Surprise! Crossfire survives for another year

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.]

Share This Photo X