News from Chrysler this morning:

The Magnum was kinda cool. The other three, I didn't really care for.
What do you think?

 

[align=center]Hi Taz,[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]I really like the Magnum (with a Hemi: ), and it's sad[/align][align=center]for it to be eliminated : ([/align][align=center](Mod `Wiz's Magnum Hemi will now become rare : )[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Chrysler, like the other American Auto Companies[/align][align=center]are in bad financial shape : ([/align][align=center]They have to cut the `fat : ( the slow seller's : ([/align][align=center][/align][align=center]I rather see the Big Three make 10 Great Cars,[/align][align=center]then 50 different Makes & Model Bad Cars : ([/align][align=center][/align][align=center]I know that the American Worker can build them, but[/align][align=center]I don't know `if management has learned to lead them.[/align][align=center]I shall continue to `hope, and to pray for a[/align][align=center]better country, for a better World.[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Good Luck Big 3,[/align][align=center]`Space[/align]

 

The Pacifica was okay. My g/f and I debated over whether or not is was a station wagon or SUV. I heard Chrysler call them "SUV" but she swears they're a station wagon.

My parents had two. A white and a red one.

 

can't wait to see the challenger

 

the new guy in charger of daimler chrysler is "triming the fat" and classified this car as "fat". so they are triming it... there won't be any "cross company" competition for cars.. so i think the Chrysler 300 is going for that reason, but i'm not sure. so anyways, the magnum was classified as beign so close to the charger they got rid of it.

 

alot of jobs will be lost ...

 

They have a "300 Estate" version offered in Europe.It is basically a Magnum with a 300 front end.Maybe we'll see that in the U.S. to replace the Magnum and Pacifica.

 

The official word from Chrysler:

[quote]DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler LLC said Thursday it plans to cut up to 12,000 jobs, or up to 15 percent of its workforce, as part of an effort to slash costs and match slowing demand for some vehicles.

The automaker will cut 8,500 to 10,000 hourly jobs through 2008 and salaried employment by about 2,100. It will eliminate shifts at five North American assembly plants and eliminate four products from its line-up.

The cuts come in addition to the 13,000 layoffs Chrysler announced in February as part of a massive restructuring plan. Those cuts included 11,000 production jobs and 2,000 salaried jobs. The new round of cuts was expected to involve buyouts or early retirement packages similar to those made in February.

"The market situation has changed dramatically in the eight months since Chrysler established the Recovery and Transformation Plan as its blueprint," Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

As part of the new plan, shifts will be cut in Belvidere, Ill., Toledo, Ohio; Brampton, Ontario; Jefferson North in Detroit and a plant in Sterling Heights. Also, a shift will be cut at the company's Mack Avenue engine plant.

The announcement comes just days after the United Auto Workers union ratified a four-year deal with the automaker. Chrysler became a private company in August when DaimlerChrysler AG, now called Daimler AG, sold 80.1 percent of Chrysler to the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP.

The company announced will eliminate the four models through 2008, including the Dodge Magnum wagon, the convertible version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chrysler Pacifica crossover and the Chrysler Crossfire sportscar.

In the same time frame, Chrysler said it plans to add two new products: the Dodge Journey crossover and Dodge Challenger, along with two new hybrid models, the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango.


From Chrysler....
Chrysler Announces Product and Plant Changes
Chrysler LLC today announced that it would make volume-related reductions at several of its North American assembly and powertrain plants, and eliminate four products from its line-up.
Shifts will be eliminated at five North American assembly plants which, combined with other volume-related manufacturing actions, will lead to a reduction of 8,500-10,000 additional hourly jobs through 2008.
Additional actions include reductions of salaried employment by 1,000 and supplemental (contract) employment by 37 percent. The Company also plans to eliminate hourly and salaried overtime and reduce purchased services due to reduction in volume.
The volume-related actions are in addition to 13,000 jobs eliminated by the three-year Recovery and Transformation Plan (RTP) announced in February. The objectives of the RTP remain the same.
“The market situation has changed dramatically in the eight months since Chrysler established the Recovery and Transformation Plan as its blueprint,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Annual industry volume (U.S. market) then was running at a 17.2 million clip. Now, we expect a seasonally adjusted annual volume for 2007 to be significantly lower and carry over into 2008."
"We have to move now to adjust the way our company looks and acts to reflect a smaller market,” added Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President. "That means a cost base that is right-sized and an appropriate level of plant utilization.”
LaSorda added that third-shift operations at assembly plants usually reflect a high demand after a product is launched. Three of the five plants affected by this action are the result of elimination of third shifts – in Belvidere, Illinois; Toledo, Ohio, and Brampton, Ontario.
In contract negotiations just concluded with the United Auto Workers, Chrysler committed to spending more than $15 billion on products, pl

 

that really bums me out that they are getting rid of the magnums. I had two choice when i purchased my monte. and it was either this or that. I'm still a hell of a lot happier i got the monte but i love the way those things look!