Log Cabins,Domy z bali,Domy z bala,Domy drewniane z bali www.domy-z-bali.org

Filed under: Chrysler, Misc. Auto Shows

The folks at Chrysler have proven that they know how to make a BIG splash when debuting a new production vehicle or concept car. They’ve driven a Jeep through a plate glass window… twice; showered the automotive press with so much confetti that we were pooping paper for a week; employed clowns, bands and B-list celebrities up the wazoo; and at the most recent Detroit Auto Show in January, drove a herd of cattle up the street for the debut of the new 2009 Dodge Ram. All of these big debuts are meant to attract media attention, and that they do very well. But the word from Chrysler LLC CEO Robert Nardelli is that the party’s over. Going forward, Chrysler will tone down its debuts to focus on the products and save a bit of coin by nixing the big-budget theatrics. Sources inside Chrysler note that Nardelli and his right-hand man Jim Press aren’t into the pyrotechnics, confetti and glass-breaking debuts that have made Chrysler press conferences famous in the past. We can’t help but thinking that the recent departure of Jason Vines from the Vice President of Communications position has something to do with this. Vines was a funny man and knew how to become the center of attention in a crowded room, which is exactly what these sort of press conferences accomplished. Hopefully Chrysler decides not to nix Happy Hour at the Firehouse after the Detroit Auto Show press days, as well. We can live without fireworks, but not free beer.

[Source: Chrysler Weblog]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

As Chrysler moves ahead with its “consolidation strategy” (a.k.a. Project Genesis), it’s apparently had enough foresight to realize that shutting down dealerships seriously handicaps your ability to service your customers. According to Steven Landry, Chrysler executive vice president of North American sales, the company’s solution will be “stand-alone service stores” — it is easiest to think of them as dealerships that have closed, but the service department still remains open.

While the first stand-alone service store is still about two years from opening its doors, Chrysler is in active talks with a handful of other retailers about the strategy with customer service as their goal. “If we all of a sudden go from 80 stalls to 40 stalls we don’t want to do our customers a disservice,” says Landry. “You need to have the right number of stalls.” Funny, any woman at a professional sporting event could have told you that.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req’d]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Chrysler, Dodge

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Dodge Journey

According to the sprawling press release pasted after the break, Dodge is planning their largest ever digital marketing push to accompany the launch of its new Journey CUV. “The campaign ties consumers to the new Dodge Journey emotionally by helping them realize their dreams, then drives them to action,” according to Dodge’s Senior manager of Communications, Mark Spencer. While we recognize the Journey as a credible entry into the crowded CUV segment, we don’t feel any special emotional attachment to it, nor are we sure that it’ll be making people’s dreams come true — unless they were dreaming for a price break on their next vehicle purchase. Still, for those who sit at the I’ll-never-own-a-minivan table, the Journey offers a nice option, with lots of clever storage solutions, save the poorly placed sat nav.

Dodge’s dreamy Journey strategy is closely related to Chrysler’s new “If you can dream it, we can build it” campaign, which will debut on April 14.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge’s Journey will make all your dreams come true

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Chrysler

Unfortunately for Chrysler’s army of some 14,000 white-collar retirees, the automaker has announced that it will be cutting the free life insurance that workers were previously covered by. Those affected will be given a one-time opportunity to buy into the plan themselves, which offers coverage equal to their last year of pay if retired before 2003 or $50,000 for those who retired after the cutoff. They’re also eligible for receiving a $4,000 bump in their pensions. Of note is that the cancelation does not affect any union-represented workers or retirees.

Clearly a cost-cutting measure for the company, we’re not sure how much it will actually save Chrysler per year, but apparently it’s enough. Since those affected no longer work for the company, Chrysler knows that the move will not affect how its business currently runs, and since these workers aren’t unionized, there’s not much they can do about it, either.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments