Press days at 2005 NAIAS kicked off as usual with Johnson Controls’, shortly followed by the announcements of the 2005 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Although there was stiff competition for 2005 Car of the Year in the shape of General Motors’ Chevrolet Corvette and the ’05 Ford Mustang, it came as no real surprise to the gathered crowd when Chrysler’s 300/300C won with something to spare.
The award caps a resurgent 12 months for Chrysler Group, which posted strong sales on the back of the 300 and Dodge Magnum programs, and seems to have turned the corner. Chrysler also launched the third vehicle off the rear-drive LX platform, the Dodge Charger, a brash muscle car somewhere between the Magnum and 300 in styling and appeal.
Chrysler Group executives had a hunch the 300 was going to be a hit, but “the public’s acceptance has been beyond our wildest imagination,” said Burke Brown, chief engineer for the LX platform, in an interview with SupplierBusiness.com.
Electric vehicles march onward
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataFollowing on from the F-150’s 2004 Truck of the Year, Ford made it two out of two when the Escape petrol/electric hybrid midsize SUV walked away with the award in 2005.
In a possible sign of things to come it is also the second year running that a petrol/electric hybrid vehicle has won one of the North American awards, after the Toyota Prius took Car of the Year 2004. It may be the start of a longer-term consumer trend that large SUVs were much less of a focus in 2005 than vehicles with alternative powertrain technologies.
Both General Motors and Ford had hybrid and fuel cell architectures on display this year. Chrysler is looking to leverage Mercedes’ expertise to offer diesels in North America as an alternative.
Materials one of several key concerns
Rising energy and raw material costs are near the top of many companies’ agenda, but most executives questioned feel that suppliers and carmakers will just have to roll with the punches. Indeed, “continuing to [develop] our relationships one-on-one with suppliers” is an even bigger issue for 2005 than rising raw material prices, says Peter Rosenfeld, Chrysler Group executive vice president, procurement and supply.
Most players are at least relieved that this time round they know what’s coming, whereas 2004 came as a nasty surprise. But suppliers also say that, with their customers bearing the brunt of steel price rises, there are extremely limited opportunities for passing on costs.
Rising oil prices are more of a concern where they may impact consumer demand. Suppliers and carmakers alike seem agreed that light vehicle sales in North America will be flat this year, with total industry volumes remaining around 16.9 million units.
SupplierBusiness.com
