Chrysler! What are you doing?

"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
04/17/2018 at 14:13 • Filed to: None

The above pictures vehicles constitutes the entirety of the Chrysler model range. The 300 and the Pacifica (the website lists the Pacifica Hybrid separately but who are they kidding). I doubt the brand will last much longer. Jeep is doing great with the crossover market so Chrysler doesn’t need to add more competition to that segment. The 300 could be phased out if dodge had well appointed, premium, charger. The Pacifica is also uselessly redundant. I don’t think there is a place for them anymore. Alfa Romeo is back so Chrysler doesn’t even need to fill the luxury/pseudo luxury market. Come to think of it , between the two of them, Alfa Romeo and Dodge could probably attract all of the Chrysler 300 sales. What do you guys think? Are we seeing the end of Chrysler? Or will FCA roll out a new 2019 line to revitalize the brand and create competition with all of their current brands.

DISCUSSION (45)

Arrivederci > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:14

Honestly, they should kill it. Sedan market sucks, so I’m sure the 300 is selling slowly, but I think the Pacifica is doing okay. Maybe rebrand it as a Dodge and replace the aging Grand Caravan.

Maxima Speed > Arrivederci
04/17/2018 at 14:18

Yeah, I guess I didn’t realize the Caravan wasn’t running on the same platform as the Pacifica. They should definitely use the Pacifica for the Caravan (give it charger/Durango headlights). Then just scrap the brand.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:22

The Pacific Hybrid is my favorite minivan on sale right now, but that does not a brand make. Kill the 300, rebadge the Pacifica as a Dodge or something and move on with life. Chrysler hasn’t been a luxury brand since the killing of the 300M/LHS so there’s really no point anymore.

Also, this gem:

Kinja'd!!!

Takuro Spirit > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:23

Nah, keep the Pacifica but add AWD, keep the 300 but give it a 6.4 or Hellcat engine option, and give them the Durango so they can have a new Aspen:

Kinja'd!!!

vondon302 > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:26

It’s been that way for a few years now.

jimz > Takuro Spirit
04/17/2018 at 14:27

I don’t think they can implement AWD and still keep all of the stow ‘n’ go seats. As it is, the PHEV version gets rid of the ability to fold the second row into the floor.

Milky > Takuro Spirit
04/17/2018 at 14:31

I don’t know why they don’t have their own version of every SUV right now.

His Stigness > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:31

But if the Caravan is selling well enough they’ll make more money selling that than the Pacifica.

RT > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:32

See: the first half of this video.

LOREM IPSUM > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:32

I was actually just wondering the other day if Chrysler even existed anymore or if they killed it without anyone noticing.

functionoverfashion > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:33

Plot twist: Chrysler will become an all-electric Tesla competitor for FCA.

Takuro Spirit > jimz
04/17/2018 at 14:36

I’m sure there’s a way... there’s a center tunnel for the exhaust so I’m sure a driveshaft could fit in there.

Otherwise I’d sacrifice two stow n’ go seats for AWD.

Takuro Spirit > Milky
04/17/2018 at 14:37

Right? They’re so hot right now.

Rebadge a few Jeeps as Chryslers (or a Journey for the lolz) and SELL SELL SELL

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 14:40

Dodge has been stuck with that aggressive macho styling ever since they revived the Charger and at this point there’s no way they can ever go back to making an ordinary looking vehicle again. They tried it with the Dart and that didn’t go well. The same thing will probably happen to the 300 and Pacifica if they get folded into the Dodge lineup. I think both are design knockouts and it would be unfortunate to see them become irrelevant and fade away.

Chrysler as a brand still has a lot of prestige left despite having foundered for the last decade. They should leave the sportiness to Dodge and go plush and upmarket. I’d love to see a Lincoln Conti rival (Newport nameplate resurrection?) or a Durango based SUV that compares to Range Rover.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 15:01

They should lift the 200 and add some plastic body cladding to the wheel arches.

Chariotoflove > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 15:03

Counterpoint: The 300 is a unique looking premium RWD domestic sedan that has a special place in the market. It hits a different niche from it’s Dodge platform mate. I think Chrysler should put real effort into it.

The Pacifica is a premium domestic minivan. How many of those are there? It’s also a really good car, and it leverages the brand equity of the company that eventide the minivan. It needs to not only stay around but be front and center in Chrysler’s brand identity.

Does Chrysler need to put in a new competitor for every market segment? No, not right now. But, they are far from dead, and I think our car market would be much poorer for their passing if they died.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 15:05

Those 2 models sell well enough there is no need for Chrysler to go anywhere anytime soon. Chrysler sold 118,000 Pacificas last year and is on pace to beat that this year. They’ve been selling around 50,000 300's a year for the past few years. For reference, that is more cars than the entire Acura lineup. Or Infiniti. Or Lincoln. That’s more Pacficas than all of Mitsubishi. That’s more 300's than all of Mini.

Matt Nichelson > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 15:06

Chrysler is pretty much the Lancia of the US. Fun fact: the last two vehicles to be axed from Lancia when they dropped to just one vehicle, the Thema and the Voyager, were based on the 300 and the Pacifica’s van predecessor, the Town & Country.

As Du Volant > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 15:12

I don’t think there’s much of a place for a “premium domestic” product anymore. Why? Because the “standard” cars are so nice now. I feel like this explains why Chrysler barely even has anything in the market and Buick has been so lacking in direction lately.

