{"id":637,"date":"2019-12-27T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-27T15:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/?p=637"},"modified":"2019-12-27T10:50:57","modified_gmt":"2019-12-27T15:50:57","slug":"whats-going-on-at-chrysler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autobison.com\/2019\/12\/whats-going-on-at-chrysler\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s going on at Chrysler?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Updated December 27, 2019<\/em><\/p>\n What’s going on at FCA US\u2014or, as many still say, though the company no longer exists, at Chrysler?<\/p>\n The late Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief executive Sergio Marchionne set out a strategy years ago, which set a small number of brands apart as \u201cglobal\u201d\u2014Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, and Maserati. Lancia dropped back to a single, geofenced car, which now appears to be on the chopping block; and Chrysler has dropped down to two vehicles, again geographically limited. Ram, on the other hand, is being expanded into a global brand, even though its main products in much of the world have little in common with the US-based big pickups.<\/p>\n Dodge was supposed to have a wider produce range by now, including a replacement for the ancient Dodge Journey crossover. First it was to be based on CUSW, like the Cherokee, which would have been relatively easy; then it was moved to a rework fo the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but longer, more spacious, and less expensive. There was even supposed to be a replacement for the old Dodge Magnum, a The Journey replacement, since it would have to be relatively inexpensive and since front wheel drive is better for most buyers, was long expected to be a facelifted and Americanized version of the Jeep Grand Commander, which is a kind of cross between the Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica in size, design, and dimensions. This is still apparently in the works, since it’s progressed so far already.<\/p>\n Development has been slow as Sergio Marchionne made frequent changes, budgets were slashed to avoid cash shortages in the predicted recession (which is now a year overdue), and new products were assigned to assembly lines which were not ready.<\/p>\n
\nThe next Chrysler 300 is expected to be a crossover, if it shows up at all<\/em><\/p>\nstation wagon<\/s> crossover based on the 300 and similar to the Charger. Later, the rumor mill claimed that the next-generation 300 will be the crossover, not a sedan; and that Dodge would continue with a new Charger sedan and Challenger coupe. None of this changes with the Peugeot merger (or, really, takeover; because while the two parties have made it clear that this is a merger of equals, one can\u2019t help but notice that the Fiat product line is being junked almost entirely, while the PSA lineup isn\u2019t changing much.)<\/p>\n