Posted on 05/30/2018 2:53:18 PM PDT by tcrlaf
Swirling rumors suggest that one of America's oldest remaining automakers could be on the chopping block.
Sergio Marchionne will hold an investor's meeting in Italy on Friday, June 1, in Balocco, Italy, where the CEO will possibly kill one the corporation's most historic brands. FCA specialist Larry P. Vellequette of Automotive News reports that "a source told a European colleague" that Marchionne would declare the end of the Chrysler brand in the speech to investors.
In addition, Marchionne could detail plans to pull Fiat out of the United States and China, according to Automotive News. The brand would re-focus on building vehicles for Europe, Brazil, and emerging markets.
FCA's big strategic pivot would free up money to invest even more into Jeep, which is already the corporation's most profitable division. Among the new products reportedly on the way, there would be an even smaller SUV below the Renegade and the luxurious Grand Wagoneer for challenging the upper end of the segment.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Euro companies just cannot adjust to US mass production numbers. And US Unions...
So, with Plymouth already gone, that would leave Dodge and Jeep as the two brands produced by, ahem, Chrysler Corporation.
In the 1990s Chrysler was on fire. What a decline!
They should have brought back that rich, Corinthian leather.
Hard to figure a Fiat Charger or Challenger SRT.
Ford stopped making cars.
Chrsysler is mainly a car company with a mini van
there is too much capacity with existing (including S.Korea). This does not include the 2-3 new Chinese entries entering the export industry in a major way.
By 2025 i expect there to be <10 global families - so maybe ...
VW Family
Renault-Nissan
Toyota
Daimler
GM
Ford
Hyundai-Kia
It starts to get harder for the rest
Oh, just the Chrysler part? Dodge safe for now?
Given that Chrysler has only 2 vehicles - the 300 and the Pacifica, this is an easy choice. I think Chrysler was a failed attempt at a luxury nameplate. Concentrating on Jeep and Dodge makes sense really. Just terminate the silly 300 and rebrand the Pacifica.
Years ago I read the prediction was six global car companies.
Have to wonder what kind of figures figure into this.
All I know is the Fiat little POS Luigi car is a bust, as it should be, despite the novelty. So pulling out of the US would be wise. Not sure Chrysler has to be chopped if that is done. And as stated, maybe if anything Jeep should be continued.
If this doesn’t kill Lee Iacocca, I don’t know what would.
I have an 2005 300C with over 200,000 miles on it. I never want to buy another car.
I think Dodge is now separate from Chrysler. Dodge produces the Charger, Challenger, Truck line (NOT GOING ANYWHERE)... Those are profitable programs for them and in demand.
The mere mention of that car makes me want to punch someone.
If Marchionne actually kills the Chrysler brand, it would be the end of a nameplate with over 90 years of history in the United States. However, the lineup consists of just two models today: the ancient 300 sedan and the still fresh Pacifica minivan. With so few products, axing Chrysler is easier than ever.
Don’t denigrate the Cordoba! I had one. Got 16 years and 250K miles out of it. Sorry it did not come with what I ordered, the 383/tri power/duel exhaust/4sp. Ended up with a dead 400ci auto with something like 230hp thanks to the epa.
Chrysler is indeed dead. And Jeeps (gasp) are next to die.
Already the Jeep lineup is nothing more than Fiats with a Jeep name on them.
Even before the current Italian ownership - Jeeps like the Patriot and the Compass were bread and butter low rent models.
And the Wrangler? It’s just a matter of time before suckers quit paying north of $40,000 for a niche vehicle that can’t haul or tow anything, and gets horrible gas mileage.
But for now, Chrysler Fiat can keep on making old relics like the Charger and the Durango. That is until gas goes north of $4.00 a gallon. If/when that happens - Adios Mofo.
-snark-
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