Comments on: Editorial: Chrysler Suicide Watch 48: Die Another Day

By: The Luigiian

The Luigiian — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:37:34 +0000

Oooppss. Before anyone else gets too startled, I meant that Ford pick up the remnants that have any worth. Jeep, maybe some truck business, Cadillac. Volt, maybe some sites.

Ford getting Jeep could legitimately be a good thing. This is the brand I thought of when you mentioned Ford absorbing Chrysler.

By: windswords

windswords — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:32:55 +0000

seanx37:

“The tens of billions to upgrade the ancient and obsolete factories?”

Sean,

While I agree with your sentiments, it’s untrue that Chrysler has obsolete factories. Chrysler has some of the most modern manufacturing plants anywhere. FIAT knows this. That’s one reason they want in.

By: PeteMoran

PeteMoran — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:31:21 +0000

Oooppss. Before anyone else gets too startled, I meant that Ford pick up the remnants that have any worth. Jeep, maybe some truck business, Cadillac. Volt, maybe some sites.

Or maybe none.

It meant it as an example of the sort of contraction that will be required to create an entity that can survive in what will be a MUCH leaner reborn auto industry than we ever had before. (Albeit with less choices, but hey…)

By: jward35

jward35 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:23:28 +0000

Yikes – please don’t let Ford anywhere near this mess! They are good to go! Don’t hold then back with this pile of steaming horse manure!.

By: The Luigiian

The Luigiian — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:20:29 +0000

The mess won’t be fixed until GM/Chrysler are absorbed into Ford (as an example)

Even as an example, the thought of GM and Chrysler dragging down the one automaker in Detroit that’s got an exit plan (albeit one that may not work) is enough to make me shudder.

By: PeteMoran

PeteMoran — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:15:29 +0000

What are the Stages Of Denial again someone?? Acceptance hasn’t been reached…..still.

The problem is structural, who knew?

The mess won’t be fixed until GM/Chrysler are absorbed into Ford (as an example), or all three just fade away.

By: jward35

jward35 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:03:29 +0000

Whilst I don’t always agree with your views on the domestic car industry Robert, I have to say that this is a fair and equitable analysis of the situation.
The tie-up with Fiat is a smokescreen of epic proportions. It will have taken Ford, with proper investment, almost 3 years to bring the outstanding Fiesta to the US bearing in mind product changes, plant building, safety regualtions etc. etc. How on earth to Chrysler/Fiat expect to be able to bring a European vehicle to market any sooner when they do not have anything like the money required.
In addition, with the company in union control, the new small Fiats will have to be built in the US and many companies have already proved that this will not make a single dime in profit as a result.
The plan is fundamentally flawed, and I fail to understand how the combined brains behind the Task Force and the Obama backroom staff cannot see this for what it is.
I feel for the Chrysler team. They have been shafted from here to kingdom come by a succession of idiots. But I am sorry – enough is enough.
Let them die with some kind of dignity (Jeep and all – sorry Robert – that is a brand going South fast as well).
Time to move to the next chapter in Detoit’s history. One that sees Ford out front, a much smaller GM and no Chrysler.
Arivederci amici e bonne notte!

By: seanx37

seanx37 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:54:53 +0000

Hmmm,what happens the next time oil prices increase? The 500 and Punto aren’t enough. No hybrid or alternative fueled vehicles?

By: ajla

ajla — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:50:39 +0000

If the feds are unwilling to let Chrysler be liquidated, are they really any worse off than GM?

Would a lineup consisting of the Ram, Ram HD, Charger, Challenger, Grand Caravan, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Patriot, Grand Cherokee, Fiat 500, and Grande Punto really be that uncompetitive?

By: seanx37

seanx37 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:39:59 +0000

OK, so the UAW now owns 55% of the company. Great. Are they going to invest the 10s of billions of dollars to develop new and competitive products? The tens of billions to upgrade the ancient and obsolete factories? Is the plan just to hope people want to buy FIATs with DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP nameplates on them? Where would those be built? I don’t get it. I really don’t.

By: johnny ro

johnny ro — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:24:02 +0000

I didnt ever get to study any numbers for chrysler, and did not see how Fiat was really a savior, but, if union owns 55%, then we get to see if they will now argue against themselves when someone in mgt has a good idea to improve productivity. Mgt representing owners of course.

By: levi

levi — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:56:24 +0000

And so the president will eventually learn—as Chrysler’s previous owners have—that commercial realities can only be postponed, not denied.

Good editorial, RF.

You just can’t borrow your way out of debt.