Chrysler Int値. To Turn Profit:
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Chrysler Int値. To Turn Profit:
Chrysler Int値. To Turn Profit
For the first time ever, Chrysler will make money outside of North America.
by Joseph Szczesny
The Chrysler Group is feeling the wind at its back these days as its new products such as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum continue to pick up honors - and sales.
Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group chief executive, said last week the Group's international operations, which are based on the sales of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products outside North America, will turn a profit this year for the first time in the history of the company, which dates back to the mid-1920s. The Chrysler Group's international operations are aiming for even more growth in the future, Zetsche said in a speech to the Michigan Chapter of the German-American Chamber of Commerce.
The Chrysler Group now sells vehicles in more than 125 countries around the world, noted Zetsche, who has quietly beefed up the Group's international sales effort during his four years at the helm.
"Although we're not a major player in any of those markets, in 2004 our goal is to sell over 170,000 vehicles outside of North America and turn a profit in international markets for the first time," he said. "Between 2003 and 2007, we will more than double the number of Chrysler Group models in markets outside North America, increasing the current number of available models to more than 18," he added.
Zetsche also said the Chrysler Group's export offensive will include doubling the number of right-hand-drive vehicles available for sale in places such as Great Britain and equipping more vehicles with diesel engines, which are popular with European buyers.
Chrysler also has introduced the Dodge brand in Europe this year for the first time. Dodge brand will be represented by the "affordable and powerful Dodge Viper sports car," Zetsche said.
"International demand for the Chrysler 300C and 300C Touring is already outstripping our planned volumes, with demand outpacing supply more than 30 percent for this year alone," he said.
In addition, the 300C has caught the eye of the European buff books, Zetsche said. "These cars are hits all over the world," he added.
Zetsche confirmed that Magna Steyr will make room for the Chrysler 300C sedan and wagon at the contract assembly plant it operates in Graz, Austria.
After the speech, Zetsche said while Chrysler's international sales are up only 4 percent, they are profitable on a fully accounted basis and haven't been bolstered by hidden subsidies.
Lori McTavish, spokeswoman for Chrysler's international division, said the group's focus is on sustaining profitability. "We know we're not going to be a mainstream player in many of these markets, but we are looking for growth opportunities," she said.
Other domestic carmakers also are looking abroad for new sales and additional prestige. Ford recently announced plans to export the Ford Escape Hybrid to China and James Taylor, general manager of the General Motors' Cadillac Group, said last week that GM will begin to export the new Cadillac STS to Europe in the first quarter of 2005.
In addition, Cadillac is continuing to add to its dealer network in large cities in Western Europe, added Taylor , who noted the recent decline in the U.S. dollar has helped make American-made vehicles more attractive to European buyers.
Meanwhile, the Chrysler Group's product offensive continues to win new awards.
The editors of Popular Science magazine this week named the 2004 Dodge Magnum as the Grand Award winner in the Cars Category for magazine's annual "Best of What's New" competition.
In addition, the stow-and-go seating and storage system featured in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans was named "Best of What's New" in the Auto Tech Category. The innovative technology allows both the second- and third-row seats to be easily folded flat into the floor.
To win a "Best of What's New" award, a product or technology must represent a significant leap in its category, Popular Science editors said.
Zetsche also said the unfolding success of the product offensive has enabled the company to gain market share, lower what it spends on incentives and post a $1.3 billion profit for the first three quarters of 2004.
TheCarConnection.com
redriderbob
For the first time ever, Chrysler will make money outside of North America.
by Joseph Szczesny
The Chrysler Group is feeling the wind at its back these days as its new products such as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum continue to pick up honors - and sales.
Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group chief executive, said last week the Group's international operations, which are based on the sales of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products outside North America, will turn a profit this year for the first time in the history of the company, which dates back to the mid-1920s. The Chrysler Group's international operations are aiming for even more growth in the future, Zetsche said in a speech to the Michigan Chapter of the German-American Chamber of Commerce.
The Chrysler Group now sells vehicles in more than 125 countries around the world, noted Zetsche, who has quietly beefed up the Group's international sales effort during his four years at the helm.
"Although we're not a major player in any of those markets, in 2004 our goal is to sell over 170,000 vehicles outside of North America and turn a profit in international markets for the first time," he said. "Between 2003 and 2007, we will more than double the number of Chrysler Group models in markets outside North America, increasing the current number of available models to more than 18," he added.
Zetsche also said the Chrysler Group's export offensive will include doubling the number of right-hand-drive vehicles available for sale in places such as Great Britain and equipping more vehicles with diesel engines, which are popular with European buyers.
Chrysler also has introduced the Dodge brand in Europe this year for the first time. Dodge brand will be represented by the "affordable and powerful Dodge Viper sports car," Zetsche said.
"International demand for the Chrysler 300C and 300C Touring is already outstripping our planned volumes, with demand outpacing supply more than 30 percent for this year alone," he said.
In addition, the 300C has caught the eye of the European buff books, Zetsche said. "These cars are hits all over the world," he added.
Zetsche confirmed that Magna Steyr will make room for the Chrysler 300C sedan and wagon at the contract assembly plant it operates in Graz, Austria.
After the speech, Zetsche said while Chrysler's international sales are up only 4 percent, they are profitable on a fully accounted basis and haven't been bolstered by hidden subsidies.
Lori McTavish, spokeswoman for Chrysler's international division, said the group's focus is on sustaining profitability. "We know we're not going to be a mainstream player in many of these markets, but we are looking for growth opportunities," she said.
Other domestic carmakers also are looking abroad for new sales and additional prestige. Ford recently announced plans to export the Ford Escape Hybrid to China and James Taylor, general manager of the General Motors' Cadillac Group, said last week that GM will begin to export the new Cadillac STS to Europe in the first quarter of 2005.
In addition, Cadillac is continuing to add to its dealer network in large cities in Western Europe, added Taylor , who noted the recent decline in the U.S. dollar has helped make American-made vehicles more attractive to European buyers.
Meanwhile, the Chrysler Group's product offensive continues to win new awards.
The editors of Popular Science magazine this week named the 2004 Dodge Magnum as the Grand Award winner in the Cars Category for magazine's annual "Best of What's New" competition.
In addition, the stow-and-go seating and storage system featured in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans was named "Best of What's New" in the Auto Tech Category. The innovative technology allows both the second- and third-row seats to be easily folded flat into the floor.
To win a "Best of What's New" award, a product or technology must represent a significant leap in its category, Popular Science editors said.
Zetsche also said the unfolding success of the product offensive has enabled the company to gain market share, lower what it spends on incentives and post a $1.3 billion profit for the first three quarters of 2004.
TheCarConnection.com
redriderbob