Chrysler shuts down all production - :0

[thresher]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/autos/chrysler_shutdown/
I came home to this headline and I was shocked! I mean, I know most manufacturers close down for two weeks sometime around the end of the year anyway but this is crazy. Is this the beginning of the end for America's automakers?

[Jeffbx]

I hear that talks of a GM/Chrysler merger are happening again

[cheapie]

meh. doesn't sound terrible. good way help clear the system of some inventory and save a bunch of cash all at once. i wonder if the credit crunch is really the culprit or it people are just not buying cars at all.

[Jihforce]

meh. doesn't sound terrible. good way help clear the system of some inventory and save a bunch of cash all at once. i wonder if the credit crunch is really the culprit or it people are just not buying cars at all.
I think the financing is there, but most people aren't buying because they losing their homes and losing their jobs. I think Chrysler shutting down for a month isn't a bad idea. Their production far exceeds the demand for their vehicles right now.

[mechmike0034]

I am told that Chrysler has a ~150 day supply of unsold vehicles right now. Extending their holiday shutdown is a logical move at this point. Other manufacturers are doing this (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/12/mercedesbenz_extends_shutdown.html) as well.

[guiseppewv]

I think their decision was a good one. They have too much product on hand, as does just about every auto manufacturer, and they need to reduce inventory. If you can't sell more cars to reduce inventory then cut production. Shutting down the production line will save them money on labor and utilities. While the line is down. they would be smart to do some preventative maintenance or some "upgrades" that they have been wanting to do.

[ArkiStan]

are there any ridiculous markdowns nowadays on surplus cars?

[Yossarian]

i think people loosing their jobs, or the threat of a lost job is whats prompting these shut downs. people just don' wnat the extra $300+ a month bill with the possibility of a lost job

[renovation]

i think it wont be long that car companys will go back to the way it use to be. you go to a dealer tell them what you want. they order you the car in the color and model trim. 2-3 weeks later you get a call your car has arrived. with them taking the bail out funds this may have to be done . they still produce the amounts they need to keep the plants open . just dealer lots wont have drive out units avail.or you have to take diffrent trim level to get the color you want. should you want a new car that same day you walk into a dealer. also new car auto loans will become harder as they are now to get approved on. you'll be seeing less auto dealers and smaller dealer lots. the mega dealer lots of one brand of car will vanish to. you have one dealer selling all of GM's car lines not just lets say chevy . or a chrysler dealer selling jeeps. and ford dealers selling mercurys,fords ,lincoln's all under one roof.