Death Of A Segment: Chrysler 300 To Be Phased Out And Replaced With A Minivan

kind of like people lamenting the loss of horse and buggy to piston engines. Maybe cars have always been the bridge to the ultimate vehicle design for people.

I don't understand why a decent/meaty CUV hadn't been designed off this platform. A 120" wheelbase, able to take V8/V6 engines, optional AWD. I can imagine an CUV with slick proportions could be done - with options for V8 - TT-V6 - TT-I4. I doesn't necessarily need to have the largest wheelbase however.

I just think there's a lot that could still be done to stay relatively relevant & keep a reasonable amount of consumer interest. FIAT has easily mismanaged Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep in the same ways Daimler-Benz did during the DCX years. Very disappointing.

Where's Ralph Gilles in all of this, his talent has been mismanaged as well.

The airport shuttle crowd will now have to find another model. The 300 was an excellent replacement for the Towncar. I find them quite comfortable with my usual airport ride service.

If you really miss the Chrysler 300, you can buy a two-year old Maserati Quattroporte or Ghibli, which are built on the same platform, for about the same cost.

Given how steeply discounted the Maseratis are, you can get a Ghibli for 300 money new.

The Pacifica is hardly a raging success, so why a second minivan? Why not a 3 row crossover?

What's the difference between a minivan and a three row crossover? I'm not being a smarta$$, but honestly I find it hard to see the differences between all these wheeled boxes.

Three-row crossovers are on fire for sales is the difference. Minivans are also-rans.

Haha....interesting comment.

See Ford Flex or Dodge Journey.

Consumers see minivans as 7-8 passenger vehicles with sliding doors, the engine is placed very close to the A-pillar, has a low loading height, & all the rear seat fold to a flat loading floor. More or less.

Both the Flex & Journey were supposed to get the ax a few years ago. However, they continue to live on despite not getting many of the exterior styling updates from their respective makers.

MD Posted >>> The Pacifica is hardly a raging success

I have spotted 2 since Easter

Whoa...you must live in a cluster of buyers. LOL

The "minivan" will be beaten to death by committee until it looks exactly like everyone else's Cramped Urban Vehicle.

The urban people mover. Wasn't that a "thing" or a least styling concept theme in the 2000's.

Automakers professed that near-future designs would include these egg-like pods with automated driving capabilities to taxi "riders" from home to office while having glorious conversation or banging out proposals via laptops - not ever caring about traffic conditions at all.

Dreamers - meet 2018.

Doesn’t that mean that the challenger and charger are gone too? Aren’t they on the same platform? No more Hellcats, Demons and 392’s?

Charger, Challenger, Ghibli, Levante, and Quattroporte share a LOT. The Carger and Challenger are selling quite well for such ancient cars.

Dumb move. Who wants another minivan? They are doomed.

This makes me sad. My dad always had Chryslers when I was growing up. Can't help but suspect it's the end of the marque.

A minivan? You mean, like the PACIFICA???

Sad. No other recent sedan shouted "I'm American iron, get use to it", was favored for its 4 body trunk, and projected such self assurance whether at a wedding or drag strip. Love it or hate it, it had its own unique American style and character.

Couldn't agree with you more. The 300 was about as "American" as you could get, alongside big pickup trucks, the Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, and Corvette.

american as it gets? yeah for a 4 gen old mercedes e class. its always been a POS and now its dead.