Chrysler said to be planning wake for Magnum, Pacifica, PT Cruiser
According to The Detroit News, Chrysler's product-cutting plan is all but official. The first three models on the chopping block, according to the newspaper's unnamed sources, are the Magnum, Pacifica and the PT Cruiser. The next round could include the Jeep Commander if it doesn't get its act together.Sales on the first three models were down as much as 32% through September, and the company's new boss, Bob Nardelli, isn't in a playing-around mood. Company insiders have told the Det News that Nardelli is taking very close looks at the current lineup and isn't exactly thrilled. Supposedly, Dodge's Dakota and Avenger and Chrysler's Sebring are also feeling the Nardelli heat. The newspaper quotes Nardelli as saying, "I'm not a designer, but I'm a consumer," he said. "Rather than deny some of the (negative) reports that are out there you kind of embrace them and say, what do we want to do to take our vehicle from where it is to where consumers want it to be?"
So how many of you reading that actually said out loud, "It's about damned time!" Nardelli sounds like a guy who doesn't mess around, who seems to know his company's products aren't up to snuff, and who's willing to do just about anything to fix them. Sebring and Avenger aren't exactly blockbuster designs, and if Chrysler must amputate them to stay alive, we say go for it.
We hate to see wagons disappear from the domestics' lineup again, but overall, this is a good sign and we can't wait to see what Nardelli does with future offerings.
By the way, Mr. Nardelli. Can we nominate the Aspen and Compass for some critical evaluation, too? Thanks.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Thanks, Mike, for the tip!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Dan 10:34PM (11/18/2008)
First mistake was getting rid of the Neon. I have had three new ones. First generation was more fun but had its issues. The two second generation ones that I have are great. I beat the crap out of my high mileage ’02 five speed SXT and it never complains. It was also bad timing to drop them without a true replacement. I would like to buy something to replace my Neon soon but they don’t offer anything that compares.
I’d replace my Durango but I am so close to the 200,000 mile mark with it would be a shame to stop now.
Chrysler’s biggest problems are the media and the consumers that are cluelessly following media opinions.
Reply
Ryan 5:48PM (2/09/2009)
I'm not sure why the PT Cruiser is an embarrasment for Chrysler. It was cheap to buy, and cheap to own. It's efficient. It's practical. And it's fun to look at. I bought a new PT in 2002, and still own it and enjoy it. It now has over 130,000 miles on the odometer, and is going strong.
Reply
scappy 8:43AM (10/31/2007)
I'm surprised the Pacifica has never done well, it pretty much was the first "crossover". I'd probably be pointing the finger at the marketers and who ever decided on the features. The one comment I heard was that the Pacifica was priced too high and was not available without features to reduce the cost.
Reply
Mike 9:18AM (10/31/2007)
The Pacifica is awkward inside. The rear seats are difficult to get to and the way the seats fold eats up a lot of the interior cargo room.
With the rounded sides it also cuts into the hight of the cargo area. I sat in one and liked the concept, but there are too many compromises to the way they did things. Someone else mentioned it, it's for people that need a minivan, but HAVE to spend more money.
The GMC Arcadia is sort of the same way, but with a much better back seat and cargo setup. Don't know if it's selling better, but it's nicely done.
ronin 6:52PM (10/31/2007)
When first introduced, the Pacifica was tarted up fully, with a price to match. Chrysler thought that people would pay 40k+ because of the highly-touted Mercedes guts.
After some time, Chrysler realized it must also sell scaled down (ie, cheaper) versions.
Oh yes, and it was, comparitively speaking underpowered.
As far as being the first crossover, the Buick Rendezvous (at least) preceded it by a couple yrs.
Owain Ozymandias Buck 8:51AM (10/31/2007)
No wagons? Oh well. There's plenty of imports to choose from.
They really should just close the doors--Chrysler is fast becoming irrelevant.
Reply
John R 8:51AM (10/31/2007)
Thank GOD that PT Cruiser is going into the trash! Chrysler sold a lot of them but that just a testament to the "there's a sucker born every minute" maxim.
I'd cast the Avenger/Sebring in the same trash bin, but it isn't like as yet as that would leave a gap in the mid-size segment. However it's good Nardelli recognizes that its an awful car.
It's also good that the Dakota/Durango/Aspen is recieving some heat. I remember when the first generation Durango came out, it was what's the word...ATTRACTIVE! Now the thing looks like a Dodge doing its best "Caravan after swallowing a hippopotamus" impression.
The Pacifica is for the person who wants a minivan but has to/must spend more money. Or at least look like they did.
I will lament the Magnum, however. The front end just needed a refresh to make just as attractive as the Charger.
Reply
psarhjinian 10:46AM (10/31/2007)
The PT was actually a very practical car and I haven't heard anything but positive reviews for it from any source, both professional and anecdotal.
I completely fail to see why the readership of Autoblog hates this vehicle so. It's efficient, versatile and handles well for what it is. It's certainly better--even now--than Chevy's Me-Too Cruiser, the HHR and was, in it's run, a better car than the Matrix was, too. In the small wagon/hatch/crossover space, about the only cars that could beat it are the (discontinued) Focus wagon and (much newer) Mazda5 and Kia Rondo.
It's also sad to see the Magnum go. Again, nothing but praise has been heaped on the vehicle and the look is much cleaner and more contemporary than the mullet-set Charger or throwback Challenger.
