http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...SS01/612020354

DCX beat out Ford for the #3 spot. Toyota #2. GM #1

 

It's all about product

 

DCX willnot continue that thrend though. They were offering the biggest incentives to try and stave-off the dumpy sales they are having overall.

Ford is actually doing best on selling at retail pricing right now, and I applaud them for that.

I have said for years that these perpetual "employee-pricing" or "rebates" programs will do more harm than good in the long run for the images of the carmakers. The public becomes expectant of rebates, or they won't consider the brand. Ever see BMW have employee-pricing sales? Mercedes? Jag? Toyota? Honda? There's a reason for that.

I certainly don't think Ford will jump to #1 soon, but I don't think DCX will stay #3 for long. Besides, Ford clobbered DCX in profits on the units they DID sell, so who ended up the better for it? DCX by reducing inventory a bit I suppose, but not in the profit column.

 

Chrysler did an "Employee" sale in November right?

 

Thats good reading.

 

How long has Ford been trying to shrink its way to profitability? It seems as if that's been the line since the beginning of the decade. Analysts like to trumpet the fact that GM and its Detroit competitors can't expect to hold their current market share, but at some point, you have to sell cars.

All the fancy cost cutting moves mean nothing if Ford cannot come out with some serious product, and fast.

 

Maybe, maybe not....but I wouldn't automatically dismiss Chrysler's performance. Let's face it, they've put a slew of new product out in the last year, while Ford has stayed stagnant. Besides the Edge, what hot new product has Ford recently released or is debuting in the near future???

The Chrysler group already has, or is about to, release
Dodge Caliber
Dodge Nitro
Dodge Avenger (early '07)
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
New Jeep Wrangler
New Chrysler Sebring

And I'm probably missing something.

 

Lets not forget all they have inthe pipline:

Challenger
All LX cars restyled less than 2 years away.
New Liberty
Sedan/coupe version of Caliber
Jeep Scrambler
Firepower
Chrysler version of Caliber sedan

 

The new Chrysler minivans will be out in roughly a year, as will the new Viper and Dodge Challenger. If I'm not mistaken, so will the restyled Grand Cherokee.

Then there's the following year which will have the new 300, Magnum, Charger, and likely the Hornet. Chrysler is in a unusual position as to where any bad sales news can be overshadowed by the next new model right around the corner, which Chrysler has well more than it's fair share at least for the next 3-4 years.

Short of a Explorer/Firestone-like screwup or a US economic meltdown, Chrysler's not going anywhere as long as they get their distribution and marketing house in order.

 

I was wondering when the LX refresh would happen. I had no idea they're looking at doing a more "traditional" car off the Caliber platform. I don't know that Firepower will become a reality?

Still....that's pretty aggressive product development.....just imagine what DCX could do if they could actually get a launch right.