Who's Off To The Worst Start In 2010? And The Award Goes To...

Who's Off To The Worst Start In 2010? And The Award Goes To...
...Chrysler.

You know, it was only a couple of days ago that I published a Detroit News story on Chrysler ending the Viper and beginning production on the upcoming Fiat 500 for the U.S. market. Long story short there was some back and forth commentary on whether Chrysler is doing well and the arm-chair quarterbacks put up a fight.

Well, I hate to say it but I told you so.

Industry analysts at Edmunds have estimated that sales have plunged over 40 percent THIS year. An excellent point brought up within this CNN article is that we have to keep in mind that within 2009, Chrysler shut down a significant portion of its production to save dollars. This means these sales figures mean even worse for the brand.

Additionally, its pipeline is looking grim. There are apparent "bald spots," where the brand is missing truly compelling products that can steal market share from other manufacturers.

I will say that the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee may be the thing that jump starts the company. It was good looking and it boasted a gorgeous interior. I just hope its driving experience can match those attributes and the brand can turn this sinking ship around. The problem: it is still a long ways off until it is debuted.

What will it take to save one of the legendary Detroit Three?

Discuss...


CNNMoney reports:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The car company that is off to the worst start of 2010 isn't Toyota. It's Chrysler Group.

Industry experts say that even though Chrysler's overall sales are down only 3% during the first two months of the year, estimates show more than half of Chrysler's sales have been to fleet customers, such as rental car companies.

American consumers have essentially turned their backs on the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands. By some estimates, the once proud member of America's Big Three automakers fell to No. 7 in February in terms of sales to U.S. consumers.

Chrysler's sales to consumers have plunged more than 44% so far this year, according to estimates by industry tracker Edmunds.com...








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Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 3/12/2010 12:12:08 AM
+1 Boost
"Industry analysts at Edmunds have estimated that sales have plunged over 40 percent THIS year."

didn't they make the smallest of gains last month?


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/12/2010 1:17:35 AM
+1 Boost
@Joe

Read the article.

*Sales to consumers*

That overall sales number is being overwhelmed by fleet sales.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 3/12/2010 1:32:32 AM
+4 Boost
Do those somehow not count as sales?


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/12/2010 1:49:57 AM
-1 Boost
@Joe

Look, from the CNN piece:

"...Sales to rental car companies are driven by deep price discounts, and they are bound to hurt the company's future sales and profits when the low-mileage used cars sold to fleets go on sale themselves.

'You can not viably survive with fleet and rental sales over 50%,' said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for TrueCar, a car pricing and sales service. The math just doesn't work.'"


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 3/12/2010 9:49:28 AM
+3 Boost
Do you have any hard numbers on the discounts that they are having to make? Or is this all just speculation?


IVANURI97IVANURI97 - 3/12/2010 12:48:53 AM
+1 Boost
I would say it's the smaller companies, like Mitsubishi. Have they had any sales gains or do they have anything exciting in the works? At least Chrysler has some products that show promise.


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/12/2010 1:15:27 AM
+3 Boost
Name the products...


upwardsupwards - 3/12/2010 2:08:43 AM
+1 Boost
Nothing exciting from Mitsubishi less the wrx in years.


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 3/12/2010 10:42:17 AM
0 Boost
My cousin owns the 2009 lancer gts.He has an aftermarket intake,headers and cat back exhaust as well as suspension and a few exterior mods. The car is terrible off the line.Once it gets moving its decent,but the CVT just ruins the whole thing. The CVT makes the engine noisy and annoying.The fact that you can not feel shifts is what really bothers me and the car always feels as if its in the wrong gear. In normal mode if you give it some gas the revs will go slightly up (no feeling of the trans downshifting) but the car will barely pick up.It is a little better in manual mode where you can shift up or down with the flick of your wrist :( . I also drove a friends 5spd gts and it is like night and day. Fix the CVT trans mitsu!!!


fatandsassyfatandsassy - 3/12/2010 8:38:37 AM
+4 Boost
Jeep will always do well to its core followers. The new Cherokee looks great inside and out. I wish they would revamp the Commander. I own one. This vehicle is awesome it just need to be more like an Escalade size inside. Oh and better MPG would be great.
I dont worry about Chrysler right now. They are in a transition phase. They are revamping and will get it right. BUT - you cant just throw together a car and sell it without time for testing. The last thing they need to do is produce a car and it have tons of recalls (Hello Toyota)


LACMANLACMAN - 3/12/2010 10:01:15 AM
+2 Boost
^^^ Plus one! (my boost buttons arent working)


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 3/12/2010 11:01:51 AM
+2 Boost
Yeah Chrysler is in trouble. But I must say my Jeep Grand Cherokee is a very fun vehicle. A dinosaur in many way but stll a lot of fun, espcially in the snow, rain and mud. The hemi is a little thirsy, but for all the performence you are going to pay a penalty in gas. Plus I got it for a steal.


bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 3/12/2010 11:22:14 AM
+2 Boost
Chrysler shut down plants because they were in chapter 11 procedures. Edmunds forgot to mention that Chrysler was up in Canada 17% which brought them back to the #2 spot and this was not fleet sales. Neither mentioned the new product line. This is all speculation with wery few relevant facts. And thank you CNN for a shallow report as usual, that will help the situation greatly. Its amazing how one negative fact is plucked out of a situation when there are 20 times more positive that are not included. The awards that I consider for Chrysler are the many for the Ram [MTs truck of the year beating Ford being one of them] the awards for the Jeep and new minivans. I could go on but I think you get the picture. Nice try.


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/12/2010 12:12:38 PM
-1 Boost
"Da Nile" is not just a river in Egypt...


bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 3/12/2010 7:52:06 PM
0 Boost
With all due Respect it Seems to me you are the one in "Da Nile"


bfghemicudabfghemicuda - 3/12/2010 11:56:37 AM
+4 Boost
In addition, I definately understand the Chrysler situation and realize there Current position but I also realize they have a bright future thanks to Sergio. I am a 30 year licensed General Contractor in California and I cheer for Chrysler and if anyone knows a Rollercoaster ride It's me.


rubenkincaidrubenkincaid - 3/12/2010 11:50:30 PM
0 Boost
Chrysler will be dead in 18 months without more taxpayer money. 30 years of crap. This ugly Grand Cherokee will save the Company? No way.



XYZZXYZZ - 3/15/2010 6:47:31 AM
0 Boost

when i look at the weekend display ads from all the car dealers, i see ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from chrysler/dodge that would be worth my while to to visit the dealer for.

if i were in the market for a big sedan, i'd look at the avalon and accord. a truck, either the tundra or f-150. an off-roader, ANY toyota 4x4.

if/when the fiat 500 ever makes it to chryco showrooms, i mite take a look. any alfa models, sure! (but not likely to get here)
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