It's the small things that count - Dodge's new Crate 'N Go storage system
Despite "interesting" exterior designs and interiors that feel cheap, Chrysler products have scored many points for incorporating the most innovative interior features. Stow 'N Go seating, the MyGIG entertainment system, heated and cooled cupholders, flip down tailgate speakers... the list goes on. It's time to add one more to the list as the 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup gets a new storage box system called Crate 'N Go'. We're not talking high-tech stuff here, just a straightforward solution to securing cargo behind the truck's front seats. The Crate 'N Go is simply a collapsible plastic storage container that folds away neatly under the cushions of the rear seat.To set it up, you need to lift open the 60/40-split rear seat cushions, remove a couple of sheets of plastic and then unfold the plastic crate and snap-lock them. It's so simple that it amazes us that it's taken this long for a company to figure it out and push it into production.
Product planners at the rejuvenated Chrysler plan to install Crate 'N Go and other similar features in more models. According to one product planner, the system is so easy to install on multiple models because all they need is 1.5 inches of space under a seat.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Scott Beaudry 12:44PM (9/04/2007)
Old Saturn Vue had a similar cargo mgmt system - worked great.
Reply
Hose 12:53PM (9/04/2007)
Stow N Go, Swivel n go, Tlit N go, and now crate N go Whats next? Steer N go or even better Brake N go? but in all seriousness the whole N go thing is getting tacky before you know it we;ll see things such as hitch N go and other incredibly lame N go labels
Reply
Leon Rodway 1:05PM (9/04/2007)
a revolutionary pedal system like 'accelerate N Go' on all cars with auto box's
seriously though, creating a name/brand for crates put on top of folded down seats is really scraping the barrel for new marketing gimmiks
Jeremy 3:14PM (9/04/2007)
Ummm... iPhone, iPod, iTunes...same concept different products. I think it's different. At least they are coming up with new stuff instead of just beating a dead horse like just about everyone else...and I'm a GM fan.
Tagg 12:56PM (9/04/2007)
I'm growing tired of "_____ 'n go" naming trend. To me it sounds childish no matter how innovative the idea may be such as the "stow 'n go" or the "swivel 'n go" seats. This is a great idea for trucks but too bad they wasted it on their Dakota which is a horrid vehicle. Perhaps the new Ram will also have this and they just wanted to try it out on the Dakota first?
Reply
1337 12:56PM (9/04/2007)
How is this revolutionary? In my trucks, I have always had a cardboard box behind the seat to put odds and ends in. My cardboard box also folds up to fit under the seat...and I found it out by a department store dumpster. I suppose I could get out a black sharpie and write, "Crate 'n' go" on the side of the box if I wanted to be cool too.
Reply
AZ 2:15PM (9/04/2007)
Are you sure they didn't steal this idea from you?
Caterham7 1:01PM (9/04/2007)
hey, 1337 - whats "revolutionary" is that Chrysler figured out how to charge morons for overly-complex versions of everyday stuff like our cardboard boxes :-)
Reply
1337 8:13PM (9/04/2007)
I hope Dodge dealers charge the morons for the "installation" of this all-new "dealer installed accessory."
Ivy League Educated 1:01PM (9/04/2007)
As if the interiors of dodge weren't cheap-N-crappy enough, they have now added "plastic crates" with the dodge logo on it, and try to pass it off as a feature?
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Reply
h8rain 1:06PM (9/04/2007)
I like the idea, but this should be a tip not a extra....
Like Marta Stewart saying: "Go to any craft store and buy a collapsible crate and put under your seats." When not in use, they fold apart and take up no room."
This "system" better not cost more than $20 (but knowing dealers, extra one will be ordered with it to help pad the price)
Reply
J. D. Billiford 1:21PM (9/04/2007)
>>> Kudos and compliments to Dodge for coming up with a simple and inexpensive solution to space and storage managment. We've all had a situation at one time or another where we needed to keep some of our "stuff" organized, whether it be for a short trip or a long haul. It may not be the most revolutionary, or even evolutionary concept, but its a good one.
Reply
AutoWorker.info 1:28PM (9/04/2007)
I would love this if it were available on my PT Cruiser.
Reply
Drewboy 1:32PM (9/04/2007)
Smart idea. I did it too, but I didn't have an easy way to secure my crates, and bungee cords only work so well.
Reply
Jordan 1:50PM (9/04/2007)
Cadillac came out with the Heated/Cooled Cupholders back in 2005 in the Escalade ESV Platinum. I own one and they work great.
Reply
Guenther 9:00PM (9/04/2007)
Yes, but you can buy 3 dodge avengers for that kind of money. Pop's 2002 Passat has a cooled glove box.
AT 1:52PM (9/04/2007)
If only they would concentrate their engineers on drivetrain , suspension and steering, maybe they could get their cars ahead of circa 1980's Soviet Block handling levels.
Reply
Aaron 2:20PM (9/04/2007)
My mom has had plastic crates that collapse in the exact same manner that she uses in her minivan. And she's had them for about four years now.
Seems all Dodge did was stick them under the seats. How ingenious...
Reply
SherbornSean 2:42PM (9/04/2007)
Dodge could drop the overused "___ 'n' Go" and rename this feature the Dodge Neon, under the logic that the crates are made of plastic and collapse easily.
Reply
Frank 2:52PM (9/04/2007)
Damn, those Japanese come up with such clever things to make our car ownership experience more pleasant... oh wait!
Reply