We all knew this day was coming, but now that it's finally here, we think it probably should've happened eons ago: The Dodge Caliber is officially dead. Production has finally stopped according to the Detroit News. "It's the last of the American bottom-feeder compacts" said analyst Jim Hall in the article.
The Caliber is set to be replaced by the Fiat-based 2013 Dodge Dart which has the potential to claim the volume-seller slot in Dodge's lineup. In November, Caliber sales were down 62% year-over-year moving only 1,202 vehicles. In 2011, Dodge has sold 33,632 Calibers. It is being outsold by everything in Dodge's lineup except the Viper (161 units) and the Nitro (22,445).
firstwagon says:
10:07 AM, 12/27/11
It's almost a shame. It was a good idea, just done so poorly they only sold because of huge discounts.
It even looks good in that picture.
half_ton says:
10:37 AM, 12/27/11
Next on the chopping block . . . Patriot.
lautomobile says:
03:27 PM, 12/27/11
It won't be missed. Bring on the Giulietta/Dart.
brn says:
03:32 PM, 12/27/11
"the last of the American bottom-feeder compacts"
Now they can complain about how there are now low-end American compact hatches.
revn says:
03:33 PM, 12/27/11
I sure don't miss mine.
bonzjr says:
04:02 PM, 12/27/11
And the world yawned...
What a terrible car. If they replaced it with the 1994 Neon -- its distant predecessor -- it would be an upgrade. The 2013 Dart has such a low hurdle to clear to be considered an improvement.
bonzjr says:
04:04 PM, 12/27/11
*1995 Neon (sorry, there was no 1994 Neon -- just like there's still no edit button on these forums)
greenpony says:
10:19 AM, 12/28/11
bonzjr says: "The 2013 Dart has such a low hurdle to clear to be considered an improvement."
True, but honestly who would even bother comparing the two? Dodge likely wants you to completely forget about the Caliber, not to mention the Neon, so they won't mention it... at least not by name. (Still, they might say things like "22% better fuel economy"). And the automotive press may only mention it in passing, because the real benchmarks here are the other excellent compacts already on the market. ("It's better than the Focus and Elantra, and light-years ahead of the Caliber" or "The Cruze is a better choice, but it's still a big step up from the Caliber").
charleytampa says:
06:38 PM, 01/19/12
Thank the Lord above.