What does the Chrysler brand represent today and what kind of models should it have in its range?
That’s a good question, and one that only the group’s CEO Sergio Marchionne can (but not necessarily “should”) answer.
Right now, Chrysler has a three-model lineup with the 200 mid-size sedan, the 300 large sedan and the Town & Country minivan. And oh; it just killed the only high-po model in its range in North America, the 300 SRT, with the sedan’s facelift that was presented in LA last week.
For the record, I think it’s a mistake to leave Chrysler without a performance sub-brand – be that SRT or with another moniker, at a time when even mainstream carmakers are trying to established similar sport branches – i.e. Nissan with its Nismo cars. Somehow, Marchionne and the Fiat group in general, don’t believe in competing sports nameplates – of course, the VW Group begs to differ…
If it weren’t for Marchionne’s grand product plan (oh…wait) that includes the addition of a new compact sedan named 100 and two CUVs together with a replacement for the Town & Country over the next three years, one could say that Chrysler (the brand, not the group) kind of resembles an American cousin of Lancia with a reduced range that places more and more emphasis on chic styling over substance…
Time will well tell if Chrysler and Dodge become the modern-day Lancia and Alfa’s of the North American continent, but until then, how about you give us your thoughts on this 2015 Chrysler 300S Coupe rendering from X-Tomi in the comments.
Rendering: X-Tomi
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