Marchionne details Chrysler's future products
By David Arnouts, AutoWeek
The real product news from Chrysler wasn't on the stand at the Detroit auto show; it came from the mouth of CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Marchionne ditched the standard industry maxim of not discussing future products during a series of interviews during the Detroit show.
Here's a roundup of the details ...
-- The replacement for the Dodge Caliber arrives late this year.
-- Chrysler will revive the luxurious Jeep Grand Wagoneer nameplate in January 2013. The seven-seat SUV will use the platform that underpins the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango.
-- A pickup version of the Jeep Wrangler could be in the works. Marchionne wouldn't commit to selling such a vehicle in the United States, where it would compete with Ram trucks, but he said he is open to selling it in foreign markets.
-- There likely will be only one version of the next generation of minivans. Chrysler will drop either the Dodge Grand Caravan or the Chrysler Town & Country. Whichever brand doesn't get the traditional minivan will receive a "people mover" without the usual sliding doors, said Marchionne.
-- The future of the Dodge Nitro and the Jeep Liberty is not settled. "Give us 40 days to make a decision," Marchionne said.
In a move to boost fuel economy, 2013 Chrysler front-drive products will use a nine-speed automatic transmission. There also will be an eight-speed automatic transmission in select rear-drive vehicles, including the new 2013 Chrysler 300 hybrid and the Dodge Charger.
Justin Couture
Mark Atkinson
John LeBlanc
Posted by: Dave | 2011-01-24 10:51:06 AM
Yaawwwnnnnnnn....
Posted by: bob | 2011-01-24 11:40:11 AM
sweet
Posted by: Blue Star | 2011-01-24 2:46:23 PM
Nine speeds, just what the consumer needs, more head aches from Chrysler, they can't get their 4 speed transmissons right.
Posted by: gordon edgecomb | 2011-01-24 2:53:04 PM
no more sliding doors or caravan ????????you people really are crazy.
Posted by: JB | 2011-01-24 7:55:10 PM
Oh sure, nine speed and eight speed automatic transmissions. Chrysler should try and perfect their 4 and 5 speed transmissions first. Clunk..... POS
Posted by: iamsuperdan | 2011-01-24 8:24:49 PM
Do Chrysler even use those problematic 4 and 5 peeds anymore? I thought they dumped those years ago. Besides, we're talking about Fiat technology here These will work with no issues.
Posted by: hayseed | 2011-01-27 6:24:07 AM
These guy's are working overtime. Like one columnist said "GM has used there turnaround to prep thier IPO and Chrysler has used their's for survival". Chrysler uses and still uses Daimler sourced transmissons and Getrag trans. Their 4 speeds work great since the upgrade in '98, not so with Honda's automatics. Try and find a used trans. for an Acura/Honda V6 car, they are in very high demand.
Posted by: replica watches | 2012-02-23 3:46:54 AM
Other Trunk or Treat options: dress as Mother Goose and “have a few little settings around the trunk representing different nursery rhymes” or dress as a clown “and fill your trunk with balloons.”