Fiat to Kill-Off Nine Chrysler Group Vehicles Including Sebring, Grand Caravan - SRT Forums

Administrator · 10-28-2009, 09:25 AM

A week ahead of a planned Fiat/Chrysler press conference in which Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of both automakers, was to outline the future of Chrysler, much of the information has been revealed in an in-depth report in the Wall Street Journal. But before we get to the new products that the Italian-owned automaker is planning to bring into the North American marketplace, it's time to learn the fate of the vehicles being axed. And judging from the list, it appears as though Fiat is intent on moving its products in and Chrysler's products out.

The vehicles to be cut include the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Sebring. On the Dodge side, four models will be eliminated, including the Caliber, Nitro, Avenger and Grand Caravan. Three Jeeps will also meet their maker: the Commander, Compass and Patriot.

In place of these vehicles Fiat is ready to announce the introduction of the 500 in 2011, along with three Alfa Romeo vehicles: the MiTo (shown above), Milano (which will replace the 147) and another yet unnamed mid-sized sedan.

The rest of the plan will see the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger redesigned in 2011, with the Grand Cherokee due out soon. And with only two Chrysler products left, the rumored decision to axe that brand's name may just happen.

The Wall Street Journal made no mention of past reports that the Fiat Panda would see its way to the U.S. as a Jeep. There is also no word on if the Fiat 500 will be offered in just it's standard hatchback form, or if a convertible and sporty Abarth version will also join the product lineup.

More: Breaking: Fiat to Kill-Off Nine Chrysler Group Vehicles Including Sebring, Grand Caravan on AutoGuide.com

Crimsonghost · 10-28-2009, 02:44 PM

If they come out the the Abarth 500 that is the same car as in europe, then I know what my next car will be!!,

planetb · 10-28-2009, 05:32 PM

wow. bye bye Grand Caravan.

Motorboy1 · 10-28-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by planetb

wow. bye bye Grand Caravan.

Yea I see those things everywhere! and now nothing to replace it? Guess they can't compete with the Honda Odessey? Oh well I don't care.
Just give me something cheap good looking and fun to drive. Kinda like my GF

Slammed0 · 10-28-2009, 06:08 PM

Wow, I'm surprised at the Caravan ax too. I thought that was always a staple of Dodge/Chrysler.

sphipps · 10-28-2009, 08:38 PM

Isn't the Caravan the best selling vehicle for Chrysler right now?

druSRT · 10-28-2009, 09:14 PM

Up here in Canada its one of the top selling vehicles. Definetly the top in Dodges line up. But i dunno why they would kill the Caravan but keep the Town and Country

red2k2rt · 10-29-2009, 06:42 PM

I just hope they dont make the mistake of every American automaker and not give people the option of a manual transmission in most of their cars.

wonderboy · 10-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by planetb

wow. bye bye Grand Caravan.

Note that they are keeping the Town & Country. They are just killing off the Caravan name. Instead than having 2 vans, they will have one.

desertsoldier22 · 10-31-2009, 01:40 PM

The Europeans have a big thing against badge engineering. American manufacturers will take a car, slap a different set of fenders on it and give it a different name. With the exception of maybe Volkwagen/Audi you won't see it too much. Especially from the Italians, where a car is considered a status symbol.

I WILL buy an Abarth Fiat 500 when they come out, and I WILL find a way to get the EssEss package even if I have to import the parts. Like Jeremy Clarkson says, the damn thing wants to be a Lamborgini when it grows up.

SRTin203 · 10-31-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by wonderboy

Note that they are keeping the Town & Country. They are just killing off the Caravan name. Instead than having 2 vans, they will have one.

Yeah the Caravan and the T&C use the same body, the T&C is a little more luxurious and they profit more from it

Crimsonghost · 11-01-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by desertsoldier22

The Europeans have a big thing against badge engineering. American manufacturers will take a car, slap a different set of fenders on it and give it a different name. With the exception of maybe Volkwagen/Audi you won't see it too much. Especially from the Italians, where a car is considered a status symbol.

I WILL buy an Abarth Fiat 500 when they come out, and I WILL find a way to get the EssEss package even if I have to import the parts. Like Jeremy Clarkson says, the damn thing wants to be a Lamborgini when it grows up.

Same here, I would have to figure out a way to dump my srt-4 acr and pickup a 500 ess ess and turn it up to about 200hp, should be just as fast as my srt and fun as hell, I really miss the turning radius in my old ford festiva, and this is the next best thing.

Crimsonghost · 11-01-2009, 09:55 AM

I really doubt we will see any exciting versions of the 500, I can see it playing into the mini/beetle crowd, and be way over marked in price for the first few years of release,

God forbid they bring anything cool to the states, like the fiatt 500 Ferarri Tributo, holy crap!

desertsoldier22 · 11-01-2009, 10:52 AM

They have already announced pricing for the Fiat Abarth 500 to be $19,000, the EssEss turbo package runs about $2500 in Europe, with the entire suspension and turbo package adding $4000. Cheaper than a Cooper S

We will have it for the 2011 Model year, which will be July 2010

hercfe · 11-01-2009, 11:11 AM

fiat is the revival of the old chrysler! this is the best news i've heard all week! it's amazing that with all the bigheads in chrysler corporate, they didn't think of this 5, 10, 15 years ago. jeep should be wrangler and cherokee, dodge should be trucks and muscle cars, and chrysler should be a good range of midsize and up cars and maybe, maybe a crossover or two.