Chrysler's future FWD car program.
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Chrysler's future FWD car program.
Neon redone in 2005, Sebring/Stratus in 2006, PT Cruiser in '05/'06, and all on a single platform!
By Rick Kranz and Mary Connelly
Automotive News / March 17, 2003
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The Chrysler group's next generation of small and mid-sized cars will be developed from a single flexible platform, rather than two as originally planned. As recently as January, Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. executives said they planned to use two Mitsubishi platforms for the cars. Now they have decided to use just one.
The decision will reduce Chrysler's cost of vehicle development. And it will allow the automaker to produce a wide range of models on the same assembly line, matching production of each model with consumer demand.
The decision shows how closely linked product development is at Chrysler and Mitsubishi, and how their futures are intertwined. The companies chose Mitsubishi Motors' redesigned Lancer platform for the next-generation Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus and Chrysler PT Cruiser/Dodge Neon. Other unnamed vehicles also will be developed from the platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to share
These 4 Chrysler group cars are built on 2 Chrysler platforms. In mid-decade, they will share a single Mitsubishi platform.
MID-PLATFORM 2002 SALES SMALL PLATFORM 2002 SALES
Sebring 112,367 PT Cruiser 138,260
Stratus 109,233 Neon 126,118
Total 221,600 Total 264,378
Source: Automotive News Data Center
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The redesigned Neon is expected to bow in 2005, followed a year later by the Sebring and Stratus. The new PT Cruiser will debut in 2005 or 2006.
But Mitsubishi will continue to produce its next mid-sized vehicles off its Project America platform.
The new Galant sedan will debut this year, followed about a year later by the next-generation Eclipse coupe and Eclipse Spyder. The first vehicle off the Project America platform was the 2004 Endeavor sport wagon, which goes on sale in approximately one month.
DaimlerChrysler owns a 37 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.
Major savings
"What we are looking at is a stretched smaller platform, taking the C-segment platform and widening it slightly, lengthening it slightly and turning it into a D. They are essentially based on the same architecture," says Mike Aberlich, a Chrysler group spokesman. In international terminology, a C vehicle is the size of a Neon. The Sebring is a D vehicle.
A vehicle platform is a common set of hard points and components from which a variety of vehicles can be built. Such components may include the floorpan, drivetrain and suspension, as well as common locating points for body assembly.
The automakers will realize major savings in vehicle development and assembly. A platform, including the related engineering, tools and other costs, typically costs about $1 billion.
"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have one crash strategy for a little car versus a medium car," says Lawrence Achram, vice president of advanced vehicle engineering. "The crash strategy requirement is the same." Similar savings will be realized by sharing powertrains, suspension designs and a wide range of components.
For example, the decision to use one platform for small and mid-sized vehicles will likely mean a wider application for Chrysler's new four-cylinder engine, Aberlich says. Beginning in 2005, the Chrysler group will build about 600,000 of the engines annually with Hyundai Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. at a new plant in Michigan.
Michael Robinet, vice president of global forecast services at CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich., says Renault and Nissan joined forces in part to chop development costs, share platforms and reduce the cost of components. By 2007, each of their B and C platforms likely will be producing 1.8 million units annually.
For comparison, Chrysler sold 264,378 Neons and PT Cruisers, or C-sized vehicles, last year in the United States.
Sharing a platform could allow Chrysler plants to assemble Mitsubishi vehicles. For example, Chrysler's Neon assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill., built 169,042 cars last year and has capacity to build more.
Brand differentiation
Achram says Chrysler is stepping away from "today's Sebring/Stratus formula where you clearly see those cars as the same basic design."
In addition to significant styling differences between the Chrysler and Dodge brands, the platform's design will allow development of a wide variety of models that will be differentiated by height, length, width and wheelbase. Several floorpans likely will be used. Among the models that may evolve are convertibles, two-doors and wagons.
By Rick Kranz and Mary Connelly
Automotive News / March 17, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chrysler group's next generation of small and mid-sized cars will be developed from a single flexible platform, rather than two as originally planned. As recently as January, Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. executives said they planned to use two Mitsubishi platforms for the cars. Now they have decided to use just one.
