[McLovin]

Nor am I wrong, with my opinion.

[redsky]

Focus was on last years list, so why all the fuzz?:paperbag:

[Scout]

Cmicasa the GreatXvX;197323 Wrote:Sorry bro.. but Chrysler is owned by Fiat... and not partially.. MAJORITY owned. Second.. if I start giving Chrysler a pass for your criteria... then I might as well call several Toyotas and Hondas American too.. and THAT SHIT AIN'T HAPPENING:ifyousayso:

Juts too much fail in that to explain. Sad,, so extremely sad.

[BasiliskSt]

So much to respond to.

Chrysler deserves credit for stepping up the quality of interiors which had been a notable failure in recent years.

I've driven the Focus and the interior is great. (Now the Fiesta, I was disappointed in the interior quality.) I'll also credit the Cruze with a very tidy dash and interior. Dart needs a good interior the way Ford and GM have upped their game. Honda and Toyota are way too random and weird with small car dashes in recent years for my tastes. The Elantra's dash is great but I prefer the lower NVH in the Focus and Cruze.

And I do credit the Italian-American, FIAT Chrysler combine as deserving treatment as an American company. Not because FIAT builds everything here, but because without FIAT we wouldn't have Chrysler. (Maybe Jeep would have survived, but I doubt much else.) FIAT bought not just Chrysler but my loyalty for reviving Chrysler in spectacular fashion. FIAT has been true to Chrysler heritage in a way that Daimler wasn't. Together they are a complete worldwide car company that neither were alone. Buying a small FIAT helps the whole. The brands may have national identities but they are a far more integrated company than Daimler ever attempted.

Toyota may manufacture here, but not lots of engineering here. FIAT preserved and grew Chrysler's engineering -- the high talent segment. FIAT is a far different case than Toyota. Honda was always the most American of the Japanese car companies in a lot of ways, but Honda wasn't my white knight. FIAT was and we have a slew of terrific American flavored products that would not exist but for the Italians -- and not just the money, but their leadership and manufacturing quality contributions. Chrysler is not just revived but transformed. Sergio and the Italians get a lot of credit even though much of the work was done by Americans. It took the money and management to empower the miracle. We're fools if we don't treat the combination as part of the D3 not just the American brand names. A lot of American engineered and manufactured products are going to be exported as FIATs and Lancias. FIAT Chrysler is on our U.S. economic team in a big way and in a way that Toyota is not. Manufacturing alone isn't enough. Toyota is here for our consumers. FIAT bought Chrysler for more than manufacturing capacity for American consumers. FIAT is investing in America as a foundation for world growth.

Just as much as I love Alan Mulally and One Ford for saving an American iconic brand, I love that Chrysler is back from the dead. Chrysler is back with class competitive products that make Chrysler as strong and compelling in product relative to the marketplace as they've ever been. I similarly celebrate Cadillac as America's standard bearer in luxury sport. Chevy is looking great. Buick is actually hitting my tastes near spot on. Face it, crisis was ultimately good. It gave the survivors religion. The bailouts worked to preserve GM and Chrysler and the supply chain and assured the fire didn't spread to Ford. We need an engineering and manufacturing base. The D3 engineer here and build here. That contribution is essential to our economic competitiveness.

FIAT took a huge risk even using a lot of TARP money. Few thought the risk could pay off so spectacularly so soon. TARP is paid off. FIAT is part of the home team now by my reckoning.

Since it's the second half, I'm glad to have FIAT Chrysler on our side of the line as we mount our comeback.

[MEGAS XLR32]

Only bad thing about the focus interior is if it is fitted with the "red" leather. Its more like a purple/cranberry color and it looks terrible. Other than that its not bad.
Still prefer the Cruze interior.

[GotMopar?]

Gotta credit Basiliskst for bringing a voice of reason to the party...can't thank you enough.

I will say, the Dart looked great and I was excited to see a small competitive car to go up against the Focus and Cruze. In defense of Toyota, I went to the show in my brother's 2011 Corolla and I have to admit, it is a nice car.

[McLovin]

OK, perhaps I am taking away slightly from what Chrysler deserves here, with the Dart. It really is a fine little car, with an excellent interior. Of course it was a major step up too.
They really do help complete the Detroit small car dominance trifecta, and as a mopar owner, I am proud.

Congrats to Chrysler, they deserve it.

But,
You have to admit, that the Focus ST interior is freaking KILLER!!!!


LOL

[redsky]

Focus interior is now outdated, see my previous post.

[McLovin]

^

LOL

Don't think I will bother

[redsky]

I know, you cant accept the truth..

[McLovin]

Actually,
I refuse to suffer ignorance, any more than I have to.