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| Dodge Dart |
A relation to the previous four generations in name only, the Fiat Compact platform also underpins in the Jeep KL Cherokee sold here in the States. The Dart and the 200 have been slated for termination by FCA boss-man Marchionne. Why? Because FCA needs to "sell more crossover" and "declining sales", which is blatantly untrue. Last year, the Dart outsold the Golf and the 200 was #13, so the logic doesn't compute. Yes, the 200 was down nearly 50% but that's because the new factor was over. Together, they sold 178,000 units.
That's a lot of cars for FCA. In 2015 they sold just over 42,000 Fiats here. So the decision to axe the Dart and 200 is total BS; it's more likely that they just aren't making enough money on these models, as they're typically loaded and don't sell for a high MSRP. The result was no ability to refine the models but some very happy customers who in turn promoted the brand to their friends and we don't want that...Chrysler and Dodge have such sterling reputations in today's market.
Oy vey.
FCA seems just as clueless as DaimlerChrysler and Chrysler by themselves ever were. It's strange. What would it take to make it an actually good company? Maybe they should have been allowed to fade away; they can't seem to find it in themselves to consistently produce good cars and then logically make them better.
ReplyDeleteYou've said it many, many times; Gillies is the best thing about that company.
Not AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just don't get these market decisions anymore. Manufacturers used to realize that it was important to have a full range of vehicles, so that people could stay with a brand as their need evolved. Having no compact or mid-size in your line up looks like a huge hole.
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