Chrysler’s great-grandson wants to buy OEM from Stellantis
Dealerships are being bought and sold regularly nowadays, sometimes with one person acquiring or disposing of multiple rooftops in a single transaction.
Well, a single individual now wants to purchase an entire automaker.
Frank Rhodes, Jr. — the great-grandson of Walter Chrysler — said on Friday he has sent a proposal to Stellantis and CEO Carlos Tavares “to acquire and reinvigorate the iconic Chrysler/Dodge Plymouth brands, keep them in the USA with American stockholders and to bring back loyal buyers who now are limited to four uninspired car models.”
Rhodes titled his proposal, CHRYSLER REBORN. It’s available online here.
“My plan is to make the classic comeback for the Chrysler brands. Good for America, for the economy, good for the employees and just in time for its 100th anniversary, CHRYSLER REBORN is the plan for 2025. Let us stop the downward spiral under the Stellantis ownership,” Rhodes said in a news release.
“I believe that my plan would allow Stellantis a graceful exit from a brand that in my opinion it has no interest in keeping, and has been steadily killing off its brands,” he continued. “I would like to see jobs saved, and increased, and the Iconic brands reinvigorated, and to see a true proud American ownership, that retains this American Icon where it belongs and not in the control of people who do not understand our strong feelings about continuing the 100-year legacy of true American auto pioneer brands.”
Rhodes said he plans to attend UAW rallies to support the re-employment of laid-off workers, the promises of new models as well as the revitalization of the brands and his plans for the company under the planned American ownership and with Christine Feuell as CEO.
“I asked Mr. Tavares to schedule a confidential discussion to outline my plan, and I am certain that it would be of interest to all parties especially to the long-time terminated employees, the creative and marketing staff and loyal brand owners who have been anxious to see this historical iconic brand brought back to life as part of Chrysler’s 2025 rebirth, a plan I am calling the “CHRYSLER 2025 COMEBACK” creating new high paying union jobs with exciting automobile concepts that never materialized under that much touted unleashing of the brand’s potential under the direction of Ms. Feuell, as brand CEO,” Mr. Rhodes said.
“I cannot wait to take on the challenge and be a part of the planning for an exciting “CHRYSLER 2025 COMEBACK” future for Chrysler/Dodge, as it is freed-up and unleased to become an independent American company again,” Rhodes went on to say.
More about his plan is available in the video below.