The obvious answer is not. But MAN did the beleaguered American automaker get bent out of shape when analysts did the math on Daimler's financial report and reckoned Chrysler dropped $2.7b in Q4. Chrysler told TTAC (and the world) that they had "positive operational earnings," and confirmed (to us) that they meant honest-to-God profits. As we pointed out, that kinda conflicted with Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli's previous statement. The ChryCo jeffe admitted that Chrysler was "operationally bankrupt" (which also triggered a PR offensive in all senses of the word). And now we read in The Detroit News that Bob Nardelli addressed cash flow in his usual "we're privately held so we can move fast and not have to pander to stockholders with 'the collective attention span of kindergarteners.'" "Yes, We don't have to worry about over-reaction in the market," Nardelli told Daniel Howes. "We are still on track to deliver a positive cash flow. We are not there yet." So what exactly does "positive operational earnings" mean, then? You know, other than something a lot less than the truth.
Find Reviews by Make:
Read all comments
Of course Nardelli’s full of crap.
Why scare off the few potential customers that are on the fence about buying Chrysler’s products? You know, the ones that Nardelli assumes are lazy, stupid, and don’t do their homework, taking his blanket statements at face value before plunking down major coin for a new Chrysler vehicle?
And don’t forget Nardelli’s ego is on the line.
dastanley, you might be surprised at the number of “assumed” at actually ARE…
I wonder how many fell for the “lifetime powertrain warranty” ads…
offroadinfrontier,
I hear ya, I hear ya…
BTW, how does Chrysler define “lifetime powertrain warranty” ads? The lifetime of the owner, the car, the powertrain? If it’s the powertrain, then how convenient – as soon as the engine or tranny breaks, then the lifetime is now over. I would hope not.
On a completely unrelated topic, when is someone at TTAC going to test the new Nissan GT-R? I just read about in in M—- T—- and it sounds awesome!
Isn’t the average Chrysler owner what, 110 years old? Whether the “lifetime powertrain warranty” is the car’s or the buyer’s, the length of time is probably the same (~2 years).
dastanley
BTW, how does Chrysler define “lifetime powertrain warranty” ads? The lifetime of the owner, the car, the powertrain?
The warranty is valid only for the original purchaser, so it’s for their lifetime, provided they follow specific maintenance and inspection requirements performed by the dealer.
Anyone buying any Chrysler product is taking there life in there hands or as they say losing your Money up front! From listening to people in the repair trade, there Transmissions on all there products are still not up to standard and after all these years, makes one wonder eh? At least people in the USA have a lifetime warranty, that is not extended to us Canadians though, so I will never buy a Chrysler product ever again! just on principal!
With pure logic used, if DaimlerChrysler dumped the vast majority of their Chrysler portion – which they did – because it wasn’t making any money and was ergo, losing money – and since the time of that give away / transaction to Cereberus, the economy has tanked (despite the lies/statistics/damn lies of the government which does not want to show a Recession existing in an election year – gasp!) and since Chrysler products have not improved one iota since Daimler, and since sales and production volumes are down, and since bad publicity is up, and since the company gave up on the highly competitive C-class sedan market (previously filled with the junque-heap-POS Neon) completely and since the company’s all-important D-class sedans are the worst on the market bar none (even worse than the Pontiac G6 which is saying something) – then I would conclude that Cereberus is losing it’s shirt.
Chapter 11 sooner than later…..
The fact that Daimler wrote down the value of their stake to a quarter of what it was a year ago tells you how profitable Chrysler is (not).
Around where I live in Ontario someone must be giving them away. There are Jeep Compass(s) showing up all over the place (all seem to be dark green!). By the looks of them Chrsyler is doing it’s best to cheapen the Jeep brand. Sad.
This BS the buyout funds use about unlocking the core value of businesses because we can operate behind the curtain and away from those ignorant stockholders routine is offensive.
Wow, when they want our investment the managing class goes on and on about how they are working for the shareholders … but when there is an opportunity to loot the companies for their own pocket lining schemes then suddenly shareholders are idiots.
