Chryslers grandson wants to save the brand

[paulsharvey]

I would have zero issue buying a Ram made in Mexico, If they make a good product. I think the twin turbo 3.0 cylone sounds interesting, but I wouldn't be buying the 1st couple or 3 years, regardless of place of manufacturing.

I dont think Amercian made means quality. We turn out some real crap at times; and with My money, I want quality and value. My money has no citizenship, and even if it did, Dodge isn't made in my part of the world. I dont consider Detroit anymore "my people" than Warsaw, Mexico City, or Lagos. If they were made in Valdosta, or S. Car, or Fla, I might feel different; and if you live in Michigan, I do understand the feeling could be different. Locally, Far more positive economic impact would come from a German vehicle being imported to the port of Jax than a car made in Michigan.

 

[Hay Dude]

Longtime Jeep /Dodge owner and have been looking for a newer vehicle, but, I wont buy anything new due to Stellantis horrible track record of lousy quality control and thier extreme energy of avoiding things that should be fixed under warranty.

That has not been my experience so far
5 years and 60,000 miles on my 2020 and the few issues I've had were taken care of.
Looking forward to the release of the next Ram with the ZF-8 auto transmission

 

[Hay Dude]

I would have zero issue buying a Ram made in Mexico, If they make a good product. I think the twin turbo 3.0 cylone sounds interesting, but I wouldn't be buying the 1st couple or 3 years, regardless of place of manufacturing.

I dont think Amercian made means quality. We turn out some real crap at times; and with My money, I want quality and value. My money has no citizenship, and even if it did, Dodge isn't made in my part of the world. I dont consider Detroit anymore "my people" than Warsaw, Mexico City, or Lagos. If they were made in Valdosta, or S. Car, or Fla, I might feel different; and if you live in Michigan, I do understand the feeling could be different. Locally, Far more positive economic impact would come from a German vehicle being imported to the port of Jax than a car made in Michigan.

Ram Trucks built in Mexico have an excellent initial build quality. Although I wish they were built in USA, I would also have no have no problem buying Rams built in Mexico

 

[paulsharvey]

Any car company needs something to set itself apart from the dozen other similar vehicles. Dodge did a good job with Charger, Magnum, Durango, ect, buy taking a practical medium sized car/suv and making them fun, acceptable for an adult man to drive. You could get a boring Ford Fusion or a Charger, for a very similar price, get all the function, but a "fun" vehicle. Chrysler has never been know as a fun/cool vehicle. Even if they didn't sell a lot of Track Hawk Cherokees, I'll bet people bought regular Cherokee because of the Track Hawk. I honestly don't see how they aren't making money? Used to be fleet vehicles where 90% Ford, 10% GM; now; in the half ton market, I'd say it's 40% Ford, 40% Ram, and 15% GM, and maybe pushing a max of 5% Toyota.

Now, in 2500/3500/4500/5500 market; Ford is still king.

Fleet sales are a pretty major factor, as are government sales, and I do think most GM does better in Gov sales.

Edit: This really might be regional? But Dodge/Ram sell well down here.

 

[DarkBlack]

I’m a current Ram owner. When it’s time for a replacement I’ll be looking at the same brand first before other options . I think their trucks are good.

 

[jyoutz]

Any car company needs something to set itself apart from the dozen other similar vehicles. Dodge did a good job with Charger, Magnum, Durango, ect, buy taking a practical medium sized car/suv and making them fun, acceptable for an adult man to drive. You could get a boring Ford Fusion or a Charger, for a very similar price, get all the function, but a "fun" vehicle. Chrysler has never been know as a fun/cool vehicle. Even if they didn't sell a lot of Track Hawk Cherokees, I'll bet people bought regular Cherokee because of the Track Hawk. I honestly don't see how they aren't making money? Used to be fleet vehicles where 90% Ford, 10% GM; now; in the half ton market, I'd say it's 40% Ford, 40% Ram, and 15% GM, and maybe pushing a max of 5% Toyota.

Now, in 2500/3500/4500/5500 market; Ford is still king.

Fleet sales are a pretty major factor, as are government sales, and I do think most GM does better in Gov sales.

Edit: This really might be regional? But Dodge/Ram sell well down here.

Ram sells a lot in the 2500 and 3500 models.

 

[paulsharvey]

Ram sells a lot in the 2500 and 3500 models.

Yeah, I guess what I mean is in the heavy duty fleet side.

 

[LouNY]

Well as far as quality goes;
my 2002 Dodge Dakota did 213,000 miles with me driving and never had a valve cover off it,
a few upper ball joints and several brake calipers and one alternator.
My 2015 RAM 1500 with the V6 diesel did 99,000 miles with no issues till I traded it for my 2019 RAM in 2021 which has 56,000 miles on it now it has had to have a new battery.
My biggest gripe with them is the lack of interior color, I do not like black interiors.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, I guess what I mean is in the heavy duty fleet side.

Utility companies are buying lots of Ram 4500/5500’s in my area.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I understand why Jeep would struggle, not a huge market for $60+k Jeeps, or $90+ Grand Wagoneers in what can't be called a roaring economy, but surely parts of the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Ram family are making money, right? I see a ton of ram 1500/2500/3500, Chargers, Challengers, and lower-mid range Jeep Wranglers on the road.

Do we know if it's a legacy debit problem, a "right sizing" problem, and over investment in failed models, or a well selling, but not profit making problem?

If it's Legecy debit, I would dump it into a specific brand, and let it die.

If it's a "right sizing" problem; massive production to make up for Covid shortages, close some plants, send more production to Mex,

If it's over investment in failed models; I would scape goat that debit off, fire some decision makers, and focus on known production.

If it's good sale, but little to no profit on those sales; I would be closing some plants, and try to bring the unit production cost down. I dont think they can Luxary their way out of that problem.

I do think car makers in general have a generic problems of too many models/lines/options. It kinda takes away from some of the marvel of Henry Fords assembly line. If we have to have 7 wheel bases for a Ram 1500; maybe we drop the reg cab, short bed; and offer 2 frames. I dont think most vehicles need 3 or 4 engine options; 2 is fine. Maybe 2500s are all 100% crew cab, 6'8" beds; and 3500s offer the 8 ft bed?