DCX's 2005 Pricing To Rise

[nsap]

DETROIT — Sparked by huge price reductions on PT Cruiser sedans, the Chrysler group shows an average price increase of only $25 on 2005 models announced last week.

That figure will grow. The Chrysler group disclosed stickers on 68 percent of its 2005 models last week. Still to come are the numbers for Dodge Ram pickups, the group’s best-selling and most profitable line; and the Jeep Wrangler. (See Late News for 2005 Grand Cherokee prices.)

The pickups account for 19.5 percent of the Chrysler group’s sales, and the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee account for 12.1 percent. The group’s average increase will rise when those nameplates are folded in.

Prices of the four sedans in the PT Cruiser stable were slashed big-time — $2,555 to $4,190. Some content was removed — for example, air conditioning is no longer standard on the base PT Cruiser sedan — and there was plenty of soul-searching and market analysis at the group’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The 2005 PT Cruiser starts at $13,995 including destination, compared with $18,080 for 2004.

The Chrysler group said it analyzed the small-car market to determine the content most desired by customers, and “some equipment formerly standard is optional to give a better price point to our customers.”

The analysis and its rather drastic results are in line with Chrysler’s efforts to fight profit-killing incentives at the factory instead of the customer. The company made similar price reductions on its minivans last January, and later cut the tags on its new Pacifica sport wagon and Crossfire coupes and roadsters.

Full Article Here

[PontiacDriver123]

Originally posted by nsap@Aug 16 2004, 01:00 PM


The 2005 PT Cruiser starts at $13,995 including destination, compared with $18,080 for 2004.

Are they trying to compete with the scion xa?

[atomicshark]

This is the pricing model that most manufacturers should follow. If the cars are not selling for their asking price then lower the price. Think about it. Who would buy an Impala for nearly $30,000 loaded when there is so much out there in that price range that is more powerful or more luxurious etc. When you add up all the incentives, the Impala becomes a can't miss value. If the Impala loaded cost $22 or 23,000 without incentives, no one would be able to compete with such value. Plus Chevy's resale values would level off and not kill the brands image.

[paul8488]

hmmm... wonder where the HHR will be priced.

[paul8488]

haha... "PCRUV" has a lovely ring to it!

obviously we'll have to see how it's packaged (size, power, options), but there are inevitable comparisons to be made... and the PT just set a low one for price! not sure if cobalt pricing is set or not, but the HHR will almost certainly be higher. hope it's solid enough to tackle the PT.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally posted by Buick61@Aug 16 2004, 02:02 PM
And as I've said earlier, it seems to be becoming the American Hyundai: great prices, lots of features, and long warranty.

Chrysler has been the American Hyundai for many years now, remember the Omni?? j-u-n-k...

Here's a 1981 Dodge Omni Eurosedan (that's really what they called it <_< )...

[Supremus]

Originally posted by Buick61@Aug 16 2004, 07:52 PM

Looks like the Malibu Maxx with a better interior and grille.

OUCH! :lol:

[mrfunji]

Originally posted by PontiacDriver123+Aug 16 2004, 01:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (PontiacDriver123 @ Aug 16 2004, 01:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-nsap@Aug 16 2004, 01:00 PM


The 2005 PT Cruiser starts at $13,995 including destination, compared with $18,080 for 2004.

[/b][/quote]
Are they somehow factoring rebates into the base price for 2005? That seems real low, unless they are worried the HHR is going to steal marketshare.

[gmwsag]

DCX has been in a mess ever since the bankruptcy (in which the U.S. government dragged them out of), but it seems that hope is here because of the recent products: Crossfire, 300, 300c, Ram Pickup, SRT-10, etc.

[usa1]

DC has a history of being hot and cold. Right now they are hot with some decent products.

It would be nice to see GM match the warrenty of that DC offers and follow them with a more honest pricing model. It appears Ford is following the DC way of lowering MSRP with their 500 and Freestyle.

