Automotive News - October 13, 2008 - (Page 60) 60 • OCTOBER 13, 2008 Chrysler gearbox plan hit by credit crunch David Barkholz and Robert Sherefkin dbarkholz@crain.com SUBARU Customer Incentives , Incentives in this table are a summary of retail programs offered.Programs may vary by region and model. Cash rebate Finance rate Cash rebate Finance rate Cash rebate Finance rate BMW Expires Oct. 31. 2009 models 5 series 3 series 2008 models M3, X5 3 series, M5, M6 1 series, 5 series, 6 series 7 series, X3, Z4, Z4 M – 2.9% – 2.9-3.9% 0.9-1.9% 0.9-4.9% 2.9% 3.9% DETROIT — Chrysler LLC’s plans to use fuel-saving dual-clutch transmissions in its vehicles are in jeopardy because of the credit crunch. Chrysler has sued Getrag Transmission Manufacturing LLC, alleging that the German supplier failed to raise up to $300 million in debt financing necessary to build and equip a Tipton County, Ind., plant that was to build the advanced gearboxes. The plant was supposed to open in the fall of 2009. Getrag was expected to be Chrysler’s sole source of dual-clutch transmissions in the United States. The dispute puts the project in question, said Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff. A Getrag spokeswoman declined to comment. A dual-clutch transmission saves fuel because it has two clutch sets inside the transmission that allow faster shifts. The gearbox also offers an automatic-shifting option. Chrysler uses Getrag dual-clutch transmissions made in Germany on the European version of its Dodge Journey crossover. The automaker also plans to use the transmissions in Europe on the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans. Chrysler has not disclosed which U.S. vehicles would get the gearboxes. Under the partnership, Chrysler had agreed to be the main customer for the 700,000 transmissions built annually at the plant. The plant’s total cost originally was estimated at about $530 million. About 1,200 Chrysler employees were to staff the plant. The complaint says Chrysler had agreed to a price increase on the transmissions to get Getrag to sign a definitive agreement for the project. Getrag had balked at the agreement and briefly stopped work at the construction site in December 2007, the lawsuit says. Chrysler alleges that Getrag had assured Chrysler that it could raise the debt financing but did not make a good-faith effort to get the money. The lawsuit indicates that Getrag had sought to line up the money from German banks, as long as the German government guaranteed the debt. Chrysler argues that it should have been informed of that condition before signing the definitive agreement. The lawsuit says the German government would only guarantee the debt if Chrysler set up a $300 million escrow account to assure repayment. c CHRYSLER LLC Expires Oct. 31. In lieu of rebates, cut-rate financing is available. 2009 models Chrysler 300 $500-$1,500 – Town & Country $750-$1,000 – Aspen, Sebring $500-$1,000 – PT Cruiser $500 – Dodge Grand Caravan $750-$1,000 – Durango $1,000 – Charger, Ram 1500, Caliber, Avenger $500-$1,000 – Journey, Nitro, Dakota $750 – Jeep Grand Cherokee, Patriot $500-$1,500 – Commander $0-$1,000 – Compass, Liberty, Wrangler $500 – 2008 models Chrysler 300C $5,250-$6,000 0-7.9% 300 (excl. SRT8 and C) $2,750-$5,000 0-7.9% Sebring $1,000-$5,000 0-7.9% Aspen $4,000-$4,500 0-7.9% Pacifica $2,000-$4,000 0-7.9% PT Cruiser (excl. convertible) $0-$3,500 0-7.9% Town & Country $2,500-$3,500 0-7.9% PT Cruiser convertible $1,000 0-7.9% Dodge Ram 1500 $5,000-$6,000 0-5.9% Magnum, Durango $4,000-$5,000 0-7.9% Charger $2,500-$5,000 0-7.9% Ram 2500/3500 $4,500 0-7.9% Grand Caravan $2,500-$3,500 0-7.9% Dakota $2,000-$3,000 0-7.9% Avenger, Nitro $1,500-$3,000 0-7.9% Caliber $750-$2,000 0-7.9% Jeep Grand Cherokee $3,500-$5,500 0-7.9% Commander $4,250-$4,500 0-7.9% Liberty, Patriot $2,000-$2,500 0-7.9% Wrangler $1,000-$1,500 0-7.9% Compass $750-$1,000 0-7.9% G5, Solstice, Vibe, Torrent $500 G8 – Saturn Aura $500-$1,000 Outlook, Sky, Vue $500 2008 models Buick Enclave, Lucerne, LaCrosse – Cadillac DTS, XLR $4,000 STS $3,500 Escalade, SRX $3,000 CTS Chevrolet Express cargo $1,500-$2,000 Express $1,500 Avalanche, Aveo, Cobalt, Colorado, Corvette, Equinox, HHR, Impala, Malibu, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD/3500HD, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer, Uplander – GMC Savana cargo $1,500-$2,000 Savana $1,500 Acadia, Canyon, Envoy, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500HD/3500HD, Yukon, Yukon XL – Yukon Hybrid – Hummer H2, H2 SUT $7,000 H3 $5,000 Pontiac G5, G6, G8, Grand Prix, Solstice, Torrent, Vibe – Saab 9-7X $4,500 9-5 $3,500 9-3 $3,000 Saturn Aura, Outlook, Sky, Vue – 5.9-6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 6.9% 0-6.9% 0-5.9% 0-5.9% 0-5.9% 0-5.9% 5.9-6.9% 5.9-6.9% SUZUKI Expires Oct. 31. In lieu of rebates, cut-rate financing is available. 2008 models Grand Vitara, XL7 $2,000 0% Forenza, Reno, SX4 $500-$1,000 0-2.9% TOYOTA MOTOR SALES Expires Nov. 3. In lieu of rebates, cut-rate financing is available. 2009 models Toyota Corolla, Camry (excl. Hybrid) $0-$1,000 0-2.9% Matrix, Sienna, Tacoma $0-$1,000 0-4.9% 2008 models Toyota 4Runner, Tundra $0-$5,000 0-1.9% Sequoia, Sienna $0-$3,000 0% Tacoma $0-$2,000 – Avalon, Highlander, RAV4 $0-$1,500 0-4.9% Camry Solara $0-$1,000 3.9-4.9% FJ Cruiser – 0-4.9% 0-6.9% 5.9-6.9% 5.9-6.9% 0-6.9% 5.9-6.9% 0-7.9% 0-7.9% 0-6.9% 0-5.9% 0-5.9% 0-5.9% 0-6.9% VW GROUP OF AMERICA Volkswagen expires Oct. 31; Audi expires Nov. 4. 2009 models Audi A3, A4, A8, S8, TT, Q7 – 4.9% Volkswagen Eos, GTI, Passat, Rabbit, Tiguan, GLI, Jetta, New Beetle, Touareg 2 – 3.9-5.9% 2008 models Audi A3, A4, A6, A8, Q7, RS4, S4, S6, S8, TT, Q7 – 0.9% R8 – 6.09-7.39% Volkswagen New Beetle convertible, GTI, Touareg 2, Passat – 0% GLI, Jetta, New Beetle sedan, Rabbit, Eos, R32 – 0-2.9% AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. Expires Nov. 3. 2009 models Acura RDX Honda Pilot Accord 2008 models Acura MDX, RDX, TL Honda Odyssey, Ridgeline CR-V, Accord, Element – 0.9-2.9% – 0.9-2.9% – 1.9-3.9% – 0.9-2.9% – 0.9-2.9% – 1.9-3.9% VOLVO Expires Jan. 5. 2008 models XC90 S80 – 0.9-2.9% – 1.9-3.9% LAND ROVER Expires Oct. 31. 2008 models LR2, LR3, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport – 0-1.9% Dealer Incentives Incentives in this table are a summary of dealer programs offered. Programs may vary by region and model. BMW Expires Oct. 31. 2008 models 7 series Z4, Z4 M $7,500 $2,500-$3,500 MAZDA Expires Oct. 31. In lieu of rebates, cut-rate financing is available. 2009 models B series $2,000 – Tribute $1,500 3.9% RX-8 – 0.9% CX-7, CX-9 – 1.9-2.9% 2008 models RX-8 $3,500 1.9% Mazda6 $2,750 0% Tribute $2,000-$2,500 0.9% B series $3,000 – CX-7, CX-9 – 0% NADA’s Sykora: Bailout must be activated quickly DETROIT — Auto dealers hope the federal government’s $700 billion bailout package will thaw credit markets so they can finance floorplans and consumer purchases, the chairman of the National Automobile Sykora: Dealers Dealers need help now. Association said last week. Annette Sykora called credit “the lifeblood of our industry” in her address here to the Automotive Press Association. She urged quick execution of the bailout package to save the country’s more than 20,000 dealers. 