Chrysler Creates A Survival Plan, But Will It Work?

Based on yesterday's sales figures the Chrysler group is doing the worst among major manufacturers. To fix the current situation Chrysler has devised a five year plan that will put them on the right track.

Dodge Brand

* The Caliber will get a slight restyle with a better interior in 2010. It will be replaced with a Fiat based compact sedan in 2013.
* The Avenger mid size sedan will get a more significant refresh in 2010 including a new interior, engines, restyling, and improvements in ride, fuel economy and performance. It will then be replaced by a Fiat based car in 2013.
* Journey and Caravan will receive same updates as the Avenger.
* New Charger arrives in 2010.
* A Fiat based small car will come in 2013.
* A new Viper will come in 2012.

The use of Fiat technology will certainly help Chrysler, but it's long term success depends on how well the public react to the upcoming Fiat based products which will comprise the majority of its lineup.

Will the American public react kindly to Chrysler branded Fiats?
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Whelan - 11/5/2009 11:18:48 AM

+1 Boost

The Caliber desperately needs to be restyled and made to look less like a small SUV and more like a compact with a hatch. Clear off the wheel gap, give it some better lines, and offer a sedan version.

The Avenger (read baby Charger), is not a bad car, my friend has an SXT. Although I would like to see a bit better styling inside, and maybe an AWD offering.

The caravans suffer from identity loss. The Odyssey and Vienna surpassed them years ago and they never saw it happen. The interiors are lacking in every respect, the handles are cheap feeling and the space seems sub par to the Japanese collection. I am not endorsing the Japancese vans but my brother owns an Odyssey EX and I've spent time in the Chrysler, there is no comparison. Also get rid of the overly boxed look, one extreme of a bubble old design to the other of straight and hard edges.

The Fiat small car will be a welcomed asset to the lineup, hopefully it can compete with the already crowded marketplace in the US.

The new Viper hopefully will be more true to the original than the current model. Too many slits, vents, and not enough of it's own style. It looks to combined from other cars to be it's own like it was 1st gen. Fix it.

chewy - 11/5/2009 4:11:48 PM

+1 Boost

Don't know why they didn't just replace the Neon with another compact sedan.

The Dodge/Chrysler minivans are actually still selling pretty well, the Caravan outsold the Sienna past month and for the year. The Odyssey has more yearly sales, but sold even less than the Town&Country in October. Both minivans are the best selling products in their division, which is not good. A redesign will likely keep them at the top. So Dodge and Chrysler have a lot of work to do with their cars.