Dieter's Way Forward To "Step 2" For DaimlerChrysler: Stop Hopi...

"Hope is not the best business strategy." -Dieter Zetsche, September 19, 2006 We couldn't agree more, Dr.

[Jeremy Mutz]

Chrysler's US marketshare will fall to 10.6%!
DCX should never have killed Plymouth. What is missing from the Chrysler group lineup are cars like the Neon and Breeze. Chrysler has nothing to compete with Versa, Fit, Aveo, Yaris or the Scions or Kias. They need an entry level brand: bring back Plymouth! If nothing else, they need to get a neon-based Dodge Hornet to the market immediately. They also need to build a car slotted above the 300C--the Imperial--it would sell and make money. And where are the cross-over SUV's?

[James Bond AKA Falcon 69]

Jeremy Mutz wrote:

Chrysler's US marketshare will fall to 10.6%!
DCX should never have killed Plymouth. What is missing from the Chrysler group lineup are cars like the Neon and Breeze. Chrysler has nothing to compete with Versa, Fit, Aveo, Yaris or the Scions or Kias. They need an entry level brand: bring back Plymouth! If nothing else, they need to get a neon-based Dodge Hornet to the market immediately. They also need to build a car slotted above the 300C--the Imperial--it would sell and make money. And where are the cross-over SUV's?

Dodge Hornet? Too many people remember the AMC Hornet...and not many still remember the Hudson Hornet...

[Economic Reality]

My personal experience with Chrysler is that it builds very good cars. I have owned two Chryslers, one Jeep, and a myriad of other makes as well.

They need to go back to their grass roots of radical designs that set them out from the pact. It happened in 57 with the forward look and has been inconsistant since. In addition, they are currently in need of entry level autos. This will grease the skids, if customers are satisfied, to the step up in both model and brand, i.e., Dodge to Chrysler.

What I see as their current challenge is keeping the Diamler half from jettisoning the Chrysler half on its own. If that happens it is very unlikely that Chrysler will survive long term. Especially in light of the ever stronger Japanese and Korean producers and the yet to be tested Chinese.

What they need to do and fast is fix the model. This includes Union buy in as it is in their best interest to see Chrysler profitable.