The New Chrysler: In-Alfa Romeo/Fiat Models; Out-Dodge Caravan & More

[Perian]

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1256...IDDLTopStories

The Wall Street Journal

BY KATE LINEBAUGH AND NEAL E. BOUDETTE

Four months after exiting bankruptcy, Chrysler Group LLC is about to unveil a product road map that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat SpA while abandoning many of the U.S. car maker's own models.

The plan, due to be revealed Nov. 4, involves the return of Fiat's premium, sporty Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. starting in 2012, according to people briefed on the plans. Chrysler also will introduce to Americans the 500, Fiat's tiny car that is popular in Europe.

Full article at link. Subscription required.

[Perian]

According to the article the following are in:

Fiat 500 (In 2011)
Alfa Romeo MiTo (In 2012)
Alfa Romeo midsize sedan (In 2012)
Alfa Romeo Milano (In 2012)
Chrysler midsize sedan based on Fiat underpinnings (In 2012)
Chrysler compact sedan based on Fiat underpinnings
Jeep compact based on Fiat underpinnings

According to the article the following are out:

Jeep Commander
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler Sebring sedan
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
Dodge Grand Caravan
Dodge Caliber
Dodge Nitro
Dodge Avenger sedan

The Dodge Charger and Challenger will remain in production.

[camaro_freak]

This list seems incomplete

so the Sebring convertible stays but the sedan gets the axe? What about the 300c?

[prototype66]

So in other words......
Welcome back to America Fiat, Good bye Chrysler......sorry old friend, time to go.
Well that sucks.

[wescoent]

Only major issue is the end of the Grand Caravan.

Insane. They made and own the market.

[bcjohnso99]

I don't believe it. The Caravan is not going to die.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Only major issue is the end of the Grand Caravan.

Insane. They made and own the market.

Agreed...they in essence invented the minivan. My 98 Caravan has been almost totally problem free even though I bought it from fleet sales in nov. 1998 in Denver with several thousand miles on it. It has made the trip back and forth from Denver to Tampa more times than I care to remember without a hitch.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by bcjohnso99

I don't believe it. The Caravan is not going to die.

NOTE: The article only states the Dodge Grand Caravan will be phased out.

It does not say anything about the Chrysler Town & Country...we can thus assume it will remain in the portfolio.

[prototype66]

cant say I will miss the Compass or Caliber based vehicles. Never liked them much .
No Dakota really surprises me though. All small trucks seem to be getting to big though,Dakota was the trend setter for that being a bit bigger than everyone else right out of the box.

[steinravnik]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Only major issue is the end of the Grand Caravan.

Insane. They made and own the market.

I agree. Caravan should stay, rest can go.

[civilzues]

Dodge is taking a hit, hopefully its for the better. It will be intresting to see whats still around in 2011 and what's new. Sound like many new vehicles.

[wescoent]

Still idiotic. The Dodge Grand Caravan has TONS of brand equity that they'd be throwing away.

Furthermore, if they're serious about pushing Chrysler upmarket, why in God's name would they be peddling a MINIVAN child transporter?

The Dodge brand has room for both tough trucks and fast/cool cars.

If they left Chrysler to a solid LX-underpinned 300C-inspired RWD lineup, I believe they could legitimately rob Cadillac blind. A real American Bentley at 1/3 the price, 3 times the style, and NO minivan.







Instead, keep the Grand Caravan, but make it a tougher and more utilitarian van to fit into the Dodge Ram truck's image.

[gotz_otto]

I like the list that is disappearing, I am really glad about the three jeeps that did not fit the line up; although the Commander made the most sense of the three.

[bone]

IMO, Fiat wants to eliminate the Dodge brand and concentrate on Chrysler. Why is there a need for the Grand Caravan if their intent is to market the same vehicle as the Town and Country? Eliminating badge engineering makes sense.

[Joe McKinney]

It has already been announced that the Dodge trucks will be split from Dodge and sold under the Ram brand. We can only hope the minivans will go to Ram as well.

I have serious doubts about the plan to turn Chrysler into Fiat U.S.A. Can anyone think of a European brand that is more than just a niche player in the U.S.? Volkswagen is the best selling European brand here and they move around 250K vehicles a year and have a market share of about 2.5%. I cannot see Chrysler maintaining its current market share selling rebadged Fiats, even if the cars are made here. Americans like American cars and Asian cars, but European cars are a tough sell.