Chrysler: Take Our Cash . . . Please
With an estimated 44k vehicles sitting on the lots of the 789 lame-duck Chrysler dealers, Mother Pentastar is going all-out to move metal. Although record incentives have already failed to make rain, the DetN reports that ChryCo will be sending “millions” of $1K vouchers to previous customers. Chrysler marketing seems not to have heard of the “fool me once” adage. The move shows that “recognizing the value of our customers has never been more important,” say the spokesfolks. “Chrysler is open for business and welcomes the opportunity to remind its customers just how valuable they are.” And isn’t it nice to know that the Treasury agrees? Too bad everyone’s waiting for a clunker-culling bill to buy. And who knows if/when that will happen. Anyway, will a grand tempt current owners? More to the point, what dumped Chrysler dealer would turn down $1K off a listed price to anyone at this point? Or do you haggle a dealer’s shirt off and then bring out the $1K coupon after you’ve broken the poor bastard’s spirit? Color me terrified of the crippling depression that must afflict anyone spending time at a ChryCo shop.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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Diablozx9: GM hasn't made that 4 Cyl. engine in years. The Ecotec has had a respectable history of being trouble free and is not known to have a problem blowing head gaskets. You're thinking of the Quad Four. They aren't related.
In all seriousness, does anyone know when these vouchers will be hitting mail boxes? I have owned an '04 Sebring for the past 5+ years, and have been pretty happy with it. No major problems, and I've put over 100K miles on it. I wouldn't mind looking at a new Challenger or something, if Chrysler is going to kick a grand at me.
For a fascinating insight on this evolving story, please use the link below to see what’s happening at Chrysler in real time at: http://twitter.com/Chrysler From twitter: 1. Question: can dealer contest? Press: No appeal process less than 20 seconds ago from web 2. Press: in some cases you’ll now have dealer with Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep under one roof.less than a minute ago from web 3. Question: Any areas that won’t be represented? Landry: Can’t think of one2 minutes ago from web 4. Question: Did you look at profitability? Landry: We stayed away from looking at profitability and working capital3 minutes ago from web 5. Question: Does this change where your biggest presence is? Fairness on redistribution? Landry: We’ll have an organized approach.6 minutes ago from web 6. Landry: No plans of (inventory) going to auction. Press: Sales are running ahead of plan.12 minutes ago from web 7. Question: How much inventory with rejected inventory and how much will move? Landry: 44,000 units.13 minutes ago from web 8. Landry: We really are working towards a new car company.14 minutes ago from web 9. Landry; We’ll work with dealers on their parts inventory. One dealer can buy parts from another14 minutes ago from web 10. Landry: Work with rejected dealers to redistribute their inventory16 minutes ago from web 11. Landry: All of dealers being rejected…we’ll work with them..servicing them the same way..will pay incentives…service16 minutes ago from web 12. Landry; My stomach still has a wrench in it today18 minutes ago from web 13. Landry: This has been a gut wrenching process18 minutes ago from web 14. Landry: We looked at minimum sales responsibility and scorecard. As of this week 62 percent of brands consol (CNX 34.39 ↓4.02%). under one roof.19 minutes ago from web 15. Landry: It allows us to look at all of our dealer network and area where we’re underperforming.20 minutes ago from web 16. Steven Landry, Exec. VP North Am. Sales & Marketing, Global Svc. & Parts: There’s no enough business for dealers with high…costs20 minutes ago from web 17. Press: Dealer body is a key and will be strong and powerful.23 minutes ago from web 18. Press: Allow us to achieve maximum prosperity and growth23 minutes ago from web 19. Press:We hae a sense of sadness because we have to take these steps24 minutes ago from web 20. Press: Process was rigorous25 minutes ago from web Learn more daily at http://carczarconsulting.com
Since somebody had to do it, I looked up the price of the Dodge Challenger SRT8 which we have $18 and $22k offers on. Imagine my shock when I priced out a fully loaded example at $45,530. What is this thing, anyway? Was it ever worth even vaguely close to that much? I can buy a new BMW 5-series (admittedly with no options) for within $1k of that, and you can stay under $50k even throwing in a nav system and premium stereo. D