Comments on: UPDATED: Magna makes plans, seen as only serious bidder, as Chrysler simplifies operations

By: Hal

Hal — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:30:27 +0000

Article in the FT today about Gaz investing in Magna.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/a6d10e44-fee0-11db-aff2-000b5df10621.html

By: TOZO

TOZO — Tue, 08 May 2007 06:44:29 +0000

Don’t trim options! Trim the slow-selling models! Think BIG!

By: autonutt

autonutt — Tue, 08 May 2007 04:03:08 +0000

“Also if they gonna sell part or all of the company then they should bring back the name Daimler-Benz

Comment by Stuart, posted on May7 at 9:26 am”

I would suspect that after the separation is official that the company will drop the tarnished Daimler name and simply become Mercedes-Benz.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Tue, 08 May 2007 03:46:17 +0000

So does this mine the ME412 (Mr. Impossible) and FIREPOWER (Viper’s clone in a suit and tie) will stand a fighting chance at production? Will a new compact sedan based on the C230 drive parts now be likely (Like what Chrysler wanted for the NEON)?

Will Chyrsler finally make a profit?

(Cue the dramatic music!)

By: purdue

purdue — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:21:53 +0000

Hoosier,

That makes no sense. Where one shops has nothing to do with whether a dealer has a base car or not. Where you at in Indiana? And why do you equate roll-up windows with getting screwed? That makes no sense. Some people prefer them. They don’t break.

By: 0GSharK6

0GSharK6 — Tue, 08 May 2007 01:42:31 +0000

I’m glad my $17k Tiburon has power windows and power/heated outside mirrors. But that’s aside the point. Here’s hoping Chrysler can get something going in the right direction instead of cheap ass interior designs and crap transmissions.

By: F451

F451 — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:55:58 +0000

Is there really a need for Chrysler? Really? Sell the models that are still desirable to other car manufacturers, and put Chrysler to rest. Between the unions, and Daimler simply using Chrysler to gain US benefits, Chrysler has suffered enough.

By: FallGuy

FallGuy — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:34:23 +0000

All these articles give the impression that “Magna is buying Chrysler” by itself. Actually, as I understand,
Onex Corporation will be the majority owner of the new Chrysler, with Magna as a minority partner and Daimler retaining a smaller minority stake. It seems unlikely Onex will let Frank Stronach run the show with Onex money for long

By: PrimeGTP

PrimeGTP — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:32:57 +0000

“Simplifying Operations” meaning more cars with idiotic option packages like requiring a sunroof to get anti-lock brakes..

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:58:48 +0000

Jeeps are definitely more of the “rugged” flavor, but for the rest of those I don’t know where you are shopping, but you are getting screwed!

By: purdue

purdue — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:30:14 +0000

Just checked. A dealer here has $32k Wrangler Unlimited and it has roll-up windows.

By: purdue

purdue — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:23:13 +0000

Roll-up windows. I’ve test-driven a lot of cars with them lately.
The Nissan Versa…but it’s $13k
The Jeep Patriot is over $15k with roll-up windows
The Jeep Wrangler (four door) I drove was $21k and had roll up windows.
My Caravan has roll-up windows and stickered at around $19k. (I have to reach outside to adjust mirrors, too. No manual handle inside) And the current Caravan base I think has roll-up windows.
I think the 4-door Ford Focus msrp is $15k and has roll-up windows.
Pontiac Vibe is about $17k and base has roll-up windows.
Corolla is about $14k and has roll-up windows
Toyota Matrix is $17k and base has roll-up windows.

So, in my mind, MANY cars have roll-up windows, including price points north of $15k.

By: gbb

gbb — Mon, 07 May 2007 15:45:38 +0000

I wish Magna well. I would also like to see Daimler completely out of the picture.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Mon, 07 May 2007 15:35:04 +0000

Phil: I concur. This deal might actually work very well for them in the long term. Either way good luck Chrysler, you’re still the best of the Domestics.

By: PrimeGTP

PrimeGTP — Mon, 07 May 2007 15:31:47 +0000

I don’t have high hopes for Chrysler at all. With Daimler remaining at management, and continuing to supply outdated platforms for new Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, it looks like the product will not change, only who has the poor sales figures laid on them.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:26:58 +0000

I serious think daimler should sell all or keep all. They are stupid still getting part involved which is always a bad thing. They need a fresh break like BMW after rover to get themselves sorted.

Also if they gonna sell part or all of the company then they should bring back the name Daimler-Benz

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:21:44 +0000

Really there aren’t that many options for a lot of cars. When was the last time you saw a roll-up window on a car that cost over $15k? It seems dealers put more thought into wheels now than anything else- unfortunately! Chrysler will do well to pare down their offerings and focus on making a better product.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:54:42 +0000

Ah, so basically Daimler wants to keep a minority stake in Chrysler and continue the DaimlerChrysler partnership in much the same way it is now—all without Chrysler’s red-inked bottom line. Just a thing to please shareholders, I guess. Essentially, it looks like Magna wants the company to remain as kind of one company/partnership/alliance, kind of like it is now, except that Daimler and Chrysler will each file separate earnings reports and have different ticker symbols…if that’s the case, that might not be such a bad thing for both sides. And it certainly wouldn’t be the bitter breakup we’ve all been hearing about.

By: roadmaster96

roadmaster96 — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:23:43 +0000

is it going to be like acura where the only choices are sat nav and engines?