My friend’s grandmother is a spouse of a deceased Chrysler employee (passed away 2 years ago). What will happen to the pension she receives? In what cases will it get cut or eliminated?

The Chrysler motor company was founded in 1925 by Mr Walter P Chrysler, the formation occurred when the Maxwell motor company was restructured into the Chrysler Corporation.

Walter Chrysler had been hired by the Maxwell Motor Company to sort out what was widely recognised as a company in crisis. Chrysler had a reputation as a no nonsense hard noised businessman which he earned when he turned around the fortunes of the severely ailing Willys car company.

Having firmly established himself in the hot seat at Chrysler, Walter Chrysler oversaw the production of the first automobile under the new Chrysler name. The new 6-cylinder Chrysler was generally well received by the press and public. The new Chrysler had been designed to give customers a well engineered car for a good price. It has been suggested by several people that many of the design elements of the new Chrysler had in fact been under development when Walter Chrysler was at the Willys car company. This suggestion has proved hard to substantiate.

Under the stewardship of Walter Chrysler the Chrysler motor company continued to innovate and to invest significant time and resources into research and development. This was an investment which paid off for Chrysler with the company becoming the second most prominent car company in the US market. Some of the many innovations of Chrysler included; the first mast produced four wheel drive hydraulic braking system, rubber engine mounts and a carburetor air filter.

Chryslers Dark Years the 1930s

During the 1930 Chrysler continued to innovate and actually produced the first range of cars widely available to the public constructed using the principles of air flow and aero dynamics. Chrysler even constructed the first wind tunnel in the automotive industry to do this, this required a significant investment. Sadly for Chrysler the investment although ground breaking failed to pay off. It appears the public were not keen on the new aero dynamic styling of the Chrysler and so turned away form the cars on mass. This significant reduction in revenues left the Chrysler Company unable to continue is investment in new technology at the same rate that it had previously, in fact it was sales of Dodge and Plymouth which kept the company going in the 1930s.

A Slow Recovery through the 1940s and 1950s

The disaster of the aero dynamic cars produced in the 1930s had a big effect on the overall psyche of Chrysler with the cars released in the 1940s and 50s distinctly conservative in design. Sales did grow in this period however as the company began to recover from the disastrous 1930s.

1960s Chrysler Returns to Innovation

Having made its recovery over the 1940s and 1950s Chrysler was now ready to start innovation again and the 60s kicked off with a significant innovation for Chrysler. In 1960 Chrysler became the first of the big three US automotive manufacturers to use Unibody construction. This construction technique, now a worldwide standard improved handling and safety during a crash. Throughout the 60s Chrysler increased its market share and continued to innovate producing the first car to use an alternator as standard. It has been pointed out by many automotive historians that while the Chrysler brand returned to the place of industry leading innovator during the sixties and its financial fortunes certainly improved, Chrysler had began to neglect the Dodge and Plymouth brands which had guided it through the treacherous decade of the 1930s.

This may seem like weird question but how does Chrysler make money off of this promotion. This seems like they will lose money by doing the $2.99 a gallon. I guess they think more people will buy their cars so they can make it by it or there may be a catch i just didn’t get. Can anyone help me?

There was a time when a Chrysler’s performance,quality and technology was unquestioned.Chrysler Corporation was one of the most successful carmakers in the world until the early 1990s.Gradually,competition grew tougher and Chrysler’s dominance over automobile industry faded.However,people still consider a Chrysler as the mark of class and luxury.Perhaps,this is the reason behind the large market for preowned Chrysler.

Chrysler’s inclination towards heavy fuel consuming vehicles put it on the back gear against increasing fuel prices and environmental awareness.Now there is a ray of hope with Chrysler’s completely new lot of fuel-efficient hybrid sedans and SUVs.Here are some quick notes on Chrysler’s latest performance oriented fuel-efficient cars.

2009 Chrysler 300

With the 2009 Chrysler 300 the carmaker has brought the new generation of Chrysler cars in the market.The new 300 gets an even more powerful V8.The big sedan shares structural similarities with Dodge Charger.All five trims of 300 ? LX, Touring, Limited,300C and 300C STR8 are available with rear wheel drive.While the basic LX has a 178Hp 2.7L V6 the moresophisticated version 2009 Chrysler 300C SRT8 gets a huge 425 Horse power thrust from a super 6.1L Hemi V8 engine.

Deploying the next generation interactive transfer case technology also gives 2009 Chrysler 300 an extra edge in the competitive market.The new technology,a part of BorgWarner’s Torque-on-Demand(R) product portfolio,optimizes the all-wheel drive performance.In addition to transfer case hardware,BrogWarner also provides the required software controls for vehicle’s level integration.Therefore,it is evident from the 2009 Chrysler 300 reviews that both auto experts and enthusiasts have reasons to see good marketing prospect for the new Chrysler 300.

2009 Chrysler Aspen

The new premium sports utility from Chrysler,Chrysler Aspen possesses topnotch comfort features,eye-catching design and innovative technology.Exuding opulence Aspen offers unique benefits as a full-size luxury SUV to its buyers.A HEMI V8 powered four-wheel drive Aspen can tow up to 8,700 pounds and offer 22mpg on average.

