Chrysler's 2003 Model year is almost over already! (and LX production schedule)
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Chrysler's 2003 Model year is almost over already! (and LX production schedule)
(08:30 Dec. 17, 2002)
DCX advances '04 models, particularly Chrysler, in effort to boost residuals. Strategy also gives cars same look, allows retooling time
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
This advanced peek at the 2004 Dodge Stratus shows a restyled grille, headlamp and front fascia. The Chrysler group is jumping the gun on the 2004 model year, particularly with the Chrysler brand. Within the next three months, every car in a Chrysler showroom is expected to be a 2004 model.
Dealer and company sources say Chrysler is advancing the model year for the cars to:
*Boost residuals.
*Give the same look to all Chrysler cars.
*Build adequate inventory of the 2004 Chrysler Concorde and 300M and Dodge Intrepid because their factory will be down for about six months to retool for their rear-drive replacements.
The company declined to comment on the record. Dealers and company sources provided the following picture of the strategy.
Advancing the start of the 2004 model year will help Chrysler's vehicle residuals, which have been taking a beating. After the lease is over, the company figures a 2004 model will be worth more than a 2003 assembled at the same time.
"You introduce the 2004s early, and it makes the residuals (on that vehicle) pretty strong," one Chrysler group manager said.
Raj Sundaram, president of Automotive Lease Guide in Santa Barbara, Calif., said the residuals for Chrysler brand vehicles are running at 41 percent of the sticker price after three years compared with a 51 percent average for Honda, Nissan and Toyota combined. Automotive Lease Guide is the industry's primary guide for setting residual values.
"Eventually toward the end of the model year you give back some of that. (But) all things equal, if you introduce it early, you get a strong residual," Sundaram said.
As for styling, the company wants all Chrysler brand vehicles to have a family resemblance to its two new 2004 models.
The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica sport wagon goes into production in January, and the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire coupe bows in spring or summer. The 2004 Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible will receive restyled grilles, headlights and fascias that share a family look with the Pacifica and Crossfire. The new Sebrings debut in the first quarter.
For Chrysler dealers, the only 2003s that will remain in the lineup until fall are expected to be the PT Cruiser and the Town & Country and Voyager minivans. In addition, the slightly restyled 2004 Chrysler Grand Cherokee will arrive at dealerships in January.
The advance of the 2004 model year also will provide adequate inventory of large cars for dealers while the Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant is shut down for model changeover.
Chrysler dealers have been told that both the 2003 and 2004 Concorde and 300M sedans will have a short life. The 2004 models are expected to reach dealers in February or March.
The build-out for the two Chrysler 2004 cars along with the Dodge Intrepid is expected to take place in August, dealer sources said. The Brampton plant will be retooled for the rear-drive 2005 Chrysler Concorde and 300N (which replaces the 300M) and 2005 Dodge Intrepid. Production of those cars is set to begin in February 2004, dealers said.
DCX advances '04 models, particularly Chrysler, in effort to boost residuals. Strategy also gives cars same look, allows retooling time
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
This advanced peek at the 2004 Dodge Stratus shows a restyled grille, headlamp and front fascia. The Chrysler group is jumping the gun on the 2004 model year, particularly with the Chrysler brand. Within the next three months, every car in a Chrysler showroom is expected to be a 2004 model.
Dealer and company sources say Chrysler is advancing the model year for the cars to:
*Boost residuals.
*Give the same look to all Chrysler cars.
*Build adequate inventory of the 2004 Chrysler Concorde and 300M and Dodge Intrepid because their factory will be down for about six months to retool for their rear-drive replacements.
The company declined to comment on the record. Dealers and company sources provided the following picture of the strategy.
Advancing the start of the 2004 model year will help Chrysler's vehicle residuals, which have been taking a beating. After the lease is over, the company figures a 2004 model will be worth more than a 2003 assembled at the same time.
