Dodge's new policy: 100,000, or forget it; M80 concept unlikely

[NFS4]

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=39150


<< DETROIT - Dodge sees little chance of turning the M80 concept pickup into a production vehicle because of a new internal mandate that says all mainstream Dodges must deliver 100,000 sales annually.

The concept truck drew rave reviews after it was introduced in bold "detonator yellow" skin at the Detroit auto show in January.

Last month, Chrysler group executives said they were trying to make a business case that would put the M80 on a fast track to production.

But Dodge says it is struggling to find a way to price the vehicle low enough to command 100,000 sales annually. >>

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

that sucks, it's a bold design that I think alot of people would like. I don't know how I feel about it. I do know how I feel about seeing a Dodge Razor in my future(that or the Pontiac Solstice, whchever comes out first).

 

[HOWITIS]

*pics* of the truck?

 

[ChrisIsBored]

Pic 1

Pic 2

Interior

 

[Nemesis77]

<< Pic 1 >>



OMG, that has got to be the stupidest looking car/truck I have seen in a long time :Q!! Honestly, it looks like a toy! Maybe with a different color...

 

[Nitemare]

looks like you need to replace the dodge on the tailgate to tonka...

Seriously though it looks like a matchbox or a hotwheel

 

[AU Tiger]

That is definitely strange looking, but not as ugly as the Nissan prototype pickup.

 

[prontospyder]

So now Dodge has canned the Dakota and M80 concept, what are they gonna have to compete against other compact pickups? I guess with this new 100K policy, they'll have to leave the lucrative midsize sedan market too because the Stratus isn't selling 100K per year. I see them continuing to lose market share to the imports.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Best argument for abortion I have yet seen

 

[NFS4]

Man, the M80 rocks. I'm tired of this me-too styling that is popping up everywhere. The M80 was a MAJOR hit on the auto circuit.

 

[StageLeft]

Looksl ike a tonka truck.

 

[Jarwa]

<< Looksl ike a tonka truck. >>

Tonkas are cool!!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< Man, the M80 rocks. I'm tired of these me-too styling that is popping up everywhere. The M80 was a MAJOR hit on the auto circuit. >>



I have to agree. I think Chrysler has been the one of the design leaders of the automotive industry for the last few years (too bad their actual finished vehicles have been so poorly built and unreliable). I like the M80 design a lot.

 

[Wingznut]

I wonder if the PT Cruiser would've been released under this policy... Nobody thought it would be as big of a hit as it is, and from what I understand, it is now Chrysler's top selling vehicle.

 

[geno]

Stupid. :|

 

[LAUST]

Well since they keep the Viper for "Image" Only guess that's exempt atleast

Bummer to see em struggling with price again though.... Mopar does need to figure out a way to produce their parts cheaper.

 

[microAmp]

<<

<< Pic 1 >>



OMG, that has got to be the stupidest looking car/truck I have seen in a long time :Q!! Honestly, it looks like a toy! Maybe with a different color... >>



Read my mind! Hope they make less that 1 of those....

 

[Viper GTS]

<< Well since they keep the Viper for "Image" Only guess that's exempt atleast

Bummer to see em struggling with price again though.... Mopar does need to figure out a way to produce their parts cheaper. >>



The Viper is definitely not a mainstream vehicle, most people classify it as an exotic (I don't, but oh well). They could never sell 100K units at $70K apiece.

Viper GTS

 

[yakko]

I kind of like it and I am not really a truck person.

 

[b0mbrman]

Bah...if they've already put together the conept, does it cost a lot more to put a few into production at super-high prices?

It might be nice just for label prestige sake...

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< Bah...if they've already put together the conept, does it cost a lot more to put a few into production at super-high prices?

It might be nice just for label prestige sake... >>



Short answer: Yes, it costs a lot more. A prototype like that does not require the millions of dollars in tooling needed to build a production vehicle. And how much prestige can they really get out of building a compact pickup, no matter how pretty it is?

 

[ElFenix]

it looks like a toy, but so does that ford tonka one