343,331 passenger cars, 17.2 percent more than in the same period of 2007, according to a company statement. The Puebla plant, 75 miles southeast of Mexico City, is Volkswagen’s only North American assembly plant. Its annual production capacity is being expanded to 550,000 vehicles. FORD MOTOR CO. Expires Nov. 3. In lieu of rebates, cut-rate financing is available. 2009 models Ford Flex, Explorer $2,500-$3,000 0-4.9% Fusion $2,000-$3,000 0-5.9% F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty $2,500 1.9-5.9% Escape $1,000-$2,500 0-5.9% Taurus, Taurus X $1,500-$2,000 2.9-7.9% Focus, Mustang $1,000-$2,000 0-8.9% Explorer Sport Trac $1,000-$1,500 2.9-6.9% Econoline $1,000 2.9-6.9% 2008 models Ford F-450 Super Duty $7,000 0-3.9% F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty $6,000-$7,000 0-3.9% F-150 $4,500-$7,000 0-5.9% Expedition, Expedition EL, Explorer $4,500-$5,000 0-1.9% Mustang $2,500-$5,000 0-5.9% Explorer Sport Trac $3,500-$4,000 0-1.9% Edge, Taurus $3,000-$4,000 0-4.9% Escape, Fusion $2,000-$4,000 0-3.9% Taurus X $3,000-$3,500 0-4.9% Econoline, Ranger $2,000-$3,000 0-1.9% Focus $1,500-$2,500 0-7.9% Escape Hybrid – 4.9-8.9% Lincoln Mark LT $8,500-$9,500 0-1.9% Navigator $7,000-$8,000 0-1.9% Town Car $6,000-$7,000 0-6.9% MKZ, MKX $3,500-$4,500 0-1.9% Mercury Grand Marquis $6,500-$7,000 0-1.9% Mountaineer $5,000-$6,000 0-1.9% Sable $3,500-$4,500 0-3.9% Milan $3,000-$4,000 0-3.9% Mariner $2,500-$4,000 0-3.9% Mariner Hybrid – 4.9-8.9% CHRYSLER LLC Expires Oct. 31. 2008 models Chrysler Pacifica, PT Cruiser $0-$4,000 Town & Country, 300 $0-$400 Dodge Ram 1500, Ram 2500/3500 $0-$4,000 Avenger, Caliber, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Magnum, Nitro, Grand Caravan $400 Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler $400 MERCEDES-BENZ Expires Oct. 31. 2009 models R class C class 2008 models GL class, C class, CLK class R class, M class, E class S class – 2.9% – 2.9-3.9% – 2.9% – 1.9-2.9% – 3.9% GENERAL MOTORS Expires Nov. 3. 2009 models Cadillac DTS, SRX, STS, STS-V, XLR, XLR-V $1,500-$2,000 Escalade (incl. Hybrid) $1,000 Saab 9-3, 9-5, 9-7X $2,000 2008 models Buick Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne $1,000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 $1,500-$2,000 Avalanche, Silverado 2500HD/3500HD $2,000 Equinox $1,500 Malibu, Suburban $500-$1,000 Aveo, Cobalt, HHR, Malibu Hybrid $500 GMC Sierra 1500 $1,500-$2,000 Sierra 2500HD/3500HD $2,000 Acadia, Yukon XL $1,000 Pontiac G5, Torrent $500-$1,500 Saturn Outlook $1,000 Manheim: Used-car sales down ATLANTA — This year, usedvehicle sales by franchised dealerships haven’t fallen as much as new-vehicle sales have. But the nation’s largest auto auction company says economic uncertainty continues to afflict both types of sales. Through September, retail used-vehicle sales by franchised dealerships declined 4 percent from the year-ago period, said Tom Webb, chief economist at Manheim. He added that the corresponding drop in new-vehicle sales was about 12 percent. MITSUBISHI Expires Oct. 31. In lieu of http://www.Edmunds.com http://www.Edmunds.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.