Comments on: Chrysler sales plummet; Mercedes hits record

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:02:48 +0000

The problem is that Chrysler is known for their very, very thirsty engines…they need to shake that bad image off their brand before focusing on a bold new strategy.

By: Paul D.

Paul D. — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:14:23 +0000

No, the Fit comes over here from Japan. The CRV is made in England but there are some from Japan as well. All production for the next CRV will be in the US.

By: GM number1-4ever

GM number1-4ever — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:13:34 +0000

Dear everyone, I am sorry I was such a narrow minded fool, I finally got my learners permit today, and my uncle let me drive his honda civic, compared to my moms sunfire, my mind has been changed about GM, you wont see another post about me shamelessly saluting GM. If I do, or my alter alias GMrules, Just ignore it

By: Betty Swollocks

Betty Swollocks — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:46:54 +0000

With Toyotas cash reserves it can afford to nurture Scion in a way DCX cannot do with Smart

By: Sweaty Bollocks

Sweaty Bollocks — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:45:55 +0000

The CR-V is made in the UK

By: Sweaty Bollocks

Sweaty Bollocks — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:45:35 +0000

The Fit is made in CHina

By: MGBYG

MGBYG — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:38:14 +0000

Read my post again. Never blamed imports.

Doubt Honda makes a dime on the Fit or that Toyota has recouped the cost of Scion, though. The costs of ‘adjusting’ a car for the US market (both in design and engineering as well as at the plant of final assembly), EPA & DOT testing, stockpiling parts, sales and promotion, etc., etc., all over and about a high cost of production in Japan, and ya know they sell the Fit for CAFE and to get you in the door only to try to get you into a Ridgeline.

By: Paul D.

Paul D. — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:44:14 +0000

Hopefully this means that Mercedes low point is now in the past. And hopfully Crhysler isn’t going to rest on their laurels or they will be back right where they started before the 300 saved their ass. They make good cars IMO and their styling is unique and original. I hope they keep up the momentum.

By: srk6b

srk6b — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:31:15 +0000

This is Mercedes-Benz USA’s sixth record month in a row. And this month they outsold BMW, too. (21,591 vs. 20,083)

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:01:48 +0000

The 300c has sold over 400,000 since its debut; sales have remained steady at 10-12,000 per month for two years. They make profit on these cars because of virtually no fleet sales and the Hemi models(which %46 of people buy) that are 9,000 above the V6s. oh, BTW, people with $700 a month payments don’t care about $2.89 a gallon fuel. My 5.7L 300C gets the same economy as my mother’s 2.9L Volvo and the V6 version gets 19/27. DODGE is the one losing money with its gas sucking Rams, Durango’s and Dakotas. Those ancient minivans are also responsible for the sales decline. No car in the $30,000-40,000 range comes close to this things size, refinement and styling. And you people comparing Chryslers to Mercedes are incredible stupid, ignoring the Mercedes are twice as expensive as a Chrysler model and therefore naturally have more refinement. .

By: Chryslerfan

Chryslerfan — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:57:19 +0000

I read that GM engineers their cars with sloppy handling so drivers don’t get too over-confident in the corners. that and combined with an oversensitive accelerator pedal to make their cars feel quicker off the line than they actually aren’t

By: Buick Diesel

Buick Diesel — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:44:28 +0000

Hey #21. Dr Z already has plenty of tooth picks.

I don’t think Chrysler builds quality cars. For example, I read that some owners complain that the 300 pulls to the right. Chryslers response: It’s a safety feature in case the driver gets a heart attack. The car will pull off the road.

What kind of numb-headed reply is that??

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:32:39 +0000

Hey Dr Z! If you suck my **** I’ll buy a Caliber

By: peter g

peter g — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:34:34 +0000

#17 True, and I would always prefer to be an original, rather than a copy.

By: Bertha Venation

Bertha Venation — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:34:24 +0000

Just how is that the imports fault MGBYG? SHouldn’t the Big Three have been prepared with decent product? It’s just like the 80s all over again, and the 90s

By: MGBYG

MGBYG — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:28:08 +0000

HELLO!!

They are going against last Summer’s “Employee Pricing” Orgy.

When your LY numbers are based on no-profit sales and you are pedaling ‘retro’ and ‘feel good’ V-8 powered cars and trucks in a time of $3/g gas the imports are going to dump their local market ( i.e. regulated small) products and grab share, its like 1973-75 all over again…

By: al

al — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:12:59 +0000

DAMN!!!! American cars are soon gonna be history. 3 articles in this website and they all talk about how AMericna car companies are slowly falling.

