Re: Why no Chryslers in the marine world anymore?
Hemi does offer something that isn't already offered, a choice. In fact GM will begin to have problems with logistics on units due to reduced production runs (velocity reduction) and more than likely ageing cores for the components. When trying to stand out you need to try and work an angle. And if you are out there trying to compete with Bayliner who can get 20% under you no matter what you do, having a different powerplant would be a salesmans dream. And a manufacturers dream. Unless you are brunswick. How do you think it feels to be Genmar and having to support your competitors number one partner. Let me tell you they would bend over backwards to work with anyone else. This is the type of opportunity real entrepenaurs drool over. It is the infrastructure that I am sure is preventing it. All the schools train to the GM product. Getting the dealer network in place is the challenge. The other challenge is getting the parts and factory support network in place. Not all that difficult given the resources available. You may not be old enough to remember but chrysler was all over GM years ago in this market. What happens sometimes is companies can fold even profitable sectors of a company due to a variety of situations. Cash flow issues, untimely capital requirements, even change in philosophy at the top can shut down perfectly good divisions. Now based on back side rebate programs so prevalent in todays marketplace a lack of a complete line can inhibit this success, but that is why I targeted companies in my previous posts that are primarily V8 or larger engine users. 100% product penetration to key OEM's will eliminate the impact of the backside sales dollars.<br /><br />Product features and benefits go well beyond the net horsepower. Profile, servicability, ease of installation, delivery, terms, buy back programs, replacement cost for wear parts, and in todays market ease of modification is key. Add this into the mix, how about front end costs?<br /><br />Toyota had a failed model as they attempted to attack the boat market and not just the engine supplier market. In this way they incurred the costs of development, construction, distribution network, in a field they had little or no experience in. In addition they went after the ski boat market. Not one you want to break into with a low displacement V8. The hemi is a 5.9L I believe the toyota was a 4.8. And without the history in the industry it wasn't the best model ever created. Also the 5.7l chevy is smaller than the 5.9l in displacement and that is the clearly the key small block market. They also make a 5.2l vs the chevy 5.0L. They match up everywhere they need to in the V8 market. And they match up in the V10 market. It is in the 4 and 6 cylinder market they come up short in.<br /><br />Added: Look at the 360 listed above, there are lots of them out there and you could begin to resupport the older models in what is clearly a captive audience.
I don't hate dodge at all, I'm just defending my original point Dodge doesn't have more HP than anybody else.
