Chrysler will add models in effort to boost European share
09-25-2003, 10:50 AM
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Chrysler will add models in effort to boost European share
Chrysler will add models in effort to boost European share
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
FRANKFURT - Chrysler group executives plan to export six additional vehicles to Europe, including the new rear-drive Chrysler 300C sedan and wagon, in a bid to capture 1 percent of the European market within three years.
Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche spoke here at the world debut of the Chrysler 300C Touring concept, a station wagon based on the rear-drive, full-sized Chrysler 300C sedan concept. The wagon version will not be sold in North America. Both versions are scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2004.
The Chrysler group has struggled to boost market share in Western Europe. Its share topped at 0.7 percent in 2001 and remained there in 2002, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Its market share also stood at 0.7 percent for the first seven months of this year.
The automaker sold 107,190 vehicles in Europe last year, up from 105,099 a year earlier.
The challenge is to change European views about American cars, especially concerning quality, Zetsche said. "Everyone has strong opinions about American cars. Some are positive, some are not so positive. Some are accurate, some are not."
In addition to the two rwd Chrysler 300C models, Chrysler will reintroduce the Viper and offer a fourth vehicle that Zetsche did not identify, but is expected to be the Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. The automaker also will introduce two performance models in Europe based on current vehicles.
Also, the automaker will freshen three other vehicles, Zetsche said. Those vehicles were not identified.
The expanded focus on Europe has changed Chrysler's product development procedures. Instead of retrofitting vehicles initially engineered for North America, vehicles also are engineered for export markets as they are redesigned or replaced.
"Right-hand drive, diesel engines, the driving dynamics for international - they're all set up in the initial program," said Joe Eberhardt, executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service. "Whether we decide to do it or not, that's a separate question. But at least we have the flexibility and ability to do so."
For example, the 300C sedan will be offered outside of North America with right-hand drive and a diesel engine in addition to the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8.
The 300C sedan will replace the front-drive Chrysler 300M sedan in North America. U.S. sales of that car and the Dodge Magnum station wagon begin in the first half of next year. The 300C Touring wagon, a sister vehicle to the Magnum, will be sold only outside North America.
The rwd Chrysler and Dodge vehicles will be assembled in Brampton, Ontario, and share a wide range of components with the Mercedes-Benz E class.
By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
FRANKFURT - Chrysler group executives plan to export six additional vehicles to Europe, including the new rear-drive Chrysler 300C sedan and wagon, in a bid to capture 1 percent of the European market within three years.
Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche spoke here at the world debut of the Chrysler 300C Touring concept, a station wagon based on the rear-drive, full-sized Chrysler 300C sedan concept. The wagon version will not be sold in North America. Both versions are scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2004.
The Chrysler group has struggled to boost market share in Western Europe. Its share topped at 0.7 percent in 2001 and remained there in 2002, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Its market share also stood at 0.7 percent for the first seven months of this year.
The automaker sold 107,190 vehicles in Europe last year, up from 105,099 a year earlier.
The challenge is to change European views about American cars, especially concerning quality, Zetsche said. "Everyone has strong opinions about American cars. Some are positive, some are not so positive. Some are accurate, some are not."
In addition to the two rwd Chrysler 300C models, Chrysler will reintroduce the Viper and offer a fourth vehicle that Zetsche did not identify, but is expected to be the Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. The automaker also will introduce two performance models in Europe based on current vehicles.
Also, the automaker will freshen three other vehicles, Zetsche said. Those vehicles were not identified.
The expanded focus on Europe has changed Chrysler's product development procedures. Instead of retrofitting vehicles initially engineered for North America, vehicles also are engineered for export markets as they are redesigned or replaced.
"Right-hand drive, diesel engines, the driving dynamics for international - they're all set up in the initial program," said Joe Eberhardt, executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service. "Whether we decide to do it or not, that's a separate question. But at least we have the flexibility and ability to do so."
For example, the 300C sedan will be offered outside of North America with right-hand drive and a diesel engine in addition to the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8.
The 300C sedan will replace the front-drive Chrysler 300M sedan in North America. U.S. sales of that car and the Dodge Magnum station wagon begin in the first half of next year. The 300C Touring wagon, a sister vehicle to the Magnum, will be sold only outside North America.
The rwd Chrysler and Dodge vehicles will be assembled in Brampton, Ontario, and share a wide range of components with the Mercedes-Benz E class.
09-25-2003, 10:50 AM
#2
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
"The challenge is to change European views about American cars, especially concerning quality, Zetsche said. "Everyone has strong opinions about American cars. Some are positive, some are not so positive. Some are accurate, some are not.""
------------------
AMEN brother!
------------------
AMEN brother!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
