Marchionne: Only 1 minivan in the future, new mid-size Chrysler sedan, no Chrysler or Dodge subcompact

Posted: Oct 10, 2011
 Email 4 Comments

Dodge Avenger

There are some big changes going on in the Chrysler Group LLC lineup. According to Chrysler Group and Fiat SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne, the company will offer just one minivan in the future – the Chrysler Town & Country. The move is a part of a plan to end duplication in dealerships.

Also under the plan, the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and the Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan will be replaced by a single crossover in 2013. The chrysler brand will get a replacement for the 200 mid-size sedan when the Avenger is replaced. Both the Chrysler sedan, which could keep the 200 name, and the Dodge crossover will be built on Fiat platforms.

“We cannot have the same type of vehicle in the showroom because the consumer is not stupid,” Marchionne said. “We’re not going to create the confusion and conflict in the showroom.”

Marchionne has also decided against offering a subcompact for Chrysler and Dodge, meaning the Fiat 500 will be the group’s only subcompact in the United States.

The Plan:

  • Chrysler brand will get a replacement for its mid-sized 200 sedan in 2013. The sibling Dodge Avenger will be killed off along with the Dodge Grand Caravan for a single crossover that will replace both models.
  • A second smaller Dodge crossover to replace the Journey will debut in 2014.
  • A new Dodge compact sedan will debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Chrysler may get a hatchback based on that compact sedan.
  • The Chrysler Town & Country will be the only minivan from now on and the next-generation version will debut in 2014.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News


Share |  Email  Print |

Tags: , , , , ,




Subscribe & Connect

Connect with us on any of our social profiles below.

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

  • Cad4life

    fiat must be the only subcompact, dodge need one, 2 battle the other 2 american boys

  • Cad4life

    fiat must be the only subcompact, dodge need one, 2 battle the other 2 american boys

  • BJ

    Marchionne does not seem to understand the Dodge and Chrysler relationship. Chrysler is to Dodge as Cadillac is to Chevrolet or Acura is to Honda. I understand only having 1 minivan, but dodge needs a midsize sedan in order to be viable. And it wouldn’t hurt Chrysler to have a compact sedan either. Hyundai is probably the fastest growing car company in the world and the Hyundai/Kia relationship is very effective. Marchionne states: “We cannot have the same type of vehicle in the showroom because the
    consumer is not stupid,” and “We’re not going to create confusion and conflict in the showroom.” Doesn’t he know that Toyota and Lexus both have sedans in the same size classes without causing confusion while being very successful. And look at Nissan and Infiniti. I also think it’s a mistake not to have a subcompact for Dodge, but at least the 500 exists. I hope the Italians are more successful with Chrysler than the Germans were, but judging by the direction they’re taking I have my doubts.   

  • BJ

    I do understand having only 1 minivan, but why give it to Chrysler? It just doesn’t make sense. What on earth is Marchionne doing? Chrysler is supposed to be the more upscale brand, so why give it the utilitarian minivan? What makes sense is to keep the minivan in the Dodge stable and to give Chrysler the crossover. Chrysler should get something along the lines of the Pacifica, only better. It doesn’t make sense to keep both Chrysler and Dodge if one is not considered more upscale than the other. The Germans made this mistake and the Italians are doing the same thing.