I believe Cerebres (spelling ?) had the intention all along of turning Chrysler for a profit. Will it be a big, small, or REALLY small profit ? That depends how good the spa is that is putting the make up on the
Piggie. I've seen surveys on cup holders, heat/ac controls, door locks, 4wd part time, 4wd full time, just 2wd full time....And MY favorite, the lifetime warranty (I did mention what I thought of the 8/80 warranty we have on "The Princess's" CRD, AND when they were going send me a check for the warranty parts & labor work I've performed since the Libbie had 900 miles on it because YOUR illustrious dealer organization can fix'em, let alone, diagnose anything.....)
As I read most (not all, there are are FEW of us car guys & girls still out there) of the comments in the discussion groups, no one cares about performance or quality of build. There are 4 pages (last I looked) on what a
****ing (oopsie, eloquence of speech slipped out) bumper sticker should look like. Geordi I think your evaluation is right on the money. Too bad, Chrysler still has the potential to be an world innovator in the automotive arena. But in the age of investment bankers, lawyers, the EPA, and auditors, I guess the real car guys & girls don't really stand a chance.

_________________
05 KJ CRD Limited..
08 WK CRD Laredo
03 DR 2500 Cummins
13 Edge Limited AWD

Several of us made that call way back when - that Cerberus had no intention of actually running Chrysler to make a profit, but their true motive was to slice and dice, selling off pieces and parts to keep the cash flowing while offshoring everything they could, until they could flip the company to another buyer for a profit.

In short, they never intended to make any money selling cars - they intended to make money by selling Chrysler itself.

Too bad for them (and for Chrysler) that the worst economic hiccups since the 1930's threw a monkey wrench in their plans.

_________________
Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

My prediction... Cerebrus will sell off Chrysler to GM in the next 3-6 months, who will purchase it with money loaned to the company by US taxpayers. Afterwards, GM will shut down most of the US production anyway.

Not sure what trial lawyers or the EPA have to do with the fix US automakers are in. If they had not opposed rational fuel economy standards in the 90's they wouldn't be in th is mess. Seems to me that the domestic auto makers suffer from the same short-term thinking as the rest of the country. Instant gratification baby, and if anyone tells us we can't have it, or that we'll actually have to pay for it, why, they are anti-American!

_________________
2006 Liberty CRD Limited
Mopar engine, transmission, transfer case skids
245/70/16 Michelin Latitude X-Ice (winter)
235/75/16 Firestone Destination ATs (summer)
Thule roof rack, cargo box
V6 airbox mod
Flowmaster 50 2.5 inch muffler
Edge EZ module (set for fuel economy)
SEGR
TDIWagonGuy CCV filter
B99 (summer), B20 (winter)

I believe they WILL listen, but any good ideas received from this effort will be swept under the rug by corporate lawyers, bean counters, and marketing staff.

Want more diesels? Well...they won't make them because they cost too much to make, emit nasty black smoke that angers the greenies, and they make a clattering racket everywhere they go.

Now, we know that's not true, but the everyday average Joe doesn't. They see diesels as either road destrying, smoke belching big rigs, city busses, or big dually pickup trucks.

The sad thing is, people like us are a small minority to a car manufacturer. I can assure you, my wife, my mother, and the rest of my family has never and will never go on a website to learn about the car they drive. If it starts and runs, great. If not, they sell it and buy another one. Manfacturers have to build vehicles for the masses, not for the obsessed car junkie.

So...it's really cool that they are asking for feedback, but anything you give them that would be useful will most likely be tossed aside as either too extreme, too expensive, or not marketable.

_________________
Chad Hargis
Nashville, TN
2008 Grand Cherokee CRD
2005 Liberty CRD *SOLD*

Sales (and huge waiting lists) for the 2009 VW TDIs are a strong indication that clean diesel has a market in the US.

A new Dakota that isn't so butt-ugly, partnered with an 2.5-3.0 liter I4 diesel, could be the cornerstone of a Chrysler turn around. Market it as v8 towing and power with 4 cylinder fuel economy. Warranty the thing for ASTM certified B20 and they would have the greenest pickup on the US market. Run an ad campaign focusing on fleet/work truck buyers about the "little diesel that just won't die" and run video of the "little diesel that could" towing absurd amounts of weight. Marketing the "indestructible diesel" for work vehicles will spur sales (look at the success of the diesel Sprinters in taking over the work van market) while at the same time giving you marketing benefits for the average Joe who wants the image of a tough truck but doesn't want to spend his $$ on a 15 mpg Ram.

The problem is they have got to get over the mindset that diesel is great $$ as a "premium" option and should only be offered in $35k+ vehicles.

_________________
2006 Liberty CRD Limited
Mopar engine, transmission, transfer case skids
245/70/16 Michelin Latitude X-Ice (winter)
235/75/16 Firestone Destination ATs (summer)
Thule roof rack, cargo box
V6 airbox mod
Flowmaster 50 2.5 inch muffler
Edge EZ module (set for fuel economy)
SEGR
TDIWagonGuy CCV filter
B99 (summer), B20 (winter)

I believe they WILL listen, but any good ideas received from this effort will be swept under the rug by corporate lawyers, bean counters, and marketing staff.

Want more diesels? Well...they won't make them because they cost too much to make, emit nasty black smoke that angers the greenies, and they make a clattering racket everywhere they go.

Now, we know that's not true, but the everyday average Joe doesn't. They see diesels as either road destrying, smoke belching big rigs, city busses, or big dually pickup trucks.

The sad thing is, people like us are a small minority to a car manufacturer. I can assure you, my wife, my mother, and the rest of my family has never and will never go on a website to learn about the car they drive. If it starts and runs, great. If not, they sell it and buy another one. Manfacturers have to build vehicles for the masses, not for the obsessed car junkie.

So...it's really cool that they are asking for feedback, but anything you give them that would be useful will most likely be tossed aside as either too extreme, too expensive, or not marketable.

_________________
Chad Hargis
Nashville, TN
2008 Grand Cherokee CRD
2005 Liberty CRD *SOLD*

They better listen, diesels are getting very popular over here in australia, new models vrom BMW, VW and others very good, good economy and with the EURO V and B20 and current engine management are very clean and fantastic performance machines.

Looks to me like Chrysler need to sack their management (they cost too much anyway), reduce the marketing and get rid of their bean counters before they completely destroy chryslers standing (oops might be too late).....

And then listen .....

And for crying out loud, get the product 100 percent right before shipping. The microsoft way of pump it out and then fix it when its out there doesnt cut it with me.

Sad really......

_________________
KJ CRD 2.8L AUTO 2007
BP ULTIMATE
Extra Transmission cooler
2.5 inch full flow muffler.
Fuel Heater Disconnected.
In tank lift pump
Provent
Boost, EGT and Trans temp.
Engine Bay Vents soon.
Transgo Valve body (no resistor)
Hemi TC P04736587AC replaced (original TC P04736582AD in '07 KJ CRD) - Nice -:)

If im not here Im there....