|
It came as no surprise to anyone that, under the new private equity owners of Chrysler LLC, that there were going to be some major changes, and among them would likely be some model cuts.
But as is often the case, the vehicles most compelling and attractive to enthusiasts are not the mass-market hits they need to be to justify their existences to corporate eyes. Certainly, a few of the models on the hit list aren't going to be missed by anyone. The Jeep Compass and Patriot, for example, are likely to be dropped. Neither was ever considered to be a "true" Jeep, and were conceived under DaimlerChrysler's desire to make Jeep a mass-market brand. Neither will be missed by yours truly.
Unfortunately, the long-lived (and some would say long-in-the-tooth) Chrysler PT Cruiser is likely to go the way of the Dodo soon as well.
The Cruiser was an iconic car for Chrysler, combining retro styling with modern packaging and practicality. Many still argue it's a more solid and substantial design than the new Dodge Caliber. It's a shame the company's not considering a redesign for this model, but sales have been on a slippery slope for several years, most likely because of the minimal updates to it over the years -- other than the addition of some turbocharged engine options -- and a convertible version.
But the model that will be missed most by yours truly will be the Dodge Magnum. Just when I thought the wagon was dead, replaced by the relentless stampede of SUVs and crossovers, along comes this stylish, striking wagon, with available Hemi V8 power. Wow, a modern muscle-wagon actually within reach of the average enthusiast, with a look that provided the perfect template for customization.
No disrespect, Mr. Nardelli, but the Dodge Journey is a poor substitute for the Magnum. The Journey will likely thrill many anti-minivan moms, but for the dads out there, the absence of the Magnum will leave a big hole in the shopping list for guys that need something practical, but want something stylish, sporty, and fast.
There may be a glimmer of hope from the General with the possibility of a Pontiac G8 wagon, but alas, will most likely be without a navigation system or Bluetooth, the two areas where Chrysler was actually somewhat progressive. I guess us wagon nuts will have to look elsewhere in the near future.
|
|