You forgot the Dakota. The Colorado/Canyon is pure crap by comparison...

 

I'd rather not see a merger at all, but if it means keeping Dodge/Chrysler alive in any capacity rather then seeing them go the way of Oldsmobile or Plymouth, I'll take what I can get....

And yes, it will cost jobs, but the reality is that American automakers have been living high on the hog for too long, and now its come back to bite them in the a$$......bankrolling profits off over-expensive trucks and SUV's, and now they cant even give those away...


I didnt. When Dodge itself wont even make a determination on extending the life of the Dakota beyond 2010-11, I sincerely doubt that GM would either. More to the point, why would they need the Dakota if they'd have the Silverado, Sierra, and Ram? I'd simply make the Silverado into a mid-size and call it a day...

Again, I'd rather see Dodge come out of this....but ultimately, if it had to be a merger, I'd rather see it stay American.....



Chase: Face facts.....The current lineup of Dodge & Chrysler vehicles is dead last in virtually MPG & HP, excluding the vehicles I listed. More to the point, Dodge/Chrysler itself is considering trashing at least half of their lineup next year. That alone says more about the current state of their vehicles then I could..

 

Po-ten-tial

 

If this does go through and gm drops the challanger think about how much the ones dodge has already made will be worth....

 

I have to agree with DevilsReject on most of this. Chrysler is the only one left in the minivan market from the big three because they are the only ones who have a clue about it, although I will say they need to provide them with updated engines to help in the fuel economy department which the Phoenix engine would resolve. The Charger/300 would probably receive a huge fuel economy and acceleration boost if they were finally able to dump the pointless MB W5A580 and receive the 6L80 line. The Ram is going to need a six-speed auto if they want to be able to compete instead of a 5-speed with gearing choices of a 4-speed while having the potential of 6 forward gear ratios.

The other thing we need to think about is what do we really have to loose. The Avenger/Sebring, Caliber/Compass/Patriot, Journey is on a Mitsubishi platform to begin with, GM's Epsilon cars at least are selling and some of them particularly are quite tempting. Image having Lutz designs again and pairing them with the upcoming Phoenix engines. Another thing to think about. The Impala is doing amazing in sales despite how bland it is, image how successful it could be if it had the stylish looks of the Intrepid with it as well as Chrysler's higher tech engines.

The way GM should do this is like this if they decide to go this route:

Chevrolet
Pontiac
Dodge
Chrysler
Cadillac
Jeep-GMC

-Chevrolet is GM's most important division and would be foolish to get rid of it. Base level brands.
-Pontiac although it is loosing its identity, there is still a strong enough case to prevent them from getting rid of them. They could be an entry level to performance and a lower tech performance division. Ideal competitors Mitsubishi, Ford, etc.

-Dodge higher tech performance and muscle. Aimed at competing against Nissan, Mazda, cheaper luxury performance brands. It should receive some of Saturn's products such as the the Aura, Vue, Outlook, and Sky; however, it should be given more aggressive styling, more aggressive interior, less stupid names (suggest Avenger, Caliber, Journey, and Razor), and Chrysler engines. They should try to make a Delta platform variant and put in serious effort not to make such a lame effort as what was put into the Cobalt/G5. They should make a new Intrepid from the W-body or anything that might replace it. Keep the Charger and Challenger. Keep the Ram and make it the performance/higher end truck.

-Chrysler should replace Buick gaining the LaCrosse & Lucerne, and successful SUVs but with different styling, engines, and names (suggest Vision, LHS/Concorde). It should maintain the 300 and gain the G6's convertible position on the Epsilon platform with an effort to go back to the elements that made the 90s Sebring successful. Look into reviving Firepower concept to keep it from going dull.

-Cadillac continue what they are doing

-Jeep should continue the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler for certain. They should consider reviving the Grand Wagoneer possibly using the Aspen for that and making it Off-roading capable but having it as a low production vehicle. If they are going to keep the Liberty, shrink it back to its original size and give it a better powertrain. Consider discontinuing GMC and having Jeep's marketing strategy take over.

 

The only things GM will want out of us is minivans, and the jeep line. Thats it folks.

 

I would also believe that they would want the Challenger, Ram, and especially the Hemi. They would love to have that nameplate to use.

 

Agreed. I also believe they would use the LX platform.

 

The W-body chassis is discontinued as of 2009. That includes the Impala, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix (already dead) LaCrosse, and Regal...The Impala is being switched over to a new chassis, the Grand Prix was replaced by the G8, and the LaCrosse is being switched over to the Epsilon II chassis....

Chances are, you'll be seeing a rebadged G8 with some body mods to make it an Impala....and as far as I know, the Monte Carlo is dead as of 2009. No confirmation on production beyond 2009. Kill the boring Monte, gimme my damn Camaro..


I dont know about this.....as they have the Zeta platform which is lighter and already working out well for them. However, you may very well be right.

 

Hard to think that they will pass on the 300C and/or Charger.