Despite rumors that have been floating around since the debut of the Hornet concept in Geneva this year, Volkswagen will not be providing Dodge with a platform to produce a B-segment vehicle.
According to an article that's due for publication this Monday in the German magazine Automobilwoche, VW's bid to share its Polo's underpinnings was too high for the German-American automaker. However, DaimlerChrysler's plans to produce the Hornet or a similar vehicle will not be thwarted, as D.C. is still the process of negotiations with Chinese, Japanese and European manufacturers.
Although this may be a small hurdle for Dodge's new sub-compact, the relationship between VW and Dodge to produce a mini-van has been left intact.
[Source: The Auto Channel and Automobilwoche via The German Car Blog]
Related Posts:
Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept
Spy Shots: Production Audi TT Clubsport Quattro
Chevy Camaro getting early unveil at Indy in September
James Garner recovering from mild stroke
VIDEO: God's ringtone is a V10-powered Audi R8
First Drive: 2009 Ford Escapes, more of almost everything
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
_thumbnail.jpg "Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Supercujo @ Sep 10th 2006 8:50AM
Put the Hornet body on a Suzuki Swift platform and drivetrain, and you have a sure fire hit.
Add AWD and a turbo and you could make some of these new age (pretend) muscle cars weep at the traffic lights...
Stéphane Dumas @ Sep 10th 2006 11:04AM
I like the idea of the Swift platform Supercujo, but GM still own a 3% of Suzuki shares...
However I spotted some rumors then DCX study a possibility to be in a joint-venture with...Fiat!
http://www.boursorama.com/infos/actualites/detail_actu_marches.phtml?&news=3649014 (first link in French)
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36840
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=OBR&Date=20060905&ID=5993224
But then Fiat and Suzuki are in a joint-venture together with the SX4/Fiat Sedici, maybe DCX might use Fiat as a side door to reach Suzuki, looks my imagination is too much creative lol!
TDIMeister @ Sep 10th 2006 11:10AM
Thank God. VW doesn't need to be associated with a horrifically butt-ugly monstrosity on 4-wheels as that! :eek:
JW @ Sep 10th 2006 11:45AM
What if some how DCX bought the plans for the old (current) Mini Cooper platform...I mean the new one is coming out next year anyways.
JJ @ Sep 10th 2006 1:09PM
Wow TDI.. alittle blind brand loyalty there huh? I dont see the problem with platform sharing, I mean hey VW sought chrysler enought to want to use they're minivans and its not like small VWs are the best cars in the world or anything.
offroadwarrior03 @ Sep 10th 2006 3:33PM
this proves chrylser cant do anything on their own, they need to call in another manufacturer because if they built it themselves it would suck.
Bob @ Sep 10th 2006 3:41PM
Whatever delays this car as long as possible is fine with me. This may be the ugliest car I've ever seen.
GimmeaCheryChrylser @ Sep 10th 2006 3:46PM
Either Mitsubishi or Chery will get the deal, and if Chrysler wnats cheapest cost to build, then Chery will win( Chrylser provide the goods, assemble it in China, sip to USA= save slots of money for D/C and buyers).
GM has been having Shanghai build their V6's for over a year now, for the Chevy Equinox(of course, under their direction, parts, etc)and so far, no recalls, complaints, etc, about the engine, so why not Chery, under Chrysler general supervision?
fawgcutter @ Sep 10th 2006 7:28PM
I followed a Suzuki Swift yesterday in Canada only to discover (HORRORS!) that it is a Daewoo Kalos!
ramsport47 @ Sep 10th 2006 7:39PM
"this proves chrylser cant do anything on their own, they need to call in another manufacturer because if they built it themselves it would suck."
I can't believe the ignorance and stupidity of some people! Chrysler has been seeling cars of their own design and manufacture for WAY longer than your precious Japanese cars. In fact...they don't make any with anyone's help at the moment save for buying platforms from Mitsu on a car or two
Johhny Honess, T. @ Sep 10th 2006 10:06PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Engine_Manufacturing_Alliance
Hyundai(block) built at GEMA, and Chrysler will use it in the Caliber, 2 new Jeeps, upcoming Dodge Avenger(2007)sebring, and in Hyudnai Sonata. As it says her,e initial design(engine block?)originally was handled by Hyundai.
The Caliber, Compass, etc...Mitsu platform.Read the Avenger was a Mitsu platform, but Chrysler tweaked it sooo much, it is nowe considered to be more Chrysler(or Chrysler only) platform.
Whatever.
They need better warranties, to catch up to Ford, GM, and others with even better warranties.
I hope they do not make this thing a "tiny" vehicle, whomever builds it for them. At least, try something say less than 4-5 inches shorter than the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and maybe 10 inches shorter-Rabbit-length(at the most) shorter than Caliber .
Something barely 12 feet long, in USA?
Not in my aprt of town, you won't see many. Too many 12 ton suv's still around. I want"crunch" room between me and the front and rear bumpers, in case of an accident!
Rene Curry @ Sep 11th 2006 12:31AM
Platform sharing is desireable for an automaker because it reduces the tooling & engineering costs. However, in the long run it doesn't pay to work with your competitor. Very few shared platforms have worked out. Later everyone figures it out that it is the same as 'X' competitors vehicle and questions why they should have have any brand loyality.
Everyone looks to business models like the Apple Ipod where you just create the product/marketing and contract everyone else to build it for you. The problem for an automaker believing this strategy is no one has created the "next best thing" in the automotive world. So if you take this route you will soon be pushed out the door since you you no longer own all the pieces of the puzzle. Your suppliers would then be stronger than you and they are now you!
cars @ Sep 11th 2006 6:36AM
What is the official reason for the refusal ?
HemiDakota @ Sep 11th 2006 9:32AM
#11 Stop spending time with the Wikie god and do your own research next time. You sound so pathetic is using someone elses poor excuse of journalism.
The problem here is the initial cost of research, development, and platform sharing. I see that most never quite got that concept when all auto manufacture do it one time or another.
Ethan @ Sep 11th 2006 10:41AM
Don't confuse the Swift + that Canada gets with the REAL Suzuki Swift. It is not imported into the USA or Canada. I think the Swift would be to expensive. I'm betting on the Chinese or Mitsu