When you read a review of a product and they gripe about the inflated MSRPs for some GM products, they NEVER mention the inevitable $3K rebate.

Mark

[Buick61]

Originally posted by usa1@Aug 17 2004, 01:35 AM
When you read a review of a product and they gripe about the inflated MSRPs for some GM products, they NEVER mention the inevitable $3K rebate.

Yeah well, rebates are fickle. They vary from locality to locality and can be a certain amount one month and very different the next. That's why reviewers don't include them....the information would most likely be inaccurate by the time the article goes to print. So in that regard, they stay with the MSRP because that's more of a constant.

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally posted by Smaart Aas Saabr+Aug 16 2004, 05:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Smaart Aas Saabr @ Aug 16 2004, 05:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Buick61@Aug 16 2004, 02:02 PM
And as I've said earlier, it seems to be becoming the American Hyundai: great prices, lots of features, and long warranty.

Chrysler has been the American Hyundai for many years now, remember the Omni?? j-u-n-k...

Here's a 1981 Dodge Omni Eurosedan (that's really what they called it <_< )...
[/b][/quote]
Junk? Hardly... Dodge Omni's were certainly better than those Chevy Citations or early Ford Escorts. The GLH and GLHS versions with those turbo motors were the 1980's answer to the current SRT4s and Redlines. Don't mess with the Omni. They were awesome if a bit crude -- I drove a 175 horsepower GLHS and it was the most fun I've ever had in a 4 door. The American GTI...

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally posted by LakeMichigan@Aug 17 2004, 01:46 PM
I find this all too humorous applauding what was truly a disposable car!!! :woot2: I think the Europeans had the Horizon first, under the old Simca or Talbot nameplate.....
Their version was certainly more eye appealing than the US versions....

I attached a link here

Talbot Horizon


Simca Horizon enthusiast page

Only someone who never drove a Shelby GLH would say something so naive. The turbo models were hardly disposable. A mint GLHS model goes for twice what it sold new for... and the price is bound to go up over time.

...and if GLH/GLHS are disposible cars -- than so would Saturn's Redline series as they are just a modern interpretation of the 1980's Shelby Dodges. While its true that Dodge Omni's/Plymouth Horizons were absolute garbage with the base 1.6/1.7 motors they used (produced by Puegot or Volkswagon) -- those that came with Chrysler 2.2 Trans4 motors are still running around.

I certainly see a lot more Omni/Horizons on the road than Chevettes or Citations.
Omni/Horizon won a Motor Trend Car of the Year -- they were definitely some of the better Domestics produced during this era... Even if they were the Big Three's Dark Ages.

Honestly, would you want to drive anything produced between 1979-1985 by the Big Three? I can't think of anything....... 17 Second Trans Ams and Weezing 83 horsepower 3800 V6s do nothing for me!

[Buick61]

Originally posted by LakeMichigan@Aug 19 2004, 06:47 PM
And you seem to think MoPar had quality and performance from '79 to '85 because they put a turbo in something???

who is naive again???

Let's be real. NOBODY had quality or performance between 1979 and 1985. :flush:

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally posted by LakeMichigan@Aug 19 2004, 07:35 PM

Let's be real. NOBODY had quality or performance between 1979 and 1985. :flush:

my point exactly....... :lol: [/quote]
That was my point as well.

I love the looks of the C4 Corvette from this era -- but the early ones were underpowered with awful quality control. Those years are best forgotten by Big Three fans. Actually, it was even called "The Big Four," back then. AMC had that whopping 1% marketshare!?!?!

I loved the styling on the 1982 Trans Am also from these days. But I know a Cavalier Z24 would keep up with that lame 305 Crossfire V8 in those 1982 Trans Ams. Sad, Sad, Sad.... and a Saturn Redline Quad Coupe would absolutely cream it.

Its a shame really. Glad we still don't suffer from this. 400 horsepower GTOs and 500 Horsepower upcoming Corvettes sure make you forget about the 1980s really quick. Well, at least we got some good music from the 1980s anyway.