Re: [FWDLK] Dead by the year 2000?

["Rich Lee" <exner60@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill,

I agree with you 100%.  DaimlerChrysler has realigned Canadian dealerships
and products to match the setup in Europe.  There, only Chrysler- and
Jeep-badged cars are sold.

In 1975, Chrysler Corp. finally introduced a "small" Chrysler.  Its numbers
were +250,000 for the first year.  The most successful Chrysler division
product ever.

This was primarily at Plymouth's expense.  By 1979, Plymouth was down to 3
models--with no full-sized model whatsoever.  This is technically the
official "death" of Plymouth.

Chrysler division was sacrificed from being a luxury division, immediately
following Imperial's departure in 1975, to a mid- to near-luxury division
where it now competed against Mercury and Oldsmobile.

This pushed Dodge down to compete against Ford division and Chevy--each with
performance and truck offerings.  Plymouth, though billed the "value"
division, was overshadowed by Dodge.

Aside from the Prowler, Plymouth has had only one distinct model, the Laser,
in the past 10 years.  But that lasted from 1990 to 1992.  Eagle division
was given the Talon.  A few years later, a decision was made to eliminate
Laser altogether so that the Talon would be unique.

Now Eagle (12 model years) is gone, joining Imperial (21 model years) and
DeSoto (34 model years).

If anything comes from Plymouth's demise, it will be that Dodge's and
Chrysler's market positions will increase from conquest sales.  Dodge
Caravan will not have Plymouth's cut of 150,000 minivan sales.  Plymouth
Breeze sales will probably go to Dodge Stratus over Chrysler Cirrus.  Etc.
Etc.

Rich Lee
'60 Imperial Crown 2-door

-----Original Message-----
From:   Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bill Watson
Sent:   Saturday, September 25, 1999 2:15 AM
To:     L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:        Re: [FWDLK] Dead by the year 2000?

Here in Canada, not only is the Plymouth dead, except for
the Plymouth Prowler, but so is the Dodge car, except for
the Dodge Viper.   All Chrysler Canada dealers sell Chrysler
cars and Dodge Trucks, so the move was an easy one.

The Plymouth Breeze and Dodge Stratus were replaced by a
lower priced line of Chrysler Cirrus.   The Dodge Avenger
was just laid to rest - it is basically the same as the Chrysler
Sebring coupe.  The new 2000 Neon was introduced as the
Chrysler Neon, with the Chrysler name and emblems on it.
The Intrepid has always been sold in Canada as a Chrysler.
The Plymouth Voyager is the same as the Dodge Caravan,
which continues as do all Dodge Trucks.

It is indeed sad to see Plymouth go, but Chrysler stopped
putting money into the name back in the 1970's.  The Chrysler
Cordoba was orginally supposed to have been the Plymouth
Sebring.  The American Chrysler firm had no Plymouth version
of the Dodge Diplomat, although Chrysler Canada had the
Plymouth Caravelle.    And Chrysler introduced the down-sized
Plymouth Gran Fury in 1980, one year after the Chrysler and
Dodge versions.

It just shows how strong the Plymouth name was, in that it
took 25 years to kill it.

Chrysler Canada dropped the Plymouth and Dodge cars to
strengthen its make sales **figures**.  Individually, the Caravan
and Voyager were behind the Ford Windstar.  Put the sales
together, though, as they are now, and Windstar  does not
come close.  Similarly, the Neon and Cirrus nameplates
will rise up on the sales charts, as they are no longer split
between Dodge and Plymouth variations.

Bill W


----- Original Message -----
From: <PlymouthV8@xxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 1999 10:59 AM
Subject: [FWDLK] Dead by the year 2000?


> I have a question about the 2000 Mazda Miata.... <Just kidding Dave>
>
>  The end is near for Plymouth, as we have all known for a while. Today I
read
> in the news that the dealers are saying there are no future Plymouths.
And I
> wonder if the Plymouth name will hold up to time as well as DeSoto did?
Or
> if the Plymouth Division will fade with memories of Hybrid Dodge/Plymouth
> cars like the Dart and the Noen?  It is going to suck in 20 years when
> children ask their parents what Plymouths are...  Anyone here have any
ideas
> on what effect if any this will have on us? Just curious
>
> Josh Ackerman
>  <A HREF="http://www.shokstop.com/plymouth";>The 1955 Plymouth Page</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://www.shokstop.com/plymouth";>X</A>
>