Inside,state-of-the-art comfort features includes air conditioning;flexible front and rear LED lamps;MyGIG Entertainment System with navigation;overhead console with HomeLink Universal Transceiver and Electronic Vehicle Information Center;floor console with power accessory outlet and driver’s seat with power memory and many more.

Aspen’s unmatched suspension setup using coil springs and a Watt’s Linkage fitted rear axle makes it durable and reliable off the road.Standard safety features are Chrysler’s exclusive with Trailer Sway Control,ParkSense

The 3.6 v6 in the Wrangler Unlimited is grossly underpowered. What is Chrysler planning on doing about this?

The United Auto Workers is studying a long list of proposals from a group of Chrysler workers in Toledo who are pushing for employee ownership of the ?for sale? automaker. 25 hourly workers who call themselves the ?Employee Buyout Committee? is proposing for workers to take 70 percent stake in Chrysler— producer of quality Chrysler mufflers — with DaimlerChrysler retaining the remaining stake.

According to Michele Mauder who works at Chrysler?s Toledo Supplier Park, where the Jeep Wrangler is manufactured and some Chrysler parts are produced like the Chrysler muffler — who is a member of the committee, the workers believe employee ownership us the best option for Chrysler?s 50,000 UAW workers. She added, “The bottom line is the corporation won’t take the hit, it’s the employees, the shareholders and the consumers. So we need to work as a team.”

Mauder also said that the employee buyout committee was notified by the UAW last month stating that its proposal is being evaluated by the union?s legal department. The proposal was brought up by a shareholder at DaimlerChrysler?s annual meeting last April 4 and last Tuesday, Mauder received written notification from DaimlerChrysler that the proposal is being studied by the German automaker.

Roger Kerson, UAW spokesman could not be located for comments late Thursday. On the other hand Mike Aberlich Chrysler spokesman was free to give a statement he said that the proposal from the employee group was sent to Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda and ?is expected to be reviewed by the company?s legal department.?

Mauder already expected for the proposal to be discussed at a DaimlerChrysler supervisory board meeting next week. Although she is aware that the proposal may prove to be a long shot for them but she said at least the workers tried. She further added, “Unless they come up with a better plan, this is it. It’s really in Daimler’s ball court now.” Maude noted that the Chrysler workers during the 80s owned shares in the company after the automaker turned to the federal government for loans to help it out of its financial crisis.

Employee ownership has already been employed in other struggling industries which include airlines, and steel but unfortunately not widely considered in the auto industry.

Mauder pleads the employees? case in a letter she addressed to Zetsche dated April 9 with their proposal attached. She wrote, “It appears the sale of Chrysler may not only affect our employees and retirees, but essentially could affect the entire automobile industry depending on who acquires our company. One never knows until one asks. By no means do we want to interfere with any potential sale of Chrysler. Mr. Zetsche, you have made the statement that all options are on the table. Our committee would hope that this option would be held in comparison to the other possible offers. Although the workers would prefer Chrysler remain with its parent company. If DaimlerChrysler is adamant to sell and (Canadian auto supplier) Magna (International Inc.) would be the leading contender, our committee would prefer the option of partnership with them versus a private equity firm. Magna, the Canadian operations, had an established employee equity and profit participation program.”

Currently DaimlerChrysler is already in negotiations with several potential buyers which includes two of the country?s largest private equity firms, Cerberus Capital Management LP and Blackstone Group, that is working with Centerbridge capital Partners. Also in the lineup is Magna, which is partnered with Onex Corp., a Canadian buyout firm.

There is also the American billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian who has submitted his $4.5 bid for Chrysler and offered an ownership stake in company for union.

Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda has declined to reveal any details on the ongoing negotiations. He said, “I’ll just say this. Discussions continue.” Kerkorian?s offer who has tried to takeover Chrysler in 1995 includes an equity stake for the UAW as well as for Chrysler management. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said that the private equity bidders for Chrysler have already talked to the union about the possibility of giving workers a stake in the automaker.

However Gettlefinger has reiterated time and again that he would still prefer for DaimlerChrysler to keep Chrysler and pledged to use his seat on the 20 member DaimlerChrysler supervisory board to counter any deal that would make Chrysler private. The supervisory board will meet next week in Germany. Other labor representatives on DaimlerChrysler?s board said that they would not support any bidder that plans to break up the company.

Mauder also stated that their proposal is based on a thorough researched which she with a team of experts on the subject have conducted from Kent State University. The group also hopes that local unions would also join them in their cause. They have also reached out to local UAW leaders in Detroit for support.

The members of the employee committee will join the 21st Annual Ohio Employee Ownership Conference today to further understand the business venture they are pushing for. Plus they also plan to create a web site where workers can correspond with each other about the idea of becoming owners of Chrysler. Labor expert Shaiken said that the worker?s stand over private equity purchasing Chrysler is ?quite justified?. “Essentially what they seem to be saying is they want to see a successful manufacturing company. The feeling of wanting Chrysler as a successful ongoing concern runs through the minds of almost all Chrysler workers and the paradox is you’ve got a lot of talent and experience in these factories,” he added.