The Day After: Automotive News Has Complete Coverage Of The New Chrysler

[Chaz_23]

I was referring to the standard NA version, which I'm sure will be in most cars.

Originally Posted by ColoradoZQ8

Really?
Are there a lot of companies building twin-turbo V6's with 400 horsepower in
production cars right now?

[JBsZ06]

I want to see which cars get the dual clutch sequential transmission.

Sure would be cool if it were the new Dodge Charger SRT/8!!

[SimonDavid]

Funny how Chrysler have come full circle, pretty much back to the "Global Motors" that Iacocca wanted 20 years ago - a big alliance with Fiat.

Good luck to them, it sounds alot more promising than Daimler, and at least you cannot accuse FIAT of not trying to share their technology

[SimonDavid]

BTW

the new "multiair" engines variable valve timing engines that FIAT have just released in Europe are awesome

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...tiAir-engines/

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by 62Lincoln

And GM was at 28% market share a decade ago. Is anyone expecting GM to return to those levels? Of course not. 13% is delusional thinking.

Let's see:
Chrysler is adding a brand (RAM brand) and a lot of new offerings (where they currently don't compete: C-segment, midsize, B-segment) to attempt to increase marketshare by about 3%.

GM has dropped about half its lineup and killed 4 division.

Chrysler had 16% with their old 4 division system (with defunct Plymouth) -- there really should be no reason they can't reach a similar volume with a comprehensive car lineup (which has been absent for decades).

Are you slow or something?

One company is actually trying to gain marketshare with new product (in segments they don't currently compete) -- the other is not (GM).

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

I was referring to the standard NA version, which I'm sure will be in most cars.

Considering the Pentastar V6 has yet to be fitted in a single car so far -- your comment still makes no sense. The only vehicle that the Pentastar has been installed in is the Grand Cherokee which has been tuned for optimal torque and fuel economy in a truck application.

Horsepower figures are usually always misleading in trucks -- since torque is what most engines are tuned for.

[CadiEldo67]

Very interesting, my perception of Chrysler is changing daily, just recently I only would buy a Charger.

[Masospaghetti]

Originally Posted by ColoradoZQ8

Let's see:
Chrysler is adding a brand (RAM brand) and a lot of new offerings (where they currently don't compete: C-segment, midsize, B-segment) to attempt to increase marketshare by about 3%.

The RAM brand isn't going to increase their market share - it's a stupid idea that will yield less total sales than just keeping Dodge trucks. The last thing they need is another brand. If anything, keep Dodge as trucks only, and sell the Fiat name in the States - the Fiat name certainly is more favorable than Dodge or Chrysler, and it's exotic nature will be a plus. Dodge and Chrysler DO compete in the midsize and C-segments but they just aren't very good. I'm skeptical that a refresh of the Caliber will yield many more sales, and the Chrysler brand image is just so badly damaged it will take a while before they recover sales, no matter how good their cars are.

GM has dropped about half its lineup and killed 4 division.

And they have increased their market share as of last month -- the number of models and number of sales isn't clearly correlated.

Chrysler had 16% with their old 4 division system (with defunct Plymouth) -- there really should be no reason they can't reach a similar volume with a comprehensive car lineup (which has been absent for decades).

And GM had over 30% with stinking turds of vehicles: Early J-bodies, Celebrity, Chevette, Spectrum, 4-cylinder (Iron Duke, 90 horsepower) Camaros, Pontiac 6000, Pariesienne..the list goes on. It's pretty obvious that comparing market share now to in the past isn't a good comparison because of a few of things:

1. The buying public was much more willing to buy American without regard to quality
2. The Big Three hadn't tarnished their reputations to such an extent that it turned most buyers to other makes
3. There were fewer competitors in the field

Sure, if Chrysler has a killer lineup for a few years, they will gain market share - but its not going to be that fast. And don't expect all of their new vehicles to be home runs.

Are you slow or something?

I know you weren't directing this at ME, but i've heard enough corporate BS, company spin, and empty promises to be very doubtful that Chrysler will be as successful as they say they will.

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by 62Lincoln

13% is delusional thinking.

