Chrysler’s mid-size sedan offerings – the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger – have been less than competitive since their introductions in 2006 and 2007, respectively, but the Michigan automaker is working to ensure similar mistakes won’t happen in the future. Chrysler started ‘Project D’ last spring to oversee the entire design of its next global mid-size sedan, but Chrysler could leave the underpinnings of the new sedan up to another automaker.
According to Automotive News, Chrysler will decide by early next year if it will partner with another automaker for its Project D vehicle. Chrysler is currently deciding whether to design and build a completely new platform in-house, or to partner with another automaker to use a platform already in place. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli indicated the company preferred the latter.
“We have costed out the in-house version, and we’re still working with two or three platform providers,” he told Automotive News.
Nardelli failed to mention which other automakers were still in the mix, but a recent report revealed Chrysler could merge with General Motors. If that scenario were to play out, it would likely mean Chrysler’s Project D car would share GM’s mid-size car platform – which underpins the Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura. That being said, Chrysler is still considering offering its next mid-size sedan with all-electric and range extending electric drivetrains, so it remains possible that the Project D vehicle could share its parts with the Chevrolet Volt.
However, a Renault/Nissan deal is still possible, which would give Chrysler several more options.
Whatever the case, it sounds as though Chrysler strongly prefers borrowing from another automakers’ parts bin rather than having to start from scratch – a move that would save Chrysler both time and money. And with the company’s stand-alone future in question, that could be a smart move.
10/13, 11:48 AM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
I think Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is looking to get into this market. A Chrysler/Cerberus Project D partner perhaps?
10/13, 12:06 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
they should partner with Renault and bring over some of their good platforms & such. not the shared Nissan drivetrains as we already have them.
10/13, 12:12 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
China’s famed Foo Kyoo Motors makes higher quality underpinnings than Chrysler, and at a lower cost. Maybe they should merge and become Foo Kyoo Chrysler.
10/13, 12:59 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
Some of Chrysler’s desgin concepts have been really good lately (better than GM, Ford and many of the Japanese). If they can get the right platform from another company and work on the powertrains, maybe they have a chance. Sadly, the current Sebring and Avenger could have been somewhat competitive five plus years ago but by today’s standard, they just adequate. With customers struggling with the economy, adequate is not going to attract the right clients into the show room.
10/13, 1:32 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
And here I was thinking the title “Project D” referred to a new car designed for drifting =(
10/13, 5:28 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Smoke and mirrors. The Sebring/Avenger are already into their 3rd model year. If a 4 to 5 year shelf life is the norm for a mainstream vehicle in such a competitive segment there should not only be a plan but development already underway. They probably knew there was going to be a problem with these models before the first one even left the factory. What’s even more frightening is the possibility that they didn’t.
10/13, 6:17 PM
posted by:
autonut
The car will be called Chrysler Malibu
10/14, 2:23 PM
posted by:
Catiadesigner
The engineers who worked with me on it knew it was going to be a POS.
The management who get their kicks (read bonus’) from cost cutting ignored us, as they ignored us on every project I worked on for chrysler.
We had guys who have worked for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, VW, Rolls Royce, and Bentley, but some ass kissing managerial cretin who has only ever worked for chrysler knows more about vehicle design and engineering than they do.