Is Chrysler's bankruptcy good news for Japan?

Monday 04th May, 03:00 AM JST

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Beelzebub at 09:48 AM JST - 5th May

It is just like Japanese car brands back in the 80s and early 90s in the US. They were rare. The Japanese adapted designs to the US market and look at where they are now.

Er, Tatsumaru, your remark is off by more than a decade. Japanese compact cars and mini-pickup trucks were already being sold in the US in the 60s and their demand underwent a quantum leap after the 1973 mideast war.
earthcreature at 06:38 PM JST - 5th May

I think it is good news.... I mean less competition is always good.... But then again who was buying a Chrysler anyways??? They are the biggest joke on the auto industry ever!!! haahhaahah Chrysler and there so called "Luxury cars" were more like... buy another one in 6 months, they are most known for bad engines, bad transmissions and horrible designs!! hahahahah and they are pricy too! I've worked for a "parts provider" Custom Injection Molding company for the past few years... and the best business is Non-automotive. The car companies in general are a pain to work with...
USNinJapan2 at 07:56 PM JST - 5th May

earthcreature

But then again who was buying a Chrysler anyways???

Uh, I don't know, maybe like the millions in the US and around the world (even here in Japan) driving Jeep vehicles, Dodges, Plymouths and yes even Chryslers? Just out of the people I know personally I can think of a dozen or so that drive a Chrysler product...
earthcreature at 08:34 PM JST - 5th May

USNinJapan2,

If there are millions of customers... why is it in a DEBT!! hahahahah, the company had some bad management and bad cars came out as a result, I don't know any one with a "NEW" Chrysler. The last one bought was in 2001, or around that year. My brother had a Jeep that he had to replace the transmission twice within a year, and he ended up selling it hahahah.
Sarge at 08:44 PM JST - 5th May

DX - I never said you'd pay the same for your GM car in Japan as you would stateside.
USNinJapan2 at 10:38 PM JST - 5th May

earthcreature

If there are millions of customers... why is it in a DEBT!!

So according to your logic, if there really are that many Chrysler vehicles being bought it isn't possible for the company to become bankrupt? You're entitled to your unfavorable opinion of Chrysler vehicles, I myself am no fan of them, and I don't doubt that you and your brother have had sour experiences with Chrysler products, but you asked, perhaps rhetorically,

But then again who was buying a Chrysler anyways???

and the answer is 1,453,122 people, just in the US in 2008 alone. You're right about Chrysler's terrible business practices but to say that their vehicles are so bad that NO ONE buys them is being simplistic and obtuse.

I don't know any one with a "NEW" Chrysler.

You may live secluded in the mountains, you may not have many friends, who knows, but there indeed are plenty of people buying new Chrysler cars whether you know them personally or not.
usaexpat at 10:51 PM JST - 5th May

The bankruptcy of Chrysler probably poses more problems for Japanese companies because of their tie-up with Fiat. In essence their car line will grow and they will be a larger company. If the products are good it means Japanese makers will face more competition in the US.
Farmboy at 11:28 AM JST - 6th May

I agree with usaexpat. Fiat is going to use the Chrysler network of dealers in the US to market its product and is working on other deals as well. They will probably market the Indian minicars as well, which I personally think will be cheap and competitive.
saruzenki at 04:30 PM JST - 6th May

"They will probably market the Indian minicars as well, which I personally think will be cheap and competitive."

But aren't "electric" ! Again, let me repeat... the gasoline powered automobile industry is D-E-A-D ! The big three are gearing up for a future of electrics and hybrids, subsequently moving the US away from foreign oil dependancy... EXCELLENT !
dontpanic at 07:08 PM JST - 6th May

Saruzenki - Tata intend to market an electric version of the Nano.

Your national pride is laudible but illinformed. There are few global makers that dont have electric vehicles either in test or penned. Its debatable that the US has any lead in electric vehicle technology and no-one has all the answers yet.

Should Chrysler go down (hopefully unlikely now) there would be a huge impact on the many Japanese companies that supply it. In the short term that would be no consolation for the remaining suppliers as the whole point of the collapse is there's little market anywhere right now to sell cars or parts to.
saruzenki at 07:41 PM JST - 6th May

Gee don'tpanic the way you fired out of the gate I thought maybe you had some professional insight... but when all is said and done all you can muster is...

"Its debatable that the US has any lead in electric vehicle technology and no-one has all the answers yet."

I for one completely disagree, and the time lines provided by US auto makers add more proof that they are more than prepared to "hit the roads" ! Make no mistake, the US will control this new market for years to come, thats why the US government is so interested in gettings its paws into it... they've seen the projections and have listened to the strategies for success. Lets hope you don't let your "national pride", whatever it may be, keep you from missing out on the newest and biggest market since the P.C. !
dontpanic at 10:24 PM JST - 6th May

I can provide a little professional insight. Timelines within the industry are such that it takes years to design, test, revise and then market any new car and more especially the revolution you espouse. My feeling is that if the US makers are ready to go to market why have we seen so little product and why is the US government looking so closely before providing its citizens hard earned cash?

Unless your hopes are pinned on the GM Volt, but if you knew anything about the market you would know its no revolution. Blind faith is no substitute for pragmatism.
saruzenki at 10:47 PM JST - 6th May

Ummm, don't panic... you worry me !

"My feeling is that if the US makers are ready to go to market why have we seen so little product"

Huh ? Where have you been for the past two years, in a cave ? Cripes just wiki up "electric cars" and prepare yerself for dozens of makes and models by the big three !

"and why is the US government looking so closely before providing its citizens hard earned cash?"

Because it's part of "the show" ! Like I've said before, this has been in the works for years, ever since 9-11. Before the US government pays for these auto companies to shift over to electric hybrids, they better sell the whole program to the American people. This is showtime folks, plain and simple ! Quote me now... "nothing in America changes without a crisis... even if you have to create it" !
dontpanic at 11:26 PM JST - 6th May

Oh well if Wikipedia's your source and the governments engaged in machinations as part of "the show" then Im convinced.
888naff at 05:49 PM JST - 7th May

their "cars" wont be missed in japan so not really a bad thing for japan