TV coverage of Detroit Auto Show preview: Disappointing (Chrysler farespoorly)

WXYZ's coverage of the Detroit Auto Show's Charity preview night was
very disappointing.

They might as well have called it the Mustang/Shelby show.

Terrible. So many cars, and they kept coming back to the Mustangs.
Exposure of GM's cars was second (and not really a close second). Bob
Lutz needs to talk faster when giving interviews (it was agonizing
hearing him speak about the Nomad and Solstice). Corvette got a lot
of exposure. Convertible PT Cruiser got some exposure.

That rolling piece of billet aluminum ME-12 thing was shown several
times. No LX-based cars were mentioned or seen - not even during the
wide pan-shots of the show floor.

All in all a very disappointing 2 hours of TV coverage.

BTW, here's an interesting quote I found relating to the rolling
abomination that is the LX-300:

"Like Ford's new cars, the Magnum and 300C seek to give drivers the
advantages of an SUV in a better-handling car platform."

http://www.tidepool.org/original_content.cfm?articleid=103098

First of all, I saw plenty of Ford cars that have nothing at all in
common with SUV's. Second, what I've said all along about the LX-body
300: It's further from a sports-luxury car than the current 300 is.
If I want a freeking truck-ute-suv-tonka-fisher-price piece of shit
there are plenty of alternatives. If I want a sleek, sophisticated,
elegant, V-8 powered RWD Chrysler sedan, I guess I'll have to wait for
Daimler to drop Chrysler.

 

Second, what I've said all along about the LX-body

0-60 in the low six second range. Top speeds over150MPH. Try to equal that
with your 300M.

These cars are going to positively stomp all over the current LH series in
every area you can imagine. It's nothing if not a complete and total
upgrade.

...and watch as they go out of business, then maybe at some point in a decade
or two have the marque revived by some other manufacturer, and then be about
as much a true Chrysler product afterward as a Jaguar is true to its own
heritage. Or Volvo to its heritage, or Saab, or Mazda...starting to get the
idea here? What you're advocating is the death of Chrysler, just to satisfy
some sort of scorched earth emotional response you have to the merger. It's
foolish. You're in the Detroit area, do you want to see all your neighbors
unemployed? I don't.

--Geoff

 

Chrysler under Daimler is slowly dying. Ultimately it's cars will be
nothing more than Mercedes parts stuffed into a shell designed in
Auburn hills. It's cars carefully designed to avoid market segments
occupied by Merc models.

I want a sports luxury car to replace my '00 300M. I want it to be a
Chrysler. In January 2000 I all but knew it was going to be the
production version of that beautiful concept. In 2004, Chrysler no
longer makes sports luxury sedans. They make industrial looking
sedans that look like what Bentley was making 15-20 years ago.

I don't either. More importantly, lots of LH cars (and LX cars) are
built in Bramalea. But as more and more of Chrysler's cars have
Mercedes parts - what do you think is going to happen to jobs here?

It wouldn't be so bad if Daimler took their pride out of their ass and
started to market Chrysler vehicles in Europe (especially Germany).

 

Then I suggest you get off your fat butt, turn off the TV and go to the
show yourself.

 

So I live just down the road from the plant. Many of my neighbors work
there(hint none of them drive what they build). All LH cars have been
manufactured in one place. Bramalea - which is pretty far from Germany. The
plant was previously a Jeep plant under AMC.

What major components of the new cars are Mercedes? My understanding is that
pretty much the same suppliers are supplying the new generation. Now the
Crossfire is an exception (not built here either)but its not a mass market
vehicle.

As an Intrepid owner, I'd welcome some more reliable parts.....


James Linn

 

Quoted from
http://www.kvue.com/sharedcontent/autos/topstories/010704ccAutosNAIASkgw.11c62ee2f.html

"approximately 20 percent of LX platform components are shared with
Mercedes, particularly in drivetrain hardware, suspension modules,
electrical systems and seat modules."

I have yet to read if the V-6 versions are FWD or RWD. I *believe* it
was reported months ago that the transmission and possibly the
suspension was coming from Mercedes. I haven't read anywhere if this
is indeed the case, but here at least we have a media story stating a
significant portion of the car is made by Merc.

Having some components from Merc (especially any electronics) is not
necessarily a good thing. Merc has had a terrible history recently
WRT quality or reliability. How long do you think it will take for
the mechanics that work at Chrysler dealerships to become aquainted
with the Merc components?

How much do you think it will cost to repair/replace a Merc
transmission output speed sensor? I'll tell ya, it won't be less than
for the Chrysler equivalent.

--------------------------

Complete text:

2005 Chrysler 300 C and Dodge Magnum
ALAN OLDFIELD

Production versions of the Chrysler 300C sedan and Dodge Magnum sports
tourer (think station wagon) concepts received enthusiastic responses
at NAIAS despite some scaling back of the concepts' showy features.

Both production models wear 18-inch tires, rather than the 20-inchers
sported by the concepts, and both sport a bit less chrome.

The new models, based on the new LX rear-wheel-drive platform, will
hit dealer showrooms next spring. Engines will range from a 200-hp,
2.7-liter V-6 through a refined version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that
produces 340 hp at 5200 rpm and 365 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm,
which should provide zero to 60 times of 6.5 seconds and a top speed
in excess of 150 mph.

The transmission is a five-speed electronic AutoStick with a gated
shifter. Antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and
DaimlerChrysler's Electronic Stability Program will be standard. A
full-time all-wheel drive system will be an option on the Magnum.

Interiors of both cars feature analog instrumentation; adjustable
pedals; four-spoke, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheels; and, in the
300C, elegant faux-tortoiseshell trim on the steering wheel, shifter
knob and door pull handles.

In addition, approximately 20 percent of LX platform components are
shared with Mercedes, particularly in drivetrain hardware, suspension
modules, electrical systems and seat modules.

The base V-6 model is expected to sticker at about $24,000 when it
goes on sale in April. The upscale 300C sedan will be equipped with a
340-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and cost less than $33,000.

The full-sized 2005 Dodge Magnum shares its rear-wheel-drive
architecture with the 300C. But while the Chrysler model is a sedan,
the Magnum is very much like a wagon.

But this is not the station wagon you grew up in. With the optional
5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, all-wheel drive and electronic stability
control, the car will be positioned as a performance vehicle. The
Magnum is scheduled to go on sale in May.

 

Well, they're starting. It's been announced that Dodge will become
available in the UK soon.

In general I have to tell you that US cars haven't enjoyed much of a
reputation in Europe in the past, and for understandable reasons -- huge,
uneconomic engines, unsuitable ride etc. On top of that they weren't made
in a RHD so Britain was out.

Selling Chrysler in Germany must be an herculean task, to reach out beyond a
specialist market, but I think efforts are being made. Selling against
VW/Audi, BMW and Mercedes (all top sellers!) is a tough job! Opel/GM just
scrapes into the top 10.
See, e.g. Oct 03
http://www.kfz-auskunft.de/kfz/pkw_neuzulassungen_oktober_2003.html

Some info about the 45 m cars registered in Germany:
http://www.kfz-auskunft.de/kfz/pkw_bestand_2003.html

Note that only the Opel Corsa figues as a class leader in a 'mass' class.


Actually Chrysler made more of an effort (also predating Mercedes) as it
hasn't had European manufacturing plants for years. Even in Britain Jeep
and Voyager are selling quite reasonably. In other European countries more
Chrysler brands are available.

DAS