Back to the drawing board: Chrysler rethinks Nitro and Sebring design

Back to the drawing board: Chrysler rethinks Nitro and Sebring design
The new 2007 Dodge Nitro and the 2007 Chrysler Sebring are being known as duds after Bob Lee, head of powertrain engineering, told Chrysler employees at a recent question-and-answer session that the company misjudged the market for the two cars.

Lee said that CEO Tom LaSorda is ”quite upset” and agreed the company “missed where the market was to end up versus our projections...
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SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 6/8/2007 3:03:40 PM
+3 Boost
I concur.


Will_Will_ - 6/8/2007 3:07:54 PM
+6 Boost
At least someone has the bravery to admit that they were wrong, unlike so many other automakers...

I hope they know the styling of their new round of minivans will also be an issue!


NeverfollowNeverfollow - 6/8/2007 3:14:36 PM
0 Boost
What's wrong with the Nitro?


moparman64moparman64 - 6/18/2007 3:55:35 AM
+1 Boost
you're right ,nitro is a cool looking machine,and sebring too!!!


silverarrow2silverarrow2 - 6/8/2007 3:20:09 PM
+2 Boost
Actually I don't think the Nitro is that bad compare to the Caliber and the ugly Jeep Compas. And the new Avenger doesn't have any inspiration at all.

Jeep is caught up in cloning world, because lately every thing they come up with seem to be a smaller version of the big one.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 6/8/2007 4:09:04 PM
+1 Boost
The Nitro is the best looking of the three by far.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 6/8/2007 4:08:29 PM
+3 Boost
Huh?


JUGNUJUGNU - 6/8/2007 3:57:38 PM
+1 Boost
Agree Nitro is too boxy.Looks like Hummer H3.

JUGNU


gsh23gsh23 - 6/8/2007 4:11:30 PM
+2 Boost
they should add the compass. i didnt fully understand the hideousness of it until i saw the back bumper emblazed with "C O M P A S S" with crosshairs over the O. i mean, who does that??


Designer1Designer1 - 6/8/2007 4:21:34 PM
+2 Boost
Its good to admit they're wrong, but sadly what will happen next will not surprise nor impress anyone. They'll take the junk they have and come up with another junk, that's all. You need to remember, junk manufacturers produce junk, right?


silverarrow2silverarrow2 - 6/8/2007 4:52:39 PM
-1 Boost
Designer1,

You right, I wish Acura/Honda would concider the same move with some of their products like the RL, the front end of the Civic sedan.


mini22mini22 - 6/8/2007 4:56:35 PM
+1 Boost
The Sebring would be OK if it had nicer interior plastics and a sports suspension set up option. Further the Avenger should have an even more sportier suspension option and the availability of of a 6 speed manual with the V6 engine. Also perhaps a sports exhaust. Right now the both work nice as rental cars. I mean it seems like they spent more time engineering that heated cooled cupholder then the car itself!Out of the 2 the Avenger looks better. That humpback rear on the Sebring does not work.It's time to bring in an Italian designer Ital design,Bertone ectc.They need a design to set them apart from the competition. Even their concept cars from previous auto shows would work. As long as they are not too diluted.


Anti_BangleAnti_Bangle - 6/8/2007 5:19:09 PM
+1 Boost
Of the Big3, Chrysler definitely has the worst designs. Their interiors are probably the cheapest on the market.


moparman64moparman64 - 6/18/2007 3:58:11 AM
+1 Boost
the worst design?????change the prescription glasses!


Caddyman07Caddyman07 - 6/8/2007 5:25:02 PM
+1 Boost
I dont see anything wrong with the Nitro. I think its only the Avenger and Sebring that they missed the mark on. Chrysler is known for hitting a homerun when it comes to transfering a concept to production but I dont know what happend with the Sebring because it looks NOTHING like the Chrysler Airflite: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.php?imagenum=3&carnum=1627


keyzi747keyzi747 - 6/8/2007 6:27:21 PM
+1 Boost
I have no idea why one would think the new Chrysler Sebring's design is something special. Really, what were they thinking? Here in San Diego, I've seen only one that was actually purchased. The others were rentals. Also, after driving one for a short distance, I took it back and begged for a Grand Prix or G6. The new Sebring could have been sooo much better.


AMGC55AMGC55 - 6/8/2007 6:34:25 PM
+1 Boost
its almost like they didnt look at the car before it went out for sale... the nitro is like giant cube ... like a scion xb on roids... and the sebring is way to boring .. and still fwd ..


jt716jt716 - 6/8/2007 7:07:10 PM
+1 Boost
Lol...Nitros are selling pretty good here but no sebrings at all well at least they are STARTING to turn around


Htay7500Htay7500 - 6/8/2007 7:13:12 PM
+2 Boost
rented both and hated both. felt cheap as hell. i was close to mashing the pedal outta hand in the sebring and the nitro was jittery and disturbing to drive. the sebring convertable looks ok with the top dwn. but something should be done to both the sebring sedan and nitro. none of them arent comfy if they are cloth.


moparman64moparman64 - 6/18/2007 4:02:09 AM
+1 Boost
rented both and i loved it!!tide,fast 3.5 ,stylish.nitro 4.0 great feel,great look,great interior too.


DiamondJimDiamondJim - 6/8/2007 9:28:32 PM
+1 Boost
idiot engineers used the mistubishi platform instead of using the mercedes suspension like the one used on the dodge charger. the dodge charger is a thrill to ride, these other sebrings and nitros suspensions were a mistake.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 6/8/2007 11:52:01 PM
+1 Boost
Avenger, Sebring, Nitro, Compass... they're all hideous. Nitro doesn't look bad in pictures- but in person, it's just as cheap-looking as the other recent Chrysler products.

Not only that, but the interiors are pure crap. They're all the same, and they're all terrible.


2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 6/9/2007 11:09:04 PM
+1 Boost
They should hire me to design a car,I know what people want,they want:A nice sleek designs,rear wheel or all wheel drive,turbo engine,BBS wheels,sport suspension,LED headlights,LED tailights,and big brembo ceramic brakes.So am I right or am I right,is that not what people look for in a car like the Sebring??Hmmmm now that I think about it maybe thats just what I want,lol.....


elviososaelviososa - 6/11/2007 1:39:02 AM
+1 Boost
Nitro is fine looking...but sucks in the cheap materials!!!!


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