Model line-up predictions

[squat]

Since everyone and their brother is making predictions about the future model line up for Chrysler I think I'll add my .02 to the pot.  The current line up is:

Jeep:

Compass
Patriot
Liberty
Wrangler (2 and 4 door)
Grand Cherokee
Commander

Chrysler:

300
Seabring
Pt Cruiser
Pacifica
Aspen
Town and Country
Crossfire

Dodge:

Caliber
Avenger
Charger
Challenger
Journey
Magnum
Dakota
Durango
Grand Caravan
Nitro
Viper
Sprinter
Ram (all light duty and Chassis cabs)

Since we have a lot of overlap and a management team that seems keen on making each brand it's own a lot of these models will be cut.  Press will likely try to establish the Chrysler line up as a more high scale luxury model (similar to Lexus) to avoid having the brands compete with each other.  Chrysler execs have also stated that they have too many SUVs in the line up and that the number needs to be cut in half.  We know that dealers need ton consolidate or they won't have enough models to sell (I think this hits exclusive Jeep or Chrysler dealers).  Plus we already know what vehicles will get cut. 

Jeep:

The Compass and Patriot both compete for the same market, they both also compete with the Caliber.  We know that the Commander is going to get axed.  And we know that the execs don't want too much line up overlap and need to cut the number of SUVs.  I think Jeep is going to take the biggest hit.  But in a way that's a good thing, buying a Jeep is supposed to mean you get a reliable off road vehicle not some sissy front wheel drive car with a hatch back.  My prediction as to what will be kept:

Patriot
Grand Cherokee
Liberty
Wrangler (both 2 and 4 door)

The Compass and Patriot compete with each other in terms of size, price, and fuel economy, and the Compass isn't selling well.  The Grand Cherokee is a capable mid size SUV and the Liberty is a small SUV.  The Wrangler of course stays, without the Wrangler there is no Jeep.

Chrysler:

The PT Cruiser, Crossfire, and Pacifica are done.  The Seabring is getting a makeover and the execs don't want a lot of overlap in the line up.  Press has also stated that having minivans in both the Dodge and Chrysler line ups is tolerable.  So if Chrysler is going to carve out an identity with this line up they need to get rid of some of the current vehicles.  The line up will be:

300
Seabring
Town and Country

They'll eliminate the Aspen since it's basically a rebadged Durango.  They'll keep the minivan because the original minivan was produced by Chrysler.  The 300 is the iconic Chrysler vehicle right now.  I can see in the future a mid size SUV/crossover (based on the Journey) to the line up as well as another car like the Lebaron concept.  The Seabring would be the only front wheel drive car in the line.

Dodge:

Dodge has the most vehicles in it's line up.  We know that the Magnum is discontinued and replaced by the Challenger.  Nissan is going to build a small fuel efficient car for Chrysler to be sold in 2010.  I think that car will be in the Dodge line.  In return Dodge will build a pick up for Nissan.  We also know that the Avenger is going to get a makeover like the Seabring.  Some people have predicted that either the Avenger or Seabring will be canned because of the no overlap talk.  But why redesign a vehicle just to scrap it?  The Avenger and Seabring will both stick around and the redesign will make both significantly different from the other, both sharing far fewer parts than they currently do.  The Dodge line up will include:

new Nissan car
(Caliber)
Avenger
Charger
Challenger
Journey
Durango
Grand Caravan
Sprinter
Ram (all light duty and Chassis cabs)

I put brackets around the Caliber because I think it'll get axed unless it gets a diesel engine.  The Caliber is more expensive than the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Scion xB etc. and has worse fuel economy.  The interior of the Caliber isn't as nice either.  It will probably also compete with the car that Nissan is building for Chrysler.  To accommodate for the pick up that Chrysler will build for Nissan the Dakota will be discontinued (the Dakota is priced in to the Ram market making them competitors as well).  Press has stated that he feels there is room for both the Town and Country and Grand Caravan.  The Journey is a brand new crossover so that one stays.  The Nitro and Durango are both mid size SUVs (even though the Durango is bigger, it's no Suburban or Expedition) and the Nitro has too much overlap with the Liberty.  The Durango will stick around but it'll be based on the Grand Cherokee platform and a bit smaller than it currently is.  Rumors are also rampant about the Viper plant closing down in 2011 so the Viper will be gone as well.  All versions of the Ram will stick around, and the Sprinter will continue to be sold as a fleet vehicle mostly.

