Daimler vs Chrysler IS THIS THE SCOOP?

[mopars1]

I received some information today from the diesel tech who attended technical training school at the DC training center yesterday. The class teacher who is an employee of DC (of course) was telling this "student" that Daimler has halted ALL production on any new models and they stated that Chrysler was going to have to make it on the models they have at this time or go belly-up. No more money is going to be given for new model design or R&D. The only model they will bring out is the four door 1500. The four door 2500's and 3500's may not be built. It is up in the air at this time. Also, any talk of a 4500 or 5500 has been dropped. Also, and this is the kicker, the Cummins engine may be dropped. YES, I said dropped! One thing stated was Daimler is telling Cummins they have to get on the ball and put an engine out that will knock the pants off of the Duramax and the Navistar engines as far as torque and horsepower and mileage, and by a long shot, or they will be dropped and replaced by Detroit Diesel powerplants. The Mercedes engine is not going into the trucks. The statement was made they don't have the b*lls to hang with the diesel engines that are in the light truck market at this time. Also, the Allison trans will be able to be used in any light truck as of the end of this year. Like I said, this is from a "good" source, but how can you depend on the words that come out of Daimler-Benz camp at any time. I would not want to guess as what will happen over the next 2-3 years. Anyway, talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words, but I can beleive this is Daimler's way of getting rid of Chrysler. Just thought I would throw this little tidbit out for discussion.

David

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2001. 5 2500 Sport ETH/DEE, 3. 55 Dana 80, std cab, 4x2, Intense Blue, Agate, all options except leather and keyless entry. Dawson 24ft hauling a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger drag car; 360cid auto; runs 10:00 in 1/4 mile. I wish my truck ran this quick!

 

[SmokinJoe]

You didn't know, you are a profit center




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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[SmokinJoe]

Resistance is futile, your money will be assimilated.

 

[mbrolin]

If DC stays with the present models of cars and trucks that they have now they will go belly up. Cummins has an engine that will out pull the Duramax. The problem has always been the weak drivetrain that DC puts behind the Cummins. At DCs insistence the Cummins are detuned. Detroit does not make an engine small enough for the pickups. MBs diesel is either too small or too large for the pickups. The research for the redesigned trucks has allready been done. Its a production line holdup which will delay the 2500s and 3500s until 2003. Sounds to me like someones trying to blow smoke up eveyones A##.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges,Jacobs ebrake,Reese 20k 5er hitch(more to come)

 

[mopars1]

Michael, I know what you are talking about as far as the power that is detuned by DC. I asked that question myself and was told nothing was said about the trans not holding the output. The only thing stated was the rear axle could handle the power without a problem.

 

[John Berger]

In the words of the Gipper: Trust, but verify. Put another way, believe nothing you hear, believe everything you see.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Gauge with dual senders, Westach Oil Temp Gauge for differential. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics in the motor and differential. Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[klenger]

Sorta sounds like the statement "All vacations are canceled until morale improves".

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[5thram]

IMHO it will be best if Daimler and Chrysler parted ways. I worked for a fine company in my past life that was bought out by the Germans. They're still in business, but the guys still there aren't enjoying it any more. I'm thinking with fuel prices likely to rise dramatically and stay high, Chrysler would do well to find (0r manufacture) a diesel for the Dakota. Just my . 02.

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2001. 5 intenseblue 2500 ETH/DEE 4WD QC sportpkg, all the options but the cowhide, mostly stock. NRA, AMA member

 

[Texas Diesel]

Henry Gordon, I lived near a DC proving ground and I saw a Jeep Grand Cheorkee with a diesel engine. My first clue was the funny sound it made when running, kinda rattled. I was told by the DC employee it was a European model. I was told that our Government is why they dont and wont sell it here. He also said they have a Dakota with the same engine. I asked about the fuel mileage and he said 48mpg with an automatic.


