Swirling rumours suggest that one of America's oldest remaining automakers could be on the chopping block.
Sergio Marchionne will hold an investor's meeting in Italy on Friday, June 1, in Balocco, Italy, where the CEO will possibly kill one the corporation's most historic brands. FCA specialist Larry P. Vellequette of Automotive News reports that "a source told a European colleague" that Marchionne would declare the end of the Chrysler brand in the speech to investors.
In addition, Marchionne could detail plans to pull Fiat out of the United States and China, according to Automotive News. The brand would re-focus on building vehicles for Europe, Brazil, and emerging markets.
Also being talked about is merging Alfa Romeo with Maserati. The end goal appears to funnel all the cash and energy into Jeep.
What does the Chrysler lineup even consist of these days? The aging 300 and the Pacifica minivan and what else?
Quote from: MX793 on May 31, 2018, 06:29:52 AM
What does the Chrysler lineup even consist of these days? The aging 300 and the Pacifica minivan and what else?
Nothing.
Cadillac must be approaching the sales numbers of Chrysler.
Quote from: Galaxy on May 31, 2018, 06:38:54 AM
Nothing.
Cadillac must be approaching the sales numbers of Chrysler.
Cadillac has high-profit premium SUVs.
Well, we know they're bringing back the Viper in '20-'21 with a V8, so it looks like their NA presence will be Dodge/Jeep/Ram/Alfarati (Maseromeo)?
Piss poor management
Quote from: CaminoRacer on May 31, 2018, 07:14:27 AM
Piss poor management
I would not go that far. I think it was more a question of ressources.
Jeep, and Alfa Romeo have been handled quite well imo. Dodge and Fiat as well. One can question their decision of pumping so much money into Alfa instead of Chrysler of course, however I do think their is a better opportunity to establish Alfa in the US, then Chrysler around the globe as a premium brand.
Quote from: Galaxy on May 31, 2018, 07:24:34 AM
I would not go that far. I think it was more a question of ressources.
...Alfa Romeo have been handled quite well imo.
(http://gif-finder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Phil-Dunphy-What.gif)
I find their model range quite attractive with the Giulietta, Giulia, and Stelvio, the Mito is perhaps a bit old. I find the Stelvio, and Giulia much more desirable then anything that Maserati currently offers. Now the initial quality has been a concern. I do not know how that progressed.
I'm with Camino... they have like 8 different platforms... Maserati is a joke... Chrysler is underutilized.... Hellcats/Demons are a waste of resources.... gas is about to spike and they have nothing.... etc. etc.
The cash cows (RAM, Wrangler, Alfa) are well managed but everything else is dying on the vine
It costs money to do something like MQB. FCAs financials were precarious.
The Giulia is a waste of money.
Chrysler has really been through the ringer of terrible management. Daimler, Cerberus, FCA.
Amazing since they were probably the best managed American car company prior to the merger of equals.
Based on the investor show today, it seems they will only be putting an effort into SUVs, trucks, and high powered coupes.
I wonder which company will be the next to bail the small sedan market after FCA and Ford
Quote from: Rich on June 01, 2018, 11:37:23 AM
Based on the investor show today, it seems they will only be putting an effort into SUVs, trucks, and high powered coupes.
I wonder which company will be the next to bail the small sedan market after FCA and Ford
I think GM May have a fighting chance. They have the market to themselves for a domestic car shaped thing, and unlike 1990, their car lineup is actually competitive. I also don't see the Japanese automakers giving up, either.
GM is staying in the car game for sure, no doubt buoyed by their development in both EVs and AVs (areas where both Ford and Chrysler totally dropped the ball).
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on May 31, 2018, 07:45:55 AM
I'm with Camino... they have like 8 different platforms... Maserati is a joke... Chrysler is underutilized.... Hellcats/Demons are a waste of resources.... gas is about to spike and they have nothing.... etc. etc.
The cash cows (RAM, Wrangler, Alfa) are well managed but everything else is dying on the vine
And Chrysler has exactly two models on sale right now. Jesus.
Better to have 2 good models than.... be Mitsubishi.
Quote from: Rockraven on May 31, 2018, 06:47:14 AM
Well, we know they're bringing back the Viper in '20-'21 with a V8, so it looks like their NA presence will be Dodge/Jeep/Ram/Alfarati (Maseromeo)?
According to Marchionne, there are no plans to bring back the Viper.
Consumer Reports Annual Car Edition has a handy way of getting a quick overview of the FCA lineup: you'll find them in the lowest reliability rating decile.
Quote from: Morris Minor on June 04, 2018, 05:28:33 AM
Consumer Reports Annual Car Edition has a handy way of getting a quick overview of the FCA lineup: you'll find them in the lowest reliability rating decile.
They've owned the bottom of the standings since before the Daimler "merger". If anything, I thought being affiliated with MB would have improved them some, but no luck. I certainly had no expectation that being brought under Fiat's umbrella was going to result in an improvement given Fiat's reputation.
Quote from: MX793 on June 04, 2018, 05:46:19 AM
They've owned the bottom of the standings since before the Daimler "merger". If anything, I thought being affiliated with MB would have improved them some, but no luck. I certainly had no expectation that being brought under Fiat's umbrella was going to result in an improvement given Fiat's reputation.
If the early 90's Neon is any indication, they probably were at the bottom of the ratings well long before Merc showed up.