What do you think of Chrysler's turnaround chances?

The "rebirth" of Chrysler is dependent upon the success of Fiat and Alfa Romeo in the US market and a reduction in current Chrysler models. Chrysler is the only automotive company planning on increasing the number of brands that it sells in the US. Isn't this the same mistake that GM made years ago?

Let's think about this for about a New York minute. GM will now focus on four brands in the US. Toyota, Honda, Nissan each have two. Chrysler sales were off 30% from a year ago and a year ago the credit markets were frozen. Chrysler management is planning to increase the number of brands it sells????

The Fiat 500, coming to a dealership near you, will be made in Mexico. Other Fiat products and Alfa Romeo's will be made in "North America".

Government Motors you've done it again. Our neighbors to the South and probably to the North appreciate our financial contribution to their economies since it appears that they will benefit from any jobs that are created by the Fiat/Chrysler merger.

Of course, we did get something out of the deal. We got to pick up the check.

God Bless America.

I sure hope this works out. We need American vehicles!!!

I have said this before, but I think that this turnaround plan will take too long. Eventually, they may find some success with the new cars that they introduce over the next few years, but they will remain two steps behind everyone else. Ford, Toyota, Mazda, and even Volkswagen are introducing new cars now. In three years, these companies will have sold tens of thousands of their new cars while Fiat and Chrysler are still designing and testing their cars. Some folks have told me that Chrysler will be 'refreshing' and 'improving' their current models for the time being. That's certainly a step in the right direction, but a 'refreshed' Dodge Avenger may not appeal to consumers becuase they still will think about the severe lack of quality with which Chrysler cars are associated now.

I still believe that the best bet is for Chrysler and Fiat to drastically reduce the number of models that they offer, and concentrate on making those models shine. Keep the Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee. Keep the Dodge Charger, Caravan, and Challenger. Keep the Ram pickups. Toss out the compact and mid-size cars and replace them with Fiat models that wear Dodge or Chrysler badges.

How is FIAT," fix it again Tony", going to improve Chrysler reliability? I would like a Fiat 500 diesel, I will take that chance.

FTA:

American taxpayers should hope the plan works.

That is the key to the whole thing. Way too many (purported) Americans are terrified that we will succeed, and start making more and more world-class cars, and become economically healthy, prosperous and successful. Why this desperate fear of success? Why, because it might just prove that a black man with a (D) after his name presided over a successful plan. If we really hope Chrysler will succeed, then we will give its products a chance. I firmly believe if we do that, then Chrysler will succeed. But I am scared as hell that these so-called Americans will keep on exporting their paychecks without a moment's consideration of American brands, if for no other reason than just to claim that President Obama failed.

It will be interesting to see how many Americans are truly on the side of America.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the whole thing about the turnaround hinges on 1) ECONOMY, 2) how well Fiat can overcome its let's say not so sterling image of being a cheap import not worth 2 cents, and lastly how well the AMERICAN consumer is going to receive the cars that they are going to put out especially those that do not have good styling. Quality has got to improve by 300% on the current models, fuel efficeny has got to increase in all lines to new minimium standards that go in to effect with in the next couple of years, and lets face it, gas and diesel are not getting any cheaper. I have serious doubts about the plan, but I wish Fiat the best of luck. If the US economy does not improve and drastically, then they have slim to no chance of making it. Of course this is just MHO

No chance. Chrysler is right now suing thousands who could not re-finance leases during the credit crunch! None of these people will ever be customers again! Neither will their family or friends! Nice move-sue your customers- Brilliant!

As a former direct hire employee of Chrysler, having worked in the field for ten years and in Michigan for ten years, I would be surprised if they make it five years. They have been telling us that they get it on the quality thing for twenty years, but the quality peaked in 1998 and has been on a steady decline. The fact that they are simply giving loser models quick sheet metal and interior up grades shows how out of touch with reality they really are. If the economy does a sudden and dramatic rebound, they will make it in spite of poor quality and lack luster marketing.

