The massive influx of new and redesigned models to the
various Chrysler Group brands over the past year have allowed the smallest of
the Detroit Big 3 automakers to routinely lead the American auto industry in
growth.As the financial results for the
first quarter of 2012 have been tabulated, the impact of these incredible
current Chrysler Group lineup is evident as the company posted $473 million in
profit through the first three months of the year.
For comparison, the Chrysler Group showed a profit of $116
million through the first quarter of 2011 so for 2012, the company is rolling
along at a pace more than four times better than one year ago.This net profit was gained thanks to a 25%
increase in revenue with $16.4 billion pulled in during January, February and March.
Chrysler shipped 607,000 units to markets around the world
during 2012 Q1 (up 25% compared to Q1 2011) and sold 523,000 vehicles (up 33%),
with the difference between vehicles shipped and vehicles being sold coming due
to the vehicles that the Chrysler Group produces and ships for other
automakers.Vehicles like the Fiat
Freemont, which are based on the Dodge Durango, contribute to the vehicles
shipped figure but not the vehicles sold. We can expect to see this number grow depending on the success of
vehicles like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 – all of which are
sold overseas under different names (Lancia for the Chryslers, the Fiat Viaggio
for the Dart).
This positive financial position through the first 3 months
of 2012 has allowed the Chrysler Group to forecast a total profit of $1.2
billion in 2012 – compared to just $183 million profit in 2011.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
The massive influx of new and redesigned models to the