If you Have $4.7Billion and purchased Chrysler, how will you handle it?

Question

Because if the potential buyer completes the purchased of Chrysler, the new management will have a tougher road ahead to bring this once great American vehicle back to greatness.

Like:

1. Possibly redesigning the physical models that they alreay have out (if necessary).

2. Possibly change the engine that they will support (if HEMI is not included in the purchase).

3. And what new things (items, innovation, etc.) that you can bring to the table that will make DCX regret of selling Chrysler.

4. Will they make all the model cars to be build in the USA (may increase industrial jobs).

5. Try to gain support from UAW

6. ETC. (There are a lot of things that they will have to do)

Answer 1

The Buyer would do well to lose the Chrysler name Make a line up using Dodge as the name and drop twin cars from the mix and then sell jeep for 4.7 billion and run like hell.

Answer 2

For one thing, you act like Chrysler is in the crapper - it's not. Sure, there's issues of inventory with the company, but they are still in the best shape of the Big 3.

I would NOT bring back Plymouth. Plymouth had no relevancy in the market anymore. All they were were badge-engineered Dodges. The blame for that falls squarely on Chrysler.

In the auto industry, product is king. And if Chrysler builds cars that people want, they will come. The 300C was a success, but what about the Caliber? Could anyone honestly tell me it was an improvement over the Neon? Sure, it sits in this gray area where it can replace the Neon yet compete with the likes of the Toyota Matrix, but I've driven both and there ain't no comparison.

With the new Sebring, Chrysler once again has created a ho-hum vehicle. Maybe they don't want to compete head-on with the Accord and instead offer a slightly less jewel-like car that offers value, but why must we Americans settle for anything other than best-in-market?

(Most of my comments are respective for Dodge as well.)

The Jeep portfolio seems too crowded . . . Liberty, Patriot . . . gosh, I can't even remember the names because some of them are so unremarkable! Making a Jeep based off the Caliber was dumb. And giving Dodge a Nitro seems to cannibalize the Jeep brand to me. There's just too much going on! And you'd think the Germans would be adept at noticing that, but it seems they're letting the Americans have free reign at the controls - why no checks and balances?

So, overall, Chrysler needs to improve quality and focus on product some more. They deserve cheers for reinventing the Great American RWD Sedan, but other cars in their portfolio leave me wanting. And design an interior that doesn't feel cheap, dammit! :-)

Answer 3

Hemi would have to be part of the sale because it is part of the Chrysler Herritage.

I would focus on cars. Chrysler is Cars. Jeep is SUV's. Dodge is Trucks. That being said, I would bring back Plymouth for lower line cars.

I would get away from colaborating with foreign companies in engine developement. We need to make them here and use our own technology. I would expand on the Hemi technology and trickle it down to smaller engines.

I would focus each brand on it's core comprtitive edge and sharpen the point of each brands dagger to cut the most marketshare. All of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth vehicles would be made here in America because all of the best cars are made here!

I will turn Chrysler around by keeping each brand focused on what it does best. Dodge s Trucks and they would get a few cars, mostly sports car type and one full size family car as well as one midsize car. Chrysler would be the showcase brand where all the car technology and styling is showcased. Plymouth would compete with the scions of the world. Jeep would focus on holding on to the most capable and extreem vehicles made today to get people wherever they need to go and other vehicles would fail. There is only one Jeep!

The market changes so fast any more. What is right today is wrong tomarrow. The key is keeping the right cars, at the right prices, available for purchase while the cars are at their hottest. This is the problem that Chrysler will have to face head on. Launching cars that can be produced at volumes needed to keep up with demand. Or, at last plan better by stock piling other vehicles made on the same assembly line so that the line can pump out the newest model!

Answer 4

I'd fire all execs...lure news ones on board from Honda & Toyota & give them cart blanche to put a viable business model together. Then I'd write a book about it, hoping Ford & GM would follow suit. It's so depressing that American automakers are in the toilet...they've only had forever to get it right, and failed.

Sadly, this year some 60K American autoworkers have lost / will lose their jobs from Ford & GM, and Chrysler's right behind w. Daimler-Benz contemplating a divestiture. Chryslers also are in the toilet in significant ratings (quality, customer satisfaction, etc....). BTW, I drive an '06 Charger (V6) as a company provided vehicle...there are many Chargers in my firm's fleet. Now get this...they ALL have transmissions that leak (through a faulty connector gasket) practically off the showroom floor, & the local dealer didn't bat an eye in admitting it!

In contrast, both Honda & Toyota are building several new plants...record profits & sales...value, value, innovations aplenty. Honda's vision statement touted as 'The Power of Dreams' shows what happens when you truly empower your engineers, & how the proof's in the pudding when you stay the course with a superior business model; hard for us Americans to swallow in facing the music, but facts is the facts...

So, in a nutshell, if I had 4.7 bill to burn, I wouldn't throw good money after bad...I'd steer way clear of Chrysler!

Answer 5

That is just sad. Chrysler offers so much more than other manufacturers can claim. Plus, they have a-1 safety and security. The engines are some of the best in their class. The 300 series are awesome cars. Try driving one and you'll see..If anyone buys Chrysler it should be GM, Chrysler is a good household name and just needs the right people to run it. A business is only good as it's team. You also have to realize that the man who invented Chrysler is not living and he has some pretty large shoes to fill. Not anyone can do it.

Answer 6

Chrysler has made many mistakes inthe past. They actually make very good vehicles, but seem clueless about who their market is.
One of the major past problems was the partnership with Mitsubishi (known as Diamond Star Motors or DSM) . An example of this was performance gap between the Dodge Stealth and the Mitsubishi 3000GT. These were mechanically identical cars built by Mitsubishi in Japan. Oddly enough, the 3000GT consistantly out-performed the Stealth. Further investigation proved that "calibration modules" (the roms for the engine control system) used in the Stealth had been tweaked to detune the system and cause a significant reduction in performance. The DSM vehicles manufactured in the US (Plymouth Laser, Mistubishi Eclipse, and Eagle Talon) performed identically when equiped with the same drivetrain and handling packages.
Under the ownership of Daimler, the German owners have failed to understand the American market.
The things that Chrysler needs to improve are 1- it's public image, and 2- its customer service.
Back when I owned a Plymouth Laser, the nickname plymouth owner gave to the dealer service department was "SATAN". When one of the door-handles broke on the car, rather than pay the $180 (They wanted an extra $90 to paint it to match the car) dealer parts price for a replacement, I ordered one through the internet from a salvage yard in florida for $40.

Answer 7

keep the $4.7 Billion and leave Chrysler to the German's, DC won't even honor the warranty on the cars like Chrysler used
to do, so let the them fix the problem they started.

If you look at the company liability you might be better off to get about $20 Billion up front to break even.

My 2 cents worth

Answer 8

I wouldnt. Buying chrystler is a great way to lose money.

it has a small following, huge UAW problems, a poor selling lineup, poor structuring, and is just a pretty big mess in general.

doesnt help that most of their cars are pretty weak.

Answer 9

I would squeeze the lard butts at the UAW, the deal doesn't work otherwise.