Would you take a job with Chrysler?

[jdcpa]

Hopefully you can get a sweet stock bonus plan!

Though I digress. I think as all the posts have mentioned, you really have to think twice before joining a company that has had a tumultuous history and dim outlook.

I can see wanting to leave govt sector for something more exciting and edgy...but Chrysler but be a little too on the edge.

good luck.

 

[A.K.A.]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Maybe in a global sense, but there is no long-term future for chrysler imo.

Interesting thought, but I don't see Chrysler going out of business, especially with the cash backing from Fiat. Every automobile manufacturer wants a piece of the US market. Fiat failed miserably here in the late 70s or early 80s, when practically all cars afforded by the middle class were absolute schite. If Chrysler continues to make good large cars such as the 300C and the Charger, in addition to the large SUVs that most US citizens prefer, then Chrysler has a good chance at survival. They won't make it if they have to rely solely on the little shitboxes in their offering or in Fiat's.

If you hate your job, then it is time to move on. Get on the entrepreneural side of business and get off sucking at the government teat. You just might go places.

 

[Mildly Consumptive]

Originally Posted by A.K.A.

Interesting thought, but I don't see Chrysler going out of business, especially with the cash backing from Fiat.

Fiat has not backed Chrysler with any cash. All the cash came from the government. Fiat was given 30% of Chrysler's stock for no money. Just technology transfer. I think you get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by A.K.A.

If Chrysler continues to make good large cars such as the 300C and the Charger, in addition to the large SUVs that most US citizens prefer, then Chrysler has a good chance at survival.

The 300 is good? Having sat in one once on a cab-ride, I can tell you it has the single cheapest interior of any car sold in north america. A 2004 Hyundai is luxurious by comparison.

Originally Posted by A.K.A.

They won't make it if they have to rely solely on the little shitboxes in their offering or in Fiat's.


Though Chrysler makes plenty of shitboxes, none of them are little. They currently don't offer a compact or sub-compact model. Some people say this is part of the reason they went out of business (temporarily).

 

[thekunk07]

how is that not like our gov't?

Originally Posted by EL72

+1. I'd stick to the gov unless you really hate the environment. Why go work for a dying company in a industry that is undergoing serious restructuring and turmoil if it's a lateral move? Makes no sense to me but I'm not you. I can't believe benefits are better at Chrysler and gov't pensions are gold-plated suckers - no one can beat them.

Also, if you have to relocate from TO to Windor, I would never consider it.

 

[A.K.A.]

Originally Posted by Mildly Consumptive

The 300 is good? Having sat in one once on a cab-ride, I can tell you it has the single cheapest interior of any car sold in north america. A 2004 Hyundai is luxurious by comparison.

I had one as a rental for a few days. Drove it from Baltimore down through Charlottesville and over to Richmond, VA. It was fine. I didn't find anything objectionable about the interior. IMHO it was better than a Hyundai, and I have driven my share of those, too.

As for compacts and subcompacts, no US manufacturer is competitive in those classes of cars. Big sedans, SUVs, and trucks are where American automobile manufacturers excel. They are very profitable in those segments.

It is easy to be a Chrysler hater, but if you take the blinders off then you can see that their brief coupling with Mercedes improved their product line.

 

[GQgeek]

^^not true. Ford makes good compacts in Europe. They just don't do it in the US, nor are they allowed to import them due to union contracts.

 

[A.K.A.]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

^^not true. Ford makes good compacts in Europe. They just don't do it in the US, nor are they allowed to import them due to union contracts.

You are correct. I meant in the US market. I think the reason we don't see those cars here has much to do with federalizing those models. If it is truly the auto union that keeps those cars out, then the US auto manufacturers are doomed to fail due to the protectionist powers of the Union. Generally the big three thinks that the US market is not as sophisticated when it comes to the compact car. The Ford Focus of Europe is a monster of a small car; however, to bring that model to the US market, they would have to charge BMW 3 series prices. No one will pay that for a small Ford.

GM was just starting to get it together with Opel to bring some better small cars to the US, but then everything went to hell.

Still, the OP wonders about whether or not taking a job with Chrysler is a worhtwhile risk. The US and Canadian markets are inextricably linked. We have similar offereings from the big three. Sadly in the current mess Chrysler's sales are off more than any of the other car companies.

The auto industry is tough; however, if one is young and feels stuck in a safe/stable government job then jumping into the fire of business is a balsy move. Who knows if Chrysler will go **** up? I think it is less likely, but that is my opinion.

 

[forsbergacct2000]

I would go to Chrysler only if I did not have full-time employment with benefits someplace else.

Going there would be a really risky move.