| Jump to bottom |
The Chrysler Plan
car nut posts...."Diesel ain't what it used to be." Otto Krittic sez....This phrasing is usually used when things get worse!! So if I may let me clarify .....TODAYS DIESELS ARE MUCH MUCH BETTER than what they used to be!!! In fact I would venture to say that the folks who aren't all that auto savvy would have a hard time making a distintion between a vehicle with a state of the art diesel or that of a gas engine.
The Chrysler Plan
VW has been looking at bringing out a 2-seater sports car convertible with a diesel. Might even be a worthy competitor for the Miata (it would be ther first!). My Miata is over ten years old and has 73,000 miles on it. Maybe in a few years...
The Chrysler Plan
Anyone who has doubts should take a VW Jetta TDI for a test drive....
I'm sold on it for my next car. It'll come down to wherever I can get the best deal.
The Chrysler Plan
CARNUT...
"Diesel ain't what it used to be"....
Anyone who has doubts should take a VW Jetta TDI for a test drive....
The Chrysler Plan
the Fiat 500 and 600 are expected to be offered with a diesel option. I love the VW TDI diesel, and I hope Ford does offer the Fiesta as a diesel. Diesel ain't what it used to be.
The Chrysler Plan
.
CHK said: "Ford is the competition! The new Fiesta is coming out next year and I think that will be followed by the all electric Focus. Two great cars that are already hot sellers and will be here before Fiat."
---
When I first heard about the US Fiesta I drew the same THRILLED conclusion you did!
BUT, I compared the EU Fiesta power trains and fuel economies to what was being planned for the US and became VERY DISAPPOINTED ... almost angry!
In the US, Ford seems to be talking about fuel economies between upper 30s to mid 40s mpg combined average. That is at least 5 to 10 mpg below some Ford "city" ratings in Europe!
Think in terms of 63 mpg(US) combined average and 73 mpg(US) highway for the European Fiesta.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=21952
Or maybe Ford's three fuel frugal Volvos rated above 60 mpg(US) combined.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=23024
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=23038
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=23047
Of course some will say "But they are diesels. They polute and the cost premium is too high for the technology."
Well, VW provides "50 state compliant" diesels for a premium of about $1,300 to $1,800 USD for comparably equiped vehicles. That is significantly less that any hybrid technology I know of, even the BAS.
Sorry, my conclusion is that Ford is NOT competing in the US above 44 mpg combined average market segment ... AT ALL!
Unless someone can provide different verifiable information, I think I have defined the situation accurately.
Sorry, that is REALITY.
.
The Chrysler Plan
"That is a market segment that Ford and GM US have not participated in so far ... and the high priced Volt appears to be the only potential new entery in the foreseeable future.
So, who/what would be Chrysler-Fiat's competition in this "new ABOVE 44 mpg combined market segment" ... the Prius?"
Ford is the competition! The new Fiesta is coming out next year and I think that will be followed by the all electric Focus. Two great cars that are already hot sellers and will be here before Fiat. Chrysler doesn't have chance...they will be way to late to the party. Plus, they need to also have a flawless launch with no quality issues...not one of Chrysler's strenghs.
I'm not sure what GM's plan is, but I have more confidence in them than Chrysler.
I think Fiat is here to grab all the technology and engineering from Chrysler that they can and then dump them just like everyone else. All they want is a foot in the US market. You think they really care about Chrysler?
Remember, Chrysler is still alive because of tax payer money...not because they are a well run company.
The Chrysler Plan
fhs1
Very interesting speculation. Maybe fuel efficiency IS the niche Chrysler will pursue with the Fiat deal. If so, this just might work for them. They certainly beat GM and Ford to the punch on Minivans.
Thanks for your insightful comments.
The Chrysler Plan
.
Just suppose that Chrysler-Fiat figure out how to QUICKLY bring US spec'ed small displacement (2 liters or less) Euro type turbo diesels to the US and successfully "bump" most of their product line fuel economies into the ABOVE 44 mpg combined average range with attractive affordable product.
What then?
That is a market segment that Ford and GM US have not participated in so far ... and the high priced Volt appears to be the only potential new entery in the foreseeable future.
So, who/what would be Chrysler-Fiat's competition in this "new ABOVE 44 mpg combined market segment" ... the Prius?
Could Chrysler-Fiat EXPAND the US market by openning this "new ABOVE 44 mpg combined average market segment"?
I think it could!! Maybe even 4 million units worth per year within 2 or 3 years ....
If there was no other competition ... by definition that would be a 28% market share on top of what they already have! 35%???
JMO ...
.
The Chrysler Plan
Otto Krittic sez....To all the naysayers and overly negative auto extremeist arm chair quarterbacks types on the Chrysler Fiat plan. Yes, it won't be easy. And yes, it's a late in the game and time is of the essence. And yes, it may be akin to a "Hail Mary" pass. But all in all it was one of the best scenarios available for Chrysler. Otto sez....IT'S WORTH A SHOT!! Good luck and "buona fortuna" to the Chrysler Fiat TEAM!!
| Jump to top |
