Chrysler and Dodge cars to be sold as Lancia and Fiat models in Europe

At its 5-year business plan yesterday, Chrysler repeatedly said that Jeep will be the only brand exported on global scale and it wasn’t lying. While the Chrysler badge will disappear from cars sold in Europe by 2011, most Chrysler and Dodge branded vehicles will be re-badged and sold as Lancia or Fiat mold to streamline capital expenditure and distribution costs.

“In North America, Lancia models will complement the Chrysler brand and in Europe the opposite will happen,” said Olivier Francois, CEO of the Chrysler and Lancia brands.

Some of the plans include selling the Chrysler Voyager as a Lancia to replace the Phedra minivan, reports Automotive News. Other plans include to rebadge the next-generation Chrysler 300C as a successor to the Lancia Thesis sedan and selling the Chrysler Sebring sedan and a new mid-size crossover as a Lancia.

Fiat may get a version of the Dodge Journey to replace its Ulysee minivan and the Fiat Croma hatchback will be replaced by a Dodge-based mid-sized sedan. The Dodge Nitro will replace Fiat’s Sedici.

– By: Omar Rana