I’ll use GM as a better example since Chrysler Corp never had a true luxury brand.

Back in the day if you wanted basic transport you’d buy a Chevrolet. Your car would have manual everything- transmission, locks, windows, etc. You could opt for a power equipment package but there wasn’t much beyond that.

If you wanted a nicer car but didn’t want to shell out a ton of money you’d buy the Buick. All the equipment of the Chevrolet plus a few nicer things- maybe a better stereo, leather, fancier trim and wheels, etc.

Then if you wanted an all-out luxury car you’d buy the Cadillac.

The standard brands have gotten so nice they’ve made the “premium” ones redundant. If I can get a Chevrolet with heated leather seats, sunroof, alloy wheels, high-end sound system, etc... what’s the point of looking at a Buick?

Maxima Speed > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
04/17/2018 at 15:38

This is probably the best take.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
04/17/2018 at 15:57

Oh, wait. I’m pretty sure I just described the Jeep Cherokee.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 16:14

Thanks. I’m just trying to explain the current situation though: your original take has a really good point that there isn’t much they can do to expand the lineup without stepping on the toes of another FCA brand. So even though the current sales explain why they are around right now, if those sales go away Chrysler may have to fade away with them.

Long-Voyager > Arrivederci
04/17/2018 at 16:14

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drop the Pacifica, keep the Grand Caravan, make a swb Caravan with turbo 4/manual option again!

Arrivederci > His Stigness
04/17/2018 at 16:19

I checked out sales figures on both, and they both sold about 118k last year.

Kar Wai Wong > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 16:40

Am I the only one that loves the current 300?

Spanfeller is a twat > RT
04/17/2018 at 17:34

The video is 7:07 long.

Hehe.

Maxima Speed > Kar Wai Wong
04/17/2018 at 17:37

It’s not bad looking, but for some reason I adjust can’t get enthusiastic about it. It’s basically a 6 year old car at this point, I think that shows.

Kar Wai Wong > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 17:56

Well I’m like the only one who really, really likes the look of these things. Boxy and muscular,while still modern and can look luxurious (ok, last one could be a stretch), it looks so American. And the fact I think it still looks great and modern after all these years, is an even greater testament to it’s design. I can already see the eyeball rolling. And yeah, there’s no denying it’s super old, and probably super unreliable, guess that works for Dodge. But hey, I guess i have garbage taste. I really like the looks of the Jeep Patriot after all.

Maxima Speed > Kar Wai Wong
04/17/2018 at 18:00

Personally I prefer the 200. The last gen 200 is the most beautiful American car ever built.

His Stigness > Arrivederci
04/17/2018 at 18:07

So really Chrysler has no incentive to slap a Dodge badge on the Pacifica.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/17/2018 at 18:35

We drove a 20o on a long road trip. I found it to be more pleasant than many other cars like it. It’s a shame it was destroyed by brand reputation and journalism.

Spanfeller is a twat > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 18:36

I’m actually surprised the pacifica was allowed to be chrysler at all, I’d almost make more sense if it was built as as a Fiat. Maybe they’re planning a new 200 that isn’t viciously expensive. That said, Alfa Romeo should be competing with BMW, Audi, etc, it’s where the money is, and Dodge is not seen as a luxurious brand, and it’s crop of fleet vehicles makes them a tough sell for most people... chrysler would do great if they found a way to make Acura or Infiniti level cars; near luxury vehicles. What I’m trying to say is that the 300 needs to hit the gym, get into a lighter platform, and become a v8 HEMI Stinger hunter. Also dodge needs a new Neon

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Kar Wai Wong
04/17/2018 at 18:40

I like it, but the previous 300 was a design for the ages.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frenchlicker
04/17/2018 at 19:01

And long term quality/reliability issues

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/17/2018 at 20:16

Wasn’t it a competitor of the Focus, a vehicle that with every third oil change you had to change the oil. I’ve come to see that everything is garbage and you just have to go with what you like. Which is why I want a new Jeep.

LOREM IPSUM > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 21:56

You’re 16 days too late.

Racin'Jason001 > Kar Wai Wong
04/17/2018 at 22:01

Nope. :)

Maxima Speed > LOREM IPSUM
04/17/2018 at 22:07

? I’m confused.

LOREM IPSUM > Maxima Speed
04/17/2018 at 22:30

Kinja'd!!!

Maxima Speed > LOREM IPSUM
04/17/2018 at 23:59

He so cute! Im still confused, even more so now :P

LOREM IPSUM > Maxima Speed
04/18/2018 at 00:19

Swing and a miss at humor on my part. April fools day being on the first of this month, implying you were making a gag about the 200 being the best looking American car of all time, 16 days late for April fools day...

Kinja'd!!!

Arrivederci > His Stigness
04/18/2018 at 08:02

I was surprised too, but the Caravan has lots of configurations - I wonder how many were the commercial variant or fleet.

Maxima Speed > LOREM IPSUM
04/18/2018 at 10:11

Actually, that’s pretty good. I just didn’t get it. I can be dense. Also, it is the best

His Stigness > Arrivederci
04/18/2018 at 11:14

I wouldn’t be surprised if most were the regular passenger version. Judging by how many new Journeys I see, it seems people aren’t the most savvy consumers.

Arrivederci > His Stigness
04/18/2018 at 11:24

LOL - true.