Chrysler product overhaul will include plugins, hybrids, and crossovers
Chrysler laid out its five-year strategy presentation yesterday, and the automaker aims to serve the mainstream audience and compete with the likes of Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai and Toyota—worldwide. If all goes to plan, Chrysler sales will reach 800,000 units by 2018.
A LaFerrari, center, is displayed alongside Fiat and Chrysler vehicles at Chrysler Group LLC world headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., Tuesday, May 6, 2014. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV unveiled its business strategy for the next five years to investors as it prepares for life as a newly merged company.
Carlos Osorio/AP
Out of the announcements made during yesterday’s Fiat Chrysler Automobiles five-year strategy presentation, probably the most significant were those affecting Chrysler. With Dodge to be the performance brand of the American arm of FCA, Chrysler will serve the mainstream audience and compete with the likes of Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai and Toyota—worldwide. If all goes to plan, Chrysler sales will reach 800,000 units by 2018 (a level reached in 2005), up from 350,000 last year.
Core attributes of Chrysler going forward will be substance and style, innovation and craftsmanship, value, and production in North America. Importantly, Chrysler will be the only FCA brand to offer a minivan, and it will also be the first to offer plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Below is a rough outline for Chrysler’s future over the five-year period starting 2014:
2014: 200 sedan launched and will be joined by a facelifted 300.
2015: No major introductions.
2016: New 100 compact sedan to be launched alongside a new Town & Country minivan. The latter will offer a plug-in hybrid option.
2017: 200 to receive an update and a new full-size crossover to be launched. The crossover will offer a plug-in hybrid option and may revive the Pacifica nameplate.
2018: A new midsize crossover will be launched along with a new 300 sedan. The latter will likely share a platform with new versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger muscle cars due around the same time.
To read about the future plans of other FCA brands, hit the links below: