Chrysler to deep-six many models

Chrysler LLC President Jim Press said today that the automaker hasn't laid out specific plants to cut models or dealerships. However, he said, a major product overhaul is on the way, and that Chrysler and its dealers were in discussions.

"We talked about sample markets," Press told The News before giving a presentation at an analysts' conference in San Francisco. "There are no firm numbers, no plans. We talked about cutting models and adding models."

Combing Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler franchises under one roof will be a critical part of bolstering sales and dealer profitability, he said.

"If a dealer doesn't have all three brands, they won't have a full product portfolio," he said.

Press also said that Chrysler needs to eliminate product overlap.

"A 4 million (vehicle a year) company needs 32 vehicles," he said. "We're not a 4 million company."

"We have 11 SUVs," he said. The company spent millions developing products because "we wanted that Dodge to compete with that Chrysler the best it could."

A dealer who asked not to be identified said he was told the company will pare its lineup down to 19 models. Detroit News