European Dodge dealers can't keep the Caliber in stock

Dodge is enjoying early success in Europe with its Caliber.

In some European markets there is a six-month wait for the five-door lower-medium hatchback.

“We underestimated demand for the product,” Thomas Hausch, Chrysler’s executive director of international sales and marketing, told Automotive News Europe.

In June, when the Caliber launched in Europe, some critics questioned whether consumers here would buy a car that has Dodge’s bold American styling.

Through the first three months on the market, Dodge sold 3,238 Calibers in western Europe, according to Mary Beth Halprin, a spokeswoman from DaimlerChrysler, Dodge’s parent company. Last year Dodge sold 311 vehicles in western Europe
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BMW530i - 9/6/2006 10:09:27 AM

+1 Boost

INCREDIBLE!

To me, the Caliber has zero appeal and looks like a car that is lost: does it try to be a wagon, a crossover or an SUV?

PlanoA4 - 9/6/2006 10:14:22 AM

+1 Boost

That is an astounding increase in sales.

bubbahotep - 9/6/2006 11:20:37 AM

+1 Boost

its selling so great because the auto industry is lost and has no direction..its the perfect fit...

MercBasher - 9/6/2006 11:56:44 AM

+1 Boost

A smash hit that sells 1,100 units a month (three month total was 3,238). Wow DCX just needs a hundred more "smash hits" every year to make a dent in the market.

montyz81 - 9/6/2006 12:26:08 PM

+1 Boost

Well at least they have extra's sitting on american dealer lots to keep up with European demand!

tecnopolis - 9/6/2006 4:07:27 PM

+1 Boost

I hope some of there "tudes" change when the Hornet comes out. DCX has got it a little better together than the guys at Ford, so give them a some credit.

Rupert - 9/6/2006 4:14:34 PM

+2 Boost

i wouldn't say love, but it is cheaper than the competition.
the diesel is apparently good (its a vw one).

i would take a citroen over the dodge.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery/C/citroen/c4/c4.html

speedracer54 - 9/6/2006 7:12:08 PM

+1 Boost

Lets hope its not because the only send 2 calibers a week...

chewy - 9/7/2006 1:08:59 AM

+1 Boost

See, American cars don't sell in Europe well for many reasons. But, that is a good improvement.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/7/2006 11:42:50 AM

+1 Boost

Funny i live in UK and go to Europe frequently and i have only seen 2

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/7/2006 11:45:24 AM

+1 Boost

Told you before i have friends who have been offered Mad Discounts in efforts to entice them to choose the Caliber as their company car.
They still chose the 3-Series 330d Sedan. Go-figure :)

woood - 9/9/2006 12:05:06 AM

+1 Boost

6 month waiting for the hatchback? There shouldn't be be a waiting period for an american car. This opens many doors for Daimler Chrysler.

Aldairion - 9/11/2006 9:36:38 AM

+1 Boost

This is really shocking. I mean yes, the Europeans are all about cars in this niche but the Caliber is pretty nasty. It's all disproportionate and it's way smaller in reality than it appears in the picture.