2009 New York Auto Show: Chrysler--Blast(s) from the past

Chrysler’s president, Jim Press, drove on stage in a Fiat 500. The small, cute hatchback is likely to be sold here in the U.S. if the Fiat/Chrysler deal goes through. Press said that the car was making “a Camry, er cameo appearance here at the show.” Seems old habits from Press’ days at Toyota die hard.

In the same press conference, Press said that Chrysler’s employment levels were the same as in 1934. That’s a bit scary--there was a depression going on then. Given that industry accounts report that Chrysler’s product development staff has seen big cuts in size, delaying some programs, maybe there is such a thing as too much austerity.

This isn’t the first time Press gave a puzzling press conference.

If the 2011 Grand Cherokee is indeed “all new--every molecule,” then maybe the 5.7-liter HEMI is considered an atom. That engine’s not all new, but the Phoenix V6 is. The V6, seeing its debut in the Grand Cherokee, will “replace up to seven engines” in Chrysler’s fleet. That’s impressive, and is reminiscent of Nissan putting their 3.5-liter V6 into seemingly every sedan, sports car, and car-based SUV they built. (So ubiquitous are they, Nissan’s office coffee machines probably run on VQ-family engines.)

--Tom Mutchler

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.