Dodge has not been left out of Chrysler's plan for the future. Chrysler will try to bring out three new Dodge units over the next two years, including the resurrection of the Dodge Durango.
First up will be the release of a brand new 2010 Dodge Charger. This does not come as much of a surprise, since the Charger and Chrysler 300 share the same platform. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli had previously announced those new vehicles back in October.
A new Dodge Durango is also coming down the pipeline. This is a huge surprise from the company, since the Durango was believed to be dead-in-the-water when Chrysler announced it was closing the Newark Assembly facility in Delaware where the SUV is built. New Durango purchasers are buying a SUV built on the platform used for the Dodge Ram pickup truck. Its current generation was launched in 2004, with a facelift taking place in 2007. The new Durango will have a unibody structure seen more often on cars, not trucks and SUVs. It will not be built on the Ram platform.
Chrysler has not said where the new Dodge Durango will be assembled. The company's wording in their restructure plan also suggests the Durango name will be abandoned.
Finally, Chrysler is readying a two-mode hybrid model of the Dodge Ram. This comes as no surprise; Chrysler issued a press release at the 2008 NAIAS indicating the truck was destined to get hybrid technology. The hybrid system was co-designed by GM, Daimler, Chrysler, and BMW over the last several years. It is a full-hybrid system, able to operate on pure electric power at low speeds, with a near instant engine restart taking place when the vehicle needs more power.
Already we have seen the Big Three automotive conglomerate's plans for a new Chrysler 300C, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and an extensive partnership with Fiat. Also, Chrysler has talked about the release of their new Phoenix V6 engine, a more fuel efficient model when compared to similar units. Chrysler was required to present the updated plan to the U.S. government as part of the bailout loan agreement.
Chrysler has already taken $4 billion in bailout loans. They have requested an additional $5 billion from the U.S. government.
Chrysler Viability Plan Also Mentions New Charger, Durango and Hybrid Ram in 2010
Michael Leonhard / 2010 Dodge Charger Concept Artists Rendering
By Zack Newmark
February 18, 2009 9:51 PM
Filed Under: American, Chrysler, Corporate/Financial, Dodge, Green, Hybrid
Tags: 2010 Dodge Charger, Dodge Charger, 2010 Dodge Durango, Dodge Durango, 2010 Dodge Ram, Dodge Ram, bailout
Comments
Renegade
February 18, 2009 9:56 PM
Ok, that rendering won't go in to production.
awhk
February 19, 2009 4:11 AM
Can't they use the bailout money in making better products?
Edited by user on February 19, 2009 at 4:12 AM
sub39h
February 19, 2009 1:31 PM
the problem is that the "Big Three" all have cash flow issues at the moment. all their money is tied up in stock that they can't sell because nobody can get credit. the rest of the money is going towards running factories that aren't actually making cars.
some of the bailout money has gone towards fixing that and making it so customers can afford their cars, but now they need to trim the fat and get rid of products that they can't sell.
once their balance sheet indicates that they're actually making some money, then they can go onto making new cars (which in itself is a VERY costly process if you want to do it properly, and takes a fair amount of time which is something that none of these companies can afford.)
WildMaverick1200
February 19, 2009 5:31 AM
Let's hope that the new Charger is actually faster than a Yaris..... Let's hope a new fat Durango doesn't break down in the middle of the road...
jagervw
February 19, 2009 6:39 PM
Durango- haven't the citzens of Colorado and Mexico suffered enough with that label association?
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