Chrysler's "Revamping"

[02SilverStroke]

Here's something interesting about the "new" Chrysler: Chrysler Killing Off PT Cruiser, Reportedly Planning To Cut Number of Dealers and Simplify Product Lineup
So I guess the public will have a "Chrysler Charger"? Since the Charger and the 300 are built off the same platform, will they have both cars under one umbrella, or discontinue one of them? With the SUV's as Jeeps, can you see a "Jeep Durango"? Should be a wild ride at Chrysler. I'm sure that Ford (as well as the rest of the automotive industry) will be watching this very closely.

 

[F350DRW1]

I would expect Ford will follow along, if they don't already have a game plan. Many of the Ford products share platforms so how long before Mercury goes the way of Packard? We've lost Edsel, Studebaker, Rambler, Plymouth..the list is long. Lets face it, if Ford didn't make trucks they would probably be OOB. I remember the last time Chrysler was on the verge of extinction. Maybe they can talk ol' Lee Iacocca out of retirement. Worked like a charm last time.

 

[DaveBen]

If you can find a better car, buy it.

Dave

 

[JLDickmon]

If you can find a better car, buy it.

Dave

I wouldn't wipe my [self] with a Dodge, and I used to work there.

I tell ya, right now, the domestic Big Three can't build a car worthy of it's badges, save for the Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis.

They're plastic. Plastic looking, plastic feeling, plastic driving, and plastic fixing. But they come with a sterling silver price tag.
Jeebus H Kringle on a crutch.. if I wanted to drive a cheap POS, I'd BUY a cheap POS.

ah, great... now you guys got me started...

My Subaru has leather seats & steering wheel. So does my SuperDuty. My SuperDuty seat covers are worn through in a couple of spots, and full of cracks, and the steering wheel's leather has come loose and wraps and wiggles all over the place. But the Subaru's look like they're brand-spankin new. Guess which vehicle has more miles on it. I'll give you a hint: It's the same one the teenager drives.

Dubbya was right.
American car companies don't need a bail-out.. they need to build a better product.

 

[DaveBen]

A touch or REALITY is what they need.

Dave

 

[02SilverStroke]

If the companies would concentrate on building good quality vehicles instead of each division having their own variation of a certain model, they'd probably be better off. Maybe Chrysler does have "a better idea" in car production. Years ago, each division had their own "specialties": Lincoln and Cadillac were the big luxurious cars, Mercury, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Buick, etc., were the "mid range" cars, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Plymouth, etc., were the "bread and butter" type cars. Now you've got Ford and Lincoln with their own SUV's, as well as Chevy and Cadillac; plus Chrysler has an upscale version of the Durango. If they'd each stick to their "niche" and keep it simpler, they'd probably make more money.

 

[BamaSixGun]

Well, I know the Town Car will be no more. Salesman at our local mercury-lincoln dealership said it would no longer be made.

And of course, the Lincole "pick-up" is out too.

 

[Crumm]

The Lincole "pick-up" is out too.

I heard that a while back but they are listed on there website as a 2008 model??

I think what would help out the sales would be some service after the sale. We spent over 30K two years ago on a new F-150 and can't seem to get it repaired. Darn spendy lawn ornament for a working man. Try to tow anything with it and the undercarriage sounds like you are dragging a chain down the road. Put it in 4WD and it clangs/bangs so bad that she is afraid to drive it. Take it in and they say "not able to replicate the complaint" or some crap like that. They whine and cry about loosing money but they charge ten times what there product is worth and then wont stand behind it

American car companies don't need a bail-out.. they need to build a better product.

Well put.......

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

I know a guy who works in management for Chrysler and he has been saying there is talks of Chrysler only building cars, Dodge only building trucks, and Jeep only building SUV's. I'm sure there will be more of that coming up because it isn't economical to produce different parts to be put on the same chassis of the cheap version. Could you emagine a Chrysler or another Jeep pick-up that is actually a Ram?

On the subject of crappy vehicles, GM has to top the list. Think of all the people out there with 03-current GM products that can't get thier spare down. The worst part is they don't even know it won't come down untill they have a flat. It is just ignorace to make a spare tire carrier with a secondary latch that you have to get your jack and all the B.S tire changing tools to get the spare to even come down if you are lucky. All the ones I have seen had to be cut of with a torch then you had to purchase a new carrier for $150 bucks.

 

[RenoF250]

From what I can tell the quality fo the Japanese stuff is coming down as well. I just rode in a relatively new Titan yesterday and talk about plastic.

As far as reducing models why do they waste their time with other models for Europe? The UK obviously needs something different but I would think the rest could go for just different names and badges. It seems they get models not offered here and I think some of them could be quite popular.