Things are going badly in the Stellantis group, so badly that management is considering closing Chrysler, which could otherwise celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
According to the German media T-Online, Stellantis is considering closing the Chrysler car brand.
It comes almost 100 years after Walter P. Chrysler founded the brand. The man behind Chrysler, Walter P. Chrysler, was born in 1875 in the small town of Wamego, Kansas.
Despite growing up in a farming community, he was fascinated by the early automobile industry. Chrysler headed to Michigan, where he gained experience in automobile manufacturing.
In 1925, he began production of his own car, the model B-70, which he sent to the streets.
It was noted for its technical design, including hydraulic brakes and a six-cylinder engine.
Chrysler may not reach 100 years of age
In its heyday, the car brand achieved annual sales of almost three million cars. However, in recent times, Chrysler has experienced a significant decline in sales. Last year, it only sold just under 120,000 cars.
Furthermore, it has been almost ten years since the latest model, the Pacifica, was new.
Chrysler found itself in an economic crisis during the financial crisis of 2008. The following year, it had broken with German Daimler, with whom the brand had otherwise been merged in 1998.
Chrysler survived only with the support of the US government. However, the government also saved the much larger General Motors from total bankruptcy.
Chrysler later became part of Stellantis, which in 2021 launched a plan to transform Chrysler into a brand with only electric cars in its program.
Since then, however, major changes have occurred. Stellantis experienced a 14 percent drop in sales during 2024. But even before the financial year was over, the now-fired boss, Carlos Tavares, talked about closing one or more car brands in the group.
German media have reported on a list of car brands within Stellantis that could be liquidated in an attempt to improve the company's finances. Chrysler is mentioned as a brand in danger.
In the US, Stellantis has faced criticism due to the declining auto industry. American car dealers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company's management and called for changes. According to T-Online, Stellantis may decide to close Chrysler as early as 2025.
