From Auto News:

Karmann set to double Chrysler Crossfire output if vehicle becomes hit


By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News

SAN DIEGO - The German coach builder that assembles the Chrysler group's Crossfire is prepared to double production of the sporty coupe if it is a big sales hit.

The two-seat, rear-wheel-drive 2004 Crossfire is produced by Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabruck, Germany, on the same assembly line that was used for the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK, which ended production in March. Crossfire sales begin this summer.

While Chrysler executives say the automaker is aiming for U.S. sales of approximately 20,000 units and another 2,500 in Europe, Karmann is prepared to produce :evil: 40,000 a year. The capacity exists because the redesigned 2004 CLK has been moved to another section of the plant.

 

 

This is REALLY bad news! It means pricing will come to invoice sooner rather than later, and the X-Fire will be as prevelant as the Z and G35--ouch.

I'm glad I got a good deal, but I bet if they ramp to 40K units it will be invoice (if you talk to the right person) next year.

Everyone who has not bought PLEASE take note--do NOT pay over MSRP. 40K units is as many as the Z and G35 COMBINED! Hey I love the X-Fire and think it's a BEAUTIFUL car--just would like to remain more "exclusive."

:roll:

 

I too hope that Chrysler will continue to limit production to 20K or allocate the excess to other parts of the world which are getting very limited numbers compared to the US.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions based on the article, Karmann has always indicated that they had capacity to spare, we willl know when the time comes.

 

I hope Chrysler watched and learned when the VW Bettle TANKED after over production last year. I was told that production would be kept at 20k or less a year. We can only hope that the xfire does not turn out to be a dime a dozen.

 

INteresting that GM cut both the Camaro and Firebird because they only sold about 35K units the last few years. 40K sounds like a lot but they would probably all go with no problem.

 

Notice the article says the capacity is there to do it...it doesn't say they WILL do it.Anyone who is in the manufacturing buisness of cars,machinery and other similar items....knows you have a reserve cushion to produce more if possible.Less if neccessary.You are in the buisness to make money...not lose it.

Look at the Thunderbird...it will be dead as of 2005/06 model year.Ford really bungled this because they said they would produce no more than a set amount per year regardless of sales conditions.As a result....the dealers continue to ask high prices and they can because of it's limited "instant classic" status...no one is buying and the T-bird is now dying.Ford simply has not recaptured any return on investment...buisnesses do not survive when they see no return on capital investments...such as the amount spent on developement,marketing research,assembly line updates and retraining to cover idiosyncracies of any new model.

So Daimler is actually playing it smart.Be ready if need be,but don't do it if you don't have too.Besides....if the Crossfire ends up somewhat rare....that's cool.It wil never truely be "exclusive".The bottom end of "exclusive" is the Viper...the top end....Ferrarri Enzo and Lamboghini Mucelinge.

Besides...if they lose money on the Crossfire...guess what????They will spread the losses across the board to cover thier investments.This means simply more expensive Caravan's,Neons,Pacificas,Rams....and Mercedes models....don't know if you've noticed,but Chrysler lots are piling up with vehicles currently....mainly because there product prices are higher than most of thier compeditors prices for equivilant models.They can't afford to have to mark up prices to compensate for a missed oppertunity.

InfernoRed

 

INferno:

Good points, I just hope that they do not pull a Thunderbird on the marketing and dealer greed that is setting in.

I agree there are "exclusive cars" but the Enzo is NO were near the same league as the Viper. There are only 399 Enzo's and they go for $650,000--that IS a bad to the bone (and expensive) car. Ferrari is my ultimate DREAM car.

My Crossfire that I'm picking up Sat will have to do until I can buy a Ferrari :lol:

 

I like to "travel back in time" now and then and read old posts. Boy, a lot can change in five+ years eh?

Can't wait til spring to bust my new XF out of storage, barely over 1000 miles on the odometer, that's not right!

 

Reading those posts from 2003 was bizarre.

 

8X076028 (almost the last one built)....<800 miles, Bright Silver-Auto-Nav Limited (N in tires)......$40,000 FIRM!!!

 

Fix the dent in Wilma and I'll give $41 K.

 

The dent will be fixed by Thursday evening, so the price will be $40,866......but for you ...a special discount ...$40K even.....I will pay shipping.

We can stop the depreciation right here and now! It's kinda like the stock market....if the last share sold went for $100 & you paid $50....now your share is technically worth $100. You can all save yourselves.....get together & pay me $40K for Wilma!!!

 

Good idea but have you thought about what the wife will have to say about this ?

 

Well, just like the stock market.....I'd wait for the prices to drop & buy another....Olathe Chrysler has already told me 20 for a coupe or 23 for a roadster. Then I could keep selling them to you guys for 40 & we could drive the resale up!!! I like this idea......maybe Obama should put me on his economic stimulus team!!

Yes-yes, with the 40 I could buy 2 more.....sell each of them for 40, buy 4 more, etc., etc. 8, 16, 32,.....within a month or two we could get all of the excess stock off the market & really drive resale up!

Wife likes this idea, she would lose Wilma....But, hey we all need to do our part for the economy.