In addition to the amatuerish photoshop manipulations of the upcoming Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler LLC also included the above proposed product plan with its submission to the U.S. Treasury yesterday.
The biggest take-away from the document is how heavily Chrysler anticipates relying on Fiat products to fill out its future lineup. There are at least six new products the company plans to base off of Fiat underpinnings, from a small hatchback to a mid-size sedan and a compact SUV. In fact, the only products designed by what we traditionally think of as Chrysler are full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, full-size sedans and MPVs.
Please join us after the jump for more details.
Chrysler is proposing that it will introduce nine hybrids, extended-range plug-in hybrids in the next six years, four of which would be based on Fiat products. The first of the hybrids will be the Ram with the two-mode system already seen in GM trucks and soon to be introduced in Mercedes and BMW SUVs. Curiously, the company also saw fit to include the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen two-mode hybrids it has already cancelled. The second-generation of that technology will appear in 2013 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram.
Chrysler plans to introduce at least three range-extended plug in electric vehicles, beginning with a Fiat-based Compact SUV in 2012. The full-size MPV (read minivan) will come with the same technology in 2013 or 2014. And a compact "specialty" SUV will get the treatment in 2014 or 2015.
Other items of particular interest include:
* Chrysler estimtes it next 300 and Charger, due in 2010, will get about 25-28 mpg. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is set to arrive in the same year, will apparently get 21-25 mpg.
* The company won't have an all-new midsize sedan until a Fiat-based entry arrives in 2012.
* According to the document, the Chrysler will release a small Jeep-badged model based on a Fiat product in 2011. Naturally, it will be offered with two- and all-wheel drive. Could this be a re-worked Fiat Panda?
* The full-size sedans and pickup truck are scheduled to arrive in 2015.
* Something called a "Lifestyle Truck" will appear in 2013, whatever that might mean.
Keep in mind, this plan is contingent on the Fiat/Chrysler alliance going through. And that's contingent, says Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, on Chrysler getting enough government money to "stand on its own two legs."
flicmod says:
08:41 AM, 02/18/09
A few things:
1) "The biggest take-away from the document is how heavily Chrysler anticipates relying on Fiat products to fill out its future lineup."
I was surprised by this as well. Considering the deal is still pending, and also considering that the Fiat models won't be arriving anytime in the near (as in a year or two) future, that's VERY little to bank your entire company on. Especially since this is the plan that they're presenting to the government in order to keep the money they already received to get them to the point of making a solid deal with Fiat.
2) I'm assuming that the MPG estimates on the large sedans and SUV's are with V6 engines? No way their V8's would be that efficient. And, in actuality, those estimates aren't even that great for V6's now-a-days.
3) It seems that because they're banking on the Fiat deal so much, they've forgotten about very important market segments in the next 3 to 4 years. The mid-size and compact classes will continue to offer the lackluster models of the Sebring/Avenger and the Caliber. All of which are suffering in the sales department.
All in all, this doesn't seem like a very viable plan for their future. Good luck to them, but I can't see how they're going to weather the existing storm when they're only thinking long-range.
rsholland says:
09:06 AM, 02/18/09
I suspect the "lifestyle" truck will replace the Dakota, and will be similar to the Honda Ridgeline in construction (unibody combined with a welded frame).
Dodge showed a Rampage concept like this not long ago.
http://www.trucktrend.com/autoshows/coverage/163_06nyas_dodge_rampage_concept_photos/index.html
minibro77 says:
09:14 AM, 02/18/09
This is boring me. Chrysler isn't showing anything spicy. It's all bland. Where's the Fiat stuff? Where's the cool looking replacements for the Charger and 300? That 200C electric concept shown in Detroit would make a great styling direction for the 300.
rsholland says:
09:45 AM, 02/18/09
The Fiat stuff is pictured with the light yellow bacakground
bbechtel16 says:
10:04 AM, 02/18/09
I am completely unsurprised by how heavily Chrysler is relying on Fiat. If Chrysler could build decent cars on their own they wouldn't be pursuing this partnership. Imagine the shape they'd be in if they spent all kinds of money designing more sub par vehicles that they can't sell.
