Chryslers grandson wants to save the brand

[Renze]

I hope to never reach a point in life where I actually know or care about the price of any minivan.

I think thats why Chrysler is in trouble... they relied on minivan sales throughout the 90s an 00s but they failed to catch the SUV trend that replaced them...?

 

[ruffdog]

I think thats why Chrysler is in trouble... they relied on minivan sales throughout the 90s an 00s but they failed to catch the SUV trend that replaced them...?

The only thing that is saving them now is Fiat. Here are the sales numbers....not good for the Chrysler/Jeep/Ram/Dodge products.

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/01/f...erall-tumble-leaves-no-room-for-celebrations/

 

[Hay Dude]

I think thats why Chrysler is in trouble... they relied on minivan sales throughout the 90s an 00s but they failed to catch the SUV trend that replaced them...?

Its too bad they don’t push their Cummins/HD trucks more or expand the lineup.
Americans want trucks and big SUV’s. We love our Jeep and our Ram.

Everyone’s driving Jeeps now. Why? Because they completely red-did the Jeep and made it more capable than ever. They are amazing little vehicles and super fun to drive.
If they threw everything they had into the Ram trucks like they did with Jeep, they could do to Ram what was done with Jeep.

It’s time for new turbo gas engines and an increased displacement Cummins. Maybe a 6500 series Ram. Get rid of the ancient column mounted shift stalk, PTO powered air compressor/generator.….stuff like that!

I hear that’s coming, but it takes them too long to do everything.

Time to take this thing into “Jeep mode”.

 

[WinterDeere]

I think thats why Chrysler is in trouble... they relied on minivan sales throughout the 90s an 00s but they failed to catch the SUV trend that replaced them...?

We own a Chrysler SUV: Dodge Durango R/T. It's a nice vehicle. They're pretty popular here, but I'm honestly surprised I don't see even more of them.

But I do get what you're saying, they lived on those minivan sales, worldwide. Hard to blame them, any business will follow the money.

 

[Hay Dude]

We own a Chrysler SUV: Dodge Durango R/T. It's a nice vehicle. They're pretty popular here, but I'm honestly surprised I don't see even more of them.

I haven’t owned a Dodge/Chrysler/Ram product until 2020 since the 80’s. I am really impressed by the quality, functionality and durability.
I’m the same way, honestly surprised I don’t see more.
I see a lot more than I did 10-15 years ago, but surprised more people don’t buy Rams, Durangos.

I’m not talking about Jeep. Jeep is like over the top in MY area.

But I do get what you're saying, they lived on those minivan sales, worldwide. Hard to blame them, any business will follow the money.

Yep.

 

[Renze]

The only thing that is saving them now is Fiat. Here are the sales numbers....not good for the Chrysler/Jeep/Ram/Dodge products.

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/01/f...erall-tumble-leaves-no-room-for-celebrations/

Fiat ? Do they sell good in North America?

In Europe, the French/German branch of Stellantis keeps the Italian bŕanch afloat.

GM sold Opel after 70 years because they needed money, and Opel was the only thing they had that made money and therefor was worth something.

 

[kenmbz]

My 2011 Jeep GC is nearing end of life, was looking for a replacement, but getting more than 16mpg would be a necessary consideration.
And I am not spending more than 40K (usually buy used).

rules out the GC and Drurango right off the bat.

 

[WinterDeere]

Fiat ? Do they sell good in North America?

Yes, but mostly just the 500. No surprise, it's a niche market vehicle here, most aren't comfortable driving something that small between the Cadillac Escalades and Ford F250's that dominate our highways.

I did try to talk my wife into a Fiat 500 Abarth, just as a second (fifth?) vehicle for her to tool around town. She took one look at the thing and said, "no way am I putting our kids in that tiny death trap." Tires as small as you'd find on the average American wheelbarrow don't help with it's overall appeal, here.

 

[kenmbz]

They have Maserati and Alfa Romeo here too.
Not cheap and not reliable, but fun.
Used Maserati's go for less than 1/2 of new in a few years, but tuneups are going to cost ya.
The 500 was meant for dense cities, it is not a good highway car.

 

[WinterDeere]

They have Maserati and Alfa Romeo here too.
Not cheap and not reliable, but fun.
Used Maserati's go for less than 1/2 of new in a few years, but tuneups are going to cost ya.

Maserati has suddenly become very popular in my local area. They sure are sexy, but I don't know that they win top marks by any other measure, when compared to various other sporty European imports.

Alfa has always had a presence, never huge, but they're always around. I usually see 2-3 at school pickup most days, out of 150-200 vehicles, and 1-2 Maserati... versus four dozen Chryslers (Dodge, Ram, Jeep, etc.).

The 500 was meant for dense cities, it is not a good highway car.

And therein lies the problem. "In America, 200 years is a long time; and in Europe, 200 miles is a long distance."

How many new car buyers in America are shopping for a vehicle that's "not a good highway car." It's damn-near all we do, in most of this country.