Chrysler Ramps Up Special Editions: "8-Mile" 200 By Rapper Eminem Coming Soon

[Perian]

The Wall Street Journal

November 27, 2012

Article Quotes:

Pruitt Chamness was visiting a Chrysler dealer when the 27-year-old Rhode Islander spotted an unusual Jeep Grand Cherokee with 20-inch black rims, a blacked-out grille and a steel-gray paint job.

It "just grabbed me," said Mr. Chamness, a data-storage salesman. "I literally didn't look at another car."

He sold his 2008 Saturn and leased the about $36,000 Altitude in September.

Chrysler Group LLC is producing more special-edition vehicles and versions of existing car and truck models that target select buyers.

One of its better-known creations is the "man van"—a version of its Dodge Grand Caravan tailored for dads who prefer sports cars but have to drive minivans to haul kids and gear.

Auto makers produce such special editions to generate buzz, command higher prices than basic models and hook customers, like Mr. Chamness, who wouldn't normally consider buying their vehicles.

Few employ the marketing tactic as extensively as Chrysler. Several of its creations will be on display this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Chrysler plans to unveil a sportier version of its Town & Country minivan, with a black-chrome grille and 3.6-liter, V-6 engine and a Dodge Charger Daytona edition.

Down the road is an "8 Mile" edition of the Chrysler 200 designed with Detroit rapper Eminem, and two new special-edition Ram 1500s, the Warlock and Lil' Red Express, both of them throwbacks to similar versions from the 1970s, according to dealers briefed on the plan.

These come on top of the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier, an all-wheel-drive sedan with blue pearl, white or silver paint and seats in ballistic nylon, a tough, durable fabric used for boots and watchbands. The target consumer: urbanites who value fashion but also cherish the outdoors.

Too many variations can overload dealers, and some editions don't always connect.

"The execution is critical, so the dealer doesn't end up having too much inventory or have it at the expense of [cars] they can sell," said John Firth, a retailing expert with Urban Science in Detroit.

Auto makers have long offered Texas Edition pickups and Eddie Bauer SUVs, but more are moving away as they try to scale back on costs and complexity by streamlining their lineups.

[Perian]

"8-Mile 200 Edition by Eminem"?

If it sells, more power to them.

Maybe GM could turn it up a bit in this category. The current "All-Star Special Edition" Malibu and Silverado units speak for themselves.

[Bravada]

While Fiatsler has major brand identity and strategy issues, their product packaging and marketing in the US seems to really work well for them. Despite all the hoorah, they have a far weaker lineup than GM, yet seem to be better at squeezing every dollar out of what they have.

[Neanderthal]

These come on top of the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier, an all-wheel-drive sedan with blue pearl, white or silver paint and seats in ballistic nylon, a tough, durable fabric used for boots and watchbands. The target consumer: urbanites who value fashion but also cherish the outdoors.

"The execution is critical, so the dealer doesn't end up having too much inventory or have it at the expense of [cars] they can sell," said John Firth, a retailing expert with Urban Science in Detroit.

Execution? Ballistic?

Why not a Downtown Detroit at Midnight version? "Urban Science Detroit Edition."

One step further, why not actual bullet-resistant ballistic panels in seat backs, doors, and roof, back of deck lid, just like some Crown Vics cop cars had?

Paint it in various forms of digital camouflage, Battleship Grey, and other schemes that make it a more difficult target to acquire during the wee hours in Motown.

[69gtsdart]

Umm.. Chrysler Corp does not have any Identity Issues at all... GM on the other hand...... this 8-Mile Edition is just the Chrysler 200 "Super S" concept that was introduced by Mopar


from the sounds of it. its the last send off for the Current 200. the New 200 will be shown in Detroit

[All Star]

Eminem edition? Sign me up.

[hunchman]

"8-Mile 200 Edition by Eminem"?

If it sells, more power to them.

Maybe GM could turn it up a bit in this category. The current "All-Star Special Edition" Malibu and Silverado units speak for themselves.

Yo word up honky mo fo

[CJH]

The Altitude Grand Cherokee does look good, kind of styled like a Denali, but a little more attitude.

[AdmiralViscen]

Came to post "in before country club racism," but I'm too late

[richmond2000]

I thought GM claimed the Camaro would have a limited edition every 6 months or so

[Neanderthal]

I thought GM claimed the Camaro would have a limited edition every 6 months or so

You don't understand GM's definition of "Limited Edition." See "the meaning of IS" for details.

[AMERICA 123]

Must be fun for @ least a few @ Chrysler.....

They gots some of this going on



Its your Jeep, yeah do what you wanna' do

I won't tell ya' how to sell it thru....

[skylark68]

Remember all those special edition Dusters back in the '70s?

[JBsZ06]

Honda big on this in Japan with the Honda SHE'S ..it's a Honda fit in pink interior and exterior...special window tint so the ladies don't get wrinkles from the sun and an air conditioner that does not dry out their skin.

Comes in black and white as well specially targeting women..

No reason chiseler doesn't target it's customers in various ways...

Mopar. editions have been successful as have various other showroom traffic models.

I like the idea

[69gtsdart]

Chrysler had recently won a award for Best Marketing lol so this stuff work. to bad Cadillac cant do a Elvis edition Caddy, atleast not in Pink.