Automotive News - June 30, 2008 - (Page 26)

26 • JUNE 30, 2008 CHRYSLER FUTURE PRODUCT Jeep seeks to get back Hughes’ telematics part of interior upgrades on the road to its roots Ralph Kisiel rkisiel@crain.com Bradford Wernle bwernle@crain.com The jewel in Chrysler LLC’s crown is Jeep, the brand that analysts say Cerberus Capital Management LP could sell separately if it so desires. Jeep has something other automakers covet — global recognition and a simple, straightforward, rugged image. Under German ownership during the DaimlerChrysler years, Jeep’s lineup grew to seven models. Dealers say customers find the lineup confusing, and Jeep purists argue that the front-drive Compass isn’t a true Jeep because it lacks off-road capability. Chrysler co-President Jim Press has said he wants to simplify the lineup and take Jeep closer to its roots, meaning Compass’ future is in jeopardy. Compass: The interior of the 2009 model receives upgrades. Jeep had set out to reduce road and engine noise in the Compass and Patriot, resulting in an interior that is three decibels quieter. The Compass poses one of several dilemmas related to Project Genesis — Chrysler LLC’s plan to reduce its dealership count; put the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands under the same dealership roofs; and drop redundant vehicles. The Patriot sells better in the United States, but the Compass is a hit in some export markets. High gasoline prices and the economical four-cylinder engine could spare the Compass from going the way of the dodo. Another possibility: Chrysler executives have suggested that Compass assembly could be moved outside North America. U.S. sales would be abandoned. If Chrysler keeps to its schedule, the Compass should be freshened for the 2011 model year and redesigned Chrysler coPresident Jim Press wants to simplify Jeep’s lineup and return it to its rugged image. about two years later. Patriot: High fuel prices have boosted the popularity of the Patriot, which receives interior upgrades for the 2009 model year. As with the Compass, the Patriot will be due for a freshening for the 2011 model year and a redesign for the 2013 model year. Liberty: The Liberty was redesigned for the 2008 model year. No major changes are expected over the next four years. But Chrysler likely will add a diesel engine to boost fuel economy. Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited: Except for powertrains, no major changes are expected in the next four years. Wrangler pickup: Chrysler is still considering developing a pickup truck based on the stretched frame used for the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. Grand Cherokee: The base 2009 Grand Cherokee interior receives an upgrade with improved materials. The model will be redesigned for the 2010 or 2011 model year, developed on Chrysler’s new W platform. Chrysler LLC will share common elements with the upcoming redesigned MercedesBenz M class. Development was well under way when the DaimlerChrysler divorce happened last summer. Commander: The seven-seat Jeep has been a sales disappointment over its three-year life. Chrysler is expected to end Commander production next year.c Chrysler LLC will join the telematics business next year, offering features inspired by Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors’ OnStar. Chrysler will be the first customer for Hughes Telematics Inc., which created the system that will be standard on some 2010 vehicles sold in North America. Chrysler and Hughes have not announced which Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge models will get the hardware first. The Hughes package is part of Chrysler’s effort to upgrade the interior of its vehicles. The complete list of features included with the factory-installed hardware unit is still to be determined, says Hughes Telematics President Erik Goldman. The Hughes unit includes global positioning satellite technology to pinpoint a vehicle’s location and communications technology for contacting the call center or another person, Goldman says. Hughes plans to outsource the call center to a partner. The first services for Chrysler’s ve- hicles will be safety- and security-oriented, he says. The basic Hughes system will be subscription-based and paid by the vehicle owners. But the company may offer some services, such as remote door unlock or turnby-turn navigation instructions, on a pay-per-use basis, Goldman says. Hughes’ basic service will include automatic crash notification, roadside assistance and stolen-vehicle tracking, as well as voice recognition to operate cell phones, audio systems and iPods. Chrysler declined to discuss what features it plans to offer.c Most product developments for ’09 coming from Dodge Bradford Wernle bwernle@crain.com Dodge has the lion’s share of Chrysler LLC’s exciting product news for the 2009 model year. Among the highlights: The expanded Challenger car line features a lower-priced V-6 version that might tempt consumers who are concerned about high gasoline prices. The Ram pickup undergoes an extensive re-engineering and restyling, along with the addition of an unconventional rear suspension. Dodge will offer what sounds like an oxymoron — a 