Furies Watch: Chrysler Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

In the cosmology of the ancient Greeks, the universe would not tolerate a gross breach of justice. When a hero was killed with dishonor or without completing his destiny, supernatural forces would emerge from the cthonic realm to haunt the guilty party. These karmic enforcers were called the Erinyes, or Furies, and they are coming for Chrysler. The Detroit News has gone past mere Cassandra status, no longer satisfied with merely prophesying doom for the Pentastar brand. No, since its DCX gutting, private ownership, pathetic products and tiny scale reflect poorly on the other Detroit automakers and their bailout beggary, the DetN is actively calling the wrath of the Furies upon the house of Mopar. Interestingly, the Furies appear to have changed their name to CSM global forecasting. “It would be best for everyone involved if Chrysler were allowed to gracefully wind down and go away in a controlled, staged process, leaving a Detroit Two,” intones Michael Robinet, CSM vice president of global vehicle forecasts. There’s “not a whole lot of vehicle development going on at Chrysler,” Robinet said. “It has slowed down substantially and (is) just focused on core vehicles,” he said. “How long can it continue as a caretaker company?” asks Robinet, calling for the just vengance of the gorgon-headed Furies. CSM CEO Craig Cather argues that much of Chrysler’s weakness can be blamed on Daimler, which he says “handicapped Chrysler and its ability to expand internationally.” Whatever the sin against the natural order, when the Detroit News begins listing the crimes of a hometown automaker, you know their fate is nearing its end.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Geeber Geeber on Dec 11, 2008

    Chryslers of the 1990s were definitely lookers, and had good driving dynamics, but they weren't more reliable than the GM and Ford competition. The first-generation LH cars and the Neon, in particular, were terrible. Those LH cars recalled Chrysler's 1957 models - stylish cars with great handling that fell apart within 2-3 years. Everyone I know who had a first-generation Neon initially loved it, and then was ready to dump it by the time the odometer hit 40,000 miles. They swore "never again" regarding Chrysler products. A 1990s Ford Escort was definitely a more boring car than a contemporary Neon, but it was also far more reliable and better built. Same with the Dodge Ram as compared to the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet pickups. Chrysler lived off the Dodge Ram, minivans and the Jeeps in the 1990s, and the buzz created by the P/T Cruiser and 300/Charger in this century. But it never replicated the success 300 and Charger in the family sedan and compact segments, and it let the P/T Cruiser get stale. When buyers were hit with high fuel costs and didn't want a Hemi anymore, Chrysler only had the Sebring/Avenger and Caliber to offer them.

  • CarPerson CarPerson on Dec 11, 2008

    About a year ago I stopped by the local Dodge Chrysler dealership parts counter to get a few things. It’s a huge, modern place very friendly to shop. Walking out, it struck me that at a time in my life when I finally reached the point I could literally write a check for anything sitting on their lot (short of a Viper) I saw nothing of any interest to me. Thinking back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s, each year had several I’d love to own. Whatever happened to that? Driving away in the wife’s 2007 U.S.-made Honda Accord, I thought…how sad.

  • Rpol35 Rpol35 on Dec 11, 2008

    I agree with many posters here that what happened in the past doesn't matter going forward but I still believe Chrysler can survive. The first thing to happen is to get the company away from Cerberus. A PE firm is only involved in a business venture to make money and move on; there is no passion. To be in the car biz these days, passion is what counts; you have to really want to do this business, what with the myriad of regulations, competition, financing,environmental issues and everything else you can think of ad nauseam. Once that is done, the proper marketing segmentation needs to occur which probably reduces Chrysler to passenger cars, Dodge to trucks, vans, CUV's and Jeep to Jeep-like things and SUV's. They need to make sure that they are building what people want, not things like the Nitro, Caliber, etc. All three brands need to be sold under one roof and many fewer dealers will be needed. Triage needs to be immediately performed to correct the most obvious things that turn car buyers off, $hitty interiors, transmission failure, goofy looks (Sebring!) etc. What it takes is money, something that Cerberus has but has never been inclined to spend, at least on Chrysler, LLC. More importantly, it takes individuals and management that really want to do it and do it right. Can it happen? Yes! Will it happen? Unfortunately, probably not.

  • Threeer Threeer on Dec 11, 2008

    Maybe in a few years I can pick up a base Wrangler (no power windows, for God's sake..what is wrong with these people?) two door for well under $15k...since I intend on keeping it until it dies, I'm not overly worried about depreciation. Despite moments of relative success, there isn't much left to Chrysler's line up that I'd even remotely consider. I drive by the local dealership every day and it's completely full...of new cars stagnating on the lot. I'm not seeing much rotation and the signs are all over that they're willing to entertain offers. But then I think...what would I want with an Avenger? Ugh...maybe...maybe a new Challenger, but even that's a dicey call.

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