Rumors of Dodge being trucks only?

[Ghoste]

I'm hearing these rumors of Dodge being relegated to a role of trucks only and Chrysler selling all the car lines.  Anyone else hear anything about this?
I realize of course that it doesn't affect the cars we enjoy but a decision like that does have an impact on the long term history of an auto company we have some affection for.  As much as we dislike the four door Charger idea, imagine a four door Chrysler Charger.

[2Gunz]

From a money standpoint it seems like a good idea.

From the sales figures I saw it appeared they sold twice as many trucks as cars.



I have a 2004 300m and LOVE it.

I went shopping about a year ago looking for a new car for my brother.

I REALLY wanted him to buy an "American" car.

We looked at EVERYTHING and well........

We ended up bringing home a Mazda.

It simply was the best bang for the buck.


The US companys need to get there act together or lose it all.

Take a look at this, and yes its a Hyundai.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/detroit-08-preview-2009-hyundai-genesis-shakes-things-up/

[TruckDriver]

Take a look at this, and yes its a Hyundai.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/detroit-08-preview-2009-hyundai-genesis-shakes-things-up/

That's Ugly!

[doctorpimp]

I thought this very same thing, when Chrysler killed Plymouth...

Dodge makes trucks, Plymouth makes sporty economy cars, Chrysler makes luxury cars - No one asked for my opinion from Detroit...  LOL.

Personally I dislike the Ram's head emblem for cars anyway - Dodge Trucks are Ram tough, not their cars.  That's the origin of that symbol, that's where it should stay.

Yes, it would suck from a nostalgia point of view but Imperial, DeSoto, Plymouth, etc owners still survived...

Maybe Cerebus will sell Chrysler to Hyundai now. You never know.  At least South Koreans were our friends during WWII.  LOL

[Chatt69chgr]

The front of that car looks like a copy of my wife's 2002 Toyota Camry.  But, overall, the car looks like a large roach-----just another jelly mould car.  Honestly, you can't tell one from the other these days.  We bought the Camry because we were so mad at the American car companies at the time after being screwed by Ford on my wife's 94 Taurus.  I won't bore you with the details.  And I don't think the Camry is good looking either.  The primary motivation was something reliable.  So far, it has proven to be  very reliable.  But it's a boring car.  Since it is a little smaller than an American midsize, it lacks something in the comfort level on trips.  It does get 32 mpg----leastways, it did until they put ethnol in the gas.  I have not checked it on a trip to see what it gets now.  But right now, we are looking forward to the new Challenger.  Hopefully, later in 2009, we will get one.  Will depend on the price.  We will still keep the Camry since right now, it's only got 65K miles on it.  Just getting broken in.  But we want something that will put a smile on our faces when we drive it.  I hear that the 5.7 engine will use variable valve timing and get mpg up to 25.  That's only 6 less than the Camry.  I guess we will have to wait and see.  I hope the American car companies don't go under.  I really like my 2005 Quad cab hemi truck.  It's a 4X4 short bed and I don't know anything I would change on it (would be nice if it got better milage but it gets around 20 on the interstate if I put it on cruise and let run at 70 and keep my foot off the accelerator).  Plenty of power.  I plan on getting a trailer (hopefully aluminum) in the future to pull the 69 Charger on.  That's one reason I got the truck.  But I don't think the American car companies can compete with the foreigners on 4cyl grocery getters.  They will have to compete in the commercial and niche marketplace and in high tech applications. 

[PocketThunder]

Hyundai has been copying Mercedes evey time they come out with a new car...... 

[440charger68]

i dont care if dodge just sells trucks, they just have to wait until they improve on the new charger and release a few more challengers.

[hemihead]

As long as Chrysler keeps building ugly cars they won't sell many. The stupid Crosshair grille on everything has to be the first to go followed by the oversized plastic bumpers . 

[Ghoste]

Personally I dislike the Ram's head emblem for cars anyway - Dodge Trucks are Ram tough, not their cars.  That's the origin of that symbol, that's where it should stay.

Actually they were using the rams head on the front of Dodge cars waaaaaay back a number of decades ago.

