Chrysler Seeks Lift From New Dodge Pickup - WSJ Has Text, TACH Has Video

2009 Dodge Ram Reveal - 2008 Detroit Auto Show

• SEE ALSO: COMPLETE VIDEO: 2009 Dodge Ram Reveal at Detroit Auto Show
• SEE ALSO: COMPLETE VIDEO: Chrysler Strategy - Jim Press at WAJ
• SEE ALSO: Dodge Ram Specs, Pictures and Prices Dodge Buyers Guide

Detroit September 11, 2008; in the story published on page B3 in the Marketplace Section of today’s Wall Street Journal, they reported that in a speech yesterday given by Jim Press Chrysler's Vice-Chairman during an APA luncheon held at the Detroit Athletic Club, that Chrysler is counting on its newly redesigned Dodge Ram pickup models to help turn Chrysler around.

You can see a video of Mr. Press' presentation which was also given last week at the WAJ meeting in San Francisco (see above).

In that presentation Mr. Press also spoke of the wake-up "Reality" of working at a stand-alone private company and how it has affected decisions and decision making at Chrysler.

Instead of, as tradition dictated, focusing on gross sales numbers and share, the New Chrysler and its owner managers have had to focus on making the profit to generate the capital it will need to make the company viable into the future.

Instead of historically forcing sales of 4 million units, at a loss, Chrysler has pared back expenses and fixed overhead necessary to build that many vehicles to a more manageable and hopefully profitable 2.5 million vehicles.

Mr. Press formerly President of Toyota USA said he was pleased to be involved where he could now make a real difference, and said that because of technology and union co-operation he sees a real potential and upside in Detroit as a world leader in car manufacturing and advanced sustainable technology development. He did warn however that even when we are no longer under the yoke of the oil monopolists, unless the U.S. becomes a leading manufacturer of batteries for the Electric car future, that we could become once again be held hostage by foreign governments and entities.