Jeep will be only Chrysler brand sold outside N.A., sources say

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by sigma

I still don't get Dodge as Alpha instead of Chrysler, but yes... that does make some basic iota of sense.

Lancia is all about affordable luxury, kinda like Buick. The Dodge-Alfa mixup doesn't make much sense though.

[Bravada]

I think as usual the media are making a bit too much from a snippet of info they've heard. I'd have a hard time believing it would be exactly as outlined.

First off, Dodge is currently the frontrunner brand in most global markets. Globalizing Dodge and developing the Journey are perhaps two best things Daimler did for Chrysler (amidst a dozen horrible ones).

Chrysler has been floundering in recent years as the Sebring feel to irrelevance with the move from sleek to butt-ugly. Still, they did far better than Lancia in selling large cars, not to mention better than many others when it comes to minivans.

I do understand the need to rationalize the distribution and marketing in Europe, but I don't think Lancia could credibly sell a 300C with their current marketing to any greater success than Chrysler. I could imagine Francois trying to make this last-ditch move before the entire Lancia-Chrysler unit is disbanded completely. I hope he is a tad more intelligent than that.

As mentioned, Dodge and Chrysler have quite a marketing position in many markets, in some of which Lancia remains unheard of. Even if they become replaced with Fiats, Lancias and Alfas in some, I don't think it would make any sense to do it in all markets. Actually, in some markets Fiats would have more chance being sold under Chrysler brands.


Now that I think of it - it might be that "Chrysler International" gets disbanded and international sales will now be handled by Francois' Lancia-Chrysler unit and local Fiat distributors. This might be similar to the misinterpretation of splitting profit responsibility for Dodge Cars and Trucks to creating a "Ram brand".

[Myke]

Originally Posted by wescoent

This actually makes sense.

Unify the Dodge and Alfa lineup.

Unify the Chrysler and Lancia lineup.

Differentiate by exterior styling.

Sounds good to me?

I can understand the connection between Chrysler and Lancia as near-luxury/prestige brands, however Alfa and Dodge is a bad pair-up. Alfa is a luxury sports-orientated brand, whereas Dodge is mainstream.

With 90% of sales being from the US, I don't know if focusing on the US alone is a good idea. If there is another slum in the US car industry, like before, Chrysler will be greatly affected, more so Ford and GM. On the other hand, focusing on Chryslers main market it may strengthen the brand(s) and make it specific towards the US.

In the short-term winding up the brand globally, won't be easy and who knows if Chrysler can make it through that...

[BigThreeForever]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

wow.. why not just make it Fiat.. Jeep and Ram trucks..... thats about all its going to be...

Yes, I am afraid that Chrysler is finished now.

That cowardly simpleton Robert Eaton - who sold out to Schrempp at the height of Chrysler's success - has a lot to be ashamed of.

[ByTheLake]

In markets where Fiat already markets its vehicles, this makes sense.

I wish GM and Ford too would cater more to the North American market.

Shhhh! Don't let California hear you say that. It's a no-win situation sometimes ... when marketing "good ol' American cars", the US car companies get raked over the coals for being "out of touch" with consumers, selling cars "nobody wants."

[skylark68]

I'm still trying to figure out if the Ram is going to be sold as the Ram Ram.

I think the Italians know less about how to run Chrysler than the Germans did.

I don't see the point of eliminating the foreign presence of Chrysler overseas. I know there is a small but loyal following of Chrysler products in Norway. I have a friend that lives there that has a Chrysler Stratus (that's what they were badged there) and a Chrysler minivan.

[mcmlxv]

2013: I'm driving my Canadian assembled Challenger (FIAT developed platform) with its Mexican assembled Hemi engine built by $14 an hour technicians, stuffed with European, Japanese, Chinese and Mexican sourced parts. I reach out to the Mexican assembled radio smeared with international symbols and turn up the volume: the announcer tells me that FIAT has just reached a deal to purchase Chrysler in total, that the iconic Chrysler brand will be phased out leaving just Jeep and Dodge, and the Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters will operate now as a FIAT run technical center. As I slide my hand underneath my Ray Bans (Luxottica of Italy) to wipe away a tear with a Kleenex made of recycled paper, I swerve, nearly hitting a late model Geely and pushing the Thai produced Michelins to their limit, and activating the Chinese assembled Continental-Teves stability system.

