Chryslers grandson wants to save the brand

[paulsharvey]

I know, its a cultural thing..
And lets not forget: If gasoline wasnt 2.20 euro per liter (8.75 dollar per gallon) here, we would drive much bigger vehicles as well.. i would have AWD definately


I am not trying to convince anyone of my way of life, i am just telling how its done here, as i, on my turn, like getting a feel of how things go in North America too...

Tow ratings for passenger cars are a lot higher in Europe too... AFAIK they were higher in the USA in the 60s too, but US manufacturers are happy to give people more reasons to buy a more profitable pickup truck, a market segment under the chicken tax, with less foreign competition and more profit.

For most of us, small isn't an advantage, where crowded EU cities and the small rural roads over there, large might be a disadvantage. So, given the choice of larger or smaller, at comparable prices, very very few people in the US would choose smaller.

Edit; as much as people will say it's stupid, there is also a status with this. People assume small car=can't afford a real vehicle, and that does affect what people buy. Most of us will deny it, but its the truth. Guy buys a Ford Maverick, people don't think "that must be a practical efficient choice", they assume he can't afford a "real" truck

 

[jyoutz]

My area is filled with fancy cars, but in winter the one seen the most is the Jeep GC like mine.
I haul anything from 2x4 and rounds to hay and straw in mine.
Doubt any of my neighbors have ever hauled more than groceries.

The issue is these trucks are awful on gas mileage.
The jeep hybrids are a huge jump in price and complexity.
Even the current regular Jeep GC has multiple batteries to run it's complex computer systems.
And they still have crappy Uconnect and old maps for the NAV system.

I was looking at 2021 GC L and they are going for 30K, and there are so many new buttons and screens that they look strange.

I would love a GC with sunroof, L chassis , leather interior without the 12 computers to go wrong.

The latest issue with the newer GCs is the power distribution module, same as the issue with BMWs, it fails and the transmission goes into neutral and you're stuck in the road.
Jeep is working on a recall, BMW is just ignoring the problem until someone gets killed.

Crappy uconnect? Mine works flawlessly in my Jeep.

 

[mike69440]

My area is filled with fancy cars, but in winter the one seen the most is the Jeep GC like mine.
I haul anything from 2x4 and rounds to hay and straw in mine.
Doubt any of my neighbors have ever hauled more than groceries.

The issue is these trucks are awful on gas mileage.
The jeep hybrids are a huge jump in price and complexity.
Even the current regular Jeep GC has multiple batteries to run it's complex computer systems.
And they still have crappy Uconnect and old maps for the NAV system.

I was looking at 2021 GC L and they are going for 30K, and there are so many new buttons and screens that they look strange.

I would love a GC with sunroof, L chassis , leather interior without the 12 computers to go wrong.

The latest issue with the newer GCs is the power distribution module, same as the issue with BMWs, it fails and the transmission goes into neutral and you're stuck in the road.
Jeep is working on a recall, BMW is just ignoring the problem until someone gets killed.

Best luck to Stellantis. I was a long time Mopar fan.
If one of major 1/2 ton truck Manfactures took the chance of capitalizing on all the fake internet hype on the Cat pickup truck concept by teaming with Catapillar to have a truck built with unique higher end specs endorser by CAT, I think the status conscience new truck buyer would flock to buy it.
It would have to be more than a branded trim package and yellow and black paint.
A heavy half with capabilities and specs above regular offering, still based on existing products and options. A 4wd plug in hybrid that can both supply power to a home, business or job site along with a fuel burning engine with practical features rather than frivolous options would have interest from a good sized weel heeled market segment.
CAT dealerships should also carry maintenance items and basic service parts for these trucks to cement the relationship. between (Ford?) And CAT. These service items should be premium items, while still interchangeable with std. service parts.

 

[Renze]

For most of us, small isn't an advantage, where crowded EU cities and the small rural roads over there, large might be a disadvantage.

Thats a typical American misconception: many European cities are as congested as American cities, and large parts of France are as uninhabited as the American midwest. This summer at my mate in Finland, its almost Ontario 20 years ago at my cousin: theres a big shopping mall near the highway, and its a 40km drive to go shopping. (And thats in the south, inhabited part: Lapland is something else)
Europe, although a smaller land mass than the USA due to the irregular shape, is larger in cross distance than the USA

 

[ruffdog]

For most of us, small isn't an advantage, where crowded EU cities and the small rural roads over there, large might be a disadvantage. So, given the choice of larger or smaller, at comparable prices, very very few people in the US would choose smaller.

Edit; as much as people will say it's stupid, there is also a status with this. People assume small car=can't afford a real vehicle, and that does affect what people buy. Most of us will deny it, but its the truth. Guy buys a Ford Maverick, people don't think "that must be a practical efficient choice", they assume he can't afford a "real" truck

I learned a long time ago to never judge a person's wealth by what clothes they wear, the car they drive, or the house they live in. Many times, the appearance of wealth only means large debt.

 

[paulsharvey]

I learned a long time ago to never judge a person's wealth by what clothes they wear, the car they drive, or the house they live in. Many times, the appearance of wealth only means large debt.

Oh I agree, but Many Many people, and if we are honest with ourselves, all of us do get influenced by appearances. If not, why do you wash your car, that has no functional effect. People stopped buying mini vans because they have a stigma. Same with station wagon. I would probably say, "cool" is the Leading sales factor, above function or price. Many folks buy a diesel truck, not cause they need some, but because they are "cool".

 

[paulsharvey]

Heck, if Function was it, they would only make primer grey vehicles. So, yes, everyone is influenced by others view. It's not always the same, either. You pull up in a Escalde on 24" gold plated rims, in one neighborhood your trashy, in another your a stud. Jacked up Ram 3500, on 44s, same deal.

 

[paulsharvey]

Thats a typical American misconception: many European cities are as congested as American cities, and large parts of France are as uninhabited as the American midwest. This summer at my mate in Finland, its almost Ontario 20 years ago at my cousin: theres a big shopping mall near the highway, and its a 40km drive to go shopping. (And thats in the south, inhabited part: Lapland is something else)
Europe, although a smaller land mass than the USA due to the irregular shape, is larger in cross distance than the USA

Well, in the US, all travel lanes are a minium of 10 ft wide, with the vast majority being 11 or 12 ft wide, with many (pretty much all state roads), also having a 5 ft paved shoulder. Don't know how common it is other places, but I've seen a ton of videos of like 16 ft wide or narrower roads in Italy/Spain/England, just cause the cities pre date cars

Another thing, thankfully on street parking is mostly dead. Pretty much everywhere a business has to have parking for a specific number of customers.

 

[WinterDeere]

Crappy uconnect? Mine works flawlessly in my Jeep.

Varies by year. I have three, built 2015, 2016, and 2020. They got better each year.

 

[Hay Dude]

True wealthy people in my area dress down and drive very average vehicles. They show their wealth with their massive estates and bank account.

Only clowns with a bunch of debt drive around in E-Hummers, 500 series Benz’s and wear LuLu Lemon clothes.