The decision will reduce Chrysler's cost of vehicle development. And it will allow the automaker to produce a wide range of models on the same assembly line, matching production of each model with consumer demand.
The decision shows how closely linked product development is at Chrysler and Mitsubishi, and how their futures are intertwined. The companies chose Mitsubishi Motors' redesigned Lancer platform for the next-generation Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus and Chrysler PT Cruiser/Dodge Neon. Other unnamed vehicles also will be developed from the platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to share
These 4 Chrysler group cars are built on 2 Chrysler platforms. In mid-decade, they will share a single Mitsubishi platform.
MID-PLATFORM 2002 SALES SMALL PLATFORM 2002 SALES
Sebring 112,367 PT Cruiser 138,260
Stratus 109,233 Neon 126,118
Total 221,600 Total 264,378
Source: Automotive News Data Center
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The redesigned Neon is expected to bow in 2005, followed a year later by the Sebring and Stratus. The new PT Cruiser will debut in 2005 or 2006.
But Mitsubishi will continue to produce its next mid-sized vehicles off its Project America platform.
The new Galant sedan will debut this year, followed about a year later by the next-generation Eclipse coupe and Eclipse Spyder. The first vehicle off the Project America platform was the 2004 Endeavor sport wagon, which goes on sale in approximately one month.
DaimlerChrysler owns a 37 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.
Major savings
"What we are looking at is a stretched smaller platform, taking the C-segment platform and widening it slightly, lengthening it slightly and turning it into a D. They are essentially based on the same architecture," says Mike Aberlich, a Chrysler group spokesman. In international terminology, a C vehicle is the size of a Neon. The Sebring is a D vehicle.
A vehicle platform is a common set of hard points and components from which a variety of vehicles can be built. Such components may include the floorpan, drivetrain and suspension, as well as common locating points for body assembly.
The automakers will realize major savings in vehicle development and assembly. A platform, including the related engineering, tools and other costs, typically costs about $1 billion.
"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have one crash strategy for a little car versus a medium car," says Lawrence Achram, vice president of advanced vehicle engineering. "The crash strategy requirement is the same." Similar savings will be realized by sharing powertrains, suspension designs and a wide range of components.
For example, the decision to use one platform for small and mid-sized vehicles will likely mean a wider application for Chrysler's new four-cylinder engine, Aberlich says. Beginning in 2005, the Chrysler group will build about 600,000 of the engines annually with Hyundai Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. at a new plant in Michigan.
Michael Robinet, vice president of global forecast services at CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich., says Renault and Nissan joined forces in part to chop development costs, share platforms and reduce the cost of components. By 2007, each of their B and C platforms likely will be producing 1.8 million units annually.
For comparison, Chrysler sold 264,378 Neons and PT Cruisers, or C-sized vehicles, last year in the United States.
Sharing a platform could allow Chrysler plants to assemble Mitsubishi vehicles. For example, Chrysler's Neon assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill., built 169,042 cars last year and has capacity to build more.
Brand differentiation
Achram says Chrysler is stepping away from "today's Sebring/Stratus formula where you clearly see those cars as the same basic design."
In addition to significant styling differences between the Chrysler and Dodge brands, the platform's design will allow development of a wide variety of models that will be differentiated by height, length, width and wheelbase. Several floorpans likely will be used. Among the models that may evolve are convertibles, two-doors and wagons.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
(09:47 March 31, 2003)
Chrysler picks single Mitsubishi platform for next generation small and mid-sized cars
By RICK KRANZ AND MARY CONNELLY | Automotive News
Chrysler's next generation of small and mid-sized cars will be developed from a single flexible Mitsubishi platform, rather than two as originally planned.
The new plan shows how closely Chrysler and Mitsubishi product development and future are intertwined in North America. But it has virtually no effect on European product plans for Mitsubishi or any other part of the DaimlerChrysler group. DaimlerChrysler owns a 37 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.
