It seems to me that the only way Chrysler wins with Fiat is to bring the Fiat vehicles in with
ABSOLUTELY minimum modifications! And that includes their under 2 liter turbo diesels.
Just think, maybe Chrysler (or all of the Det3) could ask the President, by EXECUTIVE ORDER (or Congress less quickly by legislation), to
TEMPORARILY (say 24 months) waive ALL import restrictions on vehicles achieving above 44 mpg combined average and comply with EU emissions and safety standards
so that NEW POSITIVE CASH FLOW can be generated in a PREVIOUSLY untapped US market segment (above 44 mpg). It can be justified under the
War Powers Act because the declining industrial base (and auto industry), OUR economy, and ENERGY INDEPENDENCE/OIL IMPORTS are all
NATIONAL SECURITY issues.
And ...NO taxpayer money required!
And "time to market" is very short since the proposal uses existing excess EU inventories!
The 24 month waiver period could be used to generate NEW POSITIVE CASH FLOW, measure consumer acceptance, provide user experience, plan future manufacturing based on measure consumer response,
establish domestic (US) manufacturing, and to
resolve any emissions/safety issues at
very low risk and cost to Chrysler/Fiat. Even Ford or GM could do the same thing with their EU models for that matter.
Here are some of the
potential benefits ... IF ... Detroit (or/and others) commit to and quickly
built these "new existing" FUEL FRUGAL vehicles within the US in relatively significant volumes, we
could "kill 16 birds with one stone" ... not limited to quick response, positive cash flow, expanded domestic market demand, possible increase in market share, job creation, improved economy, increased tax revenue, reduced fuel consumption/emissions/oil imports, stronger/more creative domestic auto industry/industrial base, improved National Security, and it is a self funding stimulus strategy to just to name a few.
What is wrong with this proposal? How can those problems be resolved and the strategy be made better?
? 44 to 63 mpg combined average by March 2009 ?
What would that do for Chrysler sales? And GM/Ford if they followed suite?
Try searching Chrysler/Fiat, Ford/Mazda/Volvo, and GM/Chevy/Saab/Vauxhall vehicles between 51 and 76 mpg(Imperial) combined cycle.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...lConSearch.asp