From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100421/...#ixzz0lmGgODP0

 

1) Indeed, I was a Commercial Credit Analyst for Banknorth (known now as TD Bank) before I started where I am now...I never actually left the Olds/Pontiac dealership that started me in the business until I got my current position. I stayed at the previous dealership part-time after joining the bank. Indeed, the bank has struggled as well, but even after a crappy year last year, where I took about a 15% pay cut due to sliding sales, I still made almost twice as much as my best year at the bank. I cannot complain too much So, after being in the business for 10 years, I'm a very old 29 years old (30 this weekend ), but to say I've learned a lot is a gross understatement. Whether I stay in this field long-term or not, I've learned a ton of life lessons over the past 18 months...

2) We are getting a compact SEDAN for the '12 MY, replacing the Caliber entirely. Another one of DAIMLER'S brilliant ideas. Chrysler was supposed to be sedans, with Dodge being all wagons and SUVs! This is why the Magnum debuted with the 300. It was only due to the SCREAMING of Dodge dealers that the Charger ever debuted...it wasn't part of the original plan. Daimler seemed to forget Americans hate wagons and hatchbacks.

3) The problem with the Commander is a) the cheap, ugly interior and b) the USELESS 3rd row seat. If you're buying a larger SUV, the 3rd row should be habitable. This one isn't...period.

 

One of the neat things about today is that anyone can be an analyst. Everyone has an opinion, and with a big enough soapbox, their opinion reaches many. then those who hold the same view will nod their heads in agreement while an opposing view attracts opposites.

Here's the facts with Chrysler.

* It came out with a brand new minivan,
* It came out with a brand new Ram,
* It was working on the Hornet with Nissan,
* It was creating the new Chrysler 300 and the new Dodge Charger,
* It was starting work on replacing the Sebring with a new design
* It created the Hemi 2, which gets better fuel economy and more power than the previous version
* It was well into creating the advanced Pentastar V6 family (which is just now coming out).

This was all happening just before it walked into bankruptcy court.

The Auto Task Force identified Chrysler's problem as that they simply did not have the economies of scale and the global reach to have the economies of scale that it would need to get parts at the quality and volume to ensure it's survival. Chrysler was also devoid of any volume small cars it needed to weather unstable gas prices seen in the future. That's why it needed to hook up with Fiat.

tThe issue never was that Chrysler didn't have a product plans, or engineers or ideas. the problem with Chrysler was that they simply didn't have the money to put these plans into effect, and they needed a partnet to create a good small car. Chrysler cut alot of corners to keep going. The big part was skimping on materials because they couldn't get them at the prices Ford or GM could due to volume.

When you look at what Chryaler has in the pipeline, and realize that it takes years to create a new vehicle, much of the notions mentioned don't hold water.

Chrysler has everything it needs to make it right now. the only question is now a matter of design and improvements in materials. If Chrysler's upcoming designs are a hit, and materials at least match what's in the 300, then Chrysler will do extremely well.

And many will be eating crow.