Now that's American muscle.

Thanks Barry.

[Exploder]

Originally Posted by Bravada

I think as usual the media are making a bit too much from a snippet of info they've heard. I'd have a hard time believing it would be exactly as outlined.

First off, Dodge is currently the frontrunner brand in most global markets. Globalizing Dodge and developing the Journey are perhaps two best things Daimler did for Chrysler (amidst a dozen horrible ones).

Chrysler has been floundering in recent years as the Sebring feel to irrelevance with the move from sleek to butt-ugly. Still, they did far better than Lancia in selling large cars, not to mention better than many others when it comes to minivans.

I do understand the need to rationalize the distribution and marketing in Europe, but I don't think Lancia could credibly sell a 300C with their current marketing to any greater success than Chrysler. I could imagine Francois trying to make this last-ditch move before the entire Lancia-Chrysler unit is disbanded completely. I hope he is a tad more intelligent than that.

As mentioned, Dodge and Chrysler have quite a marketing position in many markets, in some of which Lancia remains unheard of. Even if they become replaced with Fiats, Lancias and Alfas in some, I don't think it would make any sense to do it in all markets. Actually, in some markets Fiats would have more chance being sold under Chrysler brands.


Now that I think of it - it might be that "Chrysler International" gets disbanded and international sales will now be handled by Francois' Lancia-Chrysler unit and local Fiat distributors. This might be similar to the misinterpretation of splitting profit responsibility for Dodge Cars and Trucks to creating a "Ram brand".

I seriously hope you are right and the media is merely pulling this info out of their asses.

Not to mention, just how realistic is it to just shut down ALL Dodge/Chrysler dealerships and operations worldwide? I love Jeep but how is it that much more successful worldwide than the Chrysler/Dodge brands, generic trademark notwithstanding?

I guess the truth will be out tomorrow.

If this news is indeed true Fiat will officially be worse than Daimler.

[ohmywrd8]

Jeeps serve their own purpose and have a following, but all the cars that Chrysler sells are a joke.

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by ohmywrd8

Jeeps serve their own purpose and have a following, but all the cars that Chrysler sells are a joke.

This is coming from a guy who drives a Rabbit.... LOL

Talk about a joke.

The Viper and Challenger SRT8 are cooler than anything you'll probably ever drive.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by skylark68

I'm still trying to figure out if the Ram is going to be sold as the Ram Ram.

No. It will be sold as the Dodge Ram. The car and truck sides of Dodge will have separate co-equal management. The consumers will notice nothing.

[ohmywrd8]

Originally Posted by ColoradoZQ8

This is coming from a guy who drives a Rabbit.... LOL

Talk about a joke.

The Viper and Challenger SRT8 are cooler than anything you'll probably ever drive.

Oh we don't need to sink that low as to making fun of other peoples rides considering the Rabbit is probably better than any Focus, Cobalt, Caliber or anything else in it's class except for maybe the Mazda 3. I'm sure it's in good fun though so no offense taken lol. And I was talking about bread and butter cars like the Caliber, Journey, and all those. Chrysler has it's certain bright spots but a majority of their line up is uncompetitive.

[jalberda]

It seems to me that Chrysler and Lancia will effectively will become one. The same cars, but a different badge, depending on the country. So, a downturn in one country doesn't mean that the whole operation would suffer. It gives both brands the scale they both need. Lancia will survive in Europe and Chrysler in N.A. Makes perfect sense to me.
For Dodge and Alfa Romeo: it seems that Fiat wants to get Dodge a bit more upmarket than its present position. Again, both brands would gain the scale they both need.

Fiat seems to face the harsh reality that building up Chrysler and Dodge outside NA is not going to happen. In today's market space there are just too many brands. In order to survive, focus is needed. Fiat is doing that, if these reports are accurate. Good for them

[Stevasaurus]

Originally Posted by ohmywrd8

Oh we don't need to sink that low as to making fun of other peoples rides considering the Rabbit is probably better than any Focus, Cobalt, Caliber or anything else in it's class except for maybe the Mazda 3 . . .

Yeah, until your electrical system takes a dump, which in typical VW fashion should be in about 3, 2, 1 . . .

[Stevasaurus]

So now Dodge is a niche brand that is only going to offer a few enthusiast vehicles. Hmmm, where have I heard this before?