Dropping Cars At The New Chrysler

[skylight]

Dropping Cars At The New Chrysler

DETROIT - Rumors have circulated around Motown since before The New Chrysler's coming out party in Las Vegas that the company was looking at cutting seven models from its lineup. No big surprise, since CEO Bob Nardelli spoke of cleaning out the model lineup and downsizing the dealers' network back in September.

Wednesday morning's Detroit Free Press reports that Chrysler is "set to ax models," "up to five that compete with other company vehicles are likely to go." Reporter Tim Higgins is short by two models.

The Freep doesn't mention the Dodge Magnum, which is a cinch for the cutting block when new LY Charger and Chrysler 300 launch by model year 2010 or '11. ('10 for the 300, probably '11 for the Charger.)

The other six that are a cinch to be cut: Chrysler Crossfire, Aspen, Pacifica, Dodge Durango and Nitro, and Jeep Commander.

The Chrysler Sebring sedan, PT Cruiser convertible and Jeep Compass also are on the bubble (more on them later).

Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango will likely end production in 2009, about a year after two-mode Hemi hybrid versions launch -- the engine will work in other Hemi-powered vehicles, of course, and besides the fact the Aspen never took off and that Dodge sold fewer Durangos (about 70,000) than Dakotas (about 76k, another potential cut) last year, they're in the segment that's all but dead, anyway: truck-based, mid-sized SUVs (Chevy TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer). The Dodge Journey debuts next year, and a Chrysler version should be ready by '09.

As for the Jeep Commander, the next-generation Grand Cherokee will basically converge with it, with the Grand Cherokee adapting Jeep's new, blockier design language, and probably a third-row seat.

As for the PT Cruiser convertible, the PT Cruiser itself could be under review. On one hand, it sells in steady numbers. On the other hand, it's hard to design a second-generation retro car, and it will share the Toluca, Mexico, plant with the Journey and the Chrysler version of that mid-size crossover, so the PT is expendable.

Conversely, the Jeep Compass would seem a likely scrap-heap candidate, but it sells pretty well in Europe, where Chrysler otherwise sells too few cars.

Full article at
Dropping cars at The New Chrysler; what would you cut? | Car News Blog at Motor Trend


Source: MotorTrend.com