Chryslers grandson wants to save the brand

[jyoutz]

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/

This might be true from a national perspective, but Jeeps and Ram trucks are extremely popular in the mountain west where I live. It seems like every 3rd vehicle on the road is a Jeep or Ram truck.

 

[Renze]

"The next-gen Durango will move to the same STLA Large platform that underpins the 2024 Dodge Charger and the electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. We expect the Durango to lead with combustion engines, specifically the Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 in 420- and 540-hp tunes plus a base engine—either the well-worn Pentastar V-6 or the corporate 2.0-liter turbo-four."

Anyways, is that going to save Chrysler? Does that class of vehicle has the potential of becoming as popular as the minivan was in the 90s and 00s?

 

[jyoutz]

Anyways, is that going to save Chrysler? Does that class of vehicle has the potential of becoming as popular as the minivan was in the 90s and 00s?

Yes in the U.S.

 

[Hay Dude]

If Ram redesigned the Ramcharger as a full size luxury SUV and offered it in diesel, gas or hybrid, they could easily increase sales and enthusiasm in the brand.

Americans want full size luxury trucks and that has been a consistent theme for 30+ years.
Heck they could use the Grand Wagoneer platform, or the 1/2 ton platform, but make it more affordable, definitely under 100K. At $120,000, the Grand Wagoneer is too expensive, too high-end for the Jeep name.

 

[ruffdog]

Anyways, is that going to save Chrysler? Does that class of vehicle has the potential of becoming as popular as the minivan was in the 90s and 00s?

Yes in the U.S.

It sounds like it will be $45k+ so I doubt it will be anything special in that segment.

 

[Renze]

Americans want full size luxury trucks and that has been a consistent theme for 30+ years.

Interestingly, many here on TBN complain that new trucks are full of gizmos and bells and whistles they dont want and can only cause expensive repairs...

It is my assumption that those who say that, buy used vehicles. Those who buy new vehicles decide what enters the market, and they want luxury trucks... ?

Here in Europe the BMW X5, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 are most popular.

(Below) average income people prefer the smaller crossovers like the Renault Kadjar, which is more of a stationwagon on high heels.

Renault Kadjar - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

These are too small to appeal to the North American SUV buyer i suppose... (they dont appeal to me either )

Ford quits making all conventional cars in favour of these high heeled models. For long distance driving i prefer the lower fuel consumption and high speed stability of a conventional stationwagon... i made it to 220kmh on the Autobahn last year without feeling any crosswind effect. A crossover isnt stabile at that speed...

 

[kenmbz]

My area is filled with fancy cars, but in winter the one seen the most is the Jeep GC like mine.
I haul anything from 2x4 and rounds to hay and straw in mine.
Doubt any of my neighbors have ever hauled more than groceries.

The issue is these trucks are awful on gas mileage.
The jeep hybrids are a huge jump in price and complexity.
Even the current regular Jeep GC has multiple batteries to run it's complex computer systems.
And they still have crappy Uconnect and old maps for the NAV system.

I was looking at 2021 GC L and they are going for 30K, and there are so many new buttons and screens that they look strange.

I would love a GC with sunroof, L chassis , leather interior without the 12 computers to go wrong.

The latest issue with the newer GCs is the power distribution module, same as the issue with BMWs, it fails and the transmission goes into neutral and you're stuck in the road.
Jeep is working on a recall, BMW is just ignoring the problem until someone gets killed.

 

[Renze]

I haul anything from 2x4 and rounds to hay and straw in mine.

I have a rubber trunk mat, washable. Rounds of hay dont fit in my V70 but anything that fits gets hauled unless it stinks, then i use a trailer.

The issue is these trucks are awful on gas mileage.

High ground clearance and 4wd is ideal in snow, but it takes extra mechanical drag and wind drag. I could get mine in AWD but i dont want that. I get stuck maybe once a year, always in places with a tractor nearby. So its not worth the daily extra expense of fuel. I get over 50mpg commuting.

What you see at my mate in Finland is mostly sedans with studded tires in winter. Trucks are scarce.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a rubber trunk mat, washable. Rounds of hay dont fit in my V70 but anything that fits gets hauled unless it stinks, then i use a trailer.

High ground clearance and 4wd is ideal in snow, but it takes extra mechanical drag and wind drag. I could get mine in AWD but i dont want that. I get stuck maybe once a year, always in places with a tractor nearby. So its not worth the daily extra expense of fuel. I get over 50mpg commuting.

What you see at my mate in Finland is mostly sedans with studded tires in winter. Trucks are scarce.

Trucks are a way of life here in the USA. They are more popular in terms of a desired vehicle than cars.

You make lots of good points, but remember, 99% of TBN members are American.

 

[Renze]

Trucks are a way of life here in the USA.

I know, its a cultural thing..
And lets not forget: If gasoline wasnt 2.20 euro per liter (8.75 dollar per gallon) here, we would drive much bigger vehicles as well.. i would have AWD definately

You make lots of good points, but remember, 99% of TBN members are American.

I am not trying to convince anyone of my way of life, i am just telling how its done here, as i, on my turn, like getting a feel of how things go in North America too...

Tow ratings for passenger cars are a lot higher in Europe too... AFAIK they were higher in the USA in the 60s too, but US manufacturers are happy to give people more reasons to buy a more profitable pickup truck, a market segment under the chicken tax, with less foreign competition and more profit.