Auto news blog 09/15/07

No Axe Man: Nardelli

"Clearly Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep are all very, very valuable brands.
I think we have to look very hard at some of the product within those brands." -- Bob Nardelli, chairman / CEO, Chrysler LLC

Nardelli could, I'd say should, cut some weak products in Chrysler's restructuring.

Cerberus Capital Management, Chrysler's majority owner, is proving its commitment to the "new" Chrysler. New executive talent signing on had to be hearing that the company will not be chop-shopped by Wall Street.

Industry standouts hired include Toyota president Jim Press, and former GM China boss Phil Murtaugh.

Chrysler held separate contract negotiations with the United Auto workers Union from GM and Ford. A new 4-year contract seems to have workers happy.

Chrysler is crafting 10-year product development plan, longer than the industry standard 5-year cycle.

No longer a publicly traded company, Chrysler has no obligation to report financial information, signs of success or failure will be more difficult to discern.