You may remember project D: Chrysler’s plan to build something better than the world’s worst car for the mid-size segment. As it continues its campaign to replace the definition of the word gullible in Webster’s dictionary, Autobloggreen breathlessly reports that the fruit of Project D might be an electric vehicle! Tracing the story back to Automotive News [sub], it’s clear that this entirely theoretical car or cars might also run on unicorn farts. “Chrysler LLC will decide by late winter whether to partner with another automaker on its global mid-sized car platform, known as Project D, says CEO Bob Nardelli. Chrysler must decide whether to engineer the platform in-house and build vehicles at its own factories or work with another carmaker. The company has indicated it would prefer a partner. Chrysler said it has to decide ‘in three, four, five months,’ Nardelli said last week in an interview at Chrysler headquarters in suburban Detroit. ‘We have costed out the in-house version, and we’re still working with two or three platform providers.'” What’s the rush? Chrysler will be tango uniform long before any rubber can meet the rental car parking lot. Oh right, the alt power bit…
“He [Boot ‘Em Bob] said Chrysler is considering alternative powertrains for Project D cars… Powertrain options include an all-electric car and a Chevrolet Volt-style electric with an internal combustion engine that charges an electric motor.” And on this little bit of BS, a blog is born! “With all the talk as of late regarding a possible GM/Chrysler merger (as unlikely as that seems), along with the admission that Chrysler would prefer to have a partner for its next mid-sized sedan,” Autoblogggreen writes. “We wonder if the automaker has had talks with the General regarding platform sharing of the new Volt. Totally speculation, but interesting nonetheless, no?” As the South Africans say, “ja nie.”
What a crock. That company has absolutely zero credibility when it comes to future product plans, as far as I am concerned.
“We’re exploring many exciting possibilities for the next Project D car. It may be nuclear powered, and we also have a running prototype of a flying car that gets 400 miles per gallon.”
agreed Justin. This article is pure speculation with a 10% chance of ten different ideas coming to fruition.
For the record, I only read this article because it has a picture of the atrocious Dodge Avenger that I will be renting in a few days.
I must be an automaker too, because I am “considering alternative powertrains for Project D cars” right here in the comfort of my home office as well!
Chrsyler has done the impossible, they make Zap! look respectable.
Could this be a sign that GM and Chrysler are actually discussing sharing Volt technology rather than a true merger/takeover?
If Chrysler is looking for a hybrid powertrain, they’d be best to get into discussions with Toyota. Though it’s not a plug-in, the Prius exists. So far, the Volt is nothing more than concepts and hype.
Powertrain options include an all-electric car and a Chevrolet Volt-style electric with an internal combustion engine that charges an electric motor.”
Sure, as soon as you can find someone to license it from. Which probably means GM, assuming GM actually builds the Volt. Which, according to Bob Lutz, might not happen at all.
You can tell than Chrysler’s management doesn’t really want to do any manufacturing. Actual product, well, that’s so pedestrian, so dirty. Real swinging dicks know it’s all about the marketing and branding anyways, not the actual product.
Six months from now, much to Canada’s detriment, gas will be down to $2.50 a gallon. Since people got used to $4.00 gas, they will be elated. Further, since the oil companies, in their infinite greed, actually altered people’s driving and car buying habits, they cannot keep gas at $4.00 a gallon.
The last thing Exxon Mobil or any government want is for me to be able to plug a $10,000 car into my electric mains. In my case, I could do 99% of my driving with an electric car. But how much profit would that generate for Exxon? How could lobbyists bribe Congressmen to drill for oil in a wildlife refuge if there were no need for the oil? And most important, when governments are all pretending to be Green by shiling highly expensive and complicated hybrids, how could we tax electricity being used in electric cars?
Just watch. Unless there is legislation, SUVs will reign again and the USA will buy the oil from Canada and the Arabs that hate it.
Apparently Projects A, B, & C were failures. Every geeky sci-fi fan knows that real success will not come until Project X.
Apparently Projects A, B, & C were failures. Every geeky sci-fi fan knows that real success will not come until Project X.
Plan 9? From Outer Space?
I know that once a platform is built, there are certain elements that cannot be changed. But wouldn’t it be easier, more cost effective to do whatever is possible within the constraints of the existing platform? I don’t mind the way the Avenger looks (though I don’t love it) and I see more of them than the … what is it again? If they could address some shortcomings, couldn’t they at least have a credible entry?
Chrysler LLC will decide by late winter whether to partner with another automaker on its global mid-sized car platform, known as Project D, says CEO Bob Nardelli. Chrysler must decide whether to engineer the platform in-house and build vehicles at its own factories or work with another carmaker. The company has indicated it would prefer a partner. Chrysler said it has to decide ‘in three, four, five months,’ Nardelli said
What have they been doing up until now on Project D? I thought they started working on this a few years back before they fired that guy running the project. They have nothing to show for that time and are waiting for someone else to develop it for them. Exactly what purpose does Chrysler exist for now, besides losses and rental fleet metal(and tax money bailout). They don’t develop cars, they don’t want to build them, their marketing sucks, why do we need Chrysler again.
Unicorn Farts! Did you make that one up? I bet they smell nice, and reduce carbon. That’s great.
Robert, a question from the peanut gallery…
What, you can write “Unicorn Farts” in the body of the article, but you can’t say “Asses” or even the Brit/Euro-versions “Arses” or “Bums” in the title? Come on, tell it like it is!
;)
Chrysler said it has to decide ‘in three, four, five months,’ Nardelli said last week in an interview at Chrysler headquarters in suburban Detroit.
Gee, maybe they should’ve gotten started on this three, four, five years ago or so.
We should all buy Chrysler cars because they hope to someday build a good one.
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/10/indian-firm-confirms-talks-with.html
Looks like the out-sourcing continues for Chrysler. Merger or no merger.
Here’s an idea:
Chrysler should abandon the mid size segment.
They haven’t produced a competitive mid size car for a generation.
Instead of a mid size car, simply build an LX – perhaps on the same 116″ wheelbase as the Challenger.
Offer it with a bare bones interior, 4spd auto and a 3.5 V6 and price it at $18,900. Voila a ‘full size’ car that sells for a midsize price.
Dodge has been selling sheer size as asset since at least the late 1920’s through the 1970’s – hell, a high size/price ratio is probably the most consistent theme in Dodge marketing since Blackjack Pershing tore around Mexico in a brace of Dodge trucks.
Dodge can say you get the most car for the money
Alternately, simply offer a stretched version of the compact sedan…oh wait. They got out of the compact sedan business too.
OK, LX platform then.
I was going to go ahead and say – KingElvis – they wouldn’t have enough capacity at their ex-AMC (Eagle Premier) plant in Bramalea Ontario.
Then I remembered the loverly sales figures of late.
Yeah, they could do it. Maybe even do a four cylinder variant. The Global 2.4 can belt out 170 plus HP with the right tuning (see the nearest 2009 Hyundai Sonata if you don’t believe me).
Oh wait, Hyundai’s gone on to the next gen version while Chrysler is stuck with the prior gen – and Mitsubishi hasn’t even begun to use IT yet… never mind. Still, 165hp is “adequate”.
Maybe Chrysler is smart enough to realize that a super awesome best car ever mid size wouldn’t sell any better than the crappy ones they have now.
KingElvis- can we call it the Plymouth Fury? Don’t know how you plan on getting an $18900 price tag.