Chrysler Hopes To Hold Ground With New 200 - We Say They Should Gain On The Competition

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is looking to at least defend its midsize-sedan market turf with the new Chrysler 200 model, now rolling into U.S. dealerships, an executive here says.

The new model offers all-wheel drive for the first time and is available in four trim levels, with base prices ranging from $21,700 to $25,995, not including $995 for shipping and delivery.

AWD is not widely available in the midsize sedan segment, with the Ford Fusion and Subaru Legacy the only non-luxury models already offering the feature.

Despite its inviting base price, a fully optioned-out top-of-the-line 200C with a V-6 and AWD could top out at about $38,000, says Andy Love, a senior marketing manager.

Read Article

jeffgall - 5/22/2014 3:13:54 PM

+1 Boost

Agree it is not the leader in the segment, but it will allow for people to consider it. I was more impressed with it when I saw it in person.

MattDarringer - 5/22/2014 8:24:09 PM

-2 Boost

The 200 is as desperate an attempt as was the Dart. It is NOT best in class. It is credible yes, but the clean-sheet replacement needs to be in development NOW. In person it's better than the current 200, but what isn't? This will buy FCA time. A massive update of the Dart is needed immediately.

mini22 - 5/23/2014 12:33:24 AM

+2 Boost

Matt-Chrysler had 10,000 orders in one day for this new 200.I'd say that is a pretty good indication of what the general population thinks of it. Considering that the old 200 held it's own even though it was clearly the worst car in the midsize family car market-the new 200 should move up in the sales ranks to 3rd or 4th place easily. In certain area's it is the best in class. I think it's interior styling is at the top. It's interior materials are better than Camry and Accord. It offers AWD and a V6 a combo no other midsize offers. It's handling is not too far below a Mazda 6 or a Ford Fusion. Admittedly exterior styling is a bit generic. However for the average buying public it's a "home run". As for the Dart it needs a suspension revamp, an updated interior with better seats and only offer the 2.4 Tigershark engine.

MattDarringer - 5/23/2014 9:04:37 AM

-2 Boost

@mini22 you need to understand the 10K + 17K that Chrysler crowed about. That is the number of cars they pushed out to dealers. The dealers did not sit down and configure 10K orders on the first day of production.

THEY DID NOT HAVE 10K PEOPLE LINED UP TO PLACE ORDERS. This is Chrysler trying to make is seem that the 200 is a huge hit. Based on dealer volume Chrysler pushed out allotment. ALL allotment pushed out to dealers are called "orders" in the industry. I've previewed the 200 and it is an OK car for the segment. It most decidedly is NOT a game changer in any way.

As for the old 200 "holding its own" that shows massive ignorance. The old 200 had massive cash to dealers to pretty much give it away. Chrysler also has cash to dealers to move Darts and the Dart is a hard car to sell given the competition. The new 200 also have big incentives to dealers behind the scenes.