Chrysler Crossfire News **Production to end this summer (page 5)**
09-21-2003 | 10:53 AM
#50
yeah,yeah,uh,huh,wh,what
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
From: Austin Suburbs
I had and encounter with one of these on the road last week. When it came up behind me my jaws dropped
Beautiful automobile. It was black too.
But, 215 hp V6 on a big body Chrysler No Thanks!
Beautiful automobile. It was black too.
But, 215 hp V6 on a big body Chrysler No Thanks!
10-21-2003 | 11:34 AM
#52
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Sales of Chrysler's Crossfire sports coupe off to tepid start
By MARY CONNELLY | Automotive News
The Chrysler brand casts the flashy Crossfire as a halo car that will help lure upscale customers to showrooms. But after four months of sales, the $35,000 sports car is off to a modest start.
Dealers report that the car is selling at sticker price, and waiting lists of eager buyers have not materialized.
By contrast, buyers sometimes have paid a substantial premium over the list price for hot-selling vehicles. That was the case when the Dodge Viper was launched in 1992.
The Crossfire "is not the end-all or the be-all. But it is a solid performer," says Steve Lee, general manager of Ed Voyles Chrysler-Plymouth in Marietta, Ga. The store has sold four Crossfires and has four in inventory.
The Crossfire's early performance shows that CEO Dieter Zetsche has a long road ahead to move the Chrysler brand upscale - an important part of his turnaround plan for the Chrysler group. Sales of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, a new nameplate also designed to move the Chrysler brand up market, have been disappointing. The company last week started offering a $3,000 rebate on the Pacifica.
Steve Bartoli, director of marketing for Chrysler brand cars, says Crossfire sales have been on target. The brand has never before sold a sports coupe, and many of the buyers are "new to the brand. It's a long-term proposition with the Crossfire. The whole thing will grow."
Sales will pick up, he says, as more consumers see TV commercials, which started in late September, mainly on college and professional football broadcasts. Chrysler used only print ads to advertise the car in July, August and most of September.
Jeff Schuster, director of North American forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates, says, "Crossfire is doing an adequate job, but it is not a completely unique product in the market."
In May, Chrysler said it would bring 8,700 Crossfires into the United States in 2003. Through September, Chrysler has sold 2,171 Crossfires. The company began reporting sales in June.
Chrysler must sell 2,176 Crossfires each month through December to meet its target. In September, 578 Crossfires were sold.
The two-seat, rear-drive Crossfire is assembled by Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabruck, Germany. The car shares an estimated 39 percent of its parts with Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
For example, the 215-hp, 18-valve, 3.2-liter V-6 and the transaxles come from Mercedes. So do the steering column, air conditioning and heating systems, electrical architecture and suspension designs. One dealer who declined to be identified says the Crossfire lacks the brand pedigree needed in its sports-car class.
"It's a downright shame," the dealer says. "Crossfire is one of the best cars that Chrysler has ever had. It's a badge problem. You buy a sports car for ego and to show off.
"Do they want to roll up in a Chrysler? We're dealing with perception. Do they want to say hey, 'I bought a new Chrysler?' For similar money, they can say, 'I've got a Mercedes.' "
Enthusiast magazines agree that the Crossfire is a well-made car and gave it good reviews this summer. "Although it's clearly the stylish fastback exterior that's going to get butts into the Crossfire bucket seats, it's the Benz bones and powertrain that will be responsible for keeping them there to the point of actual purchase," wrote Car and Driver in July.
The Crossfire's early performance falls short of another Chrysler group halo, the Dodge Viper, when it debuted in 1992. The Viper had long waiting lists, and many buyers were willing to pay more than the sticker price.
The Crossfire with five-speed automatic is $35,570. The model with a six-speed manual is $34,495. Prices include an $875 destination charge.
Next spring, the company will launch two rwd cars with many Mercedes parts: the Dodge Magnum wagon and the Chrysler 300 sedan.
Dealers are promoting the Crossfire's Mercedes connections on the showroom floor.
Customers are not thoroughly familiar with the Crossfire's Mercedes componentry when they enter a Chrysler dealership, says Ray Huffines, a dealer with three Chrysler group stores in Texas.
Huffines reports a mixed sales performance for the Crossfire. Huffines Chrysler-Jeep in Denton, Texas, sold its initial allocation of five units and has no Crossfires in inventory. But Huffines Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in Plano, Texas, has sold only one of five units. His third store in Lewisville, Texas, has not received its Crossfire allocation.
In Plano, four of Huffines' customers are on a waiting list for a Crossfire with a manual transaxle.
