Now that’s what we are talking!!!

So…. The Viper and Challenger will be a Chrysler now?

Chrysler does not badge engineer much, anyways. Sure, there are platforms, but caliber, compass, patriot are all very different bodies and some options. That’s exactly what people had been calling for - flex mfg.

^^yeah, i was thinking that too…they don’t badge as much as others do.

In the long run it makes sense and this could really work when Chrysler LLC updates its whole lineup. Obviously, if the change was to happen today, it would leave Dodge with a pretty lame lineup (Dakota, Ram and Sprinter van) and we would really see how much overlap the Chrysler and Jeep brands really have…

I looked at the State Farm website to get a feel for how the new Dodge Challenger might be rated. I lookes at the other 2 LX platform (300 and Charger) and to my surprise, they have different ratings. The 300 insurance rating is rated better (cheaper) than a Charger. That sucks. Go ahead and make a Chrysler Challenger instead of a Dodge Challenger.

So no more Dodge Challenger or Charger. No way I don’t see that happening. Supposedly They plan on making the Dodge division their volume division and take Chrysler division more upscale. They can’t do that without cars in the Dodge lineup. Eliminate the Sebring and give Chrysler a car that is more upscale since the Avenger outsells the Sebring by a pretty wide margin now anyway. Then replace the Avenger with a new car a year later that is totally different and cheaper priced. And there should have never been a base model Chrysler 300 with a 2.7L engine. Leave the base models for Dodge and let Dodge be the volume division not Chrysler

Insurance is a bit like gambling, especially in that your rates are based on statistical information. Like prize fight the odds laid are based on the track records of the fighters in question. If more people are driving Chargers more poorly than 300s then of course their is a higher risk and so Chargers are slapped with higher rates.

The Viper and Challenger will NOT become Chryslers. That would be brand suicide. On the down side however, that means a decreased likelihood of a “Firepower”. On th UP, ME412 becomes possible, mid-sized RWD sedans, a more interesting line-up overall.

With diversification should come more interesting cars overall. I saw what could be an “ultimate” Avenger, “The Stormtrooper”,
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2007/top-2007-Dodge-Avenger-Tuner-Stormtrooper.htm

This is a car that I would hope Dodge and Cerberus are looking at seriously as a direction to go in. If nothing else as a mid-sized 300 companion.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that the plan is to sell all cars and minivans through Chrysler, all trucks through Dodge and all SUVs through Jeep. Pure and simple.

You could do Challenger and Charger through Chrysler dealerships without the “Chrysler” prefix — those nameplates have enough heritage/equity behind them to stand alone. But this would get rid of all the doppleganger Avengers, Caravans, etc. and clarify the three brands in no time.

It’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard from Detroit all year.

There just doing this so they dont have to make a Cuda’

ME412!?!?!?

I seriously doubt that Chrysler has the money or the balls to make that.

This has got to be one of the worst ideas in the history of bad automaker decisions I’ve ever heard. Chrysler and Dodge will lose their entire fan base. Jeep will remain somewhat intact because that’s all they are known for now is SUVs. But they sell “purist” SUVs, “trail rated” SUVs. SUVs that could actually be used for off road sport. Which begs the question, Where do mini-vans fall into this whole mess. Following their line of reasoning you’d have to stick them with the other multi-passenger vehicles, the SUVs. Which brings me to my next question: How will Chrysler ever survive all the lawsuits for wrongful death when everyone has a heart attack from laughing themselves to death the first time they see the first “Jeep Trail Rated Mini-Van”?

Not to mention, “Chrysler Challenger”, “Chrysler Viper”? The only people out there with the money to buy this much American muscle is old enough to know better. They’ll be completely disillusioned seeing Grandpa’s brand name on they’re young persons sports car. Seriously, I read alot of the posts and many of you think this a good idea, many of you don’t even think their will be a negative impact, that it’s actually a good idea. But seriously, how little common sense must you have to think this way? What’s next a “Buick Corvette”. Mark my words, if Chrysler goes through with this, the company will on sale again in 3yrs.

Great. Now please tell me they’re going to revive Plymouth as the performance division at some point.

They could tweak this plan so that Dodge could still sell lower volume “high performance” cars some of which may be based on shared platforms. Since performance is Dodge’s strength in cars, it wouldn’t be hard to do and would still accomplish the goals of the strategy. I think it will always make too much sense not to badge engineer some platforms. As strategy goes, this is sound and avoids the 1980’s GM approach where one car on the line received a Chevrolet badge, the next Buick, and the one after that Pontiac.

WHO HONESTLY GIVES A **** ??????

I like bold moves, but this might be too big a step down the right direction. I think Chrysler needs to streamline its products, not its products’ names.

First of all, I personally think the ME412 *never* had a chance for production, and any vestigial chance completely evaporated when Daimler (and its engine-providing AMG division) sold off Chrysler. Besides, there are plenty better things for Chrysler to do with its resources than invest in a limited run supercar that’s bound to lose money.

