http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...040501088.html

His attempts to reform GM failed and now he has a chance to buy and run his own car company. Other than concerns about his age, I wish him well.

Bob Wilson

 

I wouldn't hold that against him. Ross Perot tried to reform GM, too, and he got nowhere. GM stubbornly resists reform.

Chrysler needs a major reform, which is obvious.

Marketing vehicles as "testosterone substitutes" only goes so far, especially in light of the fact that more women buy vehicles than men. I haven't seen Chrysler try to sell anything based on the product itself, just marketing hooks like, "Yeah, it's a Hemi," or "This car is anything but cute." Their marketing is so bad it insults our intelligence.

Come on, Chrysler. Come up with some some relevant vehicles, with the price of gasoline and environmental concerns in mind. Macho only goes so far.

Harry

 

Back around 1980, Chrysler saved itself with products like the front-wheel drive K-car, the Dodge Omni, Aries, Reliant - fuel efficient vehicles Lee Iaccoca pushed.

Things have changed since then.

 

I remember the K-car being their savior, as they got the rental car companies to buy them in droves.

 

If GM and Ford have decided to move away from fleet sales, it sounds like an opportunity.

Bob Wilson

 

Chrysler will be sold in pieces... which is probably for the best. I do have to say though, that their cars of late have been pretty impressive. The k-car imo, was what killed chrysler, yes they sold thousands (millions) of them but they also cause me to think of chrysler as a cheap car company and one that i would never buy from. So long term strategy was lacking. An average fleet car is the kiss of death imo.

 

Breaking up Chrysler, an interesting idea. What might emerge would be one or two, custom car companies that focus on limited production, specialized vehicles. Instead of trying to run a series of manufacturing plants, badly, with poorly engineering products, a narrower focus with finite production runs might be the right answer.

Bob Wilson