Despite slow sales, Crossfire will be back in 2008
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Despite slow sales, Crossfire will be back in 2008
Despite slow sales, Crossfire will be back in 2008
By BRADFORD WERNLE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Updated: 07/02/07, 8:49 am et
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
By BRADFORD WERNLE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Updated: 07/02/07, 8:49 am et
DETROIT - The Chrysler Crossfire - once a dramatic symbol of the promised synergies in the DaimlerChrysler merger, a marriage of German technology and American style - has become a bargain bin sports car.
That merger is ending with the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management, but the Crossfire will soldier on. The 2008 model goes into production this summer, adding a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes.
In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring.
A Chrysler spokeswoman said production of the Crossfire never ceased, but the company stopped taking orders for seven or eight months in North America to "balance" the inventory. U.S. sales fell to 8,216 last year, down from 14,665 in 2005.
In the second quarter of 2007, Crossfire prices less customer cash averaged $27,526, down from $32,460 in the second quarter of 2005, according to Power Information Network data. The base price for the Crossfire coupe when it debuted as a 2004 model was $34,495, including shipping.
Despite the plunge in sales and transaction prices, Chrysler says it's happy with the Crossfire's performance. "We've been outselling the Audi TT," said Chrysler Crossfire engineer Allan Mecca "In our mind, it's meeting expectations."
That merger is ending with the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management, but the Crossfire will soldier on. The 2008 model goes into production this summer, adding a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes.
In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring.
A Chrysler spokeswoman said production of the Crossfire never ceased, but the company stopped taking orders for seven or eight months in North America to "balance" the inventory. U.S. sales fell to 8,216 last year, down from 14,665 in 2005.
In the second quarter of 2007, Crossfire prices less customer cash averaged $27,526, down from $32,460 in the second quarter of 2005, according to Power Information Network data. The base price for the Crossfire coupe when it debuted as a 2004 model was $34,495, including shipping.
Despite the plunge in sales and transaction prices, Chrysler says it's happy with the Crossfire's performance. "We've been outselling the Audi TT," said Chrysler Crossfire engineer Allan Mecca "In our mind, it's meeting expectations."
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
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From: MN
That surprises me. Always seemed to sell poorly here, I figured that they'd axe the car soon or later.
Put a stick shift in the car, and it might add some appeal. If you want to call it a sports car, I think that is at least a minimum requirement.
Put a stick shift in the car, and it might add some appeal. If you want to call it a sports car, I think that is at least a minimum requirement.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
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From: Illinois
Did you read the last paragraph?!? So do you consider the Audi TT to be selling poorly? Should they axe it too? It is great that they can make a business case for it at the volumes they are given the platform sharing as many manufacturers could not.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
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From: MN
Yes. I also read the 3rd paragraph:
and also based my comment on what I've seen in real life. The car has not sold well.
In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,465
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From: Illinois
1) Porsche Boxster 1.8x
2) Jaguar S-Type (Jags bestseller) 1.4x
3) S2000 1.3x
4) XLR 2.5x
and just missed the
5) BMW 6 series by .88x (aka -1.13)
So while your impression may be that they don't sell well that doesn't jibe with where some other cars sell. You can argue that they wanted them to sell in higher volume, who wouldn't, but they are selling at a decent clip on "old" parts.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: TX
They do offer a 6-speed in this car, the car itself is a SLK from top to bottom even the radio display. They are also lacking packages to make this car sale because honestly its not that bad of alooking car. Now a days a $30K+ car should have xenon headlights and more wheel options. They also need more engine options or go up on the output, 215hp isn't going to do it for the price they want. My .02
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,471
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I'd get the saturn sky or the pontiac chipmunk over this
I get Mazda MX5 over all these...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: ca
No stick, no thanks. Only the gutless model comes in stick. Too bad cause I wanted one until they botched that one.
Thats like making a high end luxury "sport" sedan and not putting in a stick *AHEM* Lexus and calling it an BMW M fighter. Pluuueeeeeeeeeeze.
Thats like making a high end luxury "sport" sedan and not putting in a stick *AHEM* Lexus and calling it an BMW M fighter. Pluuueeeeeeeeeeze.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,471
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
While I have not driven a recent one to experience it first hand, I understand from reviews I've read that even with the slushbox and base engine, this car will get out of its own way. And the SRT model with the Mercedes AMG powerplant hauls a**.