Ray Schofield, director of sales at Buerge Chrysler-Jeep in W. Los Angeles, Calif., said his Crossfire sales have been solid, yet the car has generated "nothing like the buzz of the PT Cruiser."
Schofield has sold six Crossfires and has five in stock. He said he is selling them at the sticker price.
David Vackar, general manager of Moothart Chrysler-Jeep in Cerritos, Calif., said the Crossfire is stylish and is a "wonderful business card for Chrysler." But demand for all two-seat sports cars is modest, he said. "I've had a limited number of people in here who've said I've gotta have one."
He has sold 10 and has 18 in stock. He has no waiting list.
The company says 1,970 of the Chrysler brand's 2,946 dealerships are authorized to sell the Crossfire. Dealers are paying $8,100 for tools and diagnostic equipment, parts inventory and technician and sales training.
Chrysler has pledged that each authorized dealer will receive at least one Crossfire by year end.
Sales transaction data generated by the Power Information Network, an arm of J.D. Power and Associates, indicates that the average Crossfire in August sold after 20 days in inventory. That is an acceptable turnaround time, says J.D. Power's Schuster.
Through Sept. 21, about 60 percent of Crossfire buyers were 36 to 55 years old, on target with other vehicles in the premium sports car segment, Power Information Network data says.
Early buyer data suggests that many customers already own Chrysler group vehicles, a pattern typical in the industry.
By MARY CONNELLY | Automotive News
The Chrysler brand casts the flashy Crossfire as a halo car that will help lure upscale customers to showrooms. But after four months of sales, the $35,000 sports car is off to a modest start.
Dealers report that the car is selling at sticker price, and waiting lists of eager buyers have not materialized.
By contrast, buyers sometimes have paid a substantial premium over the list price for hot-selling vehicles. That was the case when the Dodge Viper was launched in 1992.
The Crossfire "is not the end-all or the be-all. But it is a solid performer," says Steve Lee, general manager of Ed Voyles Chrysler-Plymouth in Marietta, Ga. The store has sold four Crossfires and has four in inventory.
The Crossfire's early performance shows that CEO Dieter Zetsche has a long road ahead to move the Chrysler brand upscale - an important part of his turnaround plan for the Chrysler group. Sales of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, a new nameplate also designed to move the Chrysler brand up market, have been disappointing. The company last week started offering a $3,000 rebate on the Pacifica.
Steve Bartoli, director of marketing for Chrysler brand cars, says Crossfire sales have been on target. The brand has never before sold a sports coupe, and many of the buyers are "new to the brand. It's a long-term proposition with the Crossfire. The whole thing will grow."
Sales will pick up, he says, as more consumers see TV commercials, which started in late September, mainly on college and professional football broadcasts. Chrysler used only print ads to advertise the car in July, August and most of September.
Jeff Schuster, director of North American forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates, says, "Crossfire is doing an adequate job, but it is not a completely unique product in the market."
In May, Chrysler said it would bring 8,700 Crossfires into the United States in 2003. Through September, Chrysler has sold 2,171 Crossfires. The company began reporting sales in June.
Chrysler must sell 2,176 Crossfires each month through December to meet its target. In September, 578 Crossfires were sold.
The two-seat, rear-drive Crossfire is assembled by Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabruck, Germany. The car shares an estimated 39 percent of its parts with Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
For example, the 215-hp, 18-valve, 3.2-liter V-6 and the transaxles come from Mercedes. So do the steering column, air conditioning and heating systems, electrical architecture and suspension designs. One dealer who declined to be identified says the Crossfire lacks the brand pedigree needed in its sports-car class.
"It's a downright shame," the dealer says. "Crossfire is one of the best cars that Chrysler has ever had. It's a badge problem. You buy a sports car for ego and to show off.
"Do they want to roll up in a Chrysler? We're dealing with perception. Do they want to say hey, 'I bought a new Chrysler?' For similar money, they can say, 'I've got a Mercedes.' "
Enthusiast magazines agree that the Crossfire is a well-made car and gave it good reviews this summer. "Although it's clearly the stylish fastback exterior that's going to get butts into the Crossfire bucket seats, it's the Benz bones and powertrain that will be responsible for keeping them there to the point of actual purchase," wrote Car and Driver in July.
The Crossfire's early performance falls short of another Chrysler group halo, the Dodge Viper, when it debuted in 1992. The Viper had long waiting lists, and many buyers were willing to pay more than the sticker price.
The Crossfire with five-speed automatic is $35,570. The model with a six-speed manual is $34,495. Prices include an $875 destination charge.