I think there are serious marketing blunders waiting to happen by eliminating “Dodge”-branded passenger cars. I thought about what some people have suggested–just eliminating “Dodge” from the “Dodge Viper,” and people won’t notice that the Viper is sitting next to a Sebring at the dealership. I suppose that MAY be true for Viper buyers–who will likely flock to whatever show room has them. But what about the rest of the Dodge’s current bread-and-butter, and especially the upcoming Challenger? Losing Dodge brand equity now will likely only lose net sales.

There’s nothing wrong with a Chevy-Buick, Ford-Lincoln, Toyota-Lexus, Honda-Acura lineup, as long as the product lines are plenty diversified and the cars themselves have a solid foundation (i.e., sadly the Caliber is still a Caliber no matter whatever else you might call it).

Close. What I would do…

Chrysler - Luxury passenger cars

Dodge- Entry-level to entry-luxury volume brand, including light duty trucks and a couple halo cars like Viper and Challenger

JEEP - SUVs. Also Chrysler’s commercial brand for medium-duty vehicles, much like GMC’s commercial arm

Plymouth - Performance division. Offers a sport-oriented car in each passenger car segment, including compact, mid-size, full-size in both 2 and 4 door configurations. At least one convertible.

Eagle - ?????? Haven’t thought of this one yet, but if Chrysler ever brought Plymouth back, it’d only make sense to revive Eagle.

I would have to agree with you CA36GTP, but dodge should keep the Charger as it seems to be selling well.

I think just by removing the rebadged parts of the line up and filling them with more unique offerings would be enough to bolster sales.

Chrysler Canada did not sell Dodge cars in Canada a few years ago, with the exception of the Viper of course. I think it caused a bit of confusion because the Neon was always marketed as a Dodge, and it was suddenly a Chrysler.

As far as the way I’d put it:

Chrysler - Luxury. it can be done, just get rid of the awkward looking styling (Sebring), make the cars look like pure sex and improve quality.

Jeep - SUV, Doesn’t need much tweaking. just get rid of the non-trail rated vehicles such as the Compass.

Dodge - Pick-Up, Sports, Minivan(?). The Ram is a definite must. Also the Viper should stay with Dodge as it has the most history when it comes to performance than any other Chrysler brand. The Caravan might also need to stick with Dodge, as it is the best selling minivan on the market. Get rid of that horrid BOLD BOX styling and bring in some curves.

Eagle/Plymouth/? - Small/Entry Level. They do need another brand to market the new small cars. It could also be modelled after Scion.

L-88, that’s the big hurdle I see with a major reorganization like this. Sure, there’s a lot of dead weight in Chrysler’s line, but there are also several models that sell well but would have to be moved around and rebadged to fit in the new division break-up.

Then again, you could say Pontiac would have to do the same thing to realize its performance orientation. Say what you will about cars like the Vibe (I happen to hate it), but it sells.

they should make the chrysler brand the premium brand, dodge the performance arm, and jeep the utility sector. to me, that makes more sense. under the new plan, the doge viper and challenger don’t seem to have any place in that proposed plan,

Auto.observer: BUT, where do you put the entry-level and economy cars? Or commuter coffins to compete with Malibu/Accord/Camry/G6/Aura/Taurus/Altima etc. ?

For once, I’m with LP640. WHO GIVES A ****?!

I agree with you CA36GTP again about the Vibe, however, dodge still needs to sell small fuel efficient cars, sedans, and performance sedans because Chrysler doesn’t have the luxury of several brands like GM does. They either have to model Dodge after Chevy and offer a bit of everything, or revive a brand like Plymouth, or create a new brand to either service the performance or small car market.

Yea, I would take Chevy as a model for Dodge, though I would try to keep the model count a little bit down from where Chevy is at. They have too many cars.

I don’t personally like this plan. I think Chrysler LLC desperately needs to reposition their brands, but this plan isn’t what I had in mind. I agree with the previous posts about Dodge becoming the company’s version of Chevrolet; a sporty, affordable, mainstream, mass market, volume brand. I also agree with the forum members who think that the Chrysler brand needs to be refocused into a true near luxury niche brand (the luxury class would be too big a leap for the brand at this time); this division’s products would feature sleek designs, upscale features, and the company’s latest technological advancements. Returning Jeep to a traditional SUV niche brand is the only part of the plan with which I agree. If wise vehicle choices are made and executed correctly, then the brands can be properly repositioned without limiting the brands to a particular “type” of vehicle as in the proposed plan listed in the LLN article.

Good idea, but I’d suggest Keeping Viper and Charger/Challenger as Dodges, and keeping two minivans.

“The Viper and Challenger will NOT become Chryslers. That would be brand suicide.”
so true! O

Comment by tins: this is just preparation, making it easier to sell off the parts.

Scar: “There’s nothing wrong with a Chevy-Buick, Ford-Lincoln, Toyota-L—s, Honda-A—a lineup, as long as the product lines are plenty diversified and the cars themselves have a solid foundation.” Maybe that’s why honda’s faux-luxury division is suffering. And yeah, the Caliber is a sad vehicle.

CA36GTP, Neko: Good idea, until you brough up Plymouth and eagle.