The Second Sign of the Apocalypse: DaimlerChrysler De-Merger to Happen "Soon"

[YSSMAN]

Most of the money is to be made in the car-based SUV segment. Chrysler simply needs to go there first, with something other than the Pacifica.

Yes, that certainly is the case now, but the big-selling models with the highest amount of brand recognition are the full-size, truck-based SUVs. This is also why GM and Ford have for the most part done their homework with the GMT960s (Outlook, Acadia, Onclave), Sigma-based SRX, and the surprisingly not-too-shabby MKX.

Will Chrysler be able to do the same? I doubt it. They are knee-deep in a truck-buyers market, and no one at Chrysler seems to have their heads on straight enough to realize that they need a crossover. That said, they are "working on it," as seen in recent reports...

Dodge engineers have begun testing prototypes for a new crossover vehicle to do battle with the Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and the rest of the burgeoning crossover crowd. This all-new model–known internally as the JC49–is based on the just-released Chrysler Sebring and soon-to-be Dodge Avenger sedans, although this spin-off is clearly larger than its platform-mates.

Despite the camouflage, typical Dodge styling cues show through. The cross-hair grille design takes after the Avenger, the headlights appear to have some of the Nitro's detailing, while the chiseled shoulder line, flared wheel arches and chunky lower body sculpting appear somewhat Caliber-inspired. The tail-lights have Dodge's typical red lenses with white bands, as on the Charger and Avenger.

Dodge's new midsize CUV will be built in its updated Toluca, Mexico assembly plant, alongside the PT Cruiser. Dodge planners hope for 150,000 annual sales of this model. Pricing could be as low as $20,000 and availability will begin in early 2008. A Chrysler spin-off is possible for 2010, likely serving as the replacement for the Pacifica.

...Too little too late I'm guessing, and to be completely honest, I don't have much faith in the Gallant's platform to do a "capable" CUV... Particularly against the GMT960s and the pretty damn-good Edge/MKX duo.

 

[1X83Z]

Americans can't build SUVs anyway. There's not one American SUV presently on the market that's more compelling than the best Japanese and German SUVs.

I'll never forgive Ford for screwing up the Explorer. The Edge is so bad it scares me.

 

[YSSMAN]

You're kidding, right?

I can't see any reasonable reason why I would even care to consider the Highlander, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner (okay, that one is good), Armada, Pathfinder (okay, another good one), and Pilot to be better than the various American SUVs.

...Certainly many of the models have fallen behind in most circumstances, particularly with Ford's reluctance to truely update the Explorer in some time, and Chrysler's unwillingness to commit to a class size. The GMT900s are good, damn good, and the point has been proven over and over again that they are one of the best, if not the best, large SUVs you can buy in America today. The same can be said of the slightly smaller GMT960s, which again are surprisingly good, and manage to undercut the competition in every possible way.

I have yet to see any compelling reason that a Toyota or Nissan SUV is better than that of an American one outside of the fact that it isn't an American vehicle. And lets be honest, trucks have consistently been the one thing we've done "right" for quite some time. Not all of them, but most of them.

...And certainly this current generation of trucks is seperating the men from the boys, and it looks as though it is going to be between GM and Toyota for a while. Nissan made a good effort, but quality and reliability is questionable, Ford needs an update badly, and Dodge just does whatever the hell it is that they do...

And as we have already seen this year, GM has managed to trump Toyota every time.

 

[skip0110]

Dude, 4Runners are like the heaviest dutiest stuff out there.

Just look how rusty they get.

 

[Tornado]

I'm gonna have to agree with YSSMAN on this one. With the exception of a few crown jewels (namely, the Land Cruiser, Armada and the LX470), the Japanese lag behind badly in the full-size SUV market.
Though I do wish Mitsubishi would sell the new Montero in America.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think you and I have been in agreement on the Montero issue more than once. The new one is pretty cool, and rather good as I understand it...

Not the best-looking SUV out there, but I'm sure they'd continue to sell moderately well...