Is Chrysler Nuts?

C. E. White wrote:
> What did you expect me to say?
>
> "John S." <hjsjms.TakeThisOut@cs.com> wrote in message
> news:1137268333.288306.109630@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > Interesting that "C.E. White" or "Ed" posted once but never responded.
> > A troll looking for food maybe?
> >
> > C. E. White wrote:
> > > I just saw some highlights of the Detroit Auto Show and one of the
> featured
> > > "all new" Chrysler products was the Aspen full size SUV? I had several
> > > problems with this "concept" -
> > >
> > > 1) They claimed the Aspen was Chrysler's first SUV. Are they trying to
> > > disown all the Pacifica ads? I'll admit the Pacifica is really just a
> > > squashed mini-van, but I sure seem to recall it being advertised as an
> SUV.
> > > Of course no one who actually wanted an SUV would go with in 10 miles of
> > > that turkey. But it is a decent, if overpriced, mini-van.
> >
> > And your point is....????
>
> My point was that Chrysler appears to be redefining what they consider an
> SUV. I recall Chrysler advertising the Pacifica as an SUV, except now they
> claim the Aspen is the first "Chrysler" SUV. As others have pointed out, the
> Pacifica is really some sort of Crossover vehicle and not a true SUV -
> except I still recall it being called an SUV when it was first introduced. I
> never bought that, I just wish Chrysler would be more consistent. And
> finally both the EPA and IIHS list the Pacifica as an SUV.

A precise definition of an SUV will be about as hard to pin down as one
for a Sports Car. Isn't an SUV is really little more than an inflated
station wagon? The ever popular Toyota Highlander qualifies as an SUV
in many eyes, but isn't it really just an inflated station wagon?


>
>
> > > 2) They claim it is "full sized." Compared to what? A RAV4? It is just a
> > > warmed over Durango. Since Dodge is constantly calling the Durango the
> > > roomiest SUV in its class, it can't be a full sized SUV, since it is
> smaller
> > > than all the real full size SUVs (Expedition, Tahoe, Suburban, Sequoia,
> etc)
> > > and barely larger than an Explorer or Trailblazer. So it reality, this
> is
> > > just a big mid-sized SUV.
> >
> >
> > What is full sized.... It's a marketing term - just ask the car rental
> > company.
>
> I suppose, but Dodge continually claims the Durango has the most room of any
> SUV in it's class. Since the Durango is significantly smaller than all the
> full size SUVs (Suburban, Tahoe, Expedition, Excursion, Sequoia, Land
> Cruiser), it can't be a "full size" SUV. Therefore it must be a mid-sized
> SUV, which means the Aspens must be as well. However, the Insurance
> Institute for Highway Safety lists the Durango as a large SUV. Either
> Chrysler is wrong when they claim the Durango is the roomiest SUV in it's
> class or they are wrong when they claim the Aspen is a full size SUV. Even
> marketers need to be honest and consistent. A full size Chrysler cannot be
> the same size as a mid-size Dodge.

Full size vs mid-size vs luxury vs compact - who knows what the the
real definition is. A rental company will use one term while an
insurer will use another.


>
> > > 3) Aspen??? That name was already discredited years ago when it was
> slapped
> > > on those horrible mid-sized sedans. I guess Aspen is better than
> Volante.
> >
> > What is your point here - or is it just rambling.
>
> Just laughing at the geniuses at Chrysler who reached into the past to reuse
> one of the most discredited names in their history.

They coulda called it a Valiant...

>
> > > 4) Does the world really need a clone of the worst SUV sold in the US?
> > > Slapping a Chrysler grille on that turkey is not going to elevate it to
> the
> > > status of merely mediocre. I suppose if you want to go fast in a
> straight
> > > line, the Aspen (LOL) with the hemi fits the bill. Of course in every
> other
> > > way, it is a turkey.
> >
> > Are you making a satement here or asking a question...not sure.
>
> Both. Do you think we need a clone of the least efficient passenger vehicle
> Chrysler sells (outside of the Viper I suppose). In any meaningful
> comparison of SUVs, the Durango comes out last. Slapping a Chrysler grille
> and new name on it won't make it better. Rather than spending money on
> rebadging it, why not improve it?
>
> > > More marketing genius from Chrysler....
> > >
> > > At least the Challenger looks nice. I wonder if they will screw that up?
> >
> > I don't know. Chrysler is the only one of three U.S. car companies
> > that is not facing a wrenching restructuring and reduction of it's car
> > lines to survive. That's hardly screwing up.
>
> I agree. Chrysler has introduced some very exciting cars. However, the
> "Aspen" seems like a stupid mistake. The only things dumber in recent memory
> are the Lincoln LT and the Cadillac EXT.

We will see...nostalgia does seem to sell cars. Look at how the VW
Beetle fad has caught on. For me the old VW beetle and Kombi were
little more than underpowered poor handling econoboxes. Many others
have decidedly more positive memories.

>
> Ed

"C. E. White" <cewhite3 RemoveThis @removemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:43c53fab$1@kcnews01...
>I just saw some highlights of the Detroit Auto Show and one of the featured
> "all new" Chrysler products was the Aspen full size SUV? I had several
> problems with this "concept" -
>
> 1) They claimed the Aspen was Chrysler's first SUV. Are they trying to
> disown all the Pacifica ads? I'll admit the Pacifica is really just a
> squashed mini-van, but I sure seem to recall it being advertised as an
> SUV.
> Of course no one who actually wanted an SUV would go with in 10 miles of
> that turkey. But it is a decent, if overpriced, mini-van.
>
> 2) They claim it is "full sized." Compared to what? A RAV4? It is just a
> warmed over Durango. Since Dodge is constantly calling the Durango the
> roomiest SUV in its class, it can't be a full sized SUV, since it is
> smaller
> than all the real full size SUVs (Expedition, Tahoe, Suburban, Sequoia,
> etc)
> and barely larger than an Explorer or Trailblazer. So it reality, this is
> just a big mid-sized SUV.
>
> 3) Aspen??? That name was already discredited years ago when it was
> slapped
> on those horrible mid-sized sedans. I guess Aspen is better than Volante.
>
> 4) Does the world really need a clone of the worst SUV sold in the US?
> Slapping a Chrysler grille on that turkey is not going to elevate it to
> the
> status of merely mediocre. I suppose if you want to go fast in a straight
> line, the Aspen (LOL) with the hemi fits the bill. Of course in every
> other
> way, it is a turkey.
>
> More marketing genius from Chrysler....
>
> At least the Challenger looks nice. I wonder if they will screw that up?
>
> Ed
>
>

at least chrysler is profitable... they are doing something right...