Anthony

Chrysler Group May 2007 U.S. Sales Rise 4 Percent Jeep® brand up 20 percent Dodge brand gains 3 percent Chrysler brand car sales rise 22 percent fueled by “Maximize Your Miles” program Strong retail sales in May, fleet sales down Jeep Wrangler increases 114 percent, record month of May Inventory down by 19 percent and more than 110,000 units Source: DCX Media Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 1, 2007 - Chrysler Group reported sales for May 2007 of 199,393 units; up 4 percent compared to May 2006 with 191,261. All sales figures are reported unadjusted. “Chrysler Group increased overall sales in May based on a strong retail performance and while fleet sales were down,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President – U.S. Sales. “Especially our new offerings in the car segment continued to gain momentum, supported by the fuel economy message of our ‘Maximize Your Miles’ program. Driven by models like the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Caliber, the company’s car sales increased 15 percent over the previous year.” Chrysler brand car sales in May were up 22 percent year-over-year, while Dodge brand car sales increased 11 percent. Chrysler Group’s offerings in the car segment include the Chrysler Sebring Sedan and Sebring Convertible, Chrysler 300, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Caliber and Dodge Charger. Jeep® brand sales continued to increase in May after an already strong April and posted a gain of 20 percent over the previous year. This result was driven by the continuously strong Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Patriot. Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited posted sales of 12,332 units, an all-time record for the month of May and up 114 percent compared to May 2006 with 5,754 units. The Jeep Patriot also continued its momentum and finished May with sales of 4,504 units, up 55 percent from April 2007. The vehicle is one of Chrysler Group’s recently introduced models that achieve 30 miles per gallon or better in highway driving. The Chrysler Sebring Convertible posted sales of 3,082 units in the second month of availability of the 2008 model, an increase of 113 percent over April 2007. The redesigned model offers what no other convertible has offered before — three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color painted steel retractable hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button on the key fob. Sales of the Dodge brand increased in May by 3 percent, fueled by strong demand for the Dodge Ram pick up truck. The model finished May with sales of 31,327 units, up 6 percent year-over-year in a highly competitive segment and on the heels of four already very successful months in 2007. “As our strong car sales in May demonstrate, the recently launched ‘Maximize Your Miles’ program resonates well with customers and will be continued in June,” said Michael Keegan, Vice President – Volume Planning and Sales Operations. “Facing continued pressure on gas prices, the program communicates Chrysler Group’s fuel economy message across all three of our brands and offers customers a great value package based on low-rate financing plus additional bonus cash.” Chrysler Group finished the month with 479,501 units of inventory, or a 63-day supply. Inventory is down by 19 percent compared to May 2006 when it was at 592,486 units.

I think quite alot of those are incorrect postings for mileage. The very second one down indicates its a "and carfax certified low mileage F-150" Here's a pic of the odometer which indicates 85,036.1 not 850,361: I can't think of anyone who would pay $8K for that Land Rover at the very top of the list if it really has almost a million miles on it. In reality, it only has 87K miles on it. There must be some sort of bug in the mileage field when someone inputs it (or they are inputing tenth of miles when they should not)

I like everything about the car except the trunk/tail lamps. Otherwise, it is a very nice large car. Different class then previous Tauri, so not sure how previous Taurus owners will take to it.

Yeah, I noticed when I put the air on it gets a bit shaky. BUT, it doesn't suck the energy out of the engine so bad like many 4 bangers do.

How many miles are you getting out of one tank of gas? Curious...I did my first fill up yesterday and it dropped very fast to 3/4. (I'm also used to much bigger tanks too...how big is the tank in the ZX2?)

It is a great car. The sound system is pretty good for what the car is....not sure if there was a "premium system" available, but I'm sure my 'scort does not have it. But, not bad. I'm mostly highway driving and I think I'm getting somewhere in the low 30's. I'll know better after this next tank of gas.

