Americans Will Get Their Money Back with GM IPO

[Kulindahr]

Kulindahr, I could talk cars all night long. It's my favorite subject.

Since the Dodge brothers started building their vehicles in 1914 and ole' Walter Chrysler bought the company as an addition to his Chrysler line, the company has has a storied history. The Dodge brand has been a quiet success for decades, and frankly I'm surprised that Chrysler / Fiat are distancing themselves from the Dodge brand by introducing the Ram as a separate brand. I think it's a mistake, but the ones-in-the-know insist that Dodge means performance, and Ram means toughness. I'm predicting they will try this for a few years..... make the dealerships buy Ram signage, try to build a distinct character for their trucks ala GMC, but they'll come back eventually to the Dodge nameplate for the trucks. If they're only having pickup trucks as Rams it's an expensive experiment. Too many brands never work.

I agree. A lot of people I know have always had Dodge trucks. If it comes time to do a new truck, they're going to want one that says Dodge on it. If it doesn't say Dodge, they won't get it.

 

[CowboyBob]

I agree. A lot of people I know have always had Dodge trucks. If it comes time to do a new truck, they're going to want one that says Dodge on it. If it doesn't say Dodge, they won't get it.

Brand loyalty, especially for pickups, is the best selling tool for any truck manufacturing company. That's why the Japanese haven't really made any inroads in the American market. That's why I think the transfer from the Dodge brand to the Ram brand is a mistake.

There's even loyalty rivalry the Chevrolet and GMC brands even tho they're basically the same truck. For the past few years the distinction between the two have been more apparent but in the 60's to the 80's they were badge engineered.

 

[JB3]

Yes, but most American car companies have. Look at the Dodge showrooms now. Their product was heavily influenced by the Daimler bean counters. Chargers / 300's with an obsolete Mercedes E-Class platform. The frightful cost-cutting decontented interiors. Look at the dreadful Dodge Journey interior. Unfortunately they're stuck with that until a complete redesign. The concept was successful, but the reality was awful. The "crossover" (and I HATE that Motor Trend coined moniker) will be the new standard since the truck-like SUV is slowly falling out of favor. Well-fed Americans love their big vehicles.

That's slowly improving. Redesigning and upgrading interior materials can be done quickly, but platforms take years and millions of $$. That will come in time.

Quality has also suffered, but Ford has pulled ahead. If I were buying a new car now, I would buy a Ford, not a Toyota. Ford is the new Toyota. Also, Ford is shaking off their still-profitable-but-obsolete-cars like the Crown Victoria, and the entire Mercury line (which I'm sad to see go but since they let it languish it may as well exit) and they'll be successful if the economy doesn't take a turn for the worse.

The auto industry has been boring for a long time, but life is starting to return.

I consider the LX cars to be quite the success, despite their cruddy interiors. If I were to choose a new car from Chrysler (were it still being produced) it would be the Magnum.

Those weren't the problem though; the problems were with cars like the Caliber, Journey, and the minivans. Those cars were bought or rented by a lot of people. And they suck. Hardcore. After my family rented a Caliber on a vacation my mom swore that she would never buy another Chrysler product. She replaced her T&C with a Prius.

 

[CowboyBob]

The LX cars were indeed a success. Stylish, roomy, and the quality wasn't all that bad.

I agree: the Caliber, T&C, Caravan, Journey interiors are all dreadful. Just because it's leather doesn't mean the T&C is nice.

On Saturday, go to your local Jeep dealership and sit in a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Lexus quality interior. It's a vehicle people want to buy, and isn't that what it's it all about? It's already a screaming success and the 2011 Dodge Charger (think Charger concept) and Chrysler 300 are coming a few months later. Soon after that comes the Chrysler Nassau (the replacement for the dreadful Sebring) and the unnamed Dodge soon after that (but I'm pretty sure what it will be).

Don't give up on Chrysler yet. There's still life in the old gal.