Finally! Chrysler brand to build its first SUV....

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Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
12,755
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DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler brand is about to gamble there is room for yet another large, upscale SUV.

Next summer, Chrysler plans to introduce its first sport utility vehicle as part of a major rollout of new models in 2006 aimed at building on the automaker's recent turnaround.

The SUV will be based on the current, seven-seat Dodge Durango but will be more upscale and is expected to debut at the Detroit auto show in January, said a Chrysler official familiar with the plan.

The project signals Chrysler remains bullish on the large SUV market despite a recent thaw in demand for big, truck-based SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.

Chrysler could face challenges in putting its middle-market Chrysler brand up against established luxury marques such as Cadillac, Volvo and Lincoln. But the automaker's recent success in pitching its new 300 sedan as upscale yet affordable suggests the automaker may have cracked the code for entering richer segments, said Jeremy Anwyl, president of Edmunds.com, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based Web site that offers car-buying advice.

"If they took that formula into the luxury SUV category ... they would probably have a good story for the marketplace," Anwyl said.

Chrysler plans to resurrect a vehicle name from DaimlerChrysler's past for the new SUV and is planning to build the model at a plant in Newark, Del., where the Durango is assembled, the Chrysler source said.

Because the Durango was just redesigned and the costs of launching a totally new vehicle are high, it is unlikely that the Chrysler-badged SUV will look much different from Durango. Analysts expect to see a different front grille and headlights, a more refined interior and possibly a different tailgate. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0506/06/A01-205249.htm
 

frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
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Originally posted by: CheapArse
a little late to the party, no?

I think thats been there problem. Responding too slow to the markets wants and needs. Domestic car companies need to get their act together if they are to continue to be successful. I think Ford has been doing an awesome job by going back to thier roots. Alot of companies have tried to follow, but I think Ford has been the only one successfully pulling it off.

I really am tired of all the rice-burners. I do admit I used to have a honda civic all decked out, but have left that teenage stage for a more american style stance. I'm now a converted Mustang man! The new Mustang and GT40 look gorgeous. And apparently the Shelby Cobra may be hitting the market too!
 

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
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Having driven two new Durangos (both less than 2k miles) they are quite a bit better than the old ones. Finally the steering has been fixed, its got good power and comfortable seating.

It still smells like old feet (as with all new Chrysler products), I can't see crap out the back, and everything inside is plastic. Cheap plastic. For a 30+k vehicle, its unacceptable.

 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
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Ugh... Durangos are so ugly. It'll do great if they can get a few rappers to drive them, maybe put some enormous chrome wheels on them.
 

CombatChuk

Platinum Member
Jul 19, 2000
2,008
3
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Chrysler is probably adding the cylinder deactiviation feature so it can get better gas mileage...upscale probably means the Hemi is standard.
 

b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
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Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Why do people continue to buy these things while gas is like $2.25 a gallon?

Meh, I would gladly spend an additional $8 a week in gas to drive a car I love to drive. That said, I can understand why the SUV guys continue to choose those rather than minivans and full-size cars...

[Edit] As for being "late to the party," does anyone have numbers showing the growth/decline rate for Luxury SUVs as opposed to SUVs in general?
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Uhhhhhhhh, how is the Pacifica not a SUV?

http://www.chrysler.com/pacifica/

Says so right there on their website.

So it'd be their second SUV.

Chrysler markets the Pacifica as a crossover vehicle. It's nothing more than a mini-van with 4 traditional doors in place of sliding ones.

It's not truck based. It doesn't have a low range gear. It has absolutely zero off road functionality.

Not that a $40,000 rebadged Durango with more bells and whistles would ever see any off road time, but at least it's built to tow and take a bit of a beating under the skin.

The Pacifica isn't.
 

dandruff

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,407
6
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well if crossfire is any indication - the new suv will simply be the reincarnation of the old ML320 ...
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
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www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Originally posted by: CheapArse
a little late to the party, no?

I think thats been there problem. Responding too slow to the markets wants and needs. Domestic car companies need to get their act together if they are to continue to be successful.

:cool: Cool, I get to add Chysler to the listed of doomed big Car Companies along with GM and Ford :thumbsup:
 

KingPhil

Golden Member
Apr 27, 2000
1,154
0
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Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Why do people continue to buy these things while gas is like $2.25 a gallon?

NO KIDDING! Must be nice to throw money away :)

My motorcycle gets 50MPG, loving it more and more these days :) I can go a week and a half on 6 bucks :)
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Uhhhhhhhh, how is the Pacifica not a SUV?

http://www.chrysler.com/pacifica/

Says so right there on their website.

So it'd be their second SUV.

Chrysler markets the Pacifica as a crossover vehicle. It's nothing more than a mini-van with 4 traditional doors in place of sliding ones.

It's not truck based. It doesn't have a low range gear. It has absolutely zero off road functionality.

Not that a $40,000 rebadged Durango with more bells and whistles would ever see any off road time, but at least it's built to tow and take a bit of a beating under the skin.

The Pacifica isn't.

As opposed to other "SUVs" like the RAV-4 & the CR-V with their excellent off road capability and low range gears? Sorento?

(I see what you're saying, but it's technically a SUV. It doesn't really matter what platform or what it's based off of anymore)
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Uhhhhhhhh, how is the Pacifica not a SUV?

http://www.chrysler.com/pacifica/

Says so right there on their website.

So it'd be their second SUV.

Chrysler markets the Pacifica as a crossover vehicle. It's nothing more than a mini-van with 4 traditional doors in place of sliding ones.

It's not truck based. It doesn't have a low range gear. It has absolutely zero off road functionality.

Not that a $40,000 rebadged Durango with more bells and whistles would ever see any off road time, but at least it's built to tow and take a bit of a beating under the skin.

The Pacifica isn't.

there's no such definition for an SUV anymore. manufacturers call their stuff whatever they want to these days. "crossover" is just another name for "we don't want to call this a minivan or an SUV."