Tens of thousands of good Chrysler customers were not refinanced by Chrysler at lease end during the credit crunch. Chrysler forced them to turn in leased vehicles they wanted to buy. These-often very good repeat customers-were hit with turn-in fees (over mileage, damages, etc). Chrysler is now filing tens of thousands of LAWSUITS against these former loyal customers to collect this money! I bought 4 Chryslers since 2001. I made all the payments on time. Now Chrysler is suing me-and not paying back their government loans. Sound right to you? Think I'll buy another Chrysler?

It ain't gonna be easy but I think this guy has a smart plan. However changing the mentality of an american manufacturer such as Chrysler to the idea of them making small italian cars in America will be extremely difficult. I still think they can pull it off only if QUALITY is put to the fore. To Jim, rest assure that Fiat and Alfas ALL have great styling. Fiat has been the only growing company in the competitive and recesion ridden european market for the past two years, this tells you that what they sell is worth buying. To Jack-mi, I sympathise with you man, what they did is unexcusable but give this american brand a chance under these new owners. I really hope we americans can see the positives in this merger by taking advantage of the new technologies being offered while helping us forget an old stereotype about Fiats.

This will work. How cant' it? American CEO's suck! Keep the Nardelli's and Eaton's out of it and Chrysler will do well... no matter how you cut it, the three headed dog had no chance after D.B was done milking Chrysler... thank you Eaton.. you go down in the annals of history as a prime jackass! Nardelli, well, what can I say... excreted fecies!

As an employee of a former Chrysler dealer, our franchise was taken in June, which we're still trying to figure out because we were number 1 in the Northeast and in the top 12% nationwide. Not to mention that our franchise was given to another dealer. I hope they crash and burn so my dealership will continue with a different franchise and the competitor will go down with them. Even though I work for a certain dealership, I'm a Ford person at heart!...You know that AMERICAN Manufacturer that didn't file for bankruptcy!

Ever notice that the one's that complain about Chrysler (GM/Ford) are the most unpatriotic vermin that inhabit this once proud land. They wouldn't buy ANY American made product if it was given away and then take good American money while they're employed at some American company. Boycott those companies people. Chrysler will make it, and will come back with some outstanding products.

Notice how Communist Reports Magazine slams American vehicles, and yet heaps praise on Toyota et al, even though Toyota has frame problems, sticking pedals that are killing people, truck engine failures, car transmission failures? Yet another outfit that hates American products. What a crock.

As owner of new Chrysler products (as well as other makes - we have always owned multiple vehicles at one time... for work and family) for over 22 years, I have never been disappointed with any of our MOPAR purchases. From an '87 Dodge Caravan and a '92 Chrysler Town & Country to a '95 Concorde, a '99 300M, two PT Cruisers (all high-quality, trouble-free, high-mileage vehicles - some with well over 170,000 miles on them at trade) to our latest 2009 300C sedan (a wonderful, award winning and excellent car... so much so, Ford did almost a direct lift of it for its new Taurus SHO), I have been completely satisfied with every Chrysler product we have owned. As with other American manufacturers, Chrysler had competitive difficulties internationally because of its long-term hourly labor rate contracts and employee benefit costs. Add to this Daimler-Benzes' use of Chrysler Corporation as a "subsidiary cash cow", a time when Mercedes Benz vehicles' reputation for poor quality & poor reliability reached all-time highs - 1998 through 2005, and Chrysler's new product development dollars were diverted to Stuttgart instead of staying in Detroit... & you get a sense of part of the big picture. Let's hope that the "new" relationship with FIAT will be equally advantageous to both FIAT and Chrysler and not lopsided as was in the case with Mercedes-Benz!

What ever happened to the "buy American" mantra? I can remember when you used to show your patriotism by buying American. I had wished the cash for clunkers program had been limited to American cars. Were we too afraid of the world opinion and perceived protectionism?