Quicker Than Quick Chrysler Cans Cruiser, Magnum, Pacifica, Etc.

by Robert Farago

Published: October 30th, 2007

quicker than quick chrysler cans cruiser magnum pacifica etc

Yesterday, we speculated whether or not Chrysler would hang fire on trimming ~~union jobs~~ dud models until after the United Auto Workers (UAW) convinced Ford members to work without job guarantees. Turns out Chrysler didn't even wait for the ink to dry on its union agreement before axing its first three losers. The Detroit News quotes "people close to Chrysler" and "people familiar with the situation" (that could be you!) saying that the PT Cruiser, Dodge Magnum and Chrysler Pacifica will get the chop. Oh, and maybe the Jeep Commander. And possibly the Dodge Dakota pickup. And the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger. Meanwhile, Chrysler hired former GE exec L. John Cataldo to assume a newly created position: vice president of business development and mergers and acquisitions. Cataldo is in charge of hooking-up with other automakers and selling the family silver. Speaking at the Magazine Publishers of America annual conference in Boca Raton, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli reiterated Chrysler's 'focus on cash.' The company is moving to sell off $1b in "unneeded real estate and facilities." Not to go all TV Land on you, but I'm hearing "They call him stripper, flipper; faster than lightning."

Robert Farago

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4 of 27 comments

Landcrusher on Oct 30, 2007

So, does this mean that under the new contract some of the UAW workers will not get their walking papers?

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Martin Albright on Oct 30, 2007
As for the PT, indeed, it was updated, just not by Chrysler. The HHR actually looks good. A-Ha! I knew I wasn't the only one who thought so. The HHR would have been a contender for my next vehicle but for two things: 1. No AWD 2. Just a little too short (I like at least 6" of uninterrupted cargo room so I can fit it out as a camper.) GM should really consider making this available with an AWD platform. It would be a much better CUV than their current Equinox which is afflicted with the tiresome "angry kitchen appliance" look of too many GM vehicles. They've already come out with a panel version, which is very cool looking.

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Nick on Oct 30, 2007

With HHR SS on the horizon and the HHR sedan delivery out (and I will chime in and say it looks pretty good to me) the PT Cruiser was hemmed in all sides. I still have to wonder what is going to happen with the Challenger. I expect it will be launched with great fanfare, then fizzle. I can see the Sebring biting it, leaving just the Avenger (which was somewhat better received) and the Sebring convertible to keep the production line going. For God's sake, axe the frickin' Aspen. And do they still actually manufacture the Crossfire?

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Ryan Knuckles on Oct 31, 2007

NickR: The Crossfire got axed for '07 (stateside), and then came back unchanged for '08. Neat, eh?

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