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Chrysler confirms new 300, Dodge Durango and Jeep model

 
10 17,091 views Jan 24, 2009
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Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says an additional $3 billion is needed to close its alliance deal with Fiat

Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli says an additional $3 billion is needed to close its alliance deal with Fiat

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Brand new versions of both the Dodge Durango SUV and Chrysler 300 are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The information comes from the carmaker’s CEO, Bob Nardelli, who also confirmed that a new brand new Jeep model is in the works.

In a letter sent to Chrysler employees late Friday, Nardelli revealed that the company will build a new Durango at its Jefferson Avenue North plant in Detroit alongside the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is also due next year. Other new models confirmed to be in development include a redesigned Dodge Charger sedan and a range of all-electric vehicles.

This new Charger, as well as the next 300 sedan, are expected to arrive late next year as 2011 models and should feature only ‘evolutionary’ styling. However, Chrysler's new design chief Ralph Gilles has previously stated that the vehicles would have a "quantum leap in quality."

Nardelli also used the letter to clarify arrangements in Chrysler's proposed alliance with Fiat, reports Automotive News.

"It is important to note that no U.S. taxpayer funds would go to Fiat," the letter said. "The alliance is based on an exchange of equity for assets. Fiat would acquire an equity stake in Chrysler by giving us access to substantially all its vehicle platforms and technologies. This access is of high value to Chrysler, saving us significant costs and years of development time.

Throughout this process we will work with the U.S. government to ensure Chrysler meets all terms of the U.S. Treasury loan agreement, including the submission of a restructuring plan that assures Chrysler's long-term viability, timely loan repayment and energy efficiency."



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Comments (10)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 10/7/2008 5:01pm PDT

    That has got to be a hard re-design, how do you re-design a car that was called s success
     
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  2. ma_Laz avatar Laz Posted: 10/8/2008 6:34am PDT

    The next set of cars that will jump the shark once DUB gets their hands on it...
     
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  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 10/8/2008 2:02pm PDT

    How about a diesel for us Chrysler
     
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  4. ma_ph1zh avatar ph1zh Posted: 1/25/2009 7:15am PST

    5.4B in bailout money and Chrysler introduces a redesigned SUV and an over hyped 4 door sedan that barely sales - BRILLIANT waste of money. Thanks for blowing my money on POS products that only amount to junk yard fodder.
     
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  5. ma_amcarzjosh avatar amcarzjosh Posted: 1/25/2009 11:18am PST

    The new redesigned SUV will be car based! The Charger and 300 sell very good and were some of the best products at thier introduction. Get your facts strait before you say stupid things!
     
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  6. ma_ph1zh avatar ph1zh Posted: 1/25/2009 3:27pm PST

    Article fails to mention anything based on the Charger, which is still a over priced product with a high failure rate. Additionally the re-sale value of their product line is sad. I'll stick to my Toyota Camery/Tundra thank you very much.
     
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  7. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 1/25/2009 4:24pm PST

    aaaaand that second comment by ph1zh just about sums it up. thanks for coming out ph1zh.

    clearly chrysler's large vehicles have some value... fiat is getting in bed with chrysler to get their hands on their large vehicle designs.
     
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  8. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/25/2009 6:11pm PST

    You mean the Tundra that had all the problems early in production with cracking tailgates and camshafts, the 4 wheel drive axle issues and such? Plus the Charger is being bought up by the police and I see them everywhere, so obviously must be selling pretty decently still, it was popular when it first came out.
     
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  9. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/25/2009 6:12pm PST

    Word is that the next gen 300/Charger gets 30+ mpg with the Phoenix engine, so should be interesting, I really want to see if the interior is as good as the 2009 Ram's.
     
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  10. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/25/2009 7:45pm PST

    ph1zh for one thing people in the Federal government want the money back, secondly Jeep has been very sucessful for Chrysler, so coming out with a new version of a popular vehicle is a no-brainer.
     
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