<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Daimlerchrysler]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Daimlerchrysler]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/daimlerchrysler http://jalopnik.com/tag/daimlerchrysler <![CDATA[Inside Dodge's secret garage]]> The gang at AutoWeek talked Dodge into letting them video a tour of the Detroit-area warehouse where Dodge keeps the family jewels, from Le Mans-winning Vipers to Power Wagons and even the original Neon concept. But why is the big-wheel Hemi there? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5796147&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[UDMan Drives The Sprinter, Gives It Thumbs-Up]]> I've long admired the super-efficient Sprinter van, but never quite understood the constant shifting of marques under which it was sold. Dodge? Mercedes-Benz? Freightliner? Truck expert UDMan to the rescue! More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5419868&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chery-Chrysler Joint Venture Dissolved, Dodge Hornet Gets Stung?]]> According to Auto Sohu and China Car Times the joint venture between Chrysler and Chery has been dissolved before it was even consummated. What happens to the Dodge Hornet concept? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5106442&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Daimler Wants To Wash Hands Of Chrysler, Sell Remaining 19.9% To Cerberus]]> Daimler was obviously unimpressed by Chrysler's electrically motivated press reveal yesterday, as word comes today the German automaker is in talks to sell Cerberus its remaining 19.9% stake in Chrysler. If terms are agreed upon, the sale would mark the end of Daimler's involvement in the Auburn Hills automaker a mere ten years after embarking upon its much ballyhooed "merger of equals." The two companies are mum on the price Daimler hopes to get for its stake in Chrysler, but we'll bet it's worth at least $105 million less than it used to be. [Automotive News, (Sub. Req.)] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5054252&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Iacocca Arrives At Chrysler As Bankruptcy Rumors Swirl; Time Travel Perfected]]> Former chairman Lee Iacocca gave a closed pep rally to Chrysler employees yesterday in Auburn Hills, once again sharing the stage with a K-car, a minivan...and rumors of Chrysler's imminent bankruptcy. While current CEO Bob Nardelli was praising Iacocca as "Chrysler's most dynamic leader" and "a great American," Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff was telling reporters that rumblings about a forthcoming bankruptcy filing by the automaker were "without merit." Presumably addressing the present state of the industry, Iacocca said, "We'll live through it. Don't panic. Things are going to be OK." To fix the current management problems, Iacocca suggested outfitting Nardelli with wire wheel covers and a vinyl landau roof, then sending him back into the boardroom and hoping everyone would think he was a totally new CEO. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=397277&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Commenter Of The Day: Burns And Allen Edition]]> There are those marriages where it's hard to wonder how one partner operates without the other because both partners make the other one better. Perhaps one of the greatest comedic married couples in the last century was George Burns & Gracie Allen. One would setup the joke and the other would knock it out of the park, with George usually doing the setting and Gracie doing the knocking. Burns had a long career afterwards, but as he said himself "First you have to have a talent. You have to develop this talent. Then you have to marry her like I did!" Well, not all marriages are that successful. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=374860&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Wow, DaimlerChrysler (yup, that's still...]]> Wow, DaimlerChrysler (yup, that's still the name) saw earnings of $2.5 billion last quarter. That was despite the $3.4 billion charge on the sale of Chrysler. Imagine how better it would have been had they recorded Chrysler's profits during the quarter too. Oh wait...maybe that would have been backwards. [NYT] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294611&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Chrysler locking doors to prevent execs...]]> Chrysler locking doors to prevent execs from running to other hills from the Hills of Auburn. [Detroit News] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=287678&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler PR Main Man Jason Vines Corrects Self, New CEO Bob Nardelli's Resume]]> More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=286250&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Chrysler Group July 2007 sales down 8%,...]]> Chrysler Group July 2007 sales down 8%, Mercedes Group down 14% month-to-month from last year. [Reuters via PRNewswire] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=284821&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Well of course Chrysler employees get to...]]