Chrysler is really hurting.

[trof]

We bought a slightly used '03 Dodge Caravan at the local dealer about 5 years ago.

Today, a salesperson called.
"Hi, this is Barb Smith from Gulf Chrysler. Aren't ya'll about ready for a new Caravan? We have some great deals. 22% discount from sticker price. And we'll give you a free resort vacation for 2 nights, 3 days for just coming in for a test drive."

"Actually Barb, we bought a new car in November. It's a Prius."
"Oh."
Silence. Then "Do you still have your Caravan? Looks like you haven't brought it in for service lately."
"We do, but it stays in the carport most of the time now. In fact, we're thinking about selling it."
"Oh. Well, thanks for listening. Have a good day."

I felt like a prick and I was sorry for her.
:-(

[YOY]

1. They can always start a positive trend.

Unfortunately the rank and file feel it hardest and would feel it hardest until they got them into production.

[trof]

7. The owner of the dealership lives next door.

We're friends.
Over a year ago I asked him if Chrysler had anything in the pipeline like the Prius or at least some smaller, more fuel efficient models.
Nope.
Said the SUVs and pick ups were still doing great.
Now? Not so much.
I feel sorry for him too.
Of course he has no control over what Chrysler turns out for him to try and sell.

[YOY]

9. It's folks like him and the UAW folks who get the shaft...

All over extremely poor planning on the executive's parts. I feel for your neighbor. I really do.

Guess who's going to be more financially secure if things get even worse?

[Fumesucker]

12. I bet when the pickups and SUVs were "doing great"..

Your neighbor couldn't have cared less whether Chrysler made fuel efficient vehicles.

Just as short sighted as the top level execs, IMO.

Is there anyone in charge of anything in this country that can look more than say six months down the road?

[trof]

13. He isn't stupid, but he suffers from what I term the...

"Things have always BEEN this way, so things will always BE this way, because things have always BEEN this way" Syndrome.

We've seen some drastic changes in the way 'things are' in the last few years, and I think we've only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg.

[Kolesar]

2. Umm

there may be a typo in there.

"She sung with a voice that would make an old cowboy hang around for one more beer
and think about his youth" -- Garrison Keillor

[dems_rightnow]

3. I assume you mean the part

where he or she "felt a prick"? Perhaps it's not a typo.

[trof]

4. Thanks. *blush*

[MrCoffee]

5. Cold calling sucks

Both for the caller and the callee.



I don't care if callee isn't a word, I'm using it anyway.

[trof]

10. I think callee is a perfectly good word.

If it doesn't exist, it should.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Cerberus says they have a 10 year plan...

to get them out of the hole. Working with Nissan and a few others for their new lineup. Who knows-- they might start bringing Renaults and Citroens over again (the ones that work this time, please).

At least they're taking the long view and don't have the Wall Street need for profit "right now". Figure the usual 5 year product cycle-- 2 cycles give them an entire new lineup and they start making money agian.

[trof]

8. Hope my friend can hang on that long.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. We have a small Chrysler dealership here in town that...

has "$10,000 OFF" painted on the windshields of some pickups.

They look like they're hurting-- even with the customer loyalty/laziness from being one of only two dealerships in town, they just don't have much of anything anyone wants.

[trof]

14. My friend built a huge new dealership complex about 3 years ago.

I'd guess he has over 500 gas hogs on the lot now, and they ain't movin'.
He's barely keeping his head above water with used car sales.
Goes to auctions in Pensacola and other places nearby every week.
Buys more fuel efficient cars for resale.
Maybe he'll make it?

[old mark]

15. Chrysler cars have been the most unreliable and

most in need of repairts for decades. I know someone who buys used cars to repair and resell and he won't even consider a Chrysler product.

They have cut their own throat, and need to make some very basic changes or they will go down.

mark

[earth mom]

18. Bullshit. I've owned several Chrysler cars, no worries or problems. nt

[HughMoran]

16. Mine keeps leaving me stranded on the side of the highway

It died right at a dangerous interchange yesterday. Same old friggin' $120 sensor - replaced for the 3rd time.

No more cars that are dangerous to their owners - I've had the car die no less than a dozen times in the past 3 years.

[earth mom]

17. I want a new Jeep, maybe they will be willing to deal now.

I'm all for helping the Union workers! O8)