Chrysler Working on Dodge Hornet Concept Based Model
Consumers are looking to buy smaller cars these days forcing many of the world's automakers to focus development into the smaller models and it appears Chrysler is no different. According to a report by Financial Times Deutschland development is underway for an all new compact car based on the Dodge Hornet concept car (pictured) which was first presented at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.
The new model is likely to be launched in a number of worldwide markets including United States and Europe with the initial unveiling expected sometime next year ready for a 2010 launch.
Thomas Hausch, vice president for international purchasing said “We are working intensely on the Hornet study and I think we will announce something on this in the future.” He also refused to rule out the possibility the Chrysler brand will build an even smaller economy model that would slot in below the 2-liter Sebring.
why don't they actually make the interiors look like THAT in the production specs (yea yea, cost and such are way too high), but seriously, i'd buy that dodge if it came just like that... not too "concepty" either on the design part.
I like this rather vulgar design. I've been waiting for this car since the concept.
I can live with cheaper plastics and rubbish interior if the car handles well, performs well and costs, like most American cars... then again... it's American so it won't handle well...
It has only taken Chrysler 2 years since this concept was first shown for them to realise just how important a car like this is given the current economic climate. This just proves how thoroughly bad these guys truly are at running a business and also why, in my humble opinion they will be out of business well before the planned 2010 launch of the car.
Well, it seems clear to me that one of the big three is cruising for a bruising after so many years of relying on simple, cheap to build, environmentally bankrupt yet hugely profitable pick-ups and SUV's in the US market. Rivals such as Toyota seem so far ahead in terms of finding a more sustainable future while also making money. As the price of gas continues to increase stateside the big 3 seem intent on falling back to their old routines, slipping in larger engines with increased horsepower to increase niche sales (like the Challenger) rather than focusing on the cars that might keep the company alive beyond the next couple of years. It's a case of far too little, far too late.......
I have to say that I agree with you. In terms of technology and future plans, they're playing the ever so popular "look who's got the bigger one". Frankly, I'm sick of the US wastefulness. I'm sick of SUVs and I'm sick of big V6 engines with the power output of a small Korean car.
I don't have any special sentiments towards the US car manufacturers, I think most of their cars are horrid to drive and even worse to live with. It's just something about this specific car that makes me wish they'd stick around a while longer.
Everyone seems to forget the fact that the American car companies have an opportunity here. The question is whether or not they make something out of it. Small American cars have traditionally been cheap and rather junky with a short service life. The real resources have gone to the larger vehicles simply because that is where the primary US demand has been. That fact is undeniable and the very reason why Toyota brought a full-size pickup to market and sells a multitude of SUVs in the US. Obviously that demand has shifted. The vehicles being sold today were in development before fuel prices skyrocketed so America's answer to the shift in demand hasn't hit the market yet. The Hornet concept seen here is a hint at what's to come. The challange is the big three need to start building cars in a corner of the market that they have traditionally ignored while the foreign competition have steered resources into smaller vehicles which are the norm in their home markets. Junky interiors and low quality plastics won't cut it. The foreign competition is too well established in the small-car market so that is the challange for the big three. It will remain to be seen if they recognize that fact and bring out quality vehicles that offer as much or more than the foreign competition that is already firmly established in smaller, more economical vehicles.
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pretty cool if it actually looks like this, has at least 160hp and a manual transmission(and is lightweight according to HP).