Chrysler cuts Hemi production

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group has cut production of its legendary Hemi V-8 by nearly 20 percent as more consumers decide to trade power for fuel efficiency and the company prepares for lower light-truck sales through the year.

Chrysler recently lowered Hemi production to 1,300 a day from 1,600 at its Saltillo factory in Mexico, company officials said.

The reduction indicates the automaker has been forced to pull back production on its profitable Hemi -- along with its standard 4.7-liter V-8 engine -- as it whittles SUV and truck output in the third and fourth quarters due to sluggish sales.

The production cut to the popular engine comes as the company struggles with lagging SUV and truck sales, the vehicles which traditionally carry the powerful motor.

The Dodge Durango, a full-size SUV, has seen sales fall 41.1 percent for the year and the Dodge Ram pickups have been down 11.7 percent. Overall, light truck sales for Chrysler are down 12.9 percent for the January through August period, compared with 2005.


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mstangpny07 - 9/12/2006 4:39:16 PM

+1 Boost

ouch?

bubbahotep - 9/12/2006 4:48:25 PM

+1 Boost

I guess MDS just isn't fuel efficient enough....

Rupert - 9/12/2006 5:46:18 PM

+1 Boost

see? the suv market is collapsing. first the big engines, then the whole range.

webguy - 9/12/2006 5:56:34 PM

+1 Boost

Chrysler seems to have a habit of overstaying their welcome with their successes. Hemi is one of them.

Not to mention the foundation of the original Hemi was efficiency and HP/L. Chrysler should have stuck to this formula and produced cheaper, less thirsty, smaller block versions, put them in lower line cars and touted their economical sense. Power that's economical and sensible is the proverbial having your cake and eating it; and it will always sell.

Instead they opted for larger displacement, more expensive and more expensive to operate versions. The wrong answer to a question everyone is asking. That’s too bad, as it really is a great motor.

EvoAudi - 9/12/2006 9:28:13 PM

+1 Boost

WWWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!

silverarrow2 - 9/13/2006 1:02:05 AM

+1 Boost

Dude! does that thing has a hybrade?

chewy - 9/13/2006 1:44:52 AM

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MSD is kinka like a Hybrid, it "cheats" the EPA test

vcowman - 9/13/2006 12:59:56 PM

+1 Boost

too bad, this is the death of an american icon.

bigslick83 - 9/18/2006 4:05:39 PM

0 Boost

you know they really didnt cut production by that much. from 1600 a day to 1300. that must say these engines suck and are not effecient. or maybe its in line with other cuts in production they are doing because of lack of sales. the fact is that the MDS (not MSD) is a great idea that gives you about 350 hp and gets the gas milage of a 3.5l v6. now u show me a car or a truck under 40k that can do that.

and will if it doesnt say lexus, then nothing makes sense to you because you are an idiot. if you dont belive me, then ask dr. z