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2001. 5 QC SB 4X4, 6 speed, HO, LSD, 3. 54, camper special, power everything, trip thingy, REAL bumpers, green/silver, Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, trailer tow pkg

[This message has been edited by Texas Diesel (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[5thram]

Yep, something's wrong somewhere. Gas goes up fifteen cents a week, the oil companies are making record profits, the treehuggers won't stand still for someone drilling a well on American soil, etc, etc.....

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2001. 5 intenseblue 2500 ETH/DEE 4WD QC sportpkg, all the options but the cowhide, mostly stock. NRA, AMA member

 

[Morphious]

Good fix for tree huggers, tie them to trees and cutem both down. solves two problems with one quick chop... .

Mwahhhhhaaahhahaha... .

I am all for protecting the environment, but I am also into protecting my rights to do what I want in the pursuit of happiness, etc...

Morph.

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'99 2500 4x4 QC Std transmission, Purple (usually Mud Red), 10 Disc Changer, 285x75Rx16 BFG Mudders, Amr. Racing Baja Wheels, Gooseneck hitch, 275lb King Klaw front bumper, Towing/Camper packages. DDIII's, Exhaust, TTPM, Boost Module. Fuel Pressure, EGT adn Boost Guages. Mallory Fuel Pump. AGR Beefed up Steering Box. (fastest farm truck around). And can't forget the hydraulic PigSticker.

2001 Yamaha Raptor, dropped tooth on front sprocket, sand skate II tires on rear, CT Racing Exhaust, Pro Flo Air, Hipo Cam, 11:1 piston, DG Nerf Bars, DuraBlue 2+2 Axle, +2 swingarm, +3 A Arms, Dyna Jet carb kit, and Works tripple rate shocks for the front.

1965 Chevy 1/2 ton Pickup, 350-350hp/2spd powerglide, PS, PB, Disc Brakes on the front, Tilt, Fuel Cell, 3. 73 posi.

26ft Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer, 2 horse bumper pull, Round bale Trailer.

1960 Farmal 340 Diesel Tractor.

 

[Max Wedge]

Monroe Doctrine SUCKED!! Rebuild them--and they will own you! #ad


Japs are the same way.



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Y2K Black 3500 4x4 SLT+ Leather ETC/DGA DMF/DSA Luverne SST Bars
'64 Plymouth 426 III (Max Wedge)
'79 Chrysler 300 T-Tops NRA Member

 

[C. Ludwig]

I work for an auto manufacturer. It is amazing how little the people that actually work for the company know. Our motto (kinda like John Berger said) is don't believe it until it happens.

Having said that, I remember reading someting similar to what mopars1 said about no new products in Autoweek or a similar mag. The jist of the article was that no new products (except the new Ram) would be realeased until the 2003. I'm not exactly sure on the year (might of been 2004) but it wasn't saying there was a complete halt, just a hiatus if you will.

Chris

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2001. 5 2500 LWB Quadcab 4x4 Auto 3. 54 Scotty Air

[This message has been edited by C. Ludwig (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[mopars1]

I think that Chrysler hit a snag and dug pretty deep into their cash reserve to keep the plant remodeling going and also giving incentives to move the vehicles pilling up on the lots. Once the reserve was all gone Daimler does not want to let their profits go to save Chrysler. I know what I stated is kind of far fetched, but you never know what is really going to happen until it is over. I don't know what was originally stated about what was going to happen because some things get a little twisted when told down the line from one person to another. When asked about the redesign on the 2500 and 3500 models no one would say yes or no to are they going to be built or not. I have no idea what engine may be coming if the Detroit engine is going to be used. I have no idea of the sizes of engines they produce. The only thing I know for sure as being a Chrysler dealer employee just starting my 25th year there that we are usually the last to know what is really going on. The only thing I know for sure is all of the districts have lost some good people and there has been a lot of shuffling of the district/zone reps to fill the void left from the ones forced to take early retirement. Two of the best zone technical advisors were retired, now they are bringing in two new people. They must be paying them a lot less money, plus these two new people do not have the hands on experience that the two that were retired had. Anyway, I just hope Chrysler pulls out as there will be a lot more people out of a job than have lost them so far. I really feel for all the people in the industry who have lost their jobs up to this point.