Personally, if they never build the Challenger, I'll be happy.
The Magnum and PT (and 300C) were about the only products Chrysler had with any presence in urban markets where the margins are nice and thick. Outside of those three, everything else is either rental-grade or Yee-Haw.
Chrysler could trim the product line a little:
Caliber: Replace the interior. The whole thing.
Sebring: Ditto
Avenger: Drop it. The Sebring isn't upmarket enough to fool people.
Charger: Much as I'd like it to die, it probably should stay. I think a decontented 300 would do just as well, though
Challenger: Don't even bother. It'll sell well for like, four months. Ford already ruined this market for GM and Chrysler and coming on this late just looks lame.
Aspen: Try to make it look a little more like a 300C and less like a Durango. Right now it's fooling no one.
Crossfire: Drop
ComPartriot: Drop
Commander: Drop
Nitro/Liberty: Give this some serious thought. Pick one.
PT Cruiser: It needs a redesign. The Caliber platform isn't a bad one (the Lancer is evidence of this) and it could make for a decent PT.
Boy, that doesn't leave a lot, does it? Does anyone else think the Mercedes tenure consisted of just throwing crap against a wall to see what stuck?
geo.stewart 1:39PM (10/31/2007)
PT is not bad for what it is, and in fact decent. For enthusiasts, the handling is pretty bad with its body roll but for moving arount town it does the job. Utilitarian, different,...
The HHR is better, much less body roll and decent pickup. more room in the back and the seats are good. wide expanses of plastic but that is the result I think of having to compensate for outlandish Union costs. as soon as someone comes out with a smooth overlay for the dash cover, I'll be all over it.
caliber needs a rethink and compass needs to go away/
jeep in general needs to have a soul searching event and figure out what it wants to be. the nitro is a better jeep than the jeep products (with the exception of the wrangler). the last gr cherokee was the last good non-wrangler vehicle jeep had.
antrow 1:44PM (10/31/2007)
I hope that they move the Magnum under Chryslers product and add the the 300's more elegant front and interior to it. The wagon is great it just looks too unrefined for my taste.
I really wanted to by a 300 but needed a wagon and couldn't stand to look at the truckish front and plain interior on the Magnum.
Reply
Pat 9:11AM (10/31/2007)
European customers get a wagon 300. Very elegant.
Then again, they never stopped buying wagons like we did.
Spankee 11:19AM (10/31/2007)
I've always hated the 300 Touring. I think it's because the 300 itself was a car that needed to grow on me, not one I loved out of the gate. The Magnum always struck me as 'roided up and in your face, not trying to be anything it wasn't. The 300 always comes off as a European pretending to be an American pretending to be a European.
Of all of these cars (and trucks) I'll miss the Magnum and the Dakota.
Chris Vitale 8:55AM (10/31/2007)
I love the Magnum. They just need to inject some life into it.
Reply
Illan 9:21AM (10/31/2007)
Of all the vehicles Dodge has, why would the Magnum be on the list?that model was selling pretty well.Ill never understand the hate for wagon or dodge Sport Tourer as dodge call its.There more efficient than their SUV counterparts.i say that the nitro should be discontinued as there no reason to have a liberty clone on the dodge showroom.ill second Chris opinion on the Aspen and Compass.here is a Suggestion for the Dodge Caliber. MAKE BETTER DOOR HANDLES, THEY FEEL LIKE CRAP
Reply
Tim T 10:04AM (10/31/2007)
Dude, is your space bar broken??? Hit it TWICE between sentances.
FThorn 10:12AM (10/31/2007)
"Dude, is your space bar broken??? Hit it TWICE between sentances."
Dude, your education has failed you in the area of SPELLING while you slam someone else! :)
Keith 8:55AM (10/31/2007)
Every car company needs to have the goal of making the best car in the category at every major update. If you can't be regarded as having the BEST car in a class for 6 months or so then just give up the segment.
The Mazda3 was regarded as the best small car until the Civic came out. Chrysler should shoot to knock down the Civic until the next company comes out with a new compact. Do they really think the Caliber ever even had a prayer of being the segment leader? If so, then they need to clean out some management.
Same with trucks.... Ford and Chevy have the dominant product for a few months. Chrysler hasn't been in that spot since the Ram intro years ago. Why not? If you can't leapfrog the competition and get attention once every couple years then you'll never survive.
I really wanted the new Liberty to be great but it's taken a step back in design. The Wrangler Unlimited is the only Chrysler product that I think is dominant in it's (very small) niche. I am a Chrysler customer but they don't have a single product that satisfies my needs for a next vehicle and they won't be on my shopping list.
Reply
FThorn 9:10AM (10/31/2007)
I disagree. Not everyone can afford the 'best'. When the USofA gets cheaper Chinese and Indian imports, that unlike Hyundai STAY CHEAP, we'll see the redefining of "Good enough".
Will 9:00AM (10/31/2007)
I hate to see the Pacifica and Magnum go but So Long to the PT Cruiser..
Reply
dave 6:22PM (12/01/2007)
Magnum is a great vehicle It shouldnt go Its one of those cars u hate or love Its only meant to appeal to a certain group of car fanatics It will be a blow to Dodge fans if it goes They should just do some mild changes on front end and maybe beef up the inside a little Dont make a mistake of getting rid of a car that relates to your product