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Chrysler 300's sales are as hot as its looks
David Kiley
USA TODAY
DETROIT — Full-size, four-door sedans are considered about as hip as leisure suits. But the new Chrysler 300 is surprising everyone, including Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche.
The car's bold and brassy styling, size and aggressive pricing are making it an option for both buyers looking at midsize family sedans and those considering luxury cars, a rarity in the auto industry.
"The early going has surpassed our wildest dreams. ... I would not recommend anyone try to plan for this kind of public reception to a new model," says Zetsche, who compares the early interest in the car with that of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, launched in 2000.
Chrysler sold more than 23,000 of the 300 sedans from when it went on sale in March through the end of May, 12,500 in May alone. Its predecessor, the 300M, managed just 17,000 sales in the first five months of last year.
About 2,500 of 300's sales have gone to rental fleets. But Chrysler is cutting those back now to keep up with the more profitable retail demand. It's also looking for ways to increase production.
Chrysler 300's sales are outpacing those of rivals such as Toyota Avalon, Pontiac Bonneville and Buick Park Avenue.
But it's difficult to know what 300's true competitors are, says Power Information Network auto analyst Tom Libby. And that may be its biggest strength.
"It has the size, scale, performance and features of a mid-luxury car, but it's priced like entry-luxury or even non-luxury, depending on the engine package. It doesn't quite match up directly with any competing model," Libby says.
The base model starts at $23,595, making it a competitor to V-6 Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys. But the priciest model, 300C with a V-8 Hemi engine at around $35,000, is a worthy Lexus and Cadillac beater. It also accounts for about half the 300s sold.
"Price, power and pizazz" are what led Florence State and her husband, John, to trade in a Cadillac DeVille for a 300C.
"A new DeVille was about $12,000 more, and this car just sparkled when I saw it," says State, 54, of Cleveland.
Interest in the 300, particularly among a younger audience than the larger sedans usually attract, was helped by buzz in the hip-hop world.
The 300 was featured in a video by the band G-Unit, and hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg went so far as to leave Zetsche a voice mail message about the car.
It also was featured in the season finale of TV show ER in which one of the doctors brags about his new 300C, then needs it to escape a road rage incident.
Full Article Here
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David Kiley
USA TODAY
DETROIT — Full-size, four-door sedans are considered about as hip as leisure suits. But the new Chrysler 300 is surprising everyone, including Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche.
The car's bold and brassy styling, size and aggressive pricing are making it an option for both buyers looking at midsize family sedans and those considering luxury cars, a rarity in the auto industry.
"The early going has surpassed our wildest dreams. ... I would not recommend anyone try to plan for this kind of public reception to a new model," says Zetsche, who compares the early interest in the car with that of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, launched in 2000.
Chrysler sold more than 23,000 of the 300 sedans from when it went on sale in March through the end of May, 12,500 in May alone. Its predecessor, the 300M, managed just 17,000 sales in the first five months of last year.
About 2,500 of 300's sales have gone to rental fleets. But Chrysler is cutting those back now to keep up with the more profitable retail demand. It's also looking for ways to increase production.
Chrysler 300's sales are outpacing those of rivals such as Toyota Avalon, Pontiac Bonneville and Buick Park Avenue.
But it's difficult to know what 300's true competitors are, says Power Information Network auto analyst Tom Libby. And that may be its biggest strength.
"It has the size, scale, performance and features of a mid-luxury car, but it's priced like entry-luxury or even non-luxury, depending on the engine package. It doesn't quite match up directly with any competing model," Libby says.
The base model starts at $23,595, making it a competitor to V-6 Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys. But the priciest model, 300C with a V-8 Hemi engine at around $35,000, is a worthy Lexus and Cadillac beater. It also accounts for about half the 300s sold.
"Price, power and pizazz" are what led Florence State and her husband, John, to trade in a Cadillac DeVille for a 300C.
"A new DeVille was about $12,000 more, and this car just sparkled when I saw it," says State, 54, of Cleveland.
Interest in the 300, particularly among a younger audience than the larger sedans usually attract, was helped by buzz in the hip-hop world.
The 300 was featured in a video by the band G-Unit, and hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg went so far as to leave Zetsche a voice mail message about the car.
It also was featured in the season finale of TV show ER in which one of the doctors brags about his new 300C, then needs it to escape a road rage incident.
Full Article Here
