truth about domestics

It sure is great to see the Domestic automakers helping out the relief efforts in Haiti.  First GM donates a Corvette for auction and now this!  A Chrysler 300C signed by 300 celebrites!  Now where are those Japanese automakers who make all those cars here but pay their workers less?  Hmmm…that’s odd…haven’t heard anything about them yet…

GM has announced that they are donating $100,000 dollars to the relief efforts in Haiti.  This following the announcement by Chrysler that they will be donating a 300C signed by 300 A-list celebrities like Tom Hanks and Merryl Streep.  The car will be auctioned off at Barret-Jackson, along with the car pictured above.  General Motors has decided to auction off a Special Edition 2008 Z06.  The car is the 427th and final model in the special edition series.  For more details and pictures, head on over to Autoblog.

What I would like to know is where the Japanese and European companies are with their support?  Why does the US have to contribute everything to the Haiti relief effort?

(Image source: GM)

If you watch closely in this video, you can see on the large video screens what looks like the next Chrysler 300.  It is quite a sharp looking car, for the brief few seconds you get to see it.

Since Chrysler doesn’t really have anything new coming out for awhile, they have decided to release a bunch of special edition models, such as the 300C S8 you see above.  The mods are purely visual, so don’t get too excited, unless that sort of thing is your…thing.  For more details on this model and others, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Chrysler hasn’t had much luck selling it’s Sebring and Dodge Avenger platform mates, just 133,626 sold last year compared to the 436,617 for the Toyota Camry.  However, there is hope for Chrysler’s C/D segment.  The 200C concept car was shown last year on a shortened version of the LX platform that underpins the larger 300C.  This could mean a Sebring/Avenger replacement that is rear wheel drive!

So what do you think?  Should Chrysler make the push for rear wheel drive?  I personally think it would be a great idea.  Rear wheel drive cars are more sporting when pushed hard, they have a more aggressive stance from a styling perspective, and it would give Chrysler something unique to offer in the marketplace.  No other automaker will have a rear wheel drive based portfolio (other than the Germans.)  Here’s to hoping that they follow through on this one and hit it out of the park!  For more, head on over to Autoblog.

According to an article in the Financial Post Alfa Romeo will build its upcoming 169 sports sedan at Chrysler LLC’s Brampton, Ontario assembly plant.  It would be the first time a high-end European car will be made in Canada, something both Chrysler/Fiat and the CAW have to be proud of.

While not a volume model (sales rates estimated at 10,000 maximum annually) the car will be important to both companies, as it will help out with cost sharing for Chrysler models, and increase the productivity at the plant.  Hopefully the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat produces more sporty, rear-wheel drive vehicles such as this one.