[doctorpimp]

Personally I dislike the Ram's head emblem for cars anyway - Dodge Trucks are Ram tough, not their cars.  That's the origin of that symbol, that's where it should stay.

Actually they were using the rams head on the front of Dodge cars waaaaaay back a number of decades ago.

Yeah, but I still prefer the three-pointed arrow, like in your avatar. 
Kinda like the pentastar, classic.

[hemihead]

 That 3 pointed arrow is called a Triad 

[71ChallengeHer]

Actually it's a fratzog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fratzog

[Mike DC]

If Mopar is short-sighted enough to think that the truck/SUV boom will never end, then making Dodge a truck-only brand probably sounds like a good idea. 

 
 

[Ghoste]

They've been trying to brand Dodge as the sporty division so maybe after the CAFE standards come into effect they've decided to just throw in the towel?

[Todd Wilson]

They may be making some changes to naming to avoid duplicate vehicles and different names as well as other changes. A perfect example was a few years ago they had the Plymouth Neon and the Dodge Neon.

It may very well end up as Chrysler cars,Dodge Trucks and Jeep SUV/4x4 stuff before it all overwith. They may also consolidate dealers as not all dealers are All 3 brands. Maybe Andy74 can fill us in on some of the inside info.  I am meeting with the General Manager of our local dealership friday and I will ask him.



Todd

[Aero426]

They may be making some changes to naming to avoid duplicate vehicles and different names as well as other changes. A perfect example was a few years ago they had the Plymouth Neon and the Dodge Neon.

It may very well end up as Chrysler cars,Dodge Trucks and Jeep SUV/4x4 stuff before it all overwith. They may also consolidate dealers as not all dealers are All 3 brands. Maybe Andy74 can fill us in on some of the inside info.  I am meeting with the General Manager of our local dealership friday and I will ask him.



Todd

Chrysler is rapidly consolidating dealers nationwide with all brands under one roof.   In Milwaukee,  Hub Chrysler, a long time C-P-J dealer was acquired recently and is being moved to the existing Griffin Dodge store across town.    It leaves a big hole in my side of town. 

Personally, I think the consolidation is double sided.  It gives fewer dealers more market share - good for them.   But with more dealers, if you don't buy a Dodge from one, you might have bought from the other Mopar dealer you liked better.  With more sales channels Dodge & Chrysler, even if the cars are based off the same platform, the Company still has a better chance to capture the sale.     

[Magnumcharger]

Actually it's a fratzog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fratzog

Actually, it's name is Jeff...

[Todd Wilson]

They may be making some changes to naming to avoid duplicate vehicles and different names as well as other changes. A perfect example was a few years ago they had the Plymouth Neon and the Dodge Neon.

It may very well end up as Chrysler cars,Dodge Trucks and Jeep SUV/4x4 stuff before it all overwith. They may also consolidate dealers as not all dealers are All 3 brands. Maybe Andy74 can fill us in on some of the inside info.  I am meeting with the General Manager of our local dealership friday and I will ask him.



Todd

Chrysler is rapidly consolidating dealers nationwide with all brands under one roof.   In Milwaukee,  Hub Chrysler, a long time C-P-J dealer was acquired recently and is being moved to the existing Griffin Dodge store across town.    It leaves a big hole in my side of town. 

Personally, I think the consolidation is double sided.  It gives fewer dealers more market share - good for them.   But with more dealers, if you don't buy a Dodge from one, you might have bought from the other Mopar dealer you liked better.  With more sales channels Dodge & Chrysler, even if the cars are based off the same platform, the Company still has a better chance to capture the sale.     

Yeah I bet in a big city if could cause problems. In my town my Dealership sells all 3 models so no big deal.


Todd

[Todd Wilson]

As long as Chrysler keeps building ugly cars they won't sell many. The stupid Crosshair grille on everything has to be the first to go followed by the oversized plastic bumpers . 

Yeah those stupid cross hair grills. Been doing it for 60+ years............

[Ghoste]

[
Yeah those stupid cross hair grills. Been doing it for 60+ years............

Like the ones on the grilles of the 66, 67, and 68 Chargers?  Or the 70-74 Challengers?  Or the 68 and 69 Super Bee?  Or...