Chrysler Co-Prez Jim Press is Insane
When Chrysler stuck its nose in the bailout trough, the ailng American automaker’s executives had to wonder what the Hell anyone within the company could possibly tell lawmakers/money givers about Chrysler’s viability. Except, you know, the fact that they don’t have any. But never underestimate the power of positive PR or, as we call it around here, bullshit. To wit: former ToMoCo Prez and current ChryCo co-Prez Jim Press’ comments to Automotive News [sub, AN] last week. “He suggested that Chrysler could show the way to a sustainable model for a smaller U.S. auto industry. ‘If there’s one company in America that can build high-craftsmanship, innovative vehicles, it’s Chrysler,’ Press said.” Hey, is Jimbo saying American can’t build high-craftsmanship, innovative vehicles? Anyway, down ye olde rabbit hole we go…
“Chrysler will build vehicles that have premium features but are affordable to consumers. Press said the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup signals the company’s direction. ‘If Mercedes-Benz built a pickup truck, that’s what it would be, said Press.”
And now, the punchline…
“He said Chrysler is making premium vehicles from the ground up, while ‘GM and Ford are making basic cars and ‘gingerbreading’ them up to premium.”
Does he actually believe that? C’mon. No way. Really? But there is a certain… King Lear quality to his last quote.
“Press said Chrysler’s next generation of vehicles will demonstrate ‘what America could become if we could buy the time.'”
My kingdom for an Altima?
More by Robert Farago
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I truly feel sorry for this whole situation. First, I have a 2006 300C and it makes no trouble. I like most of the car. The bad news is that by now they should have freshened it and put a richer interior in. (give me a reason to trade) Finally, the 300C V8 should look different than the rent a car 300's selling for $10,000 less. If only Mercedes could have persevered, I think the parnership could have worked, especially as said by another blogger, if chrysler were to be a niche marketer. For all the bad things about Daimler, I have their independent rear suspension and a very nice 5 speed auto from mercedes parts bin. How, they allowed this success to wither (300.s are down 40 some percent) and then went on to wallpaper the marketplace with enough bland underwhelming cars and suv's to last a lifetime eludes me. Jeep should make wrangers and one or two good suv's. Dodge should make good pickup trucks. Chrysler needs to make better mini vans and a nice line of sedans in the middle class ($25-40K). If each of these products sold well in it's niche they would be profitable. Unfortunately, with nothing in the pipeline and myriads of worthless me too stuff out there, I don't think they have time to restructure.
As Toyota said at the time "We're pleased he's found employment at one of our competitors". (Or words to that equally subtle effect).
Redbarchetta : "I want what this guy is smoking." Big stacks of Benjamins, he probably wipes with them too. Who wouldn't want that?