A decision this company will live to regret?

Chrysler chooses to ignore its history - a decision they will live to regret.

Highlights from the article…

Detroit. The Chrysler Group is doing their best to quell the negative rumblings bubbling up from the Internet chat rooms about their new Dodge Charger, dismissing such bleating as being from misguided enthusiasts wedded too much to the past. But the fact remains that this chatter is rooted in sound and remarkably simple logic - and that is the fact that a new "Charger" from Dodge and Chrysler has no business being a four-door sedan, period.

It doesn't help, of course, that the new Charger is the least attractive version built off of the Chrysler 300/Dodge Magnum architecture, despite Chrysler PR's best attempts at convincing the media and the public otherwise.

Yes, Chrysler will trot out plenty of "hot" versions at next month's Detroit Auto Show, including a "Daytona" in Hemi orange with a flat black hood (as if that will be enough to convince anyone of its authenticity). And, of course, the obligatory "NASCAR" version of the new Charger…

What should Chrysler have done? Introduce the four-door sedan version of the rear-wheel-drive LX platform in Detroit as the Magnum sedan. Then, six to eight months later, do a two-door, shorter wheelbase, high-performance coupe version called the Charger. As for their NASCAR program, who cares? They can use their "Intrepid" headlight decals and grille openings on the NASCAR template body until the Charger Coupe is ready.

Read the entire article here
Do you agree?

Is Chrysler making a mistake making the Charger a 4-door or is Matt of his rocker?

Leave your comments in our blogs below.

kpclrk - 12/10/2004 9:24:53 PM

+1 Boost

Chargers should be 2-doors, add a manual trans with a Pistol Grip shifter option. I agree with a 4-door Magnum. How about when the original T-bird went from 2 to 4-doors, was it, in essence, still a Thunderbird? Not to me.

Current GTO: Nice car - bland exterior, does it really capture the old GTO heritage (image/styling). I expected a fresh model name for this Holden vehicle.

If a manufacturer is going to use an old model name they should stick with the spirit of the original model... i.e. Fords Mustang and GT(GT40).

So your know where I'm coming from along the lines of doesn't feel(sit) right in my thoughts are: A Camaro/Firebird not built in the U.S.A.(and also somewhat bland wedge exterior in the end, SS pieces helped); the current HD Dodge/Cummins (totally Americana) assembled south of the border; NASCAR vehicles not having the true resemblence to productions cars since the late 1970s (the manufactures backing means nothing on a generic car).

zombie8 - 12/14/2004 5:48:08 PM

+1 Boost

it will be badass. I didn't really even think about the 4 doors when I saw the illustrations. I think it will be a big seller, especially for the money.

GM could have sold a lot of GTOs if they weren't so FUGLY. That' car may be fast, but it looks attrocious - almost exactly like a Sunfire.

elviososa - 12/18/2004 4:35:48 PM

+1 Boost

Why is there more and more ugly car coming out nowadays??