"You introduce the 2004s early, and it makes the residuals (on that vehicle) pretty strong," one Chrysler group manager said.
Raj Sundaram, president of Automotive Lease Guide in Santa Barbara, Calif., said the residuals for Chrysler brand vehicles are running at 41 percent of the sticker price after three years compared with a 51 percent average for Honda, Nissan and Toyota combined. Automotive Lease Guide is the industry's primary guide for setting residual values.
"Eventually toward the end of the model year you give back some of that. (But) all things equal, if you introduce it early, you get a strong residual," Sundaram said.
As for styling, the company wants all Chrysler brand vehicles to have a family resemblance to its two new 2004 models.
The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica sport wagon goes into production in January, and the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire coupe bows in spring or summer. The 2004 Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible will receive restyled grilles, headlights and fascias that share a family look with the Pacifica and Crossfire. The new Sebrings debut in the first quarter.
For Chrysler dealers, the only 2003s that will remain in the lineup until fall are expected to be the PT Cruiser and the Town & Country and Voyager minivans. In addition, the slightly restyled 2004 Chrysler Grand Cherokee will arrive at dealerships in January.
The advance of the 2004 model year also will provide adequate inventory of large cars for dealers while the Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant is shut down for model changeover.
Chrysler dealers have been told that both the 2003 and 2004 Concorde and 300M sedans will have a short life. The 2004 models are expected to reach dealers in February or March.
The build-out for the two Chrysler 2004 cars along with the Dodge Intrepid is expected to take place in August, dealer sources said. The Brampton plant will be retooled for the rear-drive 2005 Chrysler Concorde and 300N (which replaces the 300M) and 2005 Dodge Intrepid. Production of those cars is set to begin in February 2004, dealers said.
Last edited by guionM; Dec 17, 2002 at 04:26 PM.
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From: New England
hmm no market for a RWD 4 door car...
I think I like d/c more and more..they got some nice cars comin out..did I say COMMING! OUT!
no prototypes..no one offs no specials..REAL CARS...and things that Bob Lutz I hope is doing to GM if not..I hate to say it but when D/C comes out with a RWD pony car to compete with the mustang..for performance alone..it will dominate the market..HEMI powered musclecar again??? OMG...
ohh well...
I think I like d/c more and more..they got some nice cars comin out..did I say COMMING! OUT!
no prototypes..no one offs no specials..REAL CARS...and things that Bob Lutz I hope is doing to GM if not..I hate to say it but when D/C comes out with a RWD pony car to compete with the mustang..for performance alone..it will dominate the market..HEMI powered musclecar again??? OMG...ohh well...
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,402
From: Toronto, ON Canada
This isn't related to the topic itself, but about 4 years ago I used to work at security at this Brampton plant (which is on the outskirts of Toronto). I was thoroughly impressed with their assembly line, and how they build roughly 1000 cars every day.
There is just an incredible amount of machinery (robots and such), so to retool it - and to verify it - I can't imagine what an involved job this will be.
No wonder it will take them 6 months
There is just an incredible amount of machinery (robots and such), so to retool it - and to verify it - I can't imagine what an involved job this will be.
No wonder it will take them 6 months
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,748
From: New England
yea it is..I can imagine..but I think its just changing configurations on lines and programs and rechecking them to make sure they make the right car...dont want to make a K car and not a 300N.. lol
but yea I can think of how much time it takes..BIG JOB!
but yea I can think of how much time it takes..BIG JOB!
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,647
From: At car shows and cruise nights!
Don't they wanna offer HEMI's in practically every car once they all go RWD?? Thats gonna be crazy. I wonder if GM will do something like that?! 
Well, maybe by then they'll have all the now FWD V6 made RWD V8's. It only makes sence to have a real high performance version like the Charger to lead them all.
Well, maybe by then they'll have all the now FWD V6 made RWD V8's. It only makes sence to have a real high performance version like the Charger to lead them all.
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