Press: Chrysler to cut its SUV offerings in half

coolmazda5

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2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
Overlapping? All models looking alike? Too many SUVs? Naaah ;)

jeep-compass-2.jpg


It's no secret that Chrysler has some overlapping models in its lineup. Case(s)-in-point: it's hard to make a rational argument that Jeep should be offering both the Compass and Patriot (not to mention Dodge selling the Patriot's platform sibling, the Caliber) or the Grand Cherokee and the Commander. The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango barely pretend to be different vehicles and there's no reason to sell both the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro when they're basically the same machine. This revelation is as obvious to Chrysler's new management as it is to us, and Chrysler President Jim Press, says as much. "We're going to stop overlapping, we're going to bring everything under one roof. By doing that we will have more products in the markets we are not covering."

Also marked as redundant by Press are the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, but as easy as it may be to pinpoint overlapping models, fixing that problem may prove more difficult. Dealers will need to begin offering the whole Chrysler line of vehicles if this strategy of "bringing everything under one roof" is to succeed. Expect to see drastic changes taking place in the next four to five years.


Source:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/press-chrysler-to-cut-its-suv-offerings-in-half/
 
Chrysler is only doing this because they are rolling all the brands under one roof. There will be alot of dealers closing because they just sell only one brand. Around here all the brands are stand alone dealers for the most part.
 
Chrysler is only doing this because they are rolling all the brands under one roof. There will be alot of dealers closing because they just sell only one brand. Around here all the brands are stand alone dealers for the most part.

Isn't this also part of the larger Chrysler restructuring by the new owners where they are streamlining their entire product line? Along the lines of eliminating the pacifica, Pt cruiser, etc.?
 
Isn't this also part of the larger Chrysler restructuring by the new owners where they are streamlining their entire product line? Along the lines of eliminating the pacifica, Pt cruiser, etc.?

Yes it is. Ford needs to do the samething.
 
Expect to see drastic changes taking place in the next four to five years.


I'm sorry, why is it going to take 4-5 years to sort this s*** out? WTF is wrong with these people that they can't just do things, in a reasonable amount of time? Are they still going to be solvent in 4-5 years?

...morons...
 
I'm sorry, why is it going to take 4-5 years to sort this s*** out? WTF is wrong with these people that they can't just do things, in a reasonable amount of time? Are they still going to be solvent in 4-5 years?

...morons...

:D

They have become a monster multinational company throughout all these years, so I think is not that easy...

Things that come to mind:

  • Global suppliers agreements (delphi, mopar,...)
  • Unions (yes, you need to "negotiate" what is closed and what stays)
  • Organizational Restructuring (who the hell is needed and who is not)
  • Dealers floorspace and real estate
  • ...

I think that is where small companies like Mazda have a competitive advantage, they have fewer models to deal with and fewer car assembly locations, so they can update models and make "faster" market changes...
 
But five minutes later they proclaim how great the dodge journey is.

unreal..
 
Funny I say that, they just announced today that they are already offering $1,000 rebates on the journey.

way to go chrysler.
 
I think in the next 5 years (definately in the next ten) we'll see the SUV outmoded completely and replaced by sedans once again. One can only hope-- no offense to CX-7 and CX-9 owners. How long did the mini-van trend last?
 
You wouldn't hear any complaining from me.

Wagons FTW!

*looks at my forester in parking lot*
 
it seems to be very weather sensitive. when cold, I get worse mileage.

I've seen as high as 30mpg, and as low as 25. Average I'd say around 28.

Either way, I'm very pleased with the car as a whole, and I'd recommend one to anyone.
 
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