posted 03-22-2005 06:01 AM         

Executive Vice President of Chrysler's North American Crossfire division, claims they are disappointed with sales in both North America and Europe and cannot justify continued production of the vehicle, with sales quotas far below projection, huge discounts and incentives have left Chrysler with large inventories of 2004's and timid sales of 2005's.

"Sometimes you have to stop the bleeding before it get's serious and this is what we have to do" He refused to speculate if this was the end of Chrysler's quest for an American Sports car but did elude to, "at least for now with the Crossfire it is". When asked why he thought Crossfire sales were so bad, he suggested that "it appears the market was not ready for the Crossfire at this time" "We believe it's a great vehicle, but sales don't concur" Also citing the week dollar as another probable cause, Chrysler is hoping to make a first quarter profit for 2005, but poor sales and costs associated with production and especially assembly of the Crossfire, together with it's ailing Mercedes Benz division have investors anxiously awaiting first quarter results from the auto giant.

When asked what this will mean to Crossfire owners he replied, "we shall continue to service and support the Crossfire as we would any of our products" and when asked what this will do to the value of the vehicles? he replied, "with so few Crossfires in the marketplace, value is relative to what one will be willing to buy or sell at and remains to be seen"

posted 03-22-2005 07:34 PM         

This is 'Eleanor's car'... and she absolutely loves it!
It is an awesome car, with fantastic 'across the board' acceleration. Of all the cars I've owned (plenty) this car has the best 'never let's up' acceleration, all the way to ... well over the speed limit .

As far as 'too pricey' while ours is a 2004, the first year, and not the 'hotter' one or a convertible, we both realize that what is under this car is a much higher priced (albeit 'last year's model') Mercedes that sold for a whole heck of a lot more than what the Xfire does.

I'll take last years chassis,motor, with a very cool, in our opinion, body style, sleek lines, and more than adequate power, for a VERY LOW price compared to a mercedes badgeplate.

We like it.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm... makes me wonder if I should really say how I feel! LOL

The car still 'gets the looks and nods' as much as Day 1, and like most of you, we also very seldom see them on the road. Truth is, I simply don't think there is 'that much' market for a two-seater sports car in America, or at least less than what the production numbers were. How many other 2seaters are really out there? Not that large of a marketshare.

That being said... makes you wonder what they are going to do (Or NOT do) with the latest, greatest, concept! Hmmmm.

quote:

---

Originally posted by CJ:
I had a company lease Crossfire (red). I got hit in it twice in a month's time. Once on the freeway..in a chain reaction situation and the second time in a parking lot. Woman backed out after I already had and she backed into me broadside.....claimed she didn't see me.......she was in a Durango.

I got paranoid about driving it......so I turned it in early and am back to driving the PT.

---

Could I get one to "bash around in" too for a bit CJ, I promise to turn it back in too ...

posted 03-22-2005 11:31 PM         

quote:

---

Could I get one to "bash around in" too for a bit CJ, I promise to turn it back in too ...

---

posted 03-23-2005 06:10 AM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by CJ:
...the blind spot was too big of an issue for me. I got hit in it twice in a month's time. Once on the freeway..in a chain reaction situation and the second time in a parking lot. Woman backed out after I already had and she backed into me broadside.....claimed she didn't see me........

---

In all fairness, I don't see that either of these accidents had anything at all to do with the crossfire or its design... and to add to that, also in all fairness, there is much more of a blindspot with the Prowler top up than you will ever have in a Crossfire.