General Motors won’t be the only American automaker exhibiting a panel van version of a crossover SUV at the SEMA custom car show later this month. Chrysler today announced it will exhibit the Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon October 31st to November 3rd.
The announcement comes just over week after GM announced the Chevrolet HHR Panel, a production vehicle designed for a various commercial and private uses. It is also expected to be on display at SEMA.
So far, Chrysler has only released low-resolution illustrations of the car. Actual photos are expected around the SEMA show. Stay tuned for more Chrysler SEMA previews in the coming days. Gallery after the jump…






10/17, 7:07 PM
posted by:
Foster
Cool except isnt this sopposeed to be built with the china car companny
10/17, 7:18 PM
posted by:
Bobzooki
Thats nasty and not in a good way
10/17, 7:25 PM
posted by:
Freshshoebox
That’s pretty cool actually. I would rather have the normal Nitro for my uses but I kind of like this one.
10/17, 7:26 PM
posted by:
megator
Man that is badass. What engine and transmisions is this car offered with?
10/17, 7:43 PM
posted by:
Kenny W
Hmmm…I like it. I guess the only question is will they build it.
10/17, 7:46 PM
posted by:
bepsf
Where’s my gullwing doors, 28″ spinners and 760HP????
10/17, 8:36 PM
posted by:
Ferg
A4, I think the main target for panel vans is the service industry, which is basically what America is beginning to run on, anyway. More competition in that segment is better for everyone. If you hate it that much, just don’t buy one.
10/17, 8:49 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
If it goes into production, I bet it will be a four door.
10/18, 12:04 AM
posted by:
A4
ferg, this panel van craze will turn into the next tuner craze, cause they are basically all scion xB’s with half the windows and twice the heritage. call it what you will, but i already know everyone thats seen the HHR panel has pictured themselves driving it with a surfboard on the roof and flames coming off the wheels.
10/18, 8:12 AM
posted by:
90Z
Gee, I didn’t realize there was such a huge demand for cheap, little panel vans. Yuck.
10/18, 9:30 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Awesome. The Nitro seriously needs a Diesel engine though, if it wants to dominate, that is…
10/18, 10:48 AM
posted by:
1234
OK this coming new panel van craze could be profitable. In years past SUVs were marketed as the ultimate macho-outdoor lifestyle vehicles to suburban weekend wannabes. Yet the reality is that actual outdoor people found SUVs severely lacking in real outdoor utility and often prefered…(wait for it)….minivans with the seats removed. If the car companies can transfer their quite sucessful ad campaigns promoting the “active outdoor lifestyle” of SUVs to these new panel vans they will have a sure hit on the street…
10/18, 11:08 AM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
This is a “No Build”
DCX kept showing 2-door PT Panel Cruisers for a couple years at SEMA with no production version offered.
This is only a promo vehicle and will NEVER make production. Toledo North Assembly has enough product to keep the lines busy.
10/18, 12:00 PM
posted by:
A4
yes but they showed these PT Panel Cruisers BEFORE GM showed us the HHR Panel… if the HHR sells big, they may find they have a reason to enter the market
10/18, 12:03 PM
posted by:
CARnut
I agree with Ferg, these are probably going to be marketed towards small business owners who need an economical vehicle that gets decent mpg. It doesn’t hurt either to dress them up a bit to show the potential A4. I’m sure they’ll market the vehicle to whom ever buys it. If its tuners or not, that’s how business works.
10/18, 12:04 PM
posted by:
CARnut
This would actually be my choice for a parts runner if I owned a hot rod shop or the like. Great open canvas to promote your company.
10/18, 12:45 PM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
A4—watch your language. Geez dude. You don’t like anything, do you? Don’t you suppose it’s better for automakers to explore new markets, than to rest on their laurels? Would you rather they all just build a zillion variations on the Toyota Corolla and call it good?
Bepsf—-that’s funny. Especially since you’re probably right; somebody will probably take this thing WAY over the top, like that ridiculous orange and blue Hummer. I saw a Hummer H-2 in Nashville, TN the other day with wheels on it that were so large they made the rest of the truck look small. That’s not easy to do with a vehicle as large as an H-2.
10/18, 6:35 PM
posted by:
Foster
What do you guys not think that there reading this stuff. There the one (car manufactors) who created web sites like this to see what peoples feed backs are. If I was introducing a new car I would read all the costomer feedback I could. Wouldnt you
10/19, 12:12 AM
posted by:
A4
also, i feel toyota is the ****tiest automaker out there, and that corollas should all be buried in the desert as they are dog ****
10/19, 5:55 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
A4—you’re a class act.
10/19, 12:31 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
No, A4’s right on, and some people just can’t handle the truth.