As recently as January, Chrysler and Mitsubishi executives said they planned to use two Mitsubishi platforms for the North American cars. But late last month, they decided to use just one.
The decision to use a single platform will reduce Chrysler's vehicle development costs. And it will let Chrysler produce a wide range of models on the same assembly line, matching production with consumer demand.
The companies chose Mitsubishi Motors' redesigned Lancer platform for the next-generation Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Neon and Dodge Stratus. Other unnamed vehicles will also be developed from the platform.
In Europe, Chrysler and Mitsubishi operate more independently. Mitsubishi will build a new small car based on its NCC platform at NedCar in Born, the Netherlands, starting in 2004. Chrysler no longer produces lower-medium cars such as the PT Cruiser in Europe and imports only small numbers of sedans. Last year, Chrysler sold 4,326 Neons, 3,885 Sebrings and 23,364 PT Cruisers in western Europe.
In North America, the redesigned Neon is expected to debut in 2005, followed a year later by the redesigned Sebring and Stratus. The redesigned PT Cruiser will debut in 2005 or 2006.
"What we are looking at is a stretched smaller platform, taking the C-segment platform and widening it slightly, lengthening it slightly and turning it into a D. They are essentially based on the same architecture," said Chrysler spokesman Mike Aberlich.
A vehicle platform is a common set of components from which a variety of vehicles can be built. Such components may include the floorpan, drivetrain and suspension, as well as common locating points for body assembly.
Chrysler will realize major savings in vehicle development and assembly processes.
"We're going to do much more product differentiation in the future, and with this fragmenting market, you are probably going to see more variety as well," said Lawrence Achram, Chrysler vice president of advanced vehicle engineering. The business plan is to make money on lower volume per model, but "keep [plant] capacity full by having more stuff," he added
Chrysler picks single Mitsubishi platform for next generation small and mid-sized cars
By RICK KRANZ AND MARY CONNELLY | Automotive News
Chrysler's next generation of small and mid-sized cars will be developed from a single flexible Mitsubishi platform, rather than two as originally planned.
The new plan shows how closely Chrysler and Mitsubishi product development and future are intertwined in North America. But it has virtually no effect on European product plans for Mitsubishi or any other part of the DaimlerChrysler group. DaimlerChrysler owns a 37 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.
As recently as January, Chrysler and Mitsubishi executives said they planned to use two Mitsubishi platforms for the North American cars. But late last month, they decided to use just one.
The decision to use a single platform will reduce Chrysler's vehicle development costs. And it will let Chrysler produce a wide range of models on the same assembly line, matching production with consumer demand.
The companies chose Mitsubishi Motors' redesigned Lancer platform for the next-generation Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Neon and Dodge Stratus. Other unnamed vehicles will also be developed from the platform.
In Europe, Chrysler and Mitsubishi operate more independently. Mitsubishi will build a new small car based on its NCC platform at NedCar in Born, the Netherlands, starting in 2004. Chrysler no longer produces lower-medium cars such as the PT Cruiser in Europe and imports only small numbers of sedans. Last year, Chrysler sold 4,326 Neons, 3,885 Sebrings and 23,364 PT Cruisers in western Europe.
In North America, the redesigned Neon is expected to debut in 2005, followed a year later by the redesigned Sebring and Stratus. The redesigned PT Cruiser will debut in 2005 or 2006.
"What we are looking at is a stretched smaller platform, taking the C-segment platform and widening it slightly, lengthening it slightly and turning it into a D. They are essentially based on the same architecture," said Chrysler spokesman Mike Aberlich.
A vehicle platform is a common set of components from which a variety of vehicles can be built. Such components may include the floorpan, drivetrain and suspension, as well as common locating points for body assembly.
Chrysler will realize major savings in vehicle development and assembly processes.
"We're going to do much more product differentiation in the future, and with this fragmenting market, you are probably going to see more variety as well," said Lawrence Achram, Chrysler vice president of advanced vehicle engineering. The business plan is to make money on lower volume per model, but "keep [plant] capacity full by having more stuff," he added
wheres the Charger/Challenger?! Come on where is a musclecar with a HEMI in it??
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