With truck and SUV sales well off the mark this year, many automakers are relying more and more on small car sales to buoy their overall portfolio – especially the domestic automakers. However, while General Motors and Ford have seen promising results from their most economical models, Chrysler has yet to see strong sales from its trio of small cars.
While most automakers are scrambling to boost small car production, Chrysler is asking dealers to place orders for its Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot to see if there is even enough demand to necessitate an additional shift at the company’s Belvidere, Illinois plant (where all three vehicles are made). Chrysler usually asks dealers for orders 30 days in advance.
In June, Caliber sales were down 43.6 percent while Compass sales were down 38.8 percent, according to Automotive News. The Patriot saw a modest sales increase of 5.5 percent.
While it’s hard to pinpoint one specific reason for the trio’s weak sales, several factors are probably causing the sagging sales numbers. Chrysler relies heavily on truck and SUV sales – which make up 70 percent of the automaker’s lineup – so many consumers aren’t aware of Chrysler’s small car offerings. But for those that are aware of Chrysler’s offerings, the automaker’s lackluster lineup isn’t winning any customers over. Chrysler is often criticized for its bargain-basement interiors and its trio of small cars don’t offer segment-leading fuel economy – the Caliber is the thriftiest of the bunch at 29 mpg, well below the segment average of 32-36 mpg.
Relief is in sight in the form of a Chrysler-badged Nissan small car, but it isn’t expected to hit the market until 2010.
