Future Uncertain For Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Compass
Now that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is at the helm of the new Chrysler he is looking at making some changes. For starters, the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Caliber, as well as the Jeep Patriot and Compass may get the axe.
Marchionne is looking at cutting under-performing models from the Chrysler lineup, with a particular focus on the models mentioned, while also examining how the company can become more cost effective by adjusting prices and tweaking the trim levels and equipment offered on the company's many vehicles.
The Caliber has the best chance of staying on but it is likely to receive major changes.
Fiat is also examining a plan that would see Alfa Romeo models rebadged as Dodges in North America, while some Dodge models that make it to Europe would wear the Alfa crest.
As for the Jeep brand, arguably the strongest name of the three, Fiat may look to make a push with it in emerging markets, something Chrysler never tried to do in the past.
Its about freakin time the caliber gets the axe. the sebring is a nice offering, but with the avenger back on the road, i can see a 2 door version of that(possibly a GEMA turbo 4) or SRT 6 version a very nice addition. Kind of a Chrysler brand version of the SHO taurus or contour SVT. I'm really curious why FIAT wont klll the pt cruiser. that car has really hurt chrysler. getting rid of EVERY JEEP out there minus the wrangler and grand cherokee needs to happen as well.
couldnt agree more...chrysler has needed to trim the fat with jeep for a long time and sure the sebring is a nice little ride but it doesnt sale for jack and it doesnt hold its value at all. keep the caliber kill the pt and the sebring trim the fat from jeep add in a couple of nice srt packaged fiats and hold on to your hats. can anyone say srt4 mid engine abarth?
The Caliber needs to go. It's the poorest selling car in the US. The fact that each one of its platform-mates occupy the top 10 in slowest selling vehicles is truly sad. The PT is at the end of it's cycle and Marchionne (hopefully) might have plans to bring over an Alfa using the PT nomencalture (Alfa Romeo 147 perhaps).
Is this the point where we start the "Bring back the Neon" campaign?
The caliber is too heavy. its not a piece of shit. just needs to be the same weight as the 2005 neon. the same driveline in a car that weights close to 400 pounds lighter would be a much more fuel efficient vehicle, more fun to drive and would have brakes and tires last longer.
I am seeing here at the dealership, more jeep products come thru that anything, this includes the jeep compass and patriot, nitro, commander and cherokee. Having the Nitro AND liberty is stupid. Having the compass AND patriot is stupid. Pick ONE and make it good, cheap and reliable. The wrangler with a 6 speed and the 3.8L is selling well.
IMO at Chrylser, we need to condense our product line down to segments, with 1 product per segment and a choice of only 2 drivelines. too many complications arise when give the consumer the choice of 4 drivelines, and none of which are efficent at the roles, other than the SRT versions.
We NEED:
1. Sub-compact: Something to compete with the yaris, fit and smart. fiat has one of these. Its available in a tiny gas or turbo diesel. Re-badge and go.
2. Compact: something to replace or renovate the Caliber/compass/patriot, that is also available in a sedan, not just a 5 door. the new mazda 3 lineup is a perfect example. Light, nimble, 4 door, 5 door, 2 powertrains.
3. Sedan: A Accord and Camry killer. Make something cheap, reliable that replaces the Sebring. Stop selling these stupid pieces of shit. Every single one has problems with this or that. they are all crap. fitment is crap, ride is crap, brakes are crap, and they never have enough balls. Bring back the Stratus.
4. full size: Leave the 2011 300/charger alone. Pick one, make cheaper.
5. Van: Put the bitch on a diet. 2008 caravans are WWAYYY overweight, using the same old tech, and the same size brakes as the 07's. 15km's is NOT acceptable for brake pad/rotor life. Fix the brakes and put the bitch on a diet.
6. Rams: 2 powertrains people. Effecient V8 or big motherfucking diesel.
IMHO, that's what we need, from a tech's position, with the quife that i see everyday. Every single car we make is overweight. Just like the american public. Put the vehicles on a diet, make them healthy (for the environment), focus on the neccessities, and throw the useless shit out the door (aka cooler in the glovebox, .....really???)