Don't worry about the short term flic, the government will gladly keep them afloat in the meantime if they can promise performance in the long term.
iskch says:
10:26 AM, 02/18/09
In simple words: Chrysler plan sounds like you met this girl one day and the next day she talks to you about marriage, kids, house, vacations, retirement etc. Wow, I can do that too!
flicmod says:
10:36 AM, 02/18/09
"Don't worry about the short term flic, the government will gladly keep them afloat in the meantime if they can promise performance in the long term."
Yeah... and then 2015 turns into 2018. Then it turns into 2020, then 2025, etc. As long as the government is willing to fund the company, Chrysler will continue taking the easy way out. There are no meaningful consequences for not living up to your promises in this scenario. The loans being recalled wouldn't matter in 10 years when they're still milking the system.
firstwagon says:
10:43 AM, 02/18/09
Must have a lot of young people on this board. How else could a plan that only goes forward 6 years be considered long term?
If they can make it happen, I see no problem with this plan. Of course they should include Fiat in plan too. They would be dumb not to. Fiat makes a number of interesting cars in the compact to small car range, something Chrysler does not (or Ford or GM).
A little Fiat in a mid size would be great in a segment that suffers from blandness from all manufactors.
They already have competiive choices in the full size, pick up and off roader ranges, something Fiat doesn't have.
flicmod says:
10:55 AM, 02/18/09
"Must have a lot of young people on this board. How else could a plan that only goes forward 6 years be considered long term?"
LOL. Yeah, but in the auto-world, 6 or 7 years is a pretty far outlook, you have to admit. It could make or break them.
wildbill1978 says:
12:22 PM, 02/18/09
I have not seen the plan, just reading all the articles online, but what I do remember reading is that Chrysler had directions for their plan:
1) Stand alone company
2) Chrysler/Fiat deal
3) Closing down of Operations
This must be part of the 2nd plan since obviously they are using Fiat for a lot of their future plans. My biggest surprise is that there is no replacement in the works for the Sebring/Avenger for 3 years! Project D must have really fallen by the wayside. I do not see how the Chrysler brand can continue to survive living on the 300 and their Minivan for 3 years. The sebring sales are circling the drain, and I figured that something like the 200c was going to replace it soon. It looks like they have a B Segment sedan for this year, but correct me if I am wrong, that picture they used looks like a Nissan Versa, and we all know that plan went kaput. This "plan" doesn't seem like it will allow the company to be viable for several years...
wildbill1978 says:
12:23 PM, 02/18/09
I have not seen the plan, just reading all the articles online, but what I do remember reading is that Chrysler had directions for their plan:
1) Stand alone company
2) Chrysler/Fiat deal
3) Closing down of Operations
This must be part of the 2nd plan since obviously they are using Fiat for a lot of their future plans. My biggest surprise is that there is no replacement in the works for the Sebring/Avenger for 3 years! Project D must have really fallen by the wayside. I do not see how the Chrysler brand can continue to survive living on the 300 and their Minivan for 3 years. The sebring sales are circling the drain, and I figured that something like the 200c was going to replace it soon. It looks like they have a B Segment sedan for this year, but correct me if I am wrong, that picture they used looks like a Nissan Versa, and we all know that plan went kaput. This "plan" doesn't seem like it will allow the company to be viable for several years...
albook says:
03:40 PM, 02/18/09
Ummm... where are the small/midsize sedans? And I'm not sure I would trust Fiat to handle that. And where is the show-stopping 200C? Forget EV, that would be a huge success.
minibro77 says:
03:43 PM, 02/18/09
"By rsholland on February 18, 2009 9:45 AM
The Fiat stuff is pictured with the light yellow bacakground"
I meant the Fiat stuff of excitement. This didn't really detail anything to whet the appetite. I know it's early but whats wrong with a little aggression???
estreka says:
01:37 PM, 02/21/09
I saw a lot of "fullsize" in that diagram.
I think what ppl need to realize is that all this public release stuff is just so the government will continue to proffer handouts. I'd be shocked if any of these things actually happened.