http://www.automochatter.com/forum/s...=2430#post2430

Though the former was on track, and the latter was in the pipeline, car for the China market, and a derivitive of the Hornet, both cars are now on hold due to Chrysler's sale to Cerberus Capital Management. Apparently, this caught Chery by surprise.

Chery has not yet been in contact with Cerberus, although they are still in contact with Chrysler management, so it's still unknown what, if any role Chery will play in future Chrysler development and production plans.

According to a spokesman for DaimlerChrysler, global growth was a important part of Chrysler's future plans, and that the slae of Chrysler to Cerberus wouldn't change this. According to Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda, Chrysler will not be developing small cars for emerging markets in house. Another Chrysler source also mentions that all future small cars from Chrysler will be developed in partnerships with companies outside of North America.



Before the purchase agreement between DaimerChrysler and Cerberus was finalized Cerberus revied Chrysler's product development plans, and took a second look at other designs and projects that were still on the shelf or in studios that did not reach approval.

Despite Chrysler's purchase, Chrysler has no plans to halt or slow it's other development plans and according to some sources, there may be a change of design direction on some models under development, while there may be others that were shelved or moving slowly that could be moved ahead.


Dodge Challenger is due in showrooms next spring. A revised Chrysler 300 (unveiled at the upcoming Detroit North American International Auto Show) is due in showrooms the following fall with, what one top Chrysler designer says, an interior with vastly improved design and materials.

The new Dodge Ram may possibly be unveiled at November's Los Angeles International Auto Show and will be on sale by next summer.



A Chrysler luxury larger than the 300 has been given final approval and will start production at Chrysler's Brampton plant in the summer of 2009 as a 2010 model under a program called "Project X". The car will be based on the revised Chrysler LX chassis, but will have a longer wheelbase and is rumored to have a hood nearly 6 feet long. Chrysler is emphasizing quality of assembly and materials, and sources say it will be on par in fit and finish withcars costing significantly more. No word on price target or engine, though a diesel option is planned for Chryslers next versions of LX cars as is hybrid power.

Chrysler plans to invest $700 million in Brampton to build the "Project X" car. Chrysler plans to announce production of this car June 11th.


Word is there will be one final Chrysler LX car added to Brampton about the same time as the planned upscale Chrysler, based on the short wheelbase version of the Challenger, but possibly as a sedan.

Although the Dodge Hornet has been low priority since the concept was unveiled, it may be moved to the production pipleine once talkes are held with Chery.

Chrysler's future plans under it's new Cerberus owners will be reviewed in the coming months with an eye towards quickly reviving the brand and it's model lineup.

 

I wonder why no Hornet? Seems like it would be a good time to get a car like that to market with current gas prices being what they are...

 

Chery is apparently trying to squeeze more money out of Cerberus.

 

I wonder what their motives are for this. It does seem like a good car to get on the market with escalating fuel costs.

 

Does this mean that they will not produce a small car for NA, a Neon replacement, unless someone else other than Chrysler is doing the vehicle?

 

There may be a US-made Neon replacement in the works, and hopefully Cerberus can speed up Chrysler's glacial development times of recent years. The Hornet was one size smaller, and for cars that size, the official word was that they needed "a partner". I don't know if that will continue to be the official word.

 

I tell you what, the Chrylser design team IMO it on top of things. Whatever car that is in GuionM's post is freaking hot.

Why can't Chevy actually produce something other then the squashed frontend w/ a bar/bowtie?!?! (save camaro)

 

The photo in GuionM's post is the Chrysler Chronos from 1998, so it's not necessarily reflective of what is going on right now at Chrysler design.

GeorgeJetson - that makes sense on the Hornet that Chery could try and change the deal with a new Chrysler owner - but I'd love to see Dodge get that car in production. I really think it could be a hit.

Chevy needs to get one of their mini cars in production, too.

 

Hmm....

I don't think the Ram debuts in LA '07 as it doesn't even start production until fall of 2008. Chicago '08 seems a more likely debut venue.

Pretty sure you were referring to the refreshed 300? The prototypes we've seen running around with the rear end camo'ed? The refreshed one will probably launch sometime during the summer. Look for Chrysler to do their own debut event like they did with the Sebring. Refreshed 300 starts production this fall. The next gen 300 doesn't start production for two years.

Also, I don't think some of that small car info is correct. I'll ask around later today.

 

Is the 'upscale' the Imperial?

 

Thanks, and let me know. Latest word is Ram assembly starts the summer, and I knew it wasn't going to be debuted at Detroit and New York is a little late I'd think. I would expect something else in Chicago, but I'm speculating on the location of it's debut.

Word I had was next gen 300 starting production the year after Challenger, but likely to be on display the year before. Mixing up the upgraded interior (it indeed is going to be on this fall's 300) and using "revised" instead of "new" is my bad.

 

Hornet? I'm sure AMC people will be happy that Chrysler is using that name . And yes i know Chrysler bought AMC.

 

The Hornet name actually came from Hudson.

The Hudson people didn't care about AMC using the name, and I doubt the AMC people will give two hoots about Chrysler using it.

1. In each case, the parent company was dead long enough for hard core fans to hold a gathering around a coffee table.

2. As you point out, they were bought up.

3. What's the big deal? That's like someone sweating over the Cavalier name: hardly an enthusiasts car name.

 

Your right, i forgot all about the Hudson Hornet.

 

Funny, all I can think of is this one...