By: Fistula

Fistula — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:10:35 +0000

#16 the japanese copies of Harleys didn’t really take off. No one has successfully done a Gen 2 of a retro model yet

By: peter g

peter g — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:09:02 +0000

US auto makers aren’t realizing whats happening: Times have changed and apparently they refuse to take notice of it. It’s really weird…. Take the Chrysler 300: Yeah, It’s a fun car, a one hit wonder, but reminds me of fast food. And who wants fast food when you can buy a Mercedes and have a real, healthy meal? Not even americans it seems. Next step will be when the other automakers start copying the 300 believing they’re creating something new when in fact they’re not.

No, I don’t get it…

By: Ham Shandy

Ham Shandy — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:59:37 +0000

Why would anyone buy a Caliber over the new 130mph 6 spd high quality Rabbit?

By: Atomicbri

Atomicbri — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:49:59 +0000

I believe the # US Auto makers are all feeling the hit of the drop in SUV, Big Truck sales. Plus their product lineup is not stellar. The 300 and Charger are still nice but no Sebring yet and CHhrysler definately needs the Hornet or a car like it to sell among the entry level candidates. The Caliber is ok, but I was disappointed in its cabin feel, was cheaper than some Rubbermaid products I own…. I still say lets see how they fair once the new products come out.

By: Bertha Venation

Bertha Venation — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:49:33 +0000

Mike I didn’t see one thing in your list that even mildly excited me. I’m glad you can get worked up over Chrysler product as it bores the pants off me.

By: GM number1-4ever

GM number1-4ever — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:47:14 +0000

It is official, I am tired and not funny

By: GM number1-4ever

GM number1-4ever — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:41:20 +0000

Mercedes sales will plummet soon enough. The Cadillac onslaught and Buicks revamped lineup will see to it soon enough. GM’s got your number Dr. Z

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:31:30 +0000

it is still a pretty robust pipeline though.
2007:
Patriot, compass, Sebring sedan, Sebring converible (hardtop and soft top ofered) Dodge Avenger, LX interior update, driveline revisions and *mild* styling for Ram, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Ram C&C, Aspen, Durango facelift, Dual Mode Hybrid into production, Viper ASC powered by Mclaren

and this is just one year. There are a lot of future changes in interior, platform/model, and drivetrain coming between now and 2010.

not quite as bleak as Ford…

By: chris2

chris2 — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:27:42 +0000

300 has over 130 days of stock. The wave is gone.

By: Farkinal

Farkinal — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:22:33 +0000

you said it Patrick, the only way Chrysler could sell cars was with NOVELTY VALUE and that gets tired quickly. CHrysler needs depth in its product lineup, Surely re-badged benzes would be better than the crap out there, but the prices would be too high

By: Betty Swollocks

Betty Swollocks — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:20:45 +0000

Yeah the Caliber must be selling REAL well, lol, and I don;t know anyone who would be seen dead in a Compass or Patriot. The Sebring is the most misguided product ever, Mercedes-Benz you need to reign in those Chrysler guys they know not what they do

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 18:20:43 +0000

Chrysler can’t ride the ‘300 hype’ wave forever. They need something new, the 300 is seriously losing novelty quickly, its so commonly seen now, and its pretty much what was boosting Chrysler so much.

By: Ronso

Ronso — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:58:48 +0000

With smash hits like the Chrysler 300, why cant Chrysler come up with something simular. the Sebring looks like a Basic sedan-something americans dont want. the PT Cruiser is ok but fading away slowly and among other things the Dodge Caliber\Jeep Compass\Jeep Patriot are ok looking but the jeeps are soiling jeeps image. there needs to be a 300C coupe and Convertable. Drop the Damn Sebring cept for rentals. and for goodness sakes will someone produce the Chrysler M-E-412 from the Detroit Auto Show!!!!!

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:36:54 +0000

Oh yeah, that new S-Class is a real piece of work. Its like a Maybach-lite.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:32:15 +0000

Fortunately there is a LOT of product in the pipeline for the next 2 years. Hopefully it’ll help.

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:30:49 +0000

The downturn in trucks and SUVS is killing Chrysler, the Nitro and Sebring/avenger should mitigate it somewhat. But it must be said that the new S class is a masterpiece

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:28:37 +0000

Duh, the S-class was just redesigned. I’ll tell you, thats a nice car.