Can Chrysler Turn Itself Around?

Which models Chrysler is likely to kill

Link to full story at MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20743583/site/newsweek/page/0/)

Large SUVs
First to go will be the Chrysler Aspen and Jeep Commander—seven-passenger, Hemi-loaded behemoths. They are the slow-selling siblings of the Dodge Durango, which itself could be threatened by a breathtaking 28 percent sales drop this year.

Small SUVs
The Compass, a "girly Jeep," according to Peterson, bites the dust. The Nitro gives way to the similarly sized and priced Caliber, which sells better. The Patriot stays in the lineup, but perhaps at the expense of the older Jeep Liberty, which is also similarly sized, but pricier.

Sport Wagons
Analysts expect Nardelli and Press to let the Magnum drive itself into an early grave.The days are also numbered for the Chrysler Pacifica sport wagon.

Pickups
The slump in the housing market is taking a toll on sales of big pickups. Small pickups, though, have always been a hard sell. Automakers produced them mostly to meet federal fuel-economy regulations. But those mileage rules are changing, which could give Cerberus an opening to drop the salesproof Dodge Dakota small pickup.

Cars
...analysts expect him to kill the Sebring and order up a new sedan that is a worthy Camry competitor.

All these predictions are subject to change. Because change, of course, is what Cerberus is all about. Quick change. "In six weeks," says Peterson, "Chrysler's entire product plan will be turned upside down." And that's what it will take to keep Chrysler from going the way of the Edsel.

DMAG - Great summary - I think we read the article at the same time!

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2801

Great minds think alike! ;)

As long as they bring back the Challenger (Dodge, I know), I will be happy.

As long as they bring back the Challenger (Dodge, I know), I will be happy.

I talked to my dodge dealer when buying the my pat and he said the challenger will be out next year.

I'm sad to hear about the Pacifica! I really like the curvaceous, streamlined design.

As far as the Magnum is concerned, drive into that grave and don't kick into reverse! I thought that thing was horrendous from day one ~ I can't bear looking at cars that "don't know what they are." The body style of that beast is just not right... it starts off ok and then it's a big mess after the back door - angles that don't mesh with the rest of the body style and a pseudo-wagon behind? If it's a car, make it a car; if it's a wagon, make it a wagon... sheesh! (And don't get me wrong, I like wagons - hubz had a couple in high school that we had fun in, but I think they went horribly wrong with the Magnum... and it doesn't even have a lot of cargo space! Plus the MPGs suck.)

That concludes my second editorial for the morning. :p

I talked to my dodge dealer when buying the my pat and he said the challenger will be out next year.

Next year will be all about the Camaro and the Challenger. Everything else will just be sidelined.

Next year will be all about the Camaro and the Challenger. Everything else will just be sidelined.

Aw shucks! You mean no Ford Pintos? :doh:

Aw shucks! You mean no Ford Pintos? :doh:

Now there's an explosive subject. :)

As far as the Magnum is concerned, drive into that grave and don't kick into reverse! I thought that thing was horrendous from day one ~ I can't bear looking at cars that "don't know what they are." The body style of that beast is just not right... it starts off ok and then it's a big mess after the back door - angles that don't mesh with the rest of the body style and a pseudo-wagon behind? If it's a car, make it a car; if it's a wagon, make it a wagon... sheesh! (And don't get me wrong, I like wagons - hubz had a couple in high school that we had fun in, but I think they went horribly wrong with the Magnum... and it doesn't even have a lot of cargo space! Plus the MPGs suck.)


BANNED!!!!! :p

DMAG - Great summary - I think we read the article at the same time!

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2801

I used to trust the media to tell me the truth.. tell us the truth! But now I've seen the payoffs everywhere I look! Who do you trust when everyone's a crook?

I'm sad to hear about the Pacifica! I really like the curvaceous, streamlined design.

As far as the Magnum is concerned, drive into that grave and don't kick into reverse! I thought that thing was horrendous from day one ~ I can't bear looking at cars that "don't know what they are." The body style of that beast is just not right... it starts off ok and then it's a big mess after the back door - angles that don't mesh with the rest of the body style and a pseudo-wagon behind? If it's a car, make it a car; if it's a wagon, make it a wagon... sheesh! (And don't get me wrong, I like wagons - hubz had a couple in high school that we had fun in, but I think they went horribly wrong with the Magnum... and it doesn't even have a lot of cargo space! Plus the MPGs suck.)

That concludes my second editorial for the morning. :p

In my opinion, the Magnum may be ugly, but it clearly knows what it is: a station wagon. The back end is tapered, but that is no different than an old Audi 5000 wagon. The Pacifica, on the other hand, is confused. Is it a very tall wagon? Is it a cross-over SUV? Is it a minivan replacement? Ford has the same problem with what they now are calling the Tauras X: too tall to be a wagon, too low to be a cross-over. GM got it right with the Acadia, Outlook and Enclave:

Awkwardly tall:
http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/02/2008-Taurus-X.jpg

Bloated, yet yoga a prerequisite to get into the back seat:
http://adqcarcovers.com/shopping/catalog/images/2006_Chrysler_Pacifica_ext_1.jpg

The real deal, not a quasi-wagon:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+rear_corner.jpg

The Magnum is BADASS! Especially the SRT-8 version. That is the sickest grocery getter on the market in my opinion.

