AutoNation chief backs Chrysler plan

The painful reality for Chrysler is that it is far behind its domestic competitors, which means it is behind every other car company too. This in a global market that has no time for laggards and excuses. Chrysler sales numbers are pitiful, and its quality performance is flat-out inexcusable.

Chrysler has a reputation of being a perennial loser, thanks to gross mismanagement by Daimler and Cerberus compounded by a very publicly-financed bankruptcy that cannot and will not be fixed overnight. Yet Sergio and his troops actually believe all of this is going to get fixed with a creative five-year plan?

I'll put it succinctly for you: No frickin' way.

Peter wrote:

The painful reality for Chrysler is that it is far behind its domestic competitors, which means it is behind every other car company too. This in a global market that has no time for laggards and excuses. Chrysler sales numbers are pitiful, and its quality performance is flat-out inexcusable.
Chrysler has a reputation of being a perennial loser, thanks to gross mismanagement by Daimler and Cerberus compounded by a very publicly-financed bankruptcy that cannot and will not be fixed overnight. Yet Sergio and his troops actually believe all of this is going to get fixed with a creative five-year plan?
I'll put it succinctly for you: No frickin' way.

Do you think Sergio would spend all this time and energy for nothing if he didn't think he could do it? Good thing he doesn't have your attitude! Attitude is everything! It won't be easy and he is well aware of this. They've only been married for 5 months. It's hard to make a baby in 5 months.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/11/06/C...

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 6 (UPI)-- The head of the largest U.S. auto dealership group, Mike Jackson, said he was confident in Chrysler Group's ability to make a comeback.

Chrysler sales fell 30 percent in October compared to October 2008. This week, however, the automaker revealed its five-year plan, which Jackson, chief executive officer of AutoNation Inc. embraced, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

"My main concern was if you stress-test it (the five-year plan), can they get through disruptions over the next year or two? I now believe they can," Jackson said.

AutoNation will now be "on the hunt for acquisitions" of more Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships, he said.

Chrysler fell into bankruptcy this summer and emerged controlled by Fiat SpA under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Jackson described his first impression of the Chrysler's new CEO.

"He's got a little office, one step up from a cubicle. He comes up to me wearing a tennis shirt with a backpack slung over his shoulder. I thought to myself,'This is going to be magic or tragic,'" Jackson said

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33664890/ns/busin...

Fiat boss lays out ambitious Chrysler road map
Marchionne not ‘promising a miracle’ but says plan can generate big profits

Image: Fiat 500
Rebecca Cook / Reuters
The Fiat 500 compact will soon be offered in the U.S. market as part of Chrysler's turnaround plan.
Skeptics might have reason to gape when first hearing the proposed results. Insisting Chrysler already has slowed its cash burn to a flicker, the Italian-born, Canadian-educated executive said he expects the maker to post an operating profit next year and go into the black on a net level in 2011. More spectacular, if he can pull it off, Marchionne believes Chrysler will generate $14 billion in earnings by the time a new five-year plan is needed, in 2014.