Chrysler’s business plan: The Fiat platforms

Fiat-based platforms will have a big influence on Chrysler’s small and midsized products, based on a multi-hour presentation given today to the industry, media, and anyone else who wanted to monitor. Chrysler currently has no small cars, but by 2014, they will have three models based on two Fiat platforms, one being the 500.
 
The biggest platform shift is in the larger segments. According to Chrysler, this now has eight different platforms: 

• Wrangler
• PT Cruiser
• Compass/Caliber/Patriot
• Liberty/Nitro
• Sebring/Avenger
• Journey
• Dakota
• Viper

Click the links above for model overview pages featuring ratings and road tests, available to online subscribers.

By 2014, nine different products will stem from just two platforms – and one of those platforms is exclusive to the Wrangler. The Wrangler’s product line and reach will be extended, with major product modifications in both 2010 and 2011. Wranglers have an iconic image, they sell well, and their low-tech design is likely provides a handsome profit. While they perform well off-road, Wrangler’s don’t perform well on the road or in CR’s Ratings; the Wrangler is currently our lowest-scoring vehicle.

Wrangler aside, this means that eight products, covering vital products like midsized sedans and small and crossover SUVs, will all come from one Fiat Group platform. (Given that Dodge said that the Viper will be redesigned, perhaps this slide shown here from the presentation is short a platform for that low-volume street rocket.) While the decision isn’t finalized, the midsized Dakota may move to a unibody platform, like the Honda Ridgeline.
 
Moving to larger products, things remain pretty much status quo. Those platforms will continue to be sourced from Chrysler, with a large sedan platform (300, Charger, Challenger), a minivan platform, and another midsized SUV platform (Grand Cherokee, Durango). The Ram brand keeps its own platform—no surprise.
 
The first domestic-badged Fiat-based product is expected in 2012, a compact sedan sold by Dodge. That year will also bring Ram-badged large and small commercial vans, filling the big hole left from the Mercedes/Freightliner-shared Sprinter.
 
—Tom Mutchler

Comments

[everett whitney]

FIAT-CHRYSLER .... 2011 / 2014 ... ??

No meaningful % of the possible buying customers will Ever consider "waiting around" for that extended interval !

All those enormous sums of 'electronic monies' advanced by the U.S. {you and I plus our next generations!} will have been wasted . . .

Chrysler should have simply been sent to Chapter 7 auction over a year ago Before a single cent had been advanced, allowing the Dodge Truck line + Jeep to have been salvaged & scrap the balance.

everett

[Ed Burke]

I just began driving my New 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, it's an excellent SUV. I bought it in December of 2003, and stored it in my garage since, it now has 14 K miles on it, and was driven just enough to keep it in perfect condition. The 2005 and beyond Daimlerized 'Grand' was not a product to my liking, this is my third cherokee, all being first rate off road products that did respectably well on the highway. The new to arrive Grand built on the "Alabama Benz" platform will not impress an avid off roader I suspect, just as the Benz nameplate versions never have.
I am anxious to see more about the dual overhead cam V-6 in the new base Grand Cherokee, it is a long overdue moderization of the small block engine that will power most such vehicles into the future. The lousy mileage of my 4.7 V-8 and the lower power over its 5.2 cast iron predecessor has always been an embarassment to the Chrysler name. How did the once new 4.7 litre alloy V-8 engine with less displacement end up using more gas, and having less power than its cast iron designed in the 1950's 318 cu.in predecessor ?

I'll be paying attention to Chrysler. Waiting ? Is Not a Problem for me.

[madelyn Williams]

I would not have another Fiat....I bought one in 1980 brand new...I never could get it to run...there was always something wrong with it. I had the car for several years, and could not ever keep it running dealing the the salespeople and the dealer...it was such a lemon...the worst of the worst...I think I finally got about 25K miles out of it...over about 4-5 years...it was such a headache and disappointment because I had always heard they were such a good car....If I had my time to go over- Fiat would know me by my 1st name! if you know what I mean.

[W.R.Winters]

The first time I bought a Chrysler product, Lee I. was running the company back in the K-car days of the 80s. The Reliant I bought for $10K was a total lemon. The driver-side door handle broke off the first month and horror stories abound. Wasn't old man Chrysler a steam ship captain with NO experience making cars?
The taxpayers should have let Chrysler sink. Nuf said!!!

[michael smith]

sorry i am from Australia and the 300C and Grand Cherokee need the new 174 KW 3.0V6 diesel. Yes we have a diesel 300C that gets 42mpg highway and i did find out the 2011 Australian grand cherokee wont get the Hemi and 3.6V6 just the Mercedes diesel.

Fiat works with Citroen in France and Citroens diesel is used in Land Rover R.R sport and Discovery4 and Jaguar and would be good for Chrysler. you need both hibrids and Diesels.

USA needs to get used to diesel