Have you been to a Dodge or Chrysler dealership lately? Their stuff is really bad!
I can see a 4% gain if they just got competitive products.
It's not gonna happen overnight, though.

[prototype66]

I hope they bring back the Pentstar logo!
Always liked that

[web_captain]

Originally Posted by JBsZ06

I want to see which cars get the dual clutch sequential transmission.

Sure would be cool if it were the new Dodge Charger SRT/8!!

Fiat's dual dry clutch sequential ==> max 350 N-m [258 lb-ft]
it's a physical limit for 'dry' units

[ZHDesign57]

Originally Posted by prototype66

I hope they bring back the Pentstar logo!
Always liked that

Meh, I'm not a fan of that one. I like the newer Chrysler logo a lot better. (the one that looks like it has wings.) On the other hand, The new Dodge car logo sounds interesting.

Anyways, I hope Fiat will help a lot. I'm very curious as to what will be coming out of Chrysler's brands in the next few years.

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

The RAM brand isn't going to increase their market share - it's a stupid idea that will yield less total sales than just keeping Dodge trucks. The last thing they need is another brand. If anything, keep Dodge as trucks only, and sell the Fiat name in the States - the Fiat name certainly is more favorable than Dodge or Chrysler, and it's exotic nature will be a plus. Dodge and Chrysler DO compete in the midsize and C-segments but they just aren't very good. I'm skeptical that a refresh of the Caliber will yield many more sales, and the Chrysler brand image is just so badly damaged it will take a while before they recover sales, no matter how good their cars are.


And they have increased their market share as of last month -- the number of models and number of sales isn't clearly correlated.

And GM had over 30% with stinking turds of vehicles: Early J-bodies, Celebrity, Chevette, Spectrum, 4-cylinder (Iron Duke, 90 horsepower) Camaros, Pontiac 6000, Pariesienne..the list goes on. It's pretty obvious that comparing market share now to in the past isn't a good comparison because of a few of things:

1. The buying public was much more willing to buy American without regard to quality
2. The Big Three hadn't tarnished their reputations to such an extent that it turned most buyers to other makes
3. There were fewer competitors in the field

Sure, if Chrysler has a killer lineup for a few years, they will gain market share - but its not going to be that fast. And don't expect all of their new vehicles to be home runs.

I know you weren't directing this at ME, but i've heard enough corporate BS, company spin, and empty promises to be very doubtful that Chrysler will be as successful as they say they will.

Your analysis is still flawed.
GM had how many dealership when they had 30% marketshare? Like 6,000 or so spread across like a billion divisions (with probably about 100 nameplates)???? It's simply impossible for GM to ever make it to that level ever again.

Chrysler's historical average over the past 20 years was 12% -- they are aiming for 13..... Not exactly a big jump from 9-10% that they currently are doing with a totally awful lineup. Also keep in mind -- There incentives are much lower than "normal Chrysler." Lately, Hyundai is putting more money on the hood than Chrysler (unthinkable last year).

Plus, they are suddenly re-entering high volume segments they abandoned -- they used to sell 500,000 Dodge/Plymouth Neons a year that they just walked away from..... Anyone who knows anything about the Big Three realizes that these goals are possible.

We will know within a YEAR. Q4 2010 we will see the redesigned Midsize cars -- if they are home runs, that it a huge market segment. With their current midsize cars sales -- they can only go up.

I was really cynical about Fiat at first -- but these guys are literally working 7 days a week to kick everyone else's backside.

[Chaz_23]

It's not a riddle.
Take the Pentastar's power ratinga (NA), then compare with the ratings of the competition's V6s. It's by no means impressive for the newest engine.

Originally Posted by ColoradoZQ8

Considering the Pentastar V6 has yet to be fitted in a single car so far -- your comment still makes no sense. The only vehicle that the Pentastar has been installed in is the Grand Cherokee which has been tuned for optimal torque and fuel economy in a truck application.

Horsepower figures are usually always misleading in trucks -- since torque is what most engines are tuned for.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

I like what I hear, except about the Dakota, but I want Chrysler back and healthy, so go to it FIAT! Bring MOPAR back!