Next spring, the company will launch two rwd cars with many Mercedes parts: the Dodge Magnum wagon and the Chrysler 300 sedan.
Dealers are promoting the Crossfire's Mercedes connections on the showroom floor.
Customers are not thoroughly familiar with the Crossfire's Mercedes componentry when they enter a Chrysler dealership, says Ray Huffines, a dealer with three Chrysler group stores in Texas.
Huffines reports a mixed sales performance for the Crossfire. Huffines Chrysler-Jeep in Denton, Texas, sold its initial allocation of five units and has no Crossfires in inventory. But Huffines Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in Plano, Texas, has sold only one of five units. His third store in Lewisville, Texas, has not received its Crossfire allocation.
In Plano, four of Huffines' customers are on a waiting list for a Crossfire with a manual transaxle.
Ray Schofield, director of sales at Buerge Chrysler-Jeep in W. Los Angeles, Calif., said his Crossfire sales have been solid, yet the car has generated "nothing like the buzz of the PT Cruiser."
Schofield has sold six Crossfires and has five in stock. He said he is selling them at the sticker price.
David Vackar, general manager of Moothart Chrysler-Jeep in Cerritos, Calif., said the Crossfire is stylish and is a "wonderful business card for Chrysler." But demand for all two-seat sports cars is modest, he said. "I've had a limited number of people in here who've said I've gotta have one."
He has sold 10 and has 18 in stock. He has no waiting list.
The company says 1,970 of the Chrysler brand's 2,946 dealerships are authorized to sell the Crossfire. Dealers are paying $8,100 for tools and diagnostic equipment, parts inventory and technician and sales training.
Chrysler has pledged that each authorized dealer will receive at least one Crossfire by year end.
Sales transaction data generated by the Power Information Network, an arm of J.D. Power and Associates, indicates that the average Crossfire in August sold after 20 days in inventory. That is an acceptable turnaround time, says J.D. Power's Schuster.
Through Sept. 21, about 60 percent of Crossfire buyers were 36 to 55 years old, on target with other vehicles in the premium sports car segment, Power Information Network data says.
Early buyer data suggests that many customers already own Chrysler group vehicles, a pattern typical in the industry.
10-21-2003 | 01:44 PM
#53
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,083
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
I figured it wouldn't sell well. First of all, it's a Chrysler. Even though it's a quality car made up of mostly Mercedes parts, it still has the Chrysler name. Most people wouldn't spend a lot of $$ on that nameplate.
Secondly, it needs an engine to match it's looks. 215hp just doesn't cut it in this class
Thirdly, there's so much competition in this arena. 350Z, G35c, RX-8, Boxter, etc...
Give it a real engine and maybe sales will start to take off
Secondly, it needs an engine to match it's looks. 215hp just doesn't cut it in this class
Thirdly, there's so much competition in this arena. 350Z, G35c, RX-8, Boxter, etc...
Give it a real engine and maybe sales will start to take off
10-21-2003 | 04:30 PM
#54
Kabachitare!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
"The Crossfire with five-speed automatic is $35,570. The model with a six-speed manual is $34,495. Prices include an $875 destination charge. "
For that kind of money there are many competitors with better power and looks. I'd prefer a loaded G35C if I was going this route.
For that kind of money there are many competitors with better power and looks. I'd prefer a loaded G35C if I was going this route.
10-21-2003 | 06:16 PM
#57
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally posted by cusdaddy
I figured it wouldn't sell well. First of all, it's a Chrysler. Even though it's a quality car made up of mostly Mercedes parts, it still has the Chrysler name. Most people wouldn't spend a lot of $$ on that nameplate.
Secondly, it needs an engine to match it's looks. 215hp just doesn't cut it in this class
Thirdly, there's so much competition in this arena. 350Z, G35c, RX-8, Boxter, etc...
Give it a real engine and maybe sales will start to take off
I figured it wouldn't sell well. First of all, it's a Chrysler. Even though it's a quality car made up of mostly Mercedes parts, it still has the Chrysler name. Most people wouldn't spend a lot of $$ on that nameplate.
Secondly, it needs an engine to match it's looks. 215hp just doesn't cut it in this class
Thirdly, there's so much competition in this arena. 350Z, G35c, RX-8, Boxter, etc...
Give it a real engine and maybe sales will start to take off
I am guessing it will get a bigger engine pretty soon. Might be too late by then though.
10-21-2003 | 06:17 PM
#58
Thread Starter
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally posted by kansaiwalker1
"The Crossfire with five-speed automatic is $35,570. The model with a six-speed manual is $34,495. Prices include an $875 destination charge. "
For that kind of money there are many competitors with better power and looks. I'd prefer a loaded G35C if I was going this route.
