CHRYSLER IS INSANE - They must be planning their own bankruptcy.
First of all, the Chrysler 300/ Magnum/ Charger and Sebring were "decent" cars during their launches (with the 300 being strongest) but Chrysler has made a huge mistake not redesignin gth einterior from the cheap plastic it was to something more like crafted leather and less plastic cheapness [ think CTS redesigned for 08]
The 2008 Chryslers have undergone virtually no changes this year with the exception of the offering of backseat TV, auto cruise control and slightly nice light fixtures.
Are they insane? Why are the offering an SRT8 CHALLENGER when gas prices for Premium unleaded are $3.60? Why haven't they worked on the HEMI engines to get more fuel economy?
The real power players this year will be Hyundai's Genesis and Lincoln's MKS.
My girlfriend owns a Chrysler 300 and though its a good car, Chrysler is quickly headed down the wrong path. They need better quality control.
My mom has an '05 or '06 Town n' Country, and I must say, it's a pretty good vehicle. Before that, she had a LeBaron that she got in 94. She drove that thing to the end, and her minivan is holding up quite well also, considering she's been putting a ton of miles on it.
Though I have to agree with you. For the most part, automobile manufacturers need to focus on offering more cars for the average consumer. Sure, it's nice to have luxury, but at what cost, exactly?
Chrysler actually might be able to turn things around, but the new management hasn't had enough time to really do anything yet, and pretty much every decision made before they showed up was the wrong one. To their credit, they have canned some lame ducks (Crossfire!) and apparently upgraded the interior to the new Journey at the last minute to get it at least tolerable (haven't been in it though, so I can't quite judge how much of a difference was made.)
And, since you referenced the new CTS, GM's recent hit parade didn't happen overnight either. The newer, less stupid management has been around for a few years now, and they needed time to implement projects and make design changes before they could get a lineup that they could be proud of. Maybe the next Sebring will be a dramatic step up like the new Malibu, but they need to design it first, and since the old management was stupid, it's going to have to start from the beginning. Great products don't happen overnight, it's going to be a while before Chrysler is on the right track again, if they ever are.
did you really just say those two words in the same sentence? the oil companies car companies and government are all (unfortunately for us) in a very large bed together, and until that bed is erm. punctured. we won't be seeing fuel efficient american cars.
35mpg is not fuel efficient, though we may have come to believe it to be. when i see over 50 (as in what they get in europe if i'm not mistaken) i'll be pleased. and don't complain about small european cars just cause you drive a ford f-150 gallons a mile pickup cause you have a small dick.
Yeah, big evil conspiracy, one which would have no clout if consumers didn't want large, excessive vehicles in the first place.
Big oil certainly doesn't complain about SUVs and trucks, car companies love them because the profits are huge, not because big oil tells them they should push them. And why are the profits huge? Because people want the stupid things and are willing to pay a premium.
If people in America bought small cars, car companies would sell them here. Blame whoever you want, it's the consumer's fault.
Americans want big, powerful cars. The only reason why most Americans who buy small cars actually buy small cars is out of necessity because of fuel prices. The Challenger is not designed to be a high volume car. People who can afford to buy and drive the Challenger will buy it even if gasoline prices hit $4 per gallon or more. It's not a matter of 'blame', it's a matter of capitalism. The only mistake Chrysler may be making with the Challenger is if they can't sell the amount they plan on selling. The other factor is that the Challenger may have a "halo effect" on their entire line, making their brand desirable. It's a hot car. I would buy one in a second if I could afford it.
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CHRYSLER IS INSANE - They must be planning their own bankruptcy.
First of all, the Chrysler 300/ Magnum/ Charger and Sebring were "decent" cars during their launches (with the 300 being strongest) but Chrysler has made a huge mistake not redesignin gth einterior from the cheap plastic it was to something more like crafted leather and less plastic cheapness [ think CTS redesigned for 08]
The 2008 Chryslers have undergone virtually no changes this year with the exception of the offering of backseat TV, auto cruise control and slightly nice light fixtures.
Are they insane? Why are the offering an SRT8 CHALLENGER when gas prices for Premium unleaded are $3.60? Why haven't they worked on the HEMI engines to get more fuel economy?
The real power players this year will be Hyundai's Genesis and Lincoln's MKS.
My girlfriend owns a Chrysler 300 and though its a good car, Chrysler is quickly headed down the wrong path. They need better quality control.
My mom has an '05 or '06 Town n' Country, and I must say, it's a pretty good vehicle. Before that, she had a LeBaron that she got in 94. She drove that thing to the end, and her minivan is holding up quite well also, considering she's been putting a ton of miles on it.
Though I have to agree with you. For the most part, automobile manufacturers need to focus on offering more cars for the average consumer. Sure, it's nice to have luxury, but at what cost, exactly?
Chrysler actually might be able to turn things around, but the new management hasn't had enough time to really do anything yet, and pretty much every decision made before they showed up was the wrong one. To their credit, they have canned some lame ducks (Crossfire!) and apparently upgraded the interior to the new Journey at the last minute to get it at least tolerable (haven't been in it though, so I can't quite judge how much of a difference was made.)
And, since you referenced the new CTS, GM's recent hit parade didn't happen overnight either. The newer, less stupid management has been around for a few years now, and they needed time to implement projects and make design changes before they could get a lineup that they could be proud of. Maybe the next Sebring will be a dramatic step up like the new Malibu, but they need to design it first, and since the old management was stupid, it's going to have to start from the beginning. Great products don't happen overnight, it's going to be a while before Chrysler is on the right track again, if they ever are.
hemi and fuel economy?
did you really just say those two words in the same sentence?
the oil companies car companies and government are all (unfortunately for us) in a very large bed together, and until that bed is erm. punctured. we won't be seeing fuel efficient american cars.
35mpg is not fuel efficient, though we may have come to believe it to be.
when i see over 50 (as in what they get in europe if i'm not mistaken) i'll be pleased.
and don't complain about small european cars just cause you drive a ford f-150 gallons a mile pickup cause you have a small dick.
Yeah, big evil conspiracy, one which would have no clout if consumers didn't want large, excessive vehicles in the first place.
Big oil certainly doesn't complain about SUVs and trucks, car companies love them because the profits are huge, not because big oil tells them they should push them. And why are the profits huge? Because people want the stupid things and are willing to pay a premium.
If people in America bought small cars, car companies would sell them here. Blame whoever you want, it's the consumer's fault.
Americans want big, powerful cars. The only reason why most Americans who buy small cars actually buy small cars is out of necessity because of fuel prices. The Challenger is not designed to be a high volume car. People who can afford to buy and drive the Challenger will buy it even if gasoline prices hit $4 per gallon or more. It's not a matter of 'blame', it's a matter of capitalism. The only mistake Chrysler may be making with the Challenger is if they can't sell the amount they plan on selling. The other factor is that the Challenger may have a "halo effect" on their entire line, making their brand desirable. It's a hot car. I would buy one in a second if I could afford it.