bailout plan -- new idea (OT)

[Brett Dikeman]

On Dec 11, 2008, at 4:24 PM, Robert Myers wrote:

> Also don't forget the Viper and the Crossfire.   They are of at least
> some interest.
>
> At 04:17 PM 12/11/2008, George Selby wrote:
>> At 03:00 PM 12/11/2008, you wrote:
>>> What do
>>> people really need to buy from Chrysler, other than minivans?
>>
>> Jeep is the other interesting component of Chrysler.
>>

Jeep has been busy coming up with vehicles nobody wants to buy: the  
Compass, Patriot, and Commander.

The Viper is a halo vehicle and unlike when it first came out,  the  
Vette is much stronger competition, and the Vette doesn't have a  
reputation for killing you if your right foot twitches.  The Crossfire  
was an SLK whose momma dressed him funny, just like the 300M was a  
Merc 320 "Murcianized."

One of Dodge's strengths is in their commercial vehicles; the  
Sprinter, RAM, and Charger (anyone but police departments buying  
Chargers?)  That would be a great way to refocus the company.  Ford is  
getting pretty beat up in those segments; the Sprinter is chewing into  
Econoline sales and Ford hasn't responded.  The Charger is picking up  
sales from the Crown Vic with police departments; the MA state police  
just bought a bunch, apparently not put off by the whole brakes-catch- 
on-fire problems with the older Dodge sedans (what were they called  
again?  Those hideous shark looking things?)  Hell, even Toyota is  
beating up on Crown Vic sales- around Boston, it feels like half the  
cabs are already Camry Hybrids, and again...Ford hasn't responded.

The Avenger is a poor and ugly Neon replacement; the Durango is a  
hideously inefficient pig, the Nitro and Journey are silly crossover  
vehicles nobody wants.  Save the Caravan, Charger, and Challenger  
lines. I see nothing else of value in the entire Jeep/Chrysler family.

Brett