Throughout its history Jeep has built unique vehicles with world-beating off-road ability, while the brand’s various corporate owners have suffered disastrous fates. Jeep has often found itself the only profitable division of an automaker on the ropes. Fiat or whichever other company might be tempted to acquire Jeep should consider that, next to the Hope Diamond or the Maltese Falcon, few enterprises have brought worse luck to their owners.

I’ve come to realize that Chrysler is essentially the “Keith Richards” of automakers. It once looked good, went platinum with their sales numbers, and had groupies galore. However, that was 30 years ago. After 30 years of sex (expanding the family to include Jeep), Drugs (gas guzzling), and rock and roll (blowing money they don’t have), everyone is left scratching their heads wondering just how they haven’t kicked the bucket yet.

Perhaps it sold so well because of the show that the vehicle put on as it was being driven on stage, with its siren startling those in attendance just a few minutes before its propane and oxygen powered "gun" caused a few hearts to skip a beat.

Chrysler LLC announced today that it will offer the new "Employee Pricing Plus Plus" program to all customers toward the purchase or lease of a new 2008 or 2009 Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle. In addition to the employee price, customers will be eligible for cash discounts of up to $3,500 for 2009 model year vehicles and up to $6,000 on 2008 model year vehicles. Chrysler Financial is also offering zero percent financing to qualified customers for up to 48 months. Other finance terms and rates are also available.


"Chrysler is offering America the same pricing our employees receive through the new 'Employee Pricing Plus Plus' program with great savings off the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price, plus cash discounts of up to $3,500 on 2009 models, plus zero percent financing through Chrysler Financial," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President – North American Sales, Marketing, Mopar Parts and Service. "With affordable financing available and some of the best pricing we have offered in recent months, this really is a great time to visit a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealer."


The "Employee Pricing Plus Plus" incentive program is available to all customers beginning on Mon., Jan. 26. Dodge Sprinter is not included in this program.

Hot on the heels of the Chrysler-Fiat alliance announcement comes word that Chrysler is considering a crash program to fast track the Fiat 500 for sale in the U.S. If Chrysler gives the project the green light, it would be here in "well under 18 months," a source says. Set aside Fiat Group's clinic to determine whether it should bring in the 500 or the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the plan is to get the 500 into Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers as soon as possible as a traffic-builder.

The alliance, to be a key element of Chrysler’s viability plan, would provide Chrysler with access to competitive, fuel-efficient vehicle platforms, powertrain, and components to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. Fiat would also provide distribution capabilities in key growth markets, as well as substantial cost savings opportunities. In addition, Fiat would provide management services supporting Chrysler’s submission of a viability plan to the U.S. Treasury as required. Fiat has been very successful in executing its own restructuring over the past several years. The alliance would also allow Fiat Group and Chrysler to take advantage of each other's distribution networks and to optimize fully their respective manufacturing footprint and global supplier base.

Chrysler LLC is exploring entering a new vehicle segment with a car-based "lifestyle" pickup as an alternative to slow-selling traditional compact trucks.

"What is needed is a lighter-duty, multipurpose vehicle from a lighter, more fuel-efficient car platform that allows the vehicle to be priced significantly different from what your full-size trucks are," Chrysler product development chief Frank Klegon said in an interview.

The revelation comes as General Motors Corp. is killing plans for a similar vehicle: the Pontiac G8 ST sport truck.

Automakers are looking at replacing small pickups with car-based crossovers sporting truck beds that they hope will be more appealing to consumers.

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Chrysler has not said if its vision falls in the El Camino category. Klegon described it as having unibody construction, front-wheel drive with all-wheel-drive capability, and likely powered by a direct-injection and turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Chrysler's "world engine" family made in Dundee.

He said elements can be found in a couple concepts shown in past years: the Jeep JT pickup and the Dodge M80 entry-level standard-cab pickup.

Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda said on Wednesday that the No. 3 U.S. automaker would not sell an individual brand like Jeep, but would pursue deals to sell off tooling for models going out of production, or even licensing production of current models.

LaSorda, who was speaking to reporters on a conference call, was responding to a Reuters report from Tuesday that cited people with knowledge of the discussions as saying that Chrysler had been in talks to sell assets to Renault-Nissan and auto parts supplier Magna International.

"This company is going to be around," LaSorda said. "We are not going under."