Well, lucky me! A family member just had a Ford ZX2 Sport just sitting collecting dust and they decided rather then have it sit any longer, they said "Here, take it!". So, I once again have a Ford. It will become my daily "throw over a hundred miles a day car" since I have a nice long NY-traffic filled commute every day. So, how does a 6 year old ZX2 rate on the commute-O-meter? Well, coming from my other newer car...it ain't so bad! I've owned a few Escorts in the past, namely a 1986 GT and a 1991 1.9L (both 5 speeds)...this one is an automatic. Exterior: Lets start with the exterior. First off the car is in great shape, no dings or dents. The paint is getting a little oxidized, but nothing a little wax can't fix. What is impressive is no rust at all after 6 NY winters. Even the aluminum wheels have held up quite nicely. The trunk has a pretty small opening, but again, I'm not using this for hauling. Styling: Even after being introduced many years ago. The car still is somewhat stylish for an economy car. I remember when it came out, I thought it looked like a mini Mark VIII. Granted, the looks are a bit dated with the swoopy lines (now that the "chisel" look is all the vogue), but its still better looking then alot of the current offerings. Interior: A throwback to the 96 Taurus oval theme. Most controls are logically placed, but the oval pod with HVAC and radio controls are bit overdone with buttons. This was a mid-level model so it doesn't have power windows or cruise control (which I miss the most!). But it does have an auto tranny, cold cold AC and a decidedly 80's cassette player (no matter, only Sirius gets played in my cars). The seats are pretty uncomfortable. I guess they may just take some getting used to, but the headrests don't go up far enough to rest my melon on. If I try resting my head on the headrest at its highest position I end up lying on top of it and staring at the ceiling. That being said, the seats are bolstered pretty nicely, but there is no lumbar support at all....your back just kinda keeps going and going and going until it finds something to rest against. The backseat is mostly useless...but I have no need for it as I'm the only person who would be in this car. The cupholders are very far away from the driver and passenger because of the emergency brake lever taking up all of the center console. Which brings me to my second biggest gripe: No right side armrest! I'm guessing that higher level models must have had some kind of center storage compartment or armrest...I keep putting my right elbow up to rest it on the non-existent compartment and it just falls. (I know, minor gripe, but it does effect your comfort). If one is offered, I may just have to find a junkyard armrest. My biggest WTF with this vehicle is the complete and utter uselessness of the side mirrors. They are so incredibly tiny that they offer no help with seeing what is in the lanes to your left and right. I'm sure other ZX2 owners can vouch for this. If there is a safety reg that mandates a minimum sized mirror, Ford went right to letter and put the smallest one possible. Sure, it looks sporty, but damn! I can't see anything! Driving: Now, enough complaints, lets get to the good stuff. The car has 116K miles on it and it runs and drives great! The front end was recently rebuilt, but regardless... the car drives just as nicely as any other newer economy car I've driven in recent memory. It also handles great. Coming from a 4 door sedan of mushy merits, the car feels like a little go-kart which makes for fun cloverleaf freeway entrances (a la the Mitsu commercial). Even being a automatic, the car is plenty peppy. I generally cruise around 65-70 mph on the expressway and it tracked straight and true without a wimper from the engine compartment. The engine sounds a bit thrashy, but that could also be contributed to by the fact the car is over 6 years old and has well over 100K miles. The most impressive attribute is the solidness of the car. The doors are thick (which looks to be attributed alot to the swoopy styling) and close with a solid "thunk". Every thing on the car feels solid. So, to summarize...it is a old design and some parts of that show through glaringly. But any complaint I had was minor and would most likely be the same of any other comparable economy car of that era. Mostly ergonomic boo-hoos. All in all, a great car that has held up incredibly well for its initial price.

Yes medallions are perm...double shifted multi-person driven cabs are 36 mo.s to retirement, regular single use independent are 60 mo.s As for the hybrid taxis, here are the rules governing hybrid taxis (size, etc...): I must say I think the omitting of the partition for hybrids is dangerous for drivers. There are so many driver muggings and murders...its pathetic to give a reprieve for hybrids if they have a "camera". Yahoo...that'll keep a knife off of their throats.

