Autoblog

The Chrysler Crossfire was one of those unfortunate exercises in style-over-substance. What's worse is that its style was somewhat questionable, garnering reactions from "oh, that's interesting" to "make it stop, please make it stop". Well, Chrysler finally listened to the latter, and here at Autoblog we're not exactly weeping over the demise of the coupe and roadster, the last of which rolled off the assembly line in Germany on Tuesday.

During its five-year lifespan, the "all-American" coupe built in Germany sold 80,000 units, but last year US sales accounted for only 8,216. The car was offspring of the now-defunct partnership between Chrysler and Mercedes, and shared its platform with the original SLK roadster after it had been replaced.

The Crossfire is the first of four models that Chrysler is giving the axe under its new ownership, and since production of the car and many of its components are so closely tied to Daimler, it makes sense that it's the first to go. Next to be cut are the Dodge Magnum (unfortunately), Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (unfortunately only the convertible) and Chrysler Pacifica (wait, which one was that again?).

[Source: Motor Authority]

It looks like Chrysler is going to give car shoppers a holiday gift as incentive to signing on the dotted line. After a rough year that saw the automaker break away from its Daimler overlords, Chrysler wants to end 2007 on a high note. To that end it will be offering rebates on virtually every vehicle in the lineup during December. Though there's no word on specific amounts, according to The Wall Street Journal the campaign will begin with a series of ads on Nov. 20 and cover Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. The biggest discounts will likely be offered on the four models about to be discontinued: the Chrysler Pacifica, PT Cruiser convertible, Crossfire, and the Dodge Magnum. If any of those has been on your short list, it looks like a great time to get one.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

When the Crossfire was introduced, it was hailed as the consummation of the German-American marriage between Daimler and Chrysler. It's success, or lack thereof, may have foretold the rocky relationship that would ensue over the following years. But even though sales have continued to decline, Automotive News is reporting that the Crossfire will be back in 2008, equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system and a few other minor changes.

The last few years have been less-than-stellar for the Mercedes-based coupe. With a glut of unsold '06 and '07 models filling storage facilities in Europe, orders were suspended for a while, but production never ceased.

In the meantime, Crossfire sales have declined, from 14,665 in 2005 to 8,216 in 2006, and in an effort to stop the downward spiral, a series of incentives have been thrown on the hood. How long this can continue is an open question -- something that Chrysler's new suitor, Cerberus Capital Management, can't put off for long.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

After five years of stagnant sales, Chrysler may finally be killing off its latest attempt at a sports coupe. According to AutoTelegraaf, production of the Crossfire is likely to end sometime this summer, due in part by the model's slow sales, as well as the production contract with Karmann ending after a five-year term.

Based off the previous generation Mercedes SLK, the hardtop and convertible have continued to be produced since the car's introduction, however, production of the SRT-6 variant ceased over a year ago. The execution of the Crossfire leaves a small hole in Chrysler's lineup, but its doubtful, considering all the uncertainty surrounding the automaker, that Chrysler will have the resources to focus on a successor.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf.nl via Winding Road]

Voting is open for The Truth About Cars' first ever Ten Worst Automobiles Today (or TWAT) award that we told you about earlier in the month. The initial list of more than 120 reader nominations contained predictable TWAT-eligible autos like GM's ancient minivans, uh, sorry, Crossover Sport Van, a couple of Saturns, several DaimlerChryslers, and a few Korean models. Some vehicles that were nominated but didn't make the list included highly-respected vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Pontiac Solstice, Ford Focus and Honda Fit.

Using a highly refined proprietary system, TTAC staffers trimmed the candidates to 20. Voting for the Ten Worst Automobiles Today is now open until Wednesday. See the 20 TWAT candidates after the jump.

With so many 2005 Crossfires sitting on dealer lots across the U.S. that Chrysler resorted to discounting the car on Overstock.com during the Christmas season, the company has no plans for a 2006 model in the U.S.

But it's not all doom and gloom for Chrysler's RWD sports car. There is a 2006 model - you just can't get it in the U.S. Chrysler customers in Europe are able to buy the 2006 Crossfire, which adds a Special Edition option package (pictured) to the 2005 model lineup. The Crossfire is built in Germany by DaimlerChrysler partner Karmann.

U.S. Crossfire fans will be happy to know a 2007 model is in the works for the U.S. market.

[Sources: Autoweek, Chrysler]

When it comes to the sports car market, judging by the numbers, Chrysler has been shooting blanks with its Crossfire. Reports Monday say that DaimlerChrysler is negotiating compensation with German subcontractor Karmann (which builds the Crossfire for Chrysler) because of lower-than-expected production requirements for the slow-selling coupe.

Karmann's production of the Crossfire has fallen from a peak of 35,700 in 2004 to just 12,500 last year. Introduced in 2003, the Crossfire managed about 28,000 sales in 2004, but less than 10,000 in 2005. Chrysler was so desperate to move Crossfires in late 2005 that it even engaged in a marketing stunt when it attempted to sell units on Overstock.com.

[Source: Automotive News]