| Chrysler was once admired for its toughness | | | | backlash," Appel added. |
| even at a point where the atmosphere is | | | | Chrysler President and CEO Tom LaSorda said |
| attracting slumping sales and massive losses. | | | | that the company intends to become more |
| Nonetheless, according to some analysts, it seems | | | | competitive internationally with a portfolio of |
| that Chrysler has lost its protective cloak and | | | | smaller cars. "We're addressing those issues and |
| eventually been inflicted with the so-called 'Detroit | | | | moving our product portfolio to a mix that's more |
| disease'. | | | | in line with the recent realities and market trends," |
| Automotive reports are showing that Chrysler will | | | | LaSorda elaborated. |
| lose $1.5 billion in the third quarter, about more | | | | "But while new products are important, Chrysler, |
| than twice what it had expected beforehand. This | | | | like Ford and GM, needs to do a better job of |
| loss is brought about by the slow sales of | | | | managing its car and truck inventories with flexible |
| gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. | | | | manufacturing processes like those used by Asian |
| According to Tom Appel, editor of Consumer | | | | manufacturers," said Kevin Reale, research |
| Guide Automotive, "The company has been hit | | | | director for AMR Research. |
| especially hard by the public's growing desire for | | | | Analysts are also saying that Chrysler lineup has |
| smaller, fuel-efficient cars. But the issue may be | | | | other problems. One problem is its limited offer in |
| more one of a perception than a reality." | | | | the midsize SUV market. On one hand, the sales |
| "I think Chrysler's being hurt by a general | | | | of Dodge Durango have dropped off abruptly. To |
| impression that its large and hitherto well-received | | | | circumvent the decline in sales, the automaker is |
| cars like the Chrysler 300 and the Charger are | | | | modifying the Chrysler auto parts to set forth a |
| not very fuel-efficient, and so there's a bit of a | | | | striking lineup. |