Re: RE: Chrysler Kills M80

From: Gary Hedlin (ghedlin@theramp.net)
Date: Wed May 28 2003 - 03:16:33 EDT


I'm kinda neutral on the deal... I like it when companies innovate, but on
the other hand those who keep pushing out the same old thing year after year
tend to drive away customers. The winds of change are blowing, that's a
fact nobody can deny. Its almost like the DC higher ups are focusing more
and more on the full size truck and SUV market, setting the mid-size truck
market on their back burner. When will the bubble pop and people turn away
from SUV'S??? That's the question I have. With most every manufacturer
almost going full force in the SUV market, what are they going to do when
this fad dies out??

If you think the economy is bad now, probably by Christmas it will be worse.
When people can barely afford to fill their tanks now, when it gets worse
they'll be trading those SUV's in for more fuel efficient vehicles. The
manufacturers will be caught with their pants down when people want
efficient cars and all the plants are tooled out to make SUV's.

The "M80" platform used a hydraform chassis, which can be used in several
applications. I'd equate this to bread on a sandwich. You can make peanut
butter & jelly, ham & cheese, or whatever with the same pieces of bread.
Simply put, the M80 was not just a concept vehicle, it was a different way
of streamlining their different lines of vehicles.

In the article that the original post referred to, basically DC felt that
current economic conditions did not justify completing the new Windsor
plant. HOW STUPID ARE THESE PEOPLE?? In a deflationary period, you can buy
more with your money! So with all the capital DC has, why not build the
plant for less money now, rather than wait for an economic upswing and pay
more then??

The new hydroform chassis would allow a plant to completely change what
vehicle they built without spending a fortune retooling a plant. So when
the customer's buying habits change, the plant can change just as quickly.
Nevermind the ugly concept vehicle on the frame, its the chassis that made
it truly innovative

It was a good concept, and dropping it will bite them in the ass, I
guarantee it!

--
Gary Hedlin
President
Hedlin Web Designs
http://www.hedlin.net
""Jeff Durling"" <jdurling@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:000201c32454$0e0cd280$0b3d8c87@jeff...
>
> All I can say about that truck is this. When I went to the
> Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Palm Beach back in April Dodge was a big
> sponsor and had a complete display set up with what they usually have at
> the auto shows. The SRT-8 was there (man I want one) as well as the
> tomahawk (would never ride it) and several others including the M80. All
> I can say is it was much larger than I originally thought. For something
> that was supposed to be a compact pickup it was nearly the same size as
> the current dak. It was taller though. Either way it could be a
> disappointment and a relief depending on what you thought of the truck.
> I will say that it looked far better in person than in a picture. I
> actually liked it in person (could use a better looking front end) than
> what I saw in the pictures.
>
> Jeff Durling
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of RayB
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 12:47 AM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: DML: Chrysler Kills M80
>
>
> "DaimlerChrysler has shelved plans for a flashy new pickup truck aimed
> at
> primarily at first-time buyers under the age of 30. The M80 concept
> pickup
> was first unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in
> Detroit
> in January 2002 and got excellent reviews for its aggressive styling."
> http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6054
>
> Anyone *not* happy about this?? :-)
>
> RayB
> http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/20KM1FD2KWBP.html
>
>
>



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