Chrysler Group's new private equity fund owner is committed to continuing the American company's international push into Australia and other markets.
That's the message newly promoted export boss Thomas Hausch was spruiking at the international launch of two new Chrysler-Jeep models in Portland Oregon this week.
The new Vice President International Sales said it was literally "Business as usual" for Chrysler-Jeep Down Under on the occasion of the launch of the new Jeep Patriot and Chrysler Sebring Convertible (pictured).
"Our plans and projections are unchanged," Hausch told the Carsales Network. "International [division] remains a very important part of Chrysler-Group's 'Recovery and Transformation Plan."
"Since calendar year 2003, we have more than tripled our right-hand drive international vehicles from six to 19. In the same time we've increased our diesel model range from four models to 16. And there's more to come," he said.
"I won't talk about what we will introduce in 2008, but [in addition to Sebring Cabrio and Patriot] we will have at least two more important right-hand drive models in 2007," he said referring to the new Dodge Avenger and the replacement for the aging Cherokee.
The latter will make its international market debut at the Frankfurt show in September he said.
According to Hausch, the recent DaimlerChrysler 'divorce' will not affect the companies' Australian operations. Indeed, he went on record saying the joint distribution of the brands would continue in markets like Australia. Dealer operations and agreements would also be unaffected, he said.
Chrysler Group's 207,000-plus international sales (ie: all those outside USA, Canada and Mexico) in 2006 yielded 15 per cent growth, on top of a nine per cent increase in 2005. Five months into 2007, the momentum has increased – YTD May, Hausch said the carmaker was 16 per cent up on the same period last year. In Australia the combined Dodge, jeep and Chrysler brands are up around 12 per cent for the same period.
According to Hausch the carmaker plans to double its 2006 international total by 2012 with markets like Australia key to meeting his ambitious target.
In the short term, the company is looking for both the Patriot softroader and Sebring Cabrio to earn their keep Down Under. The Patriot's arrival is imminent with pricing expected to start a few hundred dollars under its close sibling, the Compass.
The Sebring Cabrio meantime arrives in Australia in time for Summer. Powered by a 2.7-litre petrol V6, the model is equipped with a new six-speed automotive transmission. In a demonstration of Chrysler Group's willingness to target international sales for the car, international markets will get the six-speed auto before the USA which makes do with a four-speeder.
Look out for more news on the new Patriot and Sebring Cabrio and our drive impression soon.
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