2009 Durango SUV with a Hemi V-8 linked to a Two Mode hybrid system. Small cars: Dodge is Chrysler LLC’s most likely choice to market vehicles from Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co. The timetable has yet to be determined; Chery must first produce a vehicle that passes U.S. crash tests. Hornet: The Hornet concept caused a buzz at the 2006 Geneva auto show. Styling cues from that vehicle are expected to evolve into the production car Nissan Motor Co. will make for Chrysler next year. The vehicle will be based on the Nissan Versa platform and mechanicals and will be assembled at Nissan’s Oppama, Japan, factory in 2009 for the 2010 model year. Caliber: If Chrysler sticks to its schedule, the Caliber is expected to be redesigned for the 2012 model year. But the small car’s future may depend on how Chrysler’s alliances with other carmakers pan out. Global mid-sized vehicles: Multiple models — cars, crossovers and possibly a pickup — are expected to be developed on Chrysler’s new vehicle platform. The first vehicles are likely for the 2012 model year or sooner. Avenger: The Avenger and its sibling, the Chrysler Sebring, have been sales disappointments. The Avenger could be freshened for the 2010 model year, but major changes are unlikely on the current platform as the automaker switches to the new global mid-sized platform. Charger: After a slow start, the Charger has been outselling its sibling, the Chrysler 300, by a wide margin. If Chrysler follows its Project Genesis plan to eliminate similar vehicles from its product lines, it would have to drop the 300 or Charger by 2011. But both cars remain in the plan and are scheduled for a restyling and re-engineering for the 2012 model year. Styling cues from the Hornet concept car are expected to evolve into the production car that Nissan will build for Dodge next year. Challenger: The 2008 Challenger SRT8, a full-blown homage to the original 1970s icon, arrived in May in full muscle-car trim, powered by a 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi. This fall, Dodge will follow with two other versions for 2009: a base model SE at $21,995, powered by a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 combined with a fourspeed automatic; and the R/T, starting at $29,995 and powered by a 370hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 combined with a five-speed automatic. Both prices include shipping. With the cost of gasoline likely to determine the Challenger’s future, no major changes are expected in the coming years. Viper SRT10: With the Challenger offering Dodge an affordable halo car, the days of the limited-edition, $98,000 Viper SRT10 likely are numbered. The V-10, high-performance two-seater probably will vanish in 2011 or earlier if gasoline prices continue climbing. Journey: The recently introduced 2009 Journey serves two purposes: It provides a crossover for a brand that had lacked one, and it fills the gap created when Dodge dropped the short-wheelbase Caravan minivan. Five- and seven-passenger models are available. No major changes are expected in the coming four years. Grand Caravan: Here’s a dilemma for Chrysler. Part of the Project Genesis consolidation plan aims to eliminate badge-engineered vehicles that compete with each other in the showroom. But minivans are Chrysler’s bread and butter, and the Grand Caravan appeals to a different set of customers than does its sibling, the Chrysler Town & Country. Chrysler is differentiating the two minivans by tilting the Town & Country toward luxury and the Grand Caravan toward value. Odds are, both will stay. In the meantime, the Grand Caravan will be freshened for the 2011 model year. Nitro: The Nitro could be a casualty as Chrysler looks to eliminate badgeengineered models that compete in the showroom. The Nitro and Jeep Liberty are siblings, and the Liberty is more popular. If the Nitro survives, it is scheduled for a 2010 or 2011 model year freshening. Durango: The 2009 Durango SUV will be offered with a Two Mode hybrid system combined with Chrysler’s 380-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. But the hybrid version’s future will be shortlived. The Newark, Del., factory, which assembles the Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs, is scheduled to close in late 2009. Company officials say the Durango could be made at any Chrysler truck plant, but no decisions have been made on the vehicle after the Newark factory closes. If the Durango survives as an SUV, it could be as a seven-seat complement to the five-seat Grand Cherokee, possibly for the 2011 model year. There are rumblings that the Durango could be engineered and assembled for Dodge by Nissan. Dakota: With the steep increase in fuel prices hammering pickup sales, the future of the Dakota mid-sized truck is in question. One possible replacement: a lighter, nontraditional pickup on the order of the Honda Ridgeline. At the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, Dodge unveiled the Rampage pickup concept, which essentially used a front-drive platform to create an all-wheel-drive pickup. Dodge co http://www.actionim.com http://www.actionim.com

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