"The Crossfire with five-speed automatic is $35,570. The model with a six-speed manual is $34,495. Prices include an $875 destination charge. "
For that kind of money there are many competitors with better power and looks. I'd prefer a loaded G35C if I was going this route.
AND better name...
10-22-2003 | 10:45 AM
#59
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 12,038
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
I saw one and yeah, it is very different looking. It was two teenage looking girls driving it. But not only is it a 35k Chrysler but it is pretty useless. In America it won't cut it. Shame, it has gotten solid reviews worldwide except for the lack of power.
Chrysler needs to stay downmarket. Not upmarket. Stick to making SRT-4 Neons.
Chrysler needs to stay downmarket. Not upmarket. Stick to making SRT-4 Neons.
10-22-2003 | 12:38 PM
#60
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Chrysler needs to stay downmarket. Not upmarket. Stick to making SRT-4 Neons.
Chrysler needs to stay downmarket. Not upmarket. Stick to making SRT-4 Neons.
10-22-2003 | 03:07 PM
#61
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,426
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From: philly
does't seem like chrysler is going to make it, i can see the 300c suffering the same fate as the coupe and wagon have. eventually benz is going to want to get rid of this company and they'll have to start over again.
like has been said, if companies like chysler, cadillac, whatever want to get a foothold in the luxury market, they're going to have to build the best car in the segment, otherwise people aren't going to respect it.
like has been said, if companies like chysler, cadillac, whatever want to get a foothold in the luxury market, they're going to have to build the best car in the segment, otherwise people aren't going to respect it.
10-22-2003 | 08:29 PM
#62
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 12,038
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
like has been said, if companies like chysler, cadillac, whatever want to get a foothold in the luxury market, they're going to have to build the best car in the segment, otherwise people aren't going to respect it.
I don't agree with that. I say, if an automaker wants to stretch it's line and image into new territory, then more power to them. If they fail, then they'll just go back to making the cars they're good at. But if they succeed, then everyone's a winner (a broader, more competative market). IMHO
It's total vehicle ownership as well as a solid product. I think it's a great effort but the G35c ownsz it.
10-22-2003 | 09:03 PM
#63
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Yup, u been inside a Chrysler dealership recently? If u think I'm gonna pay 35k for a car to sit and wait with 100,000,000 Neon, K-car, Lancer owners, u got me focked up.
It's total vehicle ownership as well as a solid product. I think it's a great effort but the G35c ownsz it.
Yup, u been inside a Chrysler dealership recently? If u think I'm gonna pay 35k for a car to sit and wait with 100,000,000 Neon, K-car, Lancer owners, u got me focked up.
It's total vehicle ownership as well as a solid product. I think it's a great effort but the G35c ownsz it.
01-06-2004 | 08:48 AM
#68
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,140
Likes: 445
From: Washington, DC
I don't see a single reason why to pick that over the new SLK. It looks bad from the side. The interiors look nice, but I bet they have a cheap feel to them in person.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
01-06-2004 | 08:48 AM
#69
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,140
Likes: 445
From: Washington, DC
I don't see a single reason why to pick that over the new SLK. It looks bad from the side. The interiors look nice, but I bet they have a cheap feel to them in person.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
01-06-2004 | 11:29 AM
#78
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
Originally posted by unsure
its gonna get the c32 amg supercharged engine w/330hp instead of 349hp w/in a year i hear...however i dont know if the droptop will receive that engine as an option
its gonna get the c32 amg supercharged engine w/330hp instead of 349hp w/in a year i hear...however i dont know if the droptop will receive that engine as an option
01-06-2004 | 11:29 AM
#79
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
Originally posted by unsure
its gonna get the c32 amg supercharged engine w/330hp instead of 349hp w/in a year i hear...however i dont know if the droptop will receive that engine as an option
its gonna get the c32 amg supercharged engine w/330hp instead of 349hp w/in a year i hear...however i dont know if the droptop will receive that engine as an option
01-06-2004 | 12:15 PM
#80
hail to the victors
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 1
From: chicago
Originally posted by einsatz
I don't see a single reason why to pick that over the new SLK. It looks bad from the side. The interiors look nice, but I bet they have a cheap feel to them in person.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
I don't see a single reason why to pick that over the new SLK. It looks bad from the side. The interiors look nice, but I bet they have a cheap feel to them in person.
I'd rather save up some more $ and go for the MB than cheap out and get the Chrysler.
and i saw them in person and it is fugly inside and outside.