2011 Chryslers: A Rare Vintