Mercedes, Not US, To Bail Out Chrysler

Actually it's pretty obvious you're neither an expert nor objective. And what you think are facts are not. Can you cite a source for your "facts"?

Wrong. This was still in the early days. Lots of Chrysler execs, including on the Board of Management.

"Both of Chrysler's current front drive car platforms are being replaced by Mitsubishi platforms,"

"The fwd vehicle platform for such models as the 2007 Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Chrysler Sebring originated at Mitsubishi."

"Chrysler offers two mid-size cars in the form of the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger, both based on the JS-platform, which was developed with Mitsubishi."

"The new Sebring will be built on a Mitsubishi Lancer-derived platform, "

"The Outlander is Mitsubishi's smallest SUV offering in North America. The compact crossover is built on the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and Chrysler Sebring -- the result of a partnership with Chrysler."

I doubt the concentration of chlorine reaches swimming pool levels, and I doubt that any water authority in the US (& any developed country) would permit the circulation of water that is harmful to health.

Not liking the taste of one's local water is another matter. That, in my opinion, is the only reason for filtering at home or drinking still bottled water.

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"

Comprehensible...

:-) DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"

You'd be surprised - do a chemical strip test on tap water in a municipal supply in a house close to the treatment facility's outlet. It tells you something when you can walk by a bathroom where water is being run and smell the chlorine.

When it was "fashionable" for USA car companies to partner with non-USA car companies to fill particular model gaps in their lineups, GM got 10% of Isuzu (for the Light Utility Vehicle "LUV" truck to counter the Mazda and Mitsu small trucks of Ford and Chrysler, respectively), Ford got 10% of Mazda, and Chrysler got 10% of Mitsu. Don't forget the long-time European partner of Chrysler, The Rootes Group (which contributed the Plymouth Cricket sedan!

GM's agreement to sell the LUV trucks ended in the earlier 1980s when Isuzu established their own CAR and truck distribution network. Ford's involvement with Mazda is still operational as they have partnered with several late-model vehicles. Chrysler's involvement with Mitsu has seemed to end with the current mid-size platforms, vehicle-wise, but will continue for many years due to replacement parts issues for these vehicles. GM's still involved with Isuzu via the DuraMax diesels.

I know that Mitsu was a design partner in the new engines and also the platform the Sebring/Avenger is on, but that probably does not explain the styling of the Sebring (compared to the LH-era Chrysler products, the current Sebring is like taking the Forward Look 1955 Chrysler products and replacing them with the prior 1954 models--still functional and reasonably stylish, but not nearly as spiffy). The people I see driving the current Sebring sedans are people that would look good in the 1954 (and prior) Chryslers, rather than young families or utility-minded singles. Obviously, the styling was "Mercedes-ized", make that "Old Mercedes" as opposed to the swooopy newer art deco Mercedes sedans.

I somewhat suspect that Cerberus didn't fully realize that Daimler was selling them a lineup of vehicles that had few stars. Mercedes and all of their "stellar" engineering and cache has seemed to leave Cerberus with many lack-luster cars and a new line of great trucks. The new 300 looks good, but has that blocky "non-aero-friendly" shape. The Calibre is also too square in shape (I wonder how many really bought it for the tailgate boombox???) and a poor replacement for the Neon. Nitro??? why, other than to put enough product and volume into the plant to make it economically viable?

When Chrysler did the LH cars and subsequent vehicles, after the "round" Ram truck, they had good vehicles that came to market quicker than the normal industry time (3 years rather than 4-5) and sold well and MADE MONEY. The plants were running full steam three shifts while GM plants were being idled, or closed, or sold. Chrylser union employees got something like $10K EACH for their profit sharing bonus during that time. The "Golden Years" of Chrysler V2.0 when Chrysler put enough money into the bank that Kerkorian got jealous and wanted some in the form of greater dividends.

Still, though, these were some of Chrysler's best years for product and profits in their entire corporate history. Kind of like when Walter P. let another building owner build what they thought was the tallest building in New York . . . until he and his building maintenance people snuck into the upper part of The Chrysler Building and released the upper spire to make The Chrysler Building the tallest building . . . just as they had obviously planned to do all along.

I found the "press release" quite interesting! Congrats for your innovative efforts! In reality, IF Chrysler could do what is mentioned, with some upgrades for the newer safety standards and emissions, they would AGAIN have a winning group of vehicles! Perhaps, they could make the prior Eagle Vision into the Plymouth Fury it should have been? LOTS of possibilities!

In reality, if Chrysler could recreate the chemistry they had during those LH-era times, ld be a winning combination today! A winning combination that could also be "loaned" to GM. The "answers" to the immediate future lie in the Chrysler Corporation of the 1990s!!!!!

Regards,

C-BODY

Try Philadelphia tap water, a.k.a Schuylkill Punch. The chlorine may not quite be up to swimming pool levels, but it still burns when it goes down.