Note: there's method to my madness. Lighter cars are more fuel efficient. Lighter cars are easier on brakes and suspension components. Lighter cars are more fun to drive. Lighter cars are safer, why? inertia. double speed, you only double impact. double the wieght, and you quadruple the impact. ... I forget the equation, an engineer on here will remember it.
The caliber is too heavy. its not a piece of shit. just needs to be the same weight as the 2005 neon. the same driveline in a car that weights close to 400 pounds lighter would be a much more fuel efficient vehicle, more fun to drive and would have brakes and tires last longer.
I am seeing here at the dealership, more jeep products come thru that anything, this includes the jeep compass and patriot, nitro, commander and cherokee. Having the Nitro AND liberty is stupid. Having the compass AND patriot is stupid. Pick ONE and make it good, cheap and reliable. The wrangler with a 6 speed and the 3.8L is selling well.
IMO at Chrylser, we need to condense our product line down to segments, with 1 product per segment and a choice of only 2 drivelines. too many complications arise when give the consumer the choice of 4 drivelines, and none of which are efficent at the roles, other than the SRT versions.
We NEED:
1. Sub-compact: Something to compete with the yaris, fit and smart. fiat has one of these. Its available in a tiny gas or turbo diesel. Re-badge and go.
2. Compact: something to replace or renovate the Caliber/compass/patriot, that is also available in a sedan, not just a 5 door. the new mazda 3 lineup is a perfect example. Light, nimble, 4 door, 5 door, 2 powertrains.
3. Sedan: A Accord and Camry killer. Make something cheap, reliable that replaces the Sebring. Stop selling these stupid pieces of shit. Every single one has problems with this or that. they are all crap. fitment is crap, ride is crap, brakes are crap, and they never have enough balls. Bring back the Stratus.
4. full size: Leave the 2011 300/charger alone. Pick one, make cheaper.
5. Van: Put the bitch on a diet. 2008 caravans are WWAYYY overweight, using the same old tech, and the same size brakes as the 07's. 15km's is NOT acceptable for brake pad/rotor life. Fix the brakes and put the bitch on a diet.
6. Rams: 2 powertrains people. Effecient V8 or big motherfucking diesel.
IMHO, that's what we need, from a tech's position, with the quife that i see everyday. Every single car we make is overweight. Just like the american public. Put the vehicles on a diet, make them healthy (for the environment), focus on the neccessities, and throw the useless shit out the door (aka cooler in the glovebox, .....really???)
Note: there's method to my madness. Lighter cars are more fuel efficient. Lighter cars are easier on brakes and suspension components. Lighter cars are more fun to drive. Lighter cars are safer, why? inertia. double speed, you only double impact. double the wieght, and you quadruple the impact. ... I forget the equation, an engineer on here will remember it.
Very well said.
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Well the only thing that failed is you bi or whatever orientation is. Did I ask hey all you gender confused people please come fill my thread with crap?...with that being said go piss off and hump some other dudes leg
Good, can we trade them for 2400lb turbo car with only 2 airbags and no abs. Think first gen neon with rwd and the caliber srt4 motor.. Think 2011 Dodge Dart 6 speed viper tranny and rear. 23k Have Fiat call me.. I'll head the design team..
2012 viper 6.3l all aluminum twin s358 turbo hemi. 700 rwp and 300lbs lighter with better balance.
Is this the point where we start the "Bring back the Neon" campaign?
Right Now is the time!! I knew way back when that it was a bad idea for Daimler to drop the Neon. They kill a car when it is right at its high point in the run!
Good, can we trade them for 2400lb turbo car with only 2 airbags and no abs. Think first gen neon with rwd and the caliber srt4 motor.. Think 2011 Dodge Dart 6 speed viper tranny and rear. 23k Have Fiat call me.. I'll head the design team..
2012 viper 6.3l all aluminum twin s358 turbo hemi. 700 rwp and 300lbs lighter with better balance.
(Although, I don't think the manufacturer can get the car to 2400 lbs. Hopefully they can make it no heavier than the NSRT-4).
Although it's counter-productive weight-wise, I'd like to see some R&D go into the A853 or an iron block version of the GEMA turbo 2.4 used in the Caliber. i believe im the first - Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Forums
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Future Uncertain For Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Compass
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