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

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by Bravada

The eurovans, slated to die in 2010, are Chrysler-Voyager-sized, at least SWB Chrysler Voyager. The Journey slots somewhere in between, it has no sliding doors to afford it the "CUVish" look which works for it both in the US and globally.



The article's framing is a bit sensationalist, like they are saying that "Chrysler is killing the Patriot" while then making it more clear that this concerns the 2012 time frame, when the vehicle is in fact replaced by the second-generation one based on the C-Evo.

Yes, what they're actually doing is killing the Liberty and giving its name to the second generation Patriot.

[civilzues]

Originally Posted by benroethig

Yes, what they're actually doing is killing the Liberty and giving its name to the second generation Patriot.

O
M
G
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
they are axing all small SUV's? So all they will have left are the Duragno and the grand Cherokee

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by civilzues

O
M
G
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
they are axing all small SUV's? So all they will have left are the Duragno and the grand Cherokee

I don't think the Nitro was on the list.

EDIT: Ya, I guess it is. Well then yes, I suppose that is what they're doing.

[Bravada]

This 2012+ plan. I am not sure about the Liberty, but I've had doubts about the future of that line myself. The KK platform ended up pretty much overengineered and overweight (which is a major drawback regarding CAFE), while being rather small in size. You get a car that weighs almost a 1,000 lbs over the Patriot with no major benefit in terms of interior room, and requiring a 4.0 engine to move it. Moreover, this platform is not quite flexible due to its unique structure (that is why the GC continued for so long with only marginal changes in size and why the new Liberty is almost the same size as the old).

Moreover, the Liberty and Nitro don't really command a high premium in the compact SUV market, while the Patriot and Compass are flat out "bargain basement" (from a "premium SUV" brand!), undercutting the market by some $3K (only Hyundai and Kia are cheaper)!

Bringing the Patriot up to the Liberty price levels gives it an extra $6K in price (could be almost pure profit), I would only consider dropping the Liberty name, it's cheesy. I know Patriot is already sold as Liberty in Russia (incidentally, a local SUV is being sold as "UAZ Patriot"), but Patriot is a much better name. The best would be "Cherokee", but a GS or C-Evo based Jeep clearly isn't a Cherokee

If I were Chrysler, I'd keep a low-priced Commander to fill in the Patriot-GC gap for those who need towing power and more off-road capabilities, it's on the old GC platform and is about halway the size, while not being overly expensive to continue making. It also looks in line with the Patriot and Liberty, the GC has a totally different style.

DO REMEMBER IT'S THE 2012+ PLAN!

The Patriot and maybe Compass make the full cycle until 2012, 13 or 14. The Liberty will probably survive just as long. They will be probably the last of the models on the list to get killed/redesigned.