Tag Archives: chrysler

Chrysler Moves Forward on Eliminating Printed Owner Manuals

Posted on 19 September 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group, the first automaker to eliminate the conventional owner manuals from its vehicles and offer industry-first vehicle-information apps in a cost cutting move, will now apparently be the first in the auto industry to offer vehicle-information kits in Spanish for the U.S. market. Continue reading →

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EU Cars Sales Drop 9% in August as Eurozone Crisis Continues

Posted on 18 September 2012 by Ken Zino

The crisis in the Eurozone continued unabated as new car sales dropped 9% in August year-over-year after declining by 7.8% in July. As a result, in the 27 countries that comprise the EU, sales dropped to 688,000 vehicles. Year-to-date sales are down to 8.3 million units, the lowest in decades and the fifth straight year of sales declines. Continue reading →

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CAW Working as 24-hour Contract Talks Shift to Chrysler, GM

Posted on 18 September 2012 by Ken Zino

Thus far, what is known of the Ford contract represents mixed results for the union, which was fighting a defensive action since talks opened in August. In spite of a push to reduce wage costs by all the automakers, the union retained its base pay and got cost of living bonuses. However, the controversial two-tier wage system that union members decry as divisive remains in place for ten years. Sharply lower wages for new hires at 60% of full pay would only allow them to reach parity after they are on the job for ten years. This could pose ratification problems. A similar deal remains controversial at the UAW in the U.S. among its members, which was successful last year in getting a two-tier contract renewed in spite of member opposition. Continue reading →

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June Auto Sales Soar with Mixed Results for Detroit Three

Posted on 3 July 2012 by Ken Zino

Sales of new cars and light trucks in June increased 22% from the same period a year ago, as the auto industry delivered almost 1.3 million vehicles for the month. On a seasonally adjusted annual basis or SAAR, this meant that the industry-selling rate continues to be more than 14 million units for five of the six months of 2012, resulting in sales of more than 7.2 million vehicles year-to-date. The slowly recovering auto market presented mixed but arguably positive results for the Detroit Three. Continue reading →

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New EPA Grants Go to Clean Up Contaminated Industrial Sites

Posted on 24 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Since its inception, EPA’s brownfield investments have used more than $18.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from public and private sources. During an election year, the ‘no jobs’ Obama Administration claims this has resulted in approximately 75,500 jobs. More than 18,000 properties have been assessed, and more than 700 properties have been cleaned up. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Execs to Move into Detroit for the First Time

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler is leasing nearly 33,000 square feet of space and, after the space is refurbished, about 70 people will move in. It’s largely a symbolic gesture now, but it’s important for the city of Detroit and the comeback car company that many had left for dead. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Q1 Profit $740 million on 33% Sales Increase

Posted on 26 April 2012 by Ken Zino

“I have really no bad news to tell you,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group. “We continue to focus on new product launches, and 2012 is the weakest year for new products. The big one is 2013.” Continue reading →

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Chrysler, Ford and GM U.S. March Sales Continue Rebound

Posted on 3 April 2012 by Ken Zino

All of the Detroit Three continue to have weak spots as they face the resurgent Japanese and hard charging Korean automakers. However, all have critical car launches this year, which should keep the momentum going. One thing is becoming clearer as the year progresses – the offshore brands are coming back and the loyalty of their buyers remains as impressive as it remains a huge marketing challenge to the Detroit Three. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group January 2012 U.S. Sales Rise 44%

Posted on 1 February 2012 by Ken Zino

Because of its revived U.S. sales in 2011 Chrysler Group is now earning a greater return in profits at 4% of turnover when compared to owner Fiat’s return of 2.8%, which was down from 2010 given the ongoing Eurozone crisis. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Opens Manufacturing Academy in Warren, Michigan

Posted on 24 January 2012 by Ken Zino

WCM is the creation of Chrysler owner Fiat, which began developing, implementing and refining manufacturing operations in 2005 with the purpose of reducing waste, increasing productivity and “restoring dignity” to the employees. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group October Sales Up 27%. Comeback Continues

Posted on 1 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 114,512, a 27% increase compared with sales in October 2010. It was the Number Three Detroit automaker’s best October since 2007. This wasn’t good enough to defend its recent Number Three U.S. sales position, as Toyota’s return to the market with better inventories moved it back into the Number Three spot by 20,000 units. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Reports Q3 Net Income of $212 Million

Posted on 27 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler results stand in contrast to Ford Motor, which yesterday reported third quarter 2011 net income of $1.6 billion, or 41 cents per share, a decrease of $38 million, or 2 cents per share, versus third quarter 2010 on revenue of $33.1 billion, an increase of $4.1 billion from Q3 2010. Ford Q3 2011 pre-tax operating profit was $1.9 billion, or 46 cents per share, with an operating margin of 4.8%. Chrysler remains the smallest and weakest of the Detroit Three with limited international operations. Still, Chrysler is clearly on the mend. Continue reading →

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President Obama and South Korean President Lee Defend Korean FTA at a Michigan General Motors Small Car Plant

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Ken Zino

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak toured the General Motors Orion Assembly Plant on Friday and spoke to several hundred workers and guests in support of the pending U.S-South Korean Free Trade Agreement. The rally came as U.S. long term unemployment remain at record post Great Depression levels. Korea is the fifth largest producer and fourth largest exporter of motor vehicles in the world, and – up to now – its car market has been closed. Continue reading →

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Fiat Starts First Ad Campaign in U.S. for the Tiny 500 Model

Posted on 2 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Last night the Fiat brand launched a marketing and advertising campaign, the first since its return to the North American market with the 500. The campaign combines broadcast, print, digital and so called “experiential initiatives.” The introduction of a new … Continue reading →

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Chrysler Pays Back Taxpayers. Fiat Now Firmly in Control

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Ken Zino

The historic bailout differs this time around in what’s left and more importantly who owns it – along with the familiar, nagging question, can Chrysler make it? The new Chrysler Group is now firmly, irrevocably in the hands of Fiat, an Italian multinational firm, which has a global fight in front if it as it too competes to survive in an automobile business dominated by much stronger competitors. Continue reading →

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