Chrysler 300

Thanks to characteristic styling, powerful performance and the roomy interior, the Chrysler 300 has become popular in the sedan category. Thanks to the V8 engine the 300C trim is known to be an impressive vehicle. This beautiful model is bracketed between another two V6 models that are affordable at the one end and at the other end is the high-performance SRT8.

The Chrysler 300 made its debut in 2004. It was designed to attract consumers that have the desire for personality compared to a regular sedan. The mechanicals underlying the 300 derive from technology used in Mercedes-Benz, and this is an obvious benefit. The style of the 300 is without a doubt American. The beltline, large grille, bulging fenders, doubled-lens headlights and large wheels make the presence of the Chrysler strong on the road.

The wheelbase is 120 inches and this shortens at the front of the car and overhangs on the rear. This way it provides plenty of space for the occupants inside the car. The dimensions of the cabins are generous no matter how you look at it, and with the Chrysler 300 there is more legroom compared to most of the competitors. The interior design of the 300 many would say simple, but it is also elegant. The dash combines luxury, semi-retro and sporty motifs.

The consumer has a choice of 5 Chrysler 300s styles to choose from: Chrysler base, Chrysler Touring, Chrysler Limited, Chrysler 300C and finally the Chrysler 300C SRT8. The base model will probably appeal to the budget-orientated customer because of the vehicle’s low price, but you will probably be suggested to settle with either the Limited or the Touring, because the trim levels on these cars have standard features. The Chrysler 300C and the Chrysler SRT8 are models that are for the performance-orientated. The difference between the two models is the SRT8 is tuned to provide maximum performance.

When one talks power, they talk Chrysler. The base for instance, has an amazing 200 horsepower V6 engine connected to a transmission that is automatic and four-speed. The Limited and the Touring have slightly more horsepower than the base. It has a 250-horsepower V6 engine connected to a transmission that is five-speed. The 300C and SRT8 have a V8 engine, and although the 300C has an amazing 340-horsepower engine, the SRT8 sits at 425-horsepower. The SRT8 has stiffer suspension, the tires and wheels are larger and the brakes are more powerful. Chrysler offers the consumers front and rear-wheel-drive vehicles when considering the 300C and the Limited.

Experiencing the Chrysler 300 behind the wheel, one would say that the 300 is one of the best sedans that have been tested. With the style, the size and the design, the Chrysler 300 retrains its characteristics and could easily be described an American unique. Measured by its efficiency and its responsiveness, the 300 has international quality. For consumers who have become a little wary for rear-drives for the day to day driving, and those in show-filled areas, the 300 was proved suitable enough to take to the road.

By Dennis J James.

DaimlerChrysler Selling Chrysler AG at a Bargain Price

Investors that are planning to purchase Chrysler are advised to become a marketing savvy and to prepare $7 billion as payment. It is true that the Chrysler deal looks better on paper due to the bargain that the buyer is getting.

The price tag of the Chrysler Group range from $5 billion to $7 billion which is rather far from the $36 billion valuation of the original merger---and just like what most analysts observed with the present price that DCX is selling Chrysler it is more of trying to pay its buyer so that it can once and for all get rid of its loss-making American arm without considering making a profit.

The new owner would also have to market its way out of one of the great automaker inventory gluts of all time comprising of surplus of steel that pushed Chrysler to the brink last year. Plus there are also other issues that new buyer would have to deal with like branding and positioning issues.

Chrysler---American arm of Daimler and manufacturer of top-of-the-line Jeep rims--- has not been able to clearly define and differentiate its brand trio something that experts question at last week’s New York Auto Show. They said that Chrysler has failed to do this. Vic Doolan, non-executive chairman of consultant Courland Automotive Practice said that the carmaker was overlapping Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep models that instead of them competing with other brands ended up competing with each other instead. Doolan also recommends for the automaker to build its global presence to reach fats-growing emerging markets such as China.

John Morel, director-product and market planning at American Suzuki Motors Corp. has also given Chrysler some advice. He said that before spending a great deal on marketing Chrysler needs to differentiate its brands since the company has too many similar products such as Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen.

Mr. Morel has observed that Chrysler has stretched its Jeep brand too far saying that the Commander is already hurting the sales of the Grand Cherokee while the Jeep Compass is competing with the Dodge Caliber which is not good.

Auto consultant Gordon Wangers has also given his own observation saying that Jeep’s crown jewel, the Grand Cherokee is being ignored by Chrysler. He also pointed out that the Dodge Ram needs also to be redone so it can effectively compete again as a key player in the full-size-pickup segment. The last time that the model has gotten a makeover was in the year 2001. And at present it is considered to be the oldest in Detroit.

Last week at DaimlerChrysler’s annual meeting, Chairman Dieter Zetsche has confirmed the company’s worst-kept secret: the automaker is in discussion with undisclosed parties to sell Chrysler.

From the time that Chairman Zetsche has announced that Chrysler is for sale reports on its possible buyers have been flooding the net and just recently the number of contenders have lowered down to two New York financial outfits namely the Blackstone Group and the private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, and the Canadian auto supplier Magna International Corporation. And just last week Kirk Kerkorian has also offered a $4.5 billion bid for Chrysler.

By Lisa Ziegler.