> Well of course Chrysler employees get to take their cars to a good auto shop. [Freep] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=283767&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Dieter Zetsche e-mails his goodbye to Chrysler....]]> Dieter Zetsche e-mails his goodbye to Chrysler. Parting is such sweet sorrow — or as one Freep commenter writes: "Later Stache." [Freep] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=283365&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Mercedes second quarter profits surge to...]]> Mercedes second quarter profits surge to $1.65 billion. No second quarter results announced for Chrysler because of the impending sale. That's probably a good thing wethinks. [Forbes] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=282255&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ The Daimler and Chrysler executive shuffle...]]> The Daimler and Chrysler executive shuffle continues. [Detroit News] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=281231&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Autoextremist Applauds Imperial Execution]]> His Royal Peetness is huzzahing like a madman at Chrysler's decision to do in the Imperial, calling it "the wrong car, at the wrong time, from the wrong car company" and hoping that the decision to cancel the ill-proportioned behemoth may be the sign of common sense beginning to prevail in the hallways of Auburn Hills. Needless to say, the situtation with CerbChryCo is touch-and-go right now, but here's to hoping that the 2008 round of show vehicles have a bit more in the way of er, zazz. Actually, could they do a rethought ZAZ? Murilee, for one, would blow his spleen with glee. [Autoextremist] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=280514&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ DaimlerChrysler expects higher FY 2007 sales...]]> DaimlerChrysler expects higher FY 2007 sales from Mercedes than they saw during FY 2006. But only by a wee bit. [CNNMoney] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=279321&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ John "Informer" Snow of Cerberus to discuss...]]> John "Informer" Snow of Cerberus to discuss impact of Chrysler sale today at Detroit Economic Club. Hurry and snatch those tickets up before they're gone — we hear they're serving chicken! [Freep] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=277174&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ Nein! Zehr eez no problehm mit zee sale...]]> Nein! Zehr eez no problehm mit zee sale of zee Chrysler Group! [Detroit News] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=277168&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Even If BMW Wants A Piece, In Australia At Least, Daimler And Chrysler To Try And Remain BFF]]> Well we're glad to hear down under the soon-to-be former couple of DaimlerChrysler will at least try to remain BFF even after the split's finalized. The folks at the Aussie car siteGoAuto claim that the two automakers will remain "joined at the hip" in Australia. Of course that word's coming from the jilted lover Chrysler Australia boss Gerry Jenkins. No word on what Aussie Mercedes chief thinks about the situation. We've already heard word of him running 'round town with a couple of little A-class sized gals from BMW. We're just sayin'... More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=275199&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Recalls 80,000 Wranglers, Nitros]]> The woes keep on coming. CerebusChrysler DaimlerChrysler is recalling 2007 Jeep Wranglers and Dodge Nitros because an electrical glitch could cause the vehicle to stall. True, both of these vehicles share the family 3.7-liter V6, but the Liberty remains unaffected because it uses an older, glitch-free ECM. While a recall of 80,000 vehicles is just large enough to merit coverage, we're mostly posting this because of the following:
The automaker said the power interruption could lead to a short engine stall, but said the engine would immediately restart if the vehicle was in motion.
Sounds like a fuel-saving feature to us. – Jonny Lieberman More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=274921&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mercedes To Kill The A-Class?]]> We've heard conflicting reports over the past year about the future of the Mercedes "Baby Benz" — some quoting a "weak Euro" while others providing "the falling dollar" as reasoning for abandonment of the A-class. This latest report claims the A-class will get the ax after what we're told is a planned change in both the A and B-class lineups in 2011 because of a Teutonic flight to "luxury." While we're unsure about all of this tea leaf reading, we're sure of one thing — the board of DaimlerChrysler is most assuredly against anything right now that looks even remotely like "non-luxury." – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=274630&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Sale Cost DaimlerChrysler $673 Million?]]> I know DaimlerChrysler's claimed they sold the 'merican half of the business for $7.4 billion, but according to the Wall Street Journal as well as Brian O'Connor at the Detroit News, the sale price was significantly lower than that according to Cerberus CEO Lenny Tessler. He claims:
"In essence, they paid us to take the company...I'm not talking out of school."