There isn't a whole lot of price difference between a fully loaded Patriot and a basic Liberty.

Let's not jump to conclusions on what will be axed. These are "analysts" who are doing the talking. I'm really tired about what experts think will happen. Let's wait till the deck is played out by the players involved.

BANNED!!!!! :p

HAHAHAHAHAHA! You can't get rid of me that easily!

...

Or can you?!

:p

In my opinion, the Magnum may be ugly, but it clearly knows what it is: a station wagon. The back end is tapered, but that is no different than an old Audi 5000 wagon. The Pacifica, on the other hand, is confused. Is it a very tall wagon? Is it a cross-over SUV? Is it a minivan replacement? Ford has the same problem with what they now are calling the Tauras X: too tall to be a wagon, too low to be a cross-over. GM got it right with the Acadia, Outlook and Enclave:

Awkwardly tall:
http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/02/2008-Taurus-X.jpg

Bloated, yet yoga a prerequisite to get into the back seat:
http://adqcarcovers.com/shopping/catalog/images/2006_Chrysler_Pacifica_ext_1.jpg

The real deal, not a quasi-wagon:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+rear_corner.jpg


But is it truly a "station wagon" if the cargo capacity leaves much to be desired? My hubz, who had two wagons in his day mind you, checked out a Magnum at the dealership and was shocked by the lack of space; he said the exterior is very misleading...

The Magnum is BADASS! Especially the SRT-8 version. That is the sickest grocery getter on the market in my opinion.

"grocery getter" HA! :D

There isn't a whole lot of price difference between a fully loaded Patriot and a basic Liberty.

Let's not jump to conclusions...

But it's a fun game!

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/user_images/pics/1/245000/ngbbs3c48f1755fcfb.jpg

Have you tried it?

You never know what will happen. Some guesses are obvious but others just leave me wondering what the?!?!? Like why isn't every model of Jeep available with a diesel in the US? Why start with one... than maybe another...

But it's a fun game!

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/user_images/pics/1/245000/ngbbs3c48f1755fcfb.jpg

Have you tried it?

You never know what will happen. Some guesses are obvious but others just leave me wondering what the?!?!? Like why isn't every model of Jeep available with a diesel in the US? Why start with one... than maybe another...

HA!!! I am cackling over here! It's a jumptoconclusions mat!

But it's a fun game!

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/user_images/pics/1/245000/ngbbs3c48f1755fcfb.jpg

Have you tried it?
Like why isn't every model of Jeep available with a diesel in the US?

While many (I wonder what the actual percentage of Americans) clamor for a diesel option, I am not one. I guess if the infastructure was better for diesels (more stations), it would be different. However, when I leave for work at 3AM on my 50 mile drive, there is only ONE diesel place for me to fill up, and that is when I reach my destination. I would hate to be in an unfamiliar territory and run into the same situation.

While many (I wonder what the actual percentage of Americans) clamor for a diesel option, I am not one. I guess if the infastructure was better for diesels (more stations), it would be different. However, when I leave for work at 3AM on my 50 mile drive, there is only ONE diesel place for me to fill up, and that is when I reach my destination. I would hate to be in an unfamiliar territory and run into the same situation.

Holy hell ~ where do you work and what do you do?! Sure hope it's worth the drive! :p

While many (I wonder what the actual percentage of Americans) clamor for a diesel option, I am not one. I guess if the infastructure was better for diesels (more stations), it would be different...

Out in the Pacific Northwest, I believe every gas station has at least one diesel pump. There are several with whole islands devoted to diesel... not including the truck stops. There is even talk about some of the gas stations adding more bio-diesel pumps (http://www.pdxbiodiesel.org/) soon too.

You may even convert veg-oil into bio-diesel (http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2006/04/70702) on the fly if you want!

Out in the Pacific Northwest, I believe every gas station has at least one diesel pump. There are several with whole islands devoted to diesel... not including the truck stops. There is even talk about some of the gas stations adding more bio-diesel pumps (http://www.pdxbiodiesel.org/) soon too.

You may even convert veg-oil into bio-diesel (http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2006/04/70702) on the fly if you want!

I'm in FL and fortunately there are diesel options at all the gas stations I frequent.

If the rumor is true and Jeep is going to roll out a diesel Pat next year, I'm hopping on it! (If the price is right of course.) :p

I'm hopping on it! :p

Just be careful not to scratch the paint. :p I'd rather you hop in it. :banana:

... I'd rather you hop in it.

I don't agree. There was a White Snake video and a Bowling for Soup video where no scratching was involved and the hopping on the hood worked out really well!