This buyout fund era in American capitalism is not going to be judged kindly by history, but the players who are making all the money and causing all the misery could care less.
If you are uniformed enough to purchase a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep you deserve the problem(S). I had a Chrysler Aspen as a rental. My cousin’s Power Wheels has a higher quality interior. Hopefully Cerberus falls on its face and files CHAPTER 7 (NOT 11). How has Chrysler contributed to automotive market in the last decade? Minivans? Yeah, that lasted. Rams and Dakota’s? I hear they sell well (huge sarcasm). Let’s not forget about the Viper! Is an 8.4 liter V10 with 600hp and less than 600 ft-lb torque supposed to be impressive? 71 horses per liter!? What a joke of a car and of a Company.
Actually 71 HP per liter is quite competitive. If the Viper engine displaced 3.5 liters, it would put out 250 HP, only 18 ponies shy of the Camry 3.5 V6.
Mercury_diSABLEd :
We are talking about an auto that has a $87,000 dollar(starting) price tag. Not the $19,000 dollar family sedan segment. In premium performance car standards (which is what Dodge tries to bill the Viper as) it is a lame duck. 0-60 in 4 seconds? Wow, look at what Porsche does for the same price. For example, the 911 Targa 4 (87K) has a 3.6 liter 6 cylinder with well over 300 hp. For Pete’s sake, Honda builds the S2000 with a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder. It has 237 hp and is under $35,000! Chrysler is receiving its just deserves. I only hope that the blue collar Chrysler workers find new jobs before the company
collapses. Good riddance!
ryanelliot,
If you can find a new $19,000 Camry 3.5 V6, you’re a better shopper than I am. I would also guess by your comments that you have never driven a Viper.
“Hopefully Cerberus falls on its face and files CHAPTER 7 (NOT 11)… …Good riddance!”
When Chrysler files chapter 7 would you like us to send you a bottle of wine to celebrate?
# dastanley :
May 4th, 2008 at 12:34 am
On a completely unrelated topic, when is someone at TTAC going to test the new Nissan GT-R? I just read about in in M—- T—- and it sounds awesome!
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=244892
Jay’s the man…
Hello Windswords,
I stand corrected; the 19k price tag I spouted was for a base model Camry 4 cylinder.
You are spot on; I have not driven a Viper. Silly me, I stick with sports cars that have a solid reputation. One ride in my bosses (New at the time) 2004 Viper is all I needed to make up my mind. You are very kind to offer “wine” but will all know the demise of Chrysler is imminent. If you are ever down in Texas, first round is on me.
Ryan E
ryanelliot,
You got a deal. But if they don’t go under (as you hope), what’s in it for me. Care to make it interesting? By the way if anyone is taking bets, I say Ford is the first to go.
Disclaimer: unlike some, I do not take joy in the prospects of any company going out of business. It’s bad for the employees and the local/national economy. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but it’s not something I look forward too. Even if I think they deserve it. Even Ford.
Hey, I just thought of something. If the demise of Chrysler is “imminent” as ryanelliot says, why don’t we have a contest to predict when they file for BR? Like an Office pool. We can have predictions for chapter 7 and prediction for chpt 11. Winner can take home some free TTAC stuff.
Well Mr. Elliot the 2008 Viper actually goes from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and the 911 Targa 4 does it in 5.1 seconds, same as a $25,000 2005 Mustang GT.
Mr. Windswords
I accept the offer and enjoy the “Office Pool” idea. My prediction is Chrysler hits Chapter 11 first, around the October/November timeframe. TTAC Staff what do you think?
For the record, I too would feel sorry for most Chrysler employees. As far as upper management and the Cer-bust goes… Well… I will just say you should be ashamed of yourself. Furthermore they should be blackballed from anything to do with the automotive world in the future.
Mr. Mercury,
I fear you and I will not see eye to eye on this issue. Point well taken.
Ryan E