Believe it or not...the vehicle that independent taxi drivers have (or a taxi co) are actually a very small investment compared to their medallions. Check out what the bid amounts are for medallions currently (the example below are for the alt fuel taxi medallions they are currently crowing about...the first link is for mini-fleet cab co's and the 2nd is for independent owners...)

Take a few inches off of rear leg on any model listed. Those partitions go ALL the way down now. Its a tough sell for anything without a stretch... I'm in these vehicles quite often in the city. The only vehicle that any semblance of rear room is the CV stretch. The non-stretch CV's even have your knees in your chin.

Fusion is not big enough to be a taxi. Inner-city hopping would be "ok" and even then it'd get crowded for anymore then 3 passengers....but for a true passenger with luggage taxi, you'd need something CV sized. Perhaps a CV hybrid is in the cards or something similar sized? Who knows...2012 is a long ways away.

Ford sales still fall short of goals Click link for full story.......... Morale at Ford Motor Co. has improved slightly in the wake of this year's massive buyout program, but the automaker's U.S. retail sales continue to fall short of internal forecasts, according to the company's latest monthly report card distributed to employees last week.

Plymouth as brand? No. No use resurrecting dead brands in a declining market. I was sad to see Plymouth go myself, but that horse has been beaten enough. However, a special edition Plymouth Road Runner based on the upcoming Challenger sold through Chrysler dealerships would be pretty neat. Minimal investment... will it happen? Doubt it highly.

Biggest problem with the car is it has a Saab-like greenhouse on a Cadillac body. It is proportioned horribly top to bottom. It really isn't that great looking.

I used to live pretty close to that plant. Drove past it every day to get to work. Is it just being shuttered or sold and redeveloped?

Actually in that picture the cut line does look a bit different. Not by much.... Could just as easily be from photo distortion.

I saw an Altima Hybrid yesterday. I didn't even know they were out yet. Funny thing out here in NY...Civic and Prius hybrids are allowed in the HOV lanes with a single occupant.....but not the Escape (or any other hybrid that I know of). Heck, being allowed in the HOV lane by myself (and bypassing hours of traffic on my crummy commute) would get me in a hybrid regardless of mileage. If the Fusion gets the HOV lane exemption, I can guarantee it would be a great selling point out here in NY. (The program is called "CleanPass") More info on CleanPass HERE

Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda speaks with the media Source: thefirehouse.biz (Chrysler media blog) He won’t have to disclose as much as often, not after Chrysler goes private. And judging from the smile on his face, Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda likes it that way. LaSorda took questions from the media about the plans for Chrysler to go private, upon completion of the sale of an 80.1% stake from DaimlerChrysler to Cerberus Capital Management. We’ve got the first few minutes of the question and answer session here. To listen to the 4-minute 43-second portion, click on “download podcast” below. Tom made it clear during the 45-minute press conference that Chrysler won’t issue quarterly earnings anymore, and the company will benefit from standing on its own as a private company, out of the continuous glare and scrutiny of a publicly-traded firm. So catch him here while you can. You can watch the entire 45-minute press conference by clicking on these links to the Webcast - www.dcxmediaservices.com/live/hiband.asx or in low bandwidth at www.dcxmediaservices.com/live/loband.asx.

Only if you change your username to RJ. :shades:

Yes....Chrysler Holding LLC is the "parent company" of Chrysler Corp LLC and Chrysler Financial LLC.

Actually, just Daimler (no Benz in the name). Chrysler is now Chrysler Corporation LLC.

CRV replaces Explorer as best selling SUV Source Autoblog I'll throw a little spin in first: Even though Ford lost the crown, they are still the strongest SUV seller....even without the Explorer.

Or maybe its going to be a few grand less then the Mustang like pretty much all their cars in all the segments they sell in. For a target market of 20-somethings....a few grand goes a long way. I found it quite simple. :shrug:

I need a wagon that gets good gas mileage. That just might be it. I don't think its "dowdy" looking at all. If it REALLY gets anywhere near 60 mpg HWY, I'd be all over it.

Because they might actually style it first unlike Subie who just threw hundreds of pounds of plastic cladding at their version.