Topic: is it the end of the road for dodge/chrysler? starting to look that way

[bucky katt]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/market-dispatches.aspx?post=1337558&_blg=1,1337558


Fiat to make Chrysler into . . . Fiat
The Italian carmaker expects to reintroduce Alfa Romeo to the US market and add many models that work in Europe. Many old US models will be phased out.
Posted by Charley Blaine on Monday, October 26, 2009 7:25 PM

Four months after exiting a U.S.-funded bankruptcy reorganization, Chrysler Group is about to unveil a product roadmap that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat (FIATY) while abandoning many of the U.S. carmaker's own models.

 

The plan, due to be unveiled Nov. 4, involves the reintroduction of Fiat's premium, sporty Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. starting in 2012, The Wall Street Journal reported this afternoon.

    * Bing: What is Chrysler's future?

Chrysler also will introduce the 500, Fiat's tiny car that is popular in Europe, to Americans. It won't, however, attach the Fiat name to it.

 

Chrysler meantime is preparing to phase out many of its current models, particularly Dodge cars, the Journal said.

 

Fiat and Chrysler are working to create several new vehicles with Fiat technology for the U.S. market, including a midsize Chrysler-brand sedan to be released in 2012.

 

The sweeping changes, due to play out over the next two to three years, represent a big gamble for Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, who has staked his reputation on the turnaround.

 

Marchionne, who successfully revamped Fiat, appears to be creating a vehicle lineup that stays true to Chrysler's blue-collar muscle-car and pickup roots while adding European-style vehicles to attract a new, more white-collar customer.

 

But in the short term, Marchionne's task is to keep the company afloat until 2012 when the bulk of the new offerings will come to the U.S.

 

Chrysler is faced now with shrinking market share and few new models coming to market. While it doesn't disclose its finances, Fiat has said repeatedly it won't inject any money into Chrysler despite receiving a 20% ownership stake in the company's reorganization.

 

Instead, it is contributing technology and management expertise.

 

"The biggest issue this company has is getting through the next few years," Rebecca Lindland, an automotive analyst at IHS Global Insight, told the Journal.

 

"They are going to have a hard time maintaining market share, let alone increasing it."

[tramp]

they also said any models lost would be from the dodge line

[Ecosse]

being a true mopar enthusiast it pains me greatly to say, that since chrysler was "saved" by unkle sam, i'd rather see them slip into a quick death.

as far as i'm concerned ford is the only american car company left. that sucks.


on the up side i'd like to see the fiat 500 sold here. 

[bucky katt]

i REALLY like their trucks. one day, when i need one, i'd like to have one of the 2500 series trucks with the diesel. best diesel pickup on the market since ford downsized the powerstroke motor.

[Inigo Montoya]

Cant say I ever cared much for chrysler. now granted I have not seen every single model off the line but the ones I have seen always seemed kinda held together with wire and spit. This goes from the 70 though the early 2000s. None of them seemed that high of build quality. Like I said, just the ones I have seen and been in. At least they had the good sense to kill the neon!

But there MAY be one bright side to this. European cars are actually able to tow. Maybe if this is once again help over to the US, we might not HAVE to have a truck to tow more than 1000 pounds!

[ColinMc]

But there MAY be one bright side to this. European cars are actually able to tow. Maybe if this is once again help over to the US, we might not HAVE to have a truck to tow more than 1000 pounds!

Agreed...the problem with that is most of the good towing cars are ones with a diesel as an optional motor...an optional motor we probably won't ever see even if the car comes here.

[Inigo Montoya]

Maybe but gas can tow just as well. I saw a chevy 1500 towing a 30 some foot trailer stacked to the gills with hay bales.
Regardless, cars need better towing. As a further gripe, they should come with better clutches! AND more cars should have a clutch!

[Freaky1]

I heard that some Jeep models were on the chopping block, I think that's a good idea. I think the bit about them remaining true to their muscle car and truck roots is a good thing. The Viper, Challenger, Charger, and even the old Prowler are great cars that I think sold well, and trucks, well I own a 2006 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and I love it. I think the 500 will go over well if they market it right. Good luck to them, I'd love to see someone actually lear from the bailout mess. Cut the fat, streamline the product, and focus on reliability, wow what a concept, that is crazy enough it just might work!

[bucky katt]

from what i understand, the viper was a money pit for them from day 1, that the viper was built to "get the brand out there" according to a documentary i saw on the car.

[Rocking-M]

being a true mopar enthusiast it pains me greatly to say, that since chrysler was "saved" by unkle sam, i'd rather see them slip into a quick death.

as far as i'm concerned ford is the only american car company left. that sucks.


on the up side i'd like to see the fiat 500 sold here. 

I'd like to see the 500 Abarth myself but if the badge it a Chrysler I wouldn't give it a second look.
I never gave up on Fiat and now their planning to introduce Fiats without the Fiat badge. That sucks.

[bucky katt]

i love the original and the new 500, too bad theres no way in hell i'd ever fit into one. i knew someone when i was a kid back in connecticut that had an abarth 500, little pocket rocket it was, i think it was a 71