But according to the Journal's stat folks, a look at the deal has Cerberus shoving most of its money right into Chrysler. Daimler's check is only $1.3 billion — plus it's going to loan Chrysler money and eat up some of the current losses. The bottom line is Daimler actually pays out $673 million in the "sale." Although DaimlerChrysler's Herr Doktor is denying he's paying Cerberus to take Chrysler, he's also not saying... More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=273528&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Tech Doesn't Recommend Chryslers]]> New Jerseyite Pal-o'-tha-Jalop Jeff Musical likes to go out tooling around in his Audi A4. In fact, we're pretty sure he likes tooling around in his old A4 more than girls. Recently, he happened upon a man stranded on the side of the road in a 300C. Kind soul that he his, our man stopped to lend a hand. The stuck motorist turned out to be an Ohioan Chrysler tech on his way to NY to find a new job, seeing as he was so fed up with working for Cerberus' new acquisition, he couldn't stand it anymore. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=272056&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mercedetize Your Sprinter]]> Here at tha Jalop, we've got a known affection for European vans. And while Ford may have some sugar to lend us us in that department soon, the Deutch-Amerikanische hybrid was first, bringing the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter over first as a Freightliner, then as a Dodge. We're not sure of the details worked out with Cerberus regarding the van's stay on our shores, but regardless, we've always dug industrial vehicles with the tristar on the nose. Thanks to Mercedes Sprinter Conversions, one can now score the bits needed to rock one's Dodge EDM style. And let's face it, if we had a Sprinter? We'd do it too. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=269057&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Group Looking To Expand Warranty To 100,000 Miles?]]> The soon to be former 'merican side of the German-American hybrid's apparently looking to expand its warranty program to "better compete with 100,000-mile offers by rivals Hyundai Motor Co. and General Motors Corp." according to a report obtained by The Detroit News. This is a much higher level than the current warranty coverage — consisting mainly of a roll of duct tape and a copy of the King James bible. Do you think we're kidding? I mean seriously, my roll that came with my Jeep's almost gone — and I can't make heads or tails of the second half of that bible they gave me. What the hell is this "Hell" thing anyway — I never learned about this in Hebrew school, sounds scary though! – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=268584&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is Smart Still Smart For DaimlerChrysler?]]> Yeah, you think the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid was dragging down the Teutonic knights of Stuttgart? Ha! Check out the Smart brand, which according to a report by the German newsdaily Handelsblatt, as reported today by Automotive News. They continue:
"Without the burden of the Smart brand, the Mercedes group would have achieved a record operating profit of more than 4 billion euros last year, or $5.34 billion at current exchange rates. Instead, the group posted a 2.4 billion euros, or $3.20 billion, operating profit."
Considering the not-so-big size of the makers of the not-so-big ForTwo, those are some pretty big losses — according to the report, 3.9 billion euros over the past four years. Taking size into account, my guess is they're losing more money comparatively than the Chrysler Group was / is. Uh-oh, maybe the round table of the board of the knights of Teuton could decide to dump Smart forimpeding on the profitability of Mercedes. – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=268024&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chery Claims Deal With Chrysler NOT Halted]]> It must have all just been a misunderstanding...yeah, that's it:
"a Chery spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday that the newspaper had misquoted his colleague and that the earlier deal with Chrysler Group was progressing."
So umm, what's the left hand doing again mister right hand? – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=263461&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No Chery-Flavor For Cerberus-Owned Chrysler?]]> We've just heard the Chinese automaker Chery's halting the deal with DaimlerChrysler to build Chrysler-brand vehicles (like the horny li'l hornet) until they get a chance to talk to the three-headed dog that's soon to be owning the automaker. According to the AP: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=262178&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[John North Willys, Automotive Pioneer]]> We once had a French roommate into hot rods and sportbikes. Given that he'd become an American citizen whose nation of birth had been liberated by men driving vehicles manufactured by a company founded and shepherded by one John North Willys, we always thought his prediliction toward referring to the company as "Willis" was oddly, well, French. But it turns out that he was actually correct all along, which is one of the myriad things we learned today from an interesting piece about the man whose most lasting legacies are the Gasser and the Jeep. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261499&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[All Hail the Return of the Pentastar!]]> So far, the best news of the day comes to us from the pages of the Freep who report that the iconic Pentastar logo will return to Chrysler products. Uncermoniously dumped after the Merger of Equals, we can't wait to see faux-crystal versions gracing the hoods of 300Cs and Sebrings scattered willy-nilly about this great land of ours, as well as on the roads of China and across the nations of Europe. A banner day for a proud American brand! Also, Cerberus CEO Stephen Feinberg regrets naming his company after a three-headed mythical dog that stands at the gates of Hades. D'oh. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261312&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[How Many Drinks Was That: Wert Gabs About Chrysler]]> More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=260590&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Saying Goodbye To The German-American Hybrid]]> With word today the Chrysler Group would no longer continue to be the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid, the folks who always have money on the mind have asked Wert to reprise his role as talking head this evening. In addition to the topic, the time's 7:20 PM EST, the place as always is CNBC's On The Money. Your job? That's simple — come up with some new rules for the only Official Car Pundit Drinking Game in all of the known universe. As a bonus, let's also come up with some new nicknames for the automaker formerly known as the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=260350&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Nelson's Balkan Campaign: Athens to Tirana]]> For once on the Gumball, I woke up in a bed. After a long day's journey into night and Athens, Herr Roy decided he wanted to be as close as possible to the M5 and booked a block of rooms at the Sofitel in Athens, rather than taking his room at the Hilton. A French cameraman was booked into the M5 for the day, riding rear-seat shotgun next to a spare wheel and Ross and Roy's excess baggage. Alex texted me to invite me down for breakfast with Fly and Jarod DeAnda. The morning was quiet and jovial, highlighted by Alex and I engaging in an impromptu game of Star Wars trivia one-upmanship that left Fly and Jarod gobsmacked at the sheer geekery. Then the text came in: the cars were ready to go. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=260049&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Group Sales Speculation: Magna Only Bidder Left?]]> Yet another strange-ass news mag we've never heard of out of Deutschland (but with a very Automotive News-like website) is reporting that the not-so-equal side of the merger-of-equals is playing games with private equity. They believe Magna International may be the only bidder the German-American hybrid's interested in selling the 'merican side off to. It's their belief the folks at Cerberus (now with Super Wolfgang Bernhard Potential!) and Blackstone may be nothing more than window dressing for the real talks with the Canadian auto supplier. As always, time will tell and as usual, the speculatin' sure is fun! – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=258200&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Bad April: Toyota, GM and Ford Sales Go Down]]> Everyone saw it coming. Even Bob Lutz. The reasons are myriad. An implosion in the housing market, consumers laden with more debt than ever, gasoline prices that are not going down and no super interesting models for dealers to sell have all conspired to tank April sales amongst the nouvelle Big Three. Even Toyota "We Will Crush You" Motor Company's sales fell by 4.4%. And this is after rising 11.7% to pass the General in March. Ford's down 12.9% vs. a year ago. Which is bad. Even the perennial all-star best-seller F-150 is down 12.4%. GM missed a double digit decline but is still off to the tune of 9.5% for April. One bright spot: DaimlerChrysler is up. Specifically Chrysler, as sales of the awesome new Wrangler and ugly new Compass boosted Jeep's sales by 29% last month, perking up the 'merican side's overall sales by 1.6%. Which, even though Mercedes sales were down, lifted DCX as a whole for the month by 1.2%. Which just cheeses Magna, Kerkorian and the Fatherland off. – Jonny Lieberman More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257074&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[It Moves Fast: Maybach Excelero Going 218 MPH!!]]> Sure, they had to tape the wheels up a bit. But 218 mph makes this ringwraith looking ride as fast as an Enzo. We've known that if the car Maybach really ought to build got itself built, that the battle-tested twin-turbo V12 would make the Excelero as potent as Tom Brady's sperm. So are they gonna build it? Who knows, but the fact that the (supposed) one off not only moves, but flat out hauls, is surely great news for Billionaires the world over. As we and countless other journos have said, Maybach has to do something, and fast. And turns out this Excelero is pretty dang fast. – Jonny Lieberman More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=256306&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Funniest Sign at the Shanghai Show, Plus, BYD F8!]]> We nearly keeled over with glee when we noticed this sign yesterday at the Shanghai show, especially after checking out the BYD F8, a vehicle which rips off the German-American Hybrid for all it's worth. CLK face, Sebring booty. Paging Dr. Z and Mr. LaSorda, Dr. Z and Mr. LaSorda to the Copy Right Protection Office. Dr. Z and Mr. LaSorda to the Copy Right Protection Office. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=254182&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sexy Time! Another Forbes List]]> It's that time again! The Forbesies have popped together yet another list of vehicles and assigned character archetypes to their drivers. Interestingly enough the "Newly Divorced Dad" only scores a 'Vette convertible, while the "Newly Divorced Mom" rates an SL65 AMG. Does this mean that Mom wiped out Dad in an acrimonious divorce? And what about the kids? All the divorced moms we know in our peer group drive wagons. Then again, none of the divorced moms we know read Forbes. The list of sexy cars after the jump. – Davey G. Johnson More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=252274&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Chrysler Group Sales Speculation: Magna Confirms "Involvement"]]> We just received the following press release from the Canadian auto supplier:
Magna Confirms Involvement in Potential Sale of Chrysler Group
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=252069&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Former Chrysler CEO Rips Into "Clueless Bozos" — Err — The Bush Administration]]> Lee Iacocca, former Chrysler CEO and shepard of the once-independent automaker through its government loans of the late 70's and early 80's has long been a critic of Bush administration policies. But never like this.
"We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car...I hardly recognize this country anymore...George Bush doesn't have common sense. He just has a lot of sound bites...he prides himself on being faith-based, not reality based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will."
Wow, go get 'em Lee! Not only does the automaker go after Dubya's motley crew, the formerly cantankerous CEO had praise for almost every current leader of the auto industry from GM Chief Exec Rick Wagoner and current Chrysler Group head Tom LaSorda. Hell, the man even calls his ex-sparring partner, "Maximum" Bob Lutz, a "savvy veteran." But don't get the man started on the subject of Bob Eaton and Jurgen Schrempp, the two guys who said "let's do it, let's fall in love" — and creating the German-American hybrid we now know today as DaimlerDouche. Seriously, don't get him started, it makes him angry...and you wouldn't like him when he's angry. – Ray Wert More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=251652&view=rss&microfeed=true