Zetsche added that the Chrysler Group's target was to increase European market share from its current 0.7 percent level to 1 percent within three years. The domestic automaker has plans for a total European market share of 1.4 percent in five years, which will be spurred on by the introduction of Dodge. The Viper, for instance, was sold in Europe under the Chrysler nameplate until earlier this year.
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| The domestic automaker has plans for a total European market share of 1.4 percent in five years, which will be spurred on by the introduction of Dodge. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Zetsche continued that by 2007 Chrysler Group will double the available models abroad to eighteen.
While the domestic automaker's plans might seem ambitious to those familiar with the European market, the distinctive styling, performance bias and much improved quality of its cars, at least make the potential for European success feasible.
It's also important to note that Chrysler Group has been profitable in overseas markets so far this year, or so said Zetsche recently in an interview with German daily Financial Times Deutschland.
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| Chrysler Group is playing catch-up to Ford and General Motors, which have been deeply embedded in the European market for decades. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
"This year we've been profitable so far in our international business," said Zetsche. "I am not aware that Chrysler was ever profitable here before."
Previously, in an unrelated story by business daily Handelsblatt, Zetsche stated Chrysler plans to realize a 5 percent profit margin in five years. What's more, he also said that the automaker's goal was to produce 1 million additional cars per annum by 2012, over and above what the automaker built in 2002.