Chrysler Boasts Best Quarter In 13 Years

If you ask almost anyone about Chrysler, the likely answer is that people don’t think they’ll make it. Unfortunately, people have been saying that for a very long time – since the federal backed loans promised to them by President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Realistically, Chrysler has been kicked around by the public and the media for the past couple decades like a used soccer ball. It seems nobody has had faith in Chrysler to succeed, despite the fact that they were able to pay back their 1980 loan seven years ahead of schedule.

No doubt, turmoil plays a big part in their legacy, and “name dropping” has been part of their repertoire for decades. They acquired American Motors Corp in 1987 giving them the Jeep line (please, let’s not discuss Renault), and a year later in 1988 the AMC name was dropped. Eagle was formed that year and it only lasted about 10 years, and the Eagle name was dropped in 1998. Plymouth cars around the world were orphaned off in 2001, leaving the Prowler to be rebadged as a Chrysler. Just doesn’t sound right, does it? No worries, a year later it, too, was dropped.

Daimler AG brought some hope to the failing company in 1998, becoming Daimler-Chrysler. But nine years later the German manufacturer dropped Chrysler from their name and sold off 80.1% of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management LP at a substantial loss. They finally gave up their remaining 19.9% in late 2008.

As many people know, President George W. Bush agreed to bailout Chrysler to the tune of $4 billion in 2008. That bailout was extended for another $8.5 billion by President Barack Obama in 2009 after Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Chrysler has paid back about $11.2 billion of that money in the past three years.

$473 Million First Quarter for 2012
So how does Chrysler keep coming back from what everyone thinks will be the demise of the smallest of the big 3 US auto manufacturers? And on top of that, they have posted their best quarter in 13 years with a net profit of $473 million the first quarter of 2012, more than they made in 2011 altogether.

It appears that Ram Trucks, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200 sedans have been their tag team partners, as sales of these vehicles were up 39% the first quarter of 2012. Much like the professional wrestler who appears to be down for the count, Chrysler lifts a shoulder from the mat after the count of “two!” with their arm extended and index finger waving in the air as if to say, “Uh-ah. We aren’t giving up”.

Is this really going to be the second half, and will they come out ahead? It’s hard to tell at this point, but it does look good for the time being. Coincidentally, they’re doing that name dropping thing yet again. This time it’s another very familiar name: the Dodge Dart, which is expected on showroom floors very soon for the 2013 model year.

We’re not certain how well the Dart will do, Mopar fans really seem to be split between excitement and disappointment with the release of the new Dart. Excitement because Dodge is bringing back the Dart, Chrysler’s first new car since the Neon in 1995; disappointment because it reminds people about the original return of former muscle car names like the Challenger and Charger from 1978-83 and 1983-87, respectively, both short-lived. Many classic muscle car fans couldn’t fathom why a name that reminded gear heads of the horsepower era was given to cars that were anything but a muscle car. And now they’ve gone and done it again with the 2013 Dart.

Will the Dart eventually return as another RWD muscle car like we’ve seen happen with the Charger and Challenger in recent years, or will it get old before anyone can truly enjoy it? One can only hope to see a new HEMI Dart in our future, but it might just be wishful thinking. It still makes you wonder why, with the limitless names available for a new car, Chrysler chose to name it “Dart”. Of all the gin joints in this town….