Chrysler and Nissan consider sharing mid-size car
Lending further credence to earlier rumors of platform sharing between Chrysler and Nissan, The Wall Street Journal reports that Chrysler is in talks to base its next mid-size sedan on the next-gen Altima platform. Chrysler's "Project D" focuses on finding or designing a suitable replacement for the current Sebring and Dodge Avenger, models which have fallen on their faces with consumers. Other rumors point to Fiat being the chosen platform-supplier. After all is said and done, Chrysler could have a line-up which consists of a small car from Chinese automaker Chery, another small car from Nissan, a mid-size sedan from Nissan and a line of full-size sedans, pickups and SUVs of its own design. While Chrysler's main goal is to become profitable once again, there is certainly some danger in becoming a re-brander of cars from other companies, especially in the hotly-contested mid-size sedan market. [Source: The Wall Street Journal]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BOB 3:18PM (8/07/2008)
To make money on the Nissan-based cars, Chrysler probably would like Nissan to build them in its US plants, at considerably less cost than the old and UAW-tied Chrysler plants.
UAW -- if you cant get the retirees and the oldtimers to agree to something that works, be prepared to have the jobs lost in bankruptcy anyhow.
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tbyron 3:29PM (8/07/2008)
The strategy seems somewhat similar to what Citroen/Peugeot have used rather successfully over the past several years. Haven't a large number of their platforms and/or engines been the result of partnerships?
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66coronet 5:08PM (8/07/2008)
Why did the avenger & sebring fall on their face.
1) No hope in having a VW2.0L CRD in north american market that will allow 28 city 46 highway mpg.
2) No 2.4L + 2 mode hybrid available.
3) R/T 3.5L H.O. isn't at the same output as the 300M at 350hp and no manual trans for SCCA people. R/T needs to be road and track not just a top model status. A automatic version with power everything should just be a limited edition. R/T should be base model without A/C but beefed up brakes & suspetion. With added hard points for bolt in rollcage.
What Dodge needs is a V-6 3.0L-3.5L with MDS + turbo charger. So under no load and light load there is no turbo boost and it's a 3 cyl. Then with boost it's 380hp @ 5000 for a true sports car performance.
For me it's not the basic looks of the vehicles that making sales slump. It's the package they offer.
I'd love to see a base model VW2.0Lcrd 138hp 229lb-ft and top models MB2.2Lcrd. 2008 C220CDI = 170hp 295 lb-ft for over seas market.
Chrysler needed to offer better fuel mileage and performance. Plus for some a better interior for top models.
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toronado455 5:17PM (8/07/2008)
Sebring and Avenger fell on their faces because in addition to being butt-ugly, they are crappy cars.
Dave 7:06PM (8/07/2008)
Considering that the Camry, Accord, Altima, Malibu, and Fusion have negligible hybrid sales and no diesel sales, your comment is at best ridiculous.
The best selling midsize cars offer a simple 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission.
Better fuel mileage is a noble goal, but that's not the reason why the Avenger/Sebring aren't selling.
Pips 5:41PM (8/09/2008)
thanks god that they finally put an axe on those butt ugly sebrings and avengers; but nissan got a real bad deal here as big truck market are in the toilet these day......do ppl still crave for a hemi engine?
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Jim 1:48AM (8/13/2008)
Remember AMC?
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