"Jcarr" (jcarr)
03/26/2015 at 17:52 • Filed to: None
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"Jcarr" (jcarr)
03/26/2015 at 17:52 • Filed to: None | 1
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I've been wondering this ever since the current gen was introduced.
Chrysler thought it worthwhile to re-badge the turd that was the previous gen, but not the current gen which is infinitely more attractive and has much-improved quality and dynamics?
Why?
WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:00 |
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Remember the mid-2000s Chrysler Aspen?
It was based on the 2nd-gen Durango, and apparently sold pretty poorly. Not to mention, it doesn't really fit with Chrysler's lineup anymore. They've never been ones to make SUVs, trucks, or anything like that. They tried, and it just didn't work out well. Probably part of the reason why they didn't come out with a new one.
Mustafaluigi
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:01 |
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Maybe because Chrysler-Fiat is having its identity crisis right now. Chrysler is supposed to shift from a higher end vehicle to the everyday vehicles, and Dodge is supposed to become the sporty brand, kind of like what Pontiac was supposed to be. If they made a rebadged Chrysler version of the Durango, what would it be? It wouldn't fight the Caddy or Navigator (is that still around), it would effectively fight the Durango and Explorer, and I think the automotive companies are trying to be smarter about badge engineering nowadays.
Sn210
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:01 |
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they've still got the bad taste of Aspen in their mouths. I see your point though, they could have a large, luxurious SUV to take on the a Escalade and Navigator (the Navigator is still a thing, right?)
Although the Jeep GC might be filling this role nicely
SlickMcRick
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:01 |
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Just logged onto Chrysler's site... They literally have 3 vehicles for sale. I'm appalled at their lack of a portfolio.
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Jcarr
> WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/26/2015 at 18:04 |
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Did you even read my post? ;)
I'm sure they logical reasons. The current gen just seems like a natural fit for a Chrysler version. It's worked out pretty well for Cadillac.
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Jcarr
> Sn210
03/26/2015 at 18:05 |
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Speaking of Jeep, I thought I read a while back that the Durango would be going away eventually and the platform would go on to Jeep as a slot above the GC.
BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:05 |
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What would the Chrysler version add to the mix (not just different looking, but a reason to purchase a Chrysler '_Aspen again?_') in addition to what the Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee already do and have?
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Jcarr
> SlickMcRick
03/26/2015 at 18:06 |
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Bankruptcy will do that I guess.
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WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:07 |
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Haha! I completely missed everything after the first line of text. :/ Wow. Fail on my end.
If they designed it right, it probably WOULD sell, but I keep hearing mixed things about the fate of the Durango. If Dodge axes it (they'd be better off putting it in the RAM lineup), then Chrysler certainly isn't going to do anything with it. However, their design language has improved since the Aspen, so it would probably be better. Though, there's still that stigma.
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Jcarr
> BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
03/26/2015 at 18:07 |
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Not sure. Lux it up, put a 300-inspired face on it and sell it at a price point above the Durango. Works for GM with the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade.
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Sn210
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:11 |
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maybe that's their reasoning, don't bother making it a chrysler if their going to end up making it a Jeep
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SlickMcRick
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:13 |
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But even Jeep has twice the vehicles they have. That's utterly ridiculous. Chrysler needs to step their game up quick. There showrooms consist of 300C, 200 and Town & Country. Lousiest showroom hands down.
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Sn210
> Mustafaluigi
03/26/2015 at 18:14 |
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we made the same Navigator joke at the same time. I think we're like, brothers now, or something
Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
> SlickMcRick
03/26/2015 at 18:16 |
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Dude...you weren't kidding. Chrysler 200, 300 and Town and Country. Damn.
Edit: Why even have an "All Vehicles" option?
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BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:21 |
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Tahoe and Yukon are equivalents... GMC usually being sold out of Buick (and formerly Pontiac) dealerships, rather than Chevy dealerships... and re-badging has had it's poor effects on GM...
Escalade is a significant amenities update above Tahoe/Yukon, and it sells mostly on it's culturally-known name. It is an "Arrival" vehicle. Owning one says to others that 'you've arrived', mostly due to music videos and such.
Chrysler doesn't have Cadillac's reputation, nor Escalade's model history, and Aspen went pretty much entirely un-noticed. A Chrysler Aspen didn't announce anything loud enough to be noticed... most people didn't know it had arrived, or when it was gone.
There isn't much left on the table for Chrysler to put in their SUV that Durango, and probably more aptly, Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn't already offer, and Grand Cherokee does have an established reputation.
I highly doubt they would dial-back the award-winning Grand Cherokee in order to give a historically-iffy-at-best Chrysler product another chance to fail to get noticed.
ranwhenparked
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 18:49 |
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Chrysler used to have separate dealer channels. Selling a Chrysler Aspen gave Chrysler-Jeep dealers a bigger SUV to sell that wasn't a Jeep. FCA US has increasingly moved to consolidated Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram-Fiat showrooms, so the Dodge Durango is sold off the exact same sales floor as Chryslers. There's less pressure from the dealer groups to have an SUV under every nameplate.
Also, Sergio Marchionne is much more comfortable with the "house of brands" concept than most other executives. He doesn't mind having narrowly focused niche brands that only have a handful of models and doesn't see the need to have a full range of products under each nameplate.
Carwood
> Jcarr
03/26/2015 at 23:22 |
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I thought the original plan was to have the durango stick around till the new Wagoneer is released by jeep. Though, removing this from the dodge lineup and sliding it into chryslers would be an interesting plan. I think from a fleet perspective though they cant afford to lose MPGs.