I contacted the Detroit Free Press which covers the auto sector in Detroit extensively. Hopefully this will interest them enough to return contact me and I'll send them more info on the situation. I figure if they got my letter to Manley and they contact his office for comment that would make them aware of the situation.

Subject: This should go to whoever deals with Detroit auto related stories.

I am an 81 year old Vet who bought a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire, the Daimler-Chrysler "Halo" car that FCA now seems to disown. DC built about 75,000 of these cars in Germany 2004-2008 at the Karmann plant where MB SLKs were also built.

These cars are essentially Chrysler designed bodies on an MB SLK platform. Perhaps 90% of the parts are MB. Chrysler used an MB designed system for security, and so each car contains Siemens components that MB uses in many of their cars.

One of them is a SKREEM Ignition Immobilizer Module located behind the dashboard - a cig pack sized little beauty that is vehicle specific, meaning each one has to contain a code number issued by Chrysler for that particular vehicle. If this goes out, you need to get one from Chrysler with the correct code inserted, and they claim they have none and can't supply them. So Crossfire owners all over the world who have this problem are essentially left with two-seater flower pots - the cars cannot be started or driven. I have one and I'm tired of being given the run around by dealerships that are totally uninterested and unreturned letters and calls to FCA.

If the appropriate person will send me an email address I'll be happy to send my letter of last week to Michael Manley - CEO of FCA. I have not been able to use my car for many months, and there are lots of other Crossfire owners in the same position. We are being stuck with nice cars we like that can't be started, driven or sold. And no one seems to care.

What makes this situation so absurd is that this same part is sitting on the shelf at MB. Last contact they had 600 in stock, but Crossfire owners can't get one because their parts system won't recognize a Chrysler VIN, and they have no access to the Chrysler codes each one needs.

Additionally, when I went to three Chrysler stealerships they told me, IF they had the part which they claim they don't, it would cost $550-570 or more, must be paid in full in advance, and no ETA for when I get it. That irks me even more because MB only charges $270 for the same part. IF I had an MB SLK VIN I could buy one today, except for the fact it would not have the correct Chrysler code for my vehicle.

I'd like to email you a copy of my letter to Mr. Manley. I think that if this situation had been brought to Sergio's attention he would have told an aide "Remedythis and get back to me by Friday to let me know it's done and how you did it."

I hope someone at the Free Press will be able to help me (us) get this situation corrected. It would seem Chrysler wants satisfied customers, and should abhor bad publicity about Customer Care. I've tried their online channels and no reply. Maybe I need to trailer the car to Auburn Hills and chain it to a tree with a sign that says "FCA Screws Vets". Is that what it takes? I would think a little probing and a story would work better.

Thanks for your time reading this. I hope I'll hear back from someone so I can send them more info.