Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Chrysler Europe shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Chrysler Europe offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Chrysler Europe at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Chrysler Europe? Wrong! If the Chrysler Europe is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Chrysler Europe then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Chrysler Europe? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Chrysler Europe and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Chrysler Europe wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Chrysler Europe then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Chrysler Europe site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Chrysler Europe, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Chrysler Europe, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
In the 1960s, Chrysler Corporation sought to become a world producer of automobiles. The company had never had much success outside North America, contrasting with
Ford Motor Company's worldwide reach and
General Motors Corporation' success with
Opel and Vauxhall Motors. In 1967, Chrysler succeeded in purchasing the Rootes of the United Kingdom and
Simca of France (in which they already had a substantial stake since 1958). These entities were combined to form
Chrysler Europe. Although the original marques were retained at first, from 1975 British-built cars were badged as Chryslers, while the Simca badge appeared on French versions (though with the Chrysler pentastar, in some markets the cars were sold as Chrysler-Simca). Chrysler used the
Dodge marque on commercial vehicles produced by both Simca and Rootes (Commer &
Karrier). In addition, in some countries, such as
Spain, the Dodge and Chrysler marques would be used for other vehicles, mostly locally-built versions of US-market vehicles or local versions of Simca cars.
The company systematically retired the previous marques from Rootes, including
Hillman,
Humber (car), and
Sunbeam (car) in favour of the Chrysler name, but retained the French Simca name. In 1969, Chrysler Europe closed a deal with French engineering group Matra to jointly develop the Matra
sports cars and subsequently sell them through the Simca dealer network (as Matra-Simca).
The first European Chrysler was the 1975 Alpine hatchback, which was sold in France as the Simca 1307. It was voted European Car of the Year for 1976. Two years later, the smaller Chrysler Horizon also won the award.
Chrysler also created the Britain-only Sunbeam three-door hatchback which was based on the Rootes-designed Hillman Avenger chassis but was aimed at the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.
However, the confused branding of the vehicles, coupled to mediocre design and poor build quality meant profits failed to materialize. Chrysler were already in serious financial trouble back home in America, and were on the brink of bankruptcy. The company's incoming CEO,
Lee Iacocca had shown little interest in the European market from the outset (just as he had done during his period in charge of Ford Motor Company), and wasted no time in wielding the axe almost immediately. In 1978, Chrysler Europe was sold for a nominal US dollar1 to
Peugeot, who took on the liability for the division's huge debts as well as its factories and product line, which was rebadged using the resurrected Talbot marque (which was owned in two different forms by both Rootes and Simca). But within eight years, the French giant (also in financial trouble) had scrapped the Talbot marque on passenger cars - retaining it for commercial vehicles only until 1991. The car meant to succeed the Chrysler Horizon became
Peugeot 309 and in 1983, Peugeot sold its share in Matra together with the Chrysler-initiated design of an
MPV to Renault, where the design lives on as Renault Espace. Peugeot took little interest in heavy commercial vehicles and the production of former Dodge models passed to
Renault Trucks.
Chrysler on the other hand, retained the design rights to the
Hillman Avenger and those of the US-version Horizon. Peugeot were therefore compelled to retain the Chrysler "pentastar" badge on the Avenger, whilst Chrysler prepared to shift production of the car to
Argentina when European sales ended in
1981. The American version of the Horizon continued to be produced in the United States as the Plymouth Horizon and
Dodge Omni.
The former Simca and Rootes assembly plants in
Poissy and
Ryton-on-Dunsmore, respectively, continued under the ownership of Peugeot, but Rootes' Linwood plant in
Scotland was a casualty of the takeover - closing its doors in 1981. The former Rootes Ryton plant was closed in January
2007 following the introduction of the Peugeot 207.
See also
In the 1960s, Chrysler Corporation sought to become a world producer of
automobiles. The company had never had much success outside North America, contrasting with
Ford Motor Company's worldwide reach and
General Motors Corporation' success with
Opel and
Vauxhall Motors. In 1967, Chrysler succeeded in purchasing the Rootes of the
United Kingdom and Simca of
France (in which they already had a substantial stake since 1958). These entities were combined to form
Chrysler Europe. Although the original marques were retained at first, from 1975 British-built cars were badged as Chryslers, while the Simca badge appeared on French versions (though with the Chrysler pentastar, in some markets the cars were sold as Chrysler-Simca). Chrysler used the
Dodge marque on commercial vehicles produced by both Simca and Rootes (
Commer &
Karrier). In addition, in some countries, such as
Spain, the Dodge and Chrysler marques would be used for other vehicles, mostly locally-built versions of US-market vehicles or local versions of Simca cars.
The company systematically retired the previous marques from Rootes, including
Hillman,
Humber (car), and
Sunbeam (car) in favour of the Chrysler name, but retained the French Simca name. In 1969, Chrysler Europe closed a deal with French engineering group
Matra to jointly develop the Matra sports cars and subsequently sell them through the Simca dealer network (as Matra-Simca).
The first European Chrysler was the 1975 Alpine hatchback, which was sold in France as the Simca 1307. It was voted European Car of the Year for 1976. Two years later, the smaller
Chrysler Horizon also won the award.
Chrysler also created the Britain-only Sunbeam three-door hatchback which was based on the Rootes-designed
Hillman Avenger chassis but was aimed at the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.
However, the confused branding of the vehicles, coupled to mediocre design and poor build quality meant profits failed to materialize. Chrysler were already in serious financial trouble back home in America, and were on the brink of bankruptcy. The company's incoming CEO, Lee Iacocca had shown little interest in the European market from the outset (just as he had done during his period in charge of Ford Motor Company), and wasted no time in wielding the axe almost immediately. In 1978, Chrysler Europe was sold for a nominal
US dollar1 to
Peugeot, who took on the liability for the division's huge debts as well as its factories and product line, which was rebadged using the resurrected Talbot marque (which was owned in two different forms by both Rootes and Simca). But within eight years, the French giant (also in financial trouble) had scrapped the Talbot marque on passenger cars - retaining it for commercial vehicles only until 1991. The car meant to succeed the Chrysler Horizon became Peugeot 309 and in 1983, Peugeot sold its share in Matra together with the Chrysler-initiated design of an
MPV to Renault, where the design lives on as Renault Espace. Peugeot took little interest in heavy commercial vehicles and the production of former Dodge models passed to
Renault Trucks.
Chrysler on the other hand, retained the design rights to the
Hillman Avenger and those of the US-version Horizon. Peugeot were therefore compelled to retain the Chrysler "pentastar" badge on the Avenger, whilst Chrysler prepared to shift production of the car to Argentina when European sales ended in 1981. The American version of the Horizon continued to be produced in the United States as the Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni.
The former Simca and Rootes assembly plants in Poissy and Ryton-on-Dunsmore, respectively, continued under the ownership of Peugeot, but Rootes' Linwood plant in Scotland was a casualty of the takeover - closing its doors in 1981. The former Rootes Ryton plant was closed in January 2007 following the introduction of the Peugeot 207.
See also
