NYT: Nardelli Ain't No Car Guy
Well duh. More importantly, why is Michelle Maynard over at The New York Times publicly humiliating Chrysler's CEO for his non-car guyitude? That debate is so last August. OK, so Nardelli made some Home Depot-esque gaffes during his speech to the Magazine Publishers of America conference. Such as “I think a vehicle today has to be your most favorite room under your roof. I really believe that. I mean, it has to bring you gratification, it has to be tranquil. It’s incidental that it gets you from Point A to B, right?” Well no, obviously. But we get the distinct impression that Maynard was, well, picking on Bob. "'An automobile also needs “cup holders — some for water and some for…,' Mr. Nardelli said, but he did not finish that thought." Is the Old Gray Lady (the paper, not Maynard) seriously suggesting that the Chrysler CEO's inability to name any other beverage suitable for a cupholder indicates a lack of pistonhead credentials? The article gives Nardelli's PR handler enough rope to hang himself the last word. "It’s his own spin on it,” Mr. Aberlich said. “It’s good to have that fresh perspective, and he’s bringing that.” Fair enough?
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This guy has me worried. Especially after cancelling the PT and Magnum. Two cars that actually had personalities. Chrysler can only sell cars on looks and personality. It simply can't compete in build quality. It's gonna take more than cupholders Bob.
Can anyone really claim to be surprised? Hell-dog has no intention of become a North American manufacturer of anything. Soon "Chryslers" will be screwed together in China, in the same factory that makes lead flavored baby pacifiers and AK-47s for third world warlords. The cars will be shipped to the USA where the model badges and stereo systems will be installed by illegal aliens and they'll finish it off by applying a "Partially Assembled With Pride in the USA" sticker. If it's cheap enough I just may buy one, it can't be any worse than the stuff that's built here now.
Bob the Builder won't be building cars in this country. China, India, even Africa offer the kind of environment Bob likes: low wages. GE trained him well in the art of employee abuse for profit. Chrysler employees should be afraid, be very afraid. More to the point about his car credentials, I am sure Bob has bought a car or two and probably has likes and dislikes. He may have even owned a Mopar at one time, although he seems like a M-B type to me. When Bob looks at cars he sees costs and expenses related to production, he has a mandate to reduce both.