Chrysler may drop big SUVs: Report

The Jeep Commander was a mistake from the 'word go'!

It looks awkward, is a bit 'space deficient', overpriced and a seriously half-hearted effort over-all.

LET IT DIE!

The Durango/Aspen are actually pretty decent vehicles that only need more fuel efficient diesel engines, and better interior materials.

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 2:28:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Here's a novel concept for all American car companies: Make good looking cars!

— Benzo_B (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 2:57:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I think my last statement might have been a bit harsh. I do like the Mustang, Corvett, Charger, and the new Camaro looks very promising.

If you look what ford and other American car companies market here and then you look at what they market in Europe...I feel slighted to say the least. One small example is the Ford Focus. The States version is just plain hideous.

— Benzo_B (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 3:44:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

What I will say is that Chrysler needs a new designer badly.So many of it's products are simply poorly designed and don't resonate with the American public.The Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are about the only mainstream products that one could call attractive. The Dodge Avenger is only average to good.I'm surprised the Pacifica has not done as well. I think perhaps it was marketed and priced all wrong. In addition it is very heavy for a crossover. The Sebring is a hideous design.The Dodge Caliber also needs a restyle. True those heated and refrigerated cup holders are very tempting to plunk my 20 plus grand on. It's just that I tend to look at few more things when I buy a car such as design,handling performance,quality. However I'll study those cupholders and glove boxes more thourougly to make sure I did not prejudge or miss somthing.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 4:18:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Jeep will be losing the Commander and Compass. Chrysler will be losing the Aspen and the Sebring, leaving them with the Town & Country, 300, Crossfire, Pacifica (which has sold decently), and the PT Loser. Dodge should definitely lose the Nitro cause it is a cheap imitation cousin to the Jeep Liberty (sorry I like Jeeps better). Dodge is also looking for someone to help them produce the Demon roadster, they are looking for smaller cheaper cars, which is funny cause the Sebring rebuild just came out, albeit it was waaaay to late and the car is very blah compared to it's rivals.

Jeep is probably turning a decent profit as they always have. The Liberty was a hot seller with its last model, and the Grand Cherokee has been doing well. The new Liberty is an awesome car, I have seen it in person, with the same 3.7L V6, wonderful engine and transmission. The Wrangler speaks for itself and has not been affected by FJ Cruiser sales as much as Toyota hoped. And the Patriot needs some alternative options like a small 3.0L V6 with say 160-175hp for buyers to pick.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 4:36:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The Dodge Nitro was pretty redundant and a waste of resources and time..I would of rather had all that money put into the new Avenger.

— rok_altima (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 4:44:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Scrap the whole Chrysler Lineup Minivan and all and start from scratch.

Change all the names to alphanumerical combinations and position the Chrysler brand squarely against Cadillac and Mercedes.

Make a new RWD sedan to go against the C-Class and 3-Series w/ a 300hp V6 and a 425hp SRT8 version.
Totally rework the 300C and position it against the E-Class and 5-Series.
dig up the Imperial plans and make a new ultra luxury sedan off a stretched LX platform with a standard 400hp V8 and a detuned Viper V10 fro the top of the line LWB model.

Design an SUV based on the small RWD sedan platform and another one based on the LX platform. This would compete with the RDX/X3 and MDX/M-Class respectively.

Make a new Fullsize SUV based off the Dodge RAM and position it as an Escalade/Navigator competitor.

Make a GT Sports Car based off the Viper (a la Firepower Concept) like Cadillac did with the XLR. Then make a new light weight sports car based off the small RWD sedan platform to compete with the Z4.


For the Jeep lineup, scrap the Compass, Commander and Liberty. The Liberty has been good but the recent redesign has made it obsolete in Chrysler's overall lineup. It's basically a clone of the Nitro and I believe Chrysler Group would sell more of the SUV if it were badged as the Nitro vs. Liberty. Also, the Liberty has grown too close to the Grand Cherokee. Make a Wrangler-based Truck, Scrambler (?) to be the new compact pickup "representative" from the Chrysler Group.

For Dodge, keep every model. Redesign the Durango to attack the Expedition and Suburban more squarely and directly. Produce the Hornet and Demon. Offer Sedan versions of the Hornet and Caliber also. Make a convertible version for the Avenger (since the demise of the Sebring). Refine the Dakota. There is a market for the midsize truck and Dodge has to figure a way to get the formula right.

If you look at the whole Chrysler lineup, every one of its models has a clone in the Dodge Lineup. Hence, the Chrysler lineup needs a 100% renaissance. Chrysler Group's goal should not be to expand Jeep's appeal. They should keep Jeep an exclusive entity and only for those who are real enthusiasts. Dodge's goal should be to be the top selling brand in the country. It's the main brand competing against Chevy, Ford, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. It needs the full lineup and doesn't need its sister brands stealing sales from it. Jeep should stick strictly OFF-ROAD. Chrysler should stick to strictly LUXURY. And Dodge should get the rest of the market to itself.

— aznstuart (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 5:19:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Durango is one of the biggest sleds on the road. I do like the Nitro, especially the R/T. Let Jeep handle the real suv market, they seem to always turn a profit.

— r_driver04 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 5:35:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The only one that doesn't make sense here is the Sebring. It's such a staple (rental staple or not) for Chrysler. Why don't they dump the Avenger and keep the Sebring, making it significantly better to actually appeal to commercial buyers?

Otherwise, I agree with just about everything other people have said, especially aznstuart. Chrysler should be a luxury brand; that's how it used to be. Dodge should be their Chevy to Chrysler's Cadillac. Jeep can still be Jeep--Dodge and Chrysler don't need inexpensive SUVs, or SUVs that can off-road.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 6:43:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"the only one that doesn't make sense here is the sebring"

I would like to further that remark if I may.

As I said earlier concerning the Durango: I don't know where other readers/commentors are from, but where I'm from the Durango (Originally) was a big deal. Everyone who was anyone either had one or wanted a Durango. But when they changed the design and made the tough vehical, that was the Durango, into a (pardon the expression) WUSS Minivan with big wheels...No one wanted one.....Maybe this isnt' a suprise..but where did the designers go who originally thought up the durango...my pocket book voting...30 percent decline!

— Benzo_B (View Profile)

Posted on 10/17/2007 9:02:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If they dump the Sebring (which is a no-brainer since it is hideous) will the Sebring convertible be gone too? I'd say scrap the Crossfire. It's run it's course. Bring out the Firepower, but with a different name. Offer a convertible version of it as well. Move the Sebring convertible to the Dodge line-up, tastefully restyle it, and call it Avenger converible. Better yet, make a Challenger convertible and make it affordable. Keep the PT Cruiser, but update the styling and put it on the newer Caliber platform. Also, remove it from the Chrysler line-up as it was never intended to be a Chrysler to begin with. Make it a stand-alone model, sort of like the Neon was. Drop Caliber since PT will fill this void. Dodge: drop Nitro, Journey is on the way. Drop Magnum wagon. It has run it's course. Magnum should have been the name used on the Charger sedan. Charger should be a two-door car only. Move Chrysler upscale. No more Mitsubishi-based front-drive platforms.

— TTRaceRR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/18/2007 2:44:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1