Chrysler revs up Asia foray amid cuts

[OhioChick]

POSTED ON 05/01/07

The Chrysler Group is throttling up the pace of its expansion in Asia, even as it prepares a restructuring plan for North America that is expected to include job cuts and plant closings.

The division of DaimlerChrysler AG announced two strategic deals in Asia yesterday -- a plan to build a full-sized Dodge van in Taiwan with China Motor Corp. and sell it in Mexico, and a plan to assemble the Chrysler Sebring sedan in China.

Those are on top of an agreement in principle with Chery Sales Co. of China to sell Chery-made small vehicles in North America, Europe and possibly other markets.

"When you look at the global nature of the competitive scene, these kinds of international initiatives will be critical to Chrysler Group's success in the years ahead," Chrysler president and chief executive officer Tom LaSorda told reporters during a conference call yesterday.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070105.RCHRYSLER05/TPStory/Business

<snip> He has pointed out that it's impossible to make a subcompact car profitably in Canada or the United States, amid higher labour and production costs in the two countries.

[Jack Bone]

1. Yes, this is very bad for Canadian & American auto workers!

I saw the story about DC & Chery on The Lou Dobbs show, on like Tuesday...I was so outraged at this news that I called into Mike Malloy's show that night to spread the news, and ask others to contact their Union officials...man, I was steamed!! The next day when I went to work at the Transmission Plant in Kokomo...I contacted my Union rep at work, he recommended that I see our Local President to find out the dirt...what I found isn't good @ all!! This DC-Chery deal will be voted on by Daimler Chrysler's advisory board next week...UAW Pres. Gettlefinger has a seat on the board...so just maybe, with the help of dedicated UAW members, we can sway him to vote against this proposed agreement...I started a petition campaign at the plant where I work...I managed to get almost 300 signatures in the past 2 days, walking around during breaks and during Lunch...hopefully other locals in Detroit, St. Louis, Toledo, Newark have done the same thing...maybe even the Canadians in Ontario can lend a hand? This is a call-to-arms against a "Race To The Bottom" kind of corporate mentality that threatens us all!

I received a large amount of feedback from my union brothers & sisters while getting signatures for the petition, one guy really blew my mind...he told me.."Let's say that this deal gets passed and this Chinese company makes a car and they slap a Chrysler name on it, ship it over here and sell it for $10,000...give it a full warranty...who's gonna buy a Seabring, or a PT Cruiser?"

This deal will hurt the UAW at DC for years and years to come...and we need to do what we can to put a hold, or stop to it!

[Lost4words]

2. Dear Ohiochick, how DC's Chrysler Financial screwed me over.

I bought two top line Cherokee Ltd's one in 1997 and the next in 1999. Never was late with a payment until the last year I had to pay. I was very tight with cash and called Chrysler Financial (CF) to let them know That I was goint to miss an upcoming $575.00 payment and was there anything that could be done for my situation. The rep said "NO PROBLEM" he would updaTE MY ACCOUNT WITH THE INFO AND i COULD SEND IN $90. TO COVER THE INTEREST for the month and my last payment would be 1 month later.

Great I thought, this really helps I was so glad I called and was impressed with how helpful they were. I felt that they were a true partner with me and my situation. And it felt good, for a short while.

Then the harassing calls began, the callers had no record of my conversation with the rep. They called day and night, and on the weekends and they were not polite demanding to know when the late payment would be made.

I asked each caller if they had any idea that I had discussed the late payment and the arrangements made with CF already. They had no idea. This went on daily for 3 weeks, I kept notes on each and every call.

After buying 2 top line Jeep vehicles and never missing or being late with a payment I get this kind of harassment. I didnt feel like a valued customer I can tell you that.

After that I vowed to never buy another Chrysler Vehicle in my life. I might buy another Jeep but never new and NEVER from any one associated with Daimler Chrysler.

They shit on me like I was a Japanese toilet.

Never again, and for years I was a buy American first guy.

I realize CF is not DC but they are associated and who ever they had doing their calls (they said they were CF employees and not a contractor) did a real disservice to a once loyal customer.

I can only imagine how many people got this treatment from this stinking corporation.

NEVER AGAIN.

Its impossiable to sell cars when you crap on your better customers.