to kick in and reduce the profit or cause a loss on each unit sold.
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 8:41AM @dondonel,
The fact that you think something is not aerodynamic because you think it is shaped like a "brick" is wrong. There is a lot more to it than that. Outside of making a pointy nose like a jet fighter, if two objects have the same square inches presenting themselves than it depends on a lot of factors as to which one has less drag. One of the greatest drag inducing items is the gaps in the various parts (lights, grills, emblems). The new Ram about to be introduced has significant improvement over the old one because of this but it doesn't look like it's more aereodynamic than the old one.
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 8:29AM How about a 1st gen van with the turbo motor and 5 speed? That would be rare and unique (and surprisingly fast for it's day).
Hyundai exec talks engine sharing with Mercedes-Benz {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 8:25AM Should read: "MB dumps Chrysler after abusing her and raiding her bank account. Now seeing a Korean."
Snake Skin Green Hennessey Venom 1000TT up for sale {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 8:19AM Obama's gonna be a president for 2 terms?
Or were you talking about (Bill) Clinton.
You couldn't have been talking about the current president because I read on the Internet that he's stupid and we all the know the internet is true.
