(Chrysler) Sebring Says Go For World Record

What has the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring got to do Guinness World Records? Well, not much. As of present. But soon, it will be taking its place in that world famous hall of fame and hall of outstanding records. Just a hint though: this does not entail a record on which vehicle has got the most number or the best performance parts in the auto industry.

Chrysler is planning on breaking the Guinness World Record on the largest number of people playing the popular game “Simon Says”. However, the company is going to do it their own way – Sebring style. This is in part of Chrysler’s attempt to market and popularize the new 2007 Chrysler Sebring which will be first making its appearance at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show.

To break the record, Chrysler is planning on having more than 1,200 consumers and customers take part in the game. The current record of the largest number of people playing “Simon Says” is 1,169 and Chrysler hopes to beat that record. The event is scheduled to happen on the 9th of February.

David Rooney, Chrysler’s director for marketing and global communications, is already doing his best so as to inform everybody about this record-breaking event and on this he replies, “The 2007 Chrysler Sebring brings higher levels of craftsmanship and technology to the mid-size car segment. We thought it would be fun to bring the original ‘Simon Says’ game to a new level by inviting consumers to join us in breaking the current world record, while also providing a unique way for consumers to interact with the Chrysler Sebring’s innovative features, including the new MyGig™ technology and heated/cooled cup holders.”

But if you do think that this is going to be a boring game, well you better think about it. Chrysler is surely bound to make it fun and the company is planning on giving the game a new twist to add to the excitement. And whoever wins the “Sebring Says” game would be winning and enjoying a lease on the 2007 Chrysler Sebring. And yes, the lease would be for twenty four months.

Interested? You can register at the www.ChryslerSebringSays.com. But you would be asked to answer the ground-breaking question: Why do you want to break a Guinness World Record? And make sure that you are already 18 years old or older and that you already have a driver’s license if you are really that interested in joining.

By Hannah Racey.

"Detroit Disease" Inflicts Chrysler

Chrysler was once admired for its toughness even at a point where the atmosphere is attracting slumping sales and massive losses. Nonetheless, according to some analysts, it seems that Chrysler has lost its protective cloak and eventually been inflicted with the so-called 'Detroit disease'.

Automotive reports are showing that Chrysler will lose $1.5 billion in the third quarter, about more than twice what it had expected beforehand. This loss is brought about by the slow sales of gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.

According to Tom Appel, editor of Consumer Guide Automotive, "The company has been hit especially hard by the public’s growing desire for smaller, fuel-efficient cars. But the issue may be more one of a perception than a reality."

“I think Chrysler’s being hurt by a general impression that its large and hitherto well-received cars like the Chrysler 300 and the Charger are not very fuel-efficient, and so there’s a bit of a backlash,” Appel added.

Chrysler President and CEO Tom LaSorda said that the company intends to become more competitive internationally with a portfolio of smaller cars. “We’re addressing those issues and moving our product portfolio to a mix that’s more in line with the recent realities and market trends,” LaSorda elaborated.

"But while new products are important, Chrysler, like Ford and GM, needs to do a better job of managing its car and truck inventories with flexible manufacturing processes like those used by Asian manufacturers," said Kevin Reale, research director for AMR Research.

Analysts are also saying that Chrysler lineup has other problems. One problem is its limited offer in the midsize SUV market. On one hand, the sales of Dodge Durango have dropped off abruptly. To circumvent the decline in sales, the automaker is modifying the Chrysler auto parts to set forth a striking lineup.

New Chrysler products that will be launched this year include Sebring sedan, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and compact Dodge Caliber. “Dodge is about to launch the mid-size Nitro SUV, so that will help them in the fuel economy perception area, but when it comes to minivans someone has to come up with something new,” Appel added. “The expectation is that the new Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans will be that new thing, but their release is still some time away — they’re not supposed to come out until mid-2008.”

By Sarah McBride.