[gman]

You really think they'll keep the avenger and the seabring?  They're redoing them now because the interior sucks and they need to sell some.  But for the future they don't want any overlap.

[dodger098]

In the future there won't be any overlap after the makeover.  I think this is a pretty good list.

[MegaTruck]

You really think they'll keep the avenger and the seabring?  They're redoing them now because the interior sucks and they need to sell some.  But for the future they don't want any overlap.

I think with Press there he'll try to make chrysler into a lexus type brand.  With that he'll need a low end vehicle and that'll be the seabring.  Dodge will keep the avenger because they need a smaller fuel efficient car. 

[diesel game]

You really think they'll keep the avenger and the seabring?  They're redoing them now because the interior sucks and they need to sell some.  But for the future they don't want any overlap.

I think with Press there he'll try to make chrysler into a lexus type brand.  With that he'll need a low end vehicle and that'll be the seabring.  Dodge will keep the avenger because they need a smaller fuel efficient car. 

I think Dodge will keep the caliber and the car from Nissan will replace the Avenger.  That way chrysler only has to redesign one vehicle and they can spend the extra $$ on the seabring to make it a bit nicer.  The caliber will get an interior make over too, and maybe a price cut.

[dodgerider]

No way can dodge keep the caliber.  It's an ok small car but it doesn't have as nice an interior as something like a honda fit or toyota yaris and it doesn't get the mpgs that those do either.  The caliber has to go.

[raman noodles]

No way can dodge keep the caliber.  It's an ok small car but it doesn't have as nice an interior as something like a honda fit or toyota yaris and it doesn't get the mpgs that those do either.  The caliber has to go.

The caliber is gaining popularity overseas so I doubt they'll drop it.

[MegaTruck]

No way can dodge keep the caliber.  It's an ok small car but it doesn't have as nice an interior as something like a honda fit or toyota yaris and it doesn't get the mpgs that those do either.  The caliber has to go.

The caliber is gaining popularity overseas so I doubt they'll drop it.

They might keep it just for overseas though.  It doesn't have a great rep here.

[flint]

That list seems about right.  Jeep needs to get back to it's roots and Chrysler needs to get an identity.  Though I think that Chrysler might be more like the toyota brand with good reliable cars and dodge be the performance brand so there's no luxury brand. 

[05ram]

That list seems about right.  Jeep needs to get back to it's roots and Chrysler needs to get an identity.  Though I think that Chrysler might be more like the toyota brand with good reliable cars and dodge be the performance brand so there's no luxury brand. 

x2, to me chrysler isn't a luxury brand but a good quality brand like toyota.  And with the ecnomy the way it is I don't know if chrysler would want to try to break into the luxury market.  Dodge is known as a performance brand and should be kept that way.

[CrazyCurt]

None of you guys give the caliber a fair shake.  It's a good little car and you definately get what you pay for.  If I paid more I'd expect more.

[NitroNanny]

None of you guys give the caliber a fair shake.  It's a good little car and you definately get what you pay for.  If I paid more I'd expect more.

I'd admit that the caliber is only priced at 15k to start but there are other cars that are cheaper like the honda fit that have a better fit and finish. 

[moparman]

I don't think dodge is going to let the caliber go.  Chrysler and jeep I don't really care about, I wouldn't drive either.  The caliber will get a small diesel engine that'll get it close to 50 mpg like it has in europe.  Chrysler just needs to beef up the interior a bit.

[raman noodles]

I don't think dodge is going to let the caliber go.  Chrysler and jeep I don't really care about, I wouldn't drive either.  The caliber will get a small diesel engine that'll get it close to 50 mpg like it has in europe.  Chrysler just needs to beef up the interior a bit.

I think this is likely as well.  Guys, the caliber might not be a big hit here but if chrysler can do pretty good here and overseas with it then they can double dip on one car.  Plus they don't have great sales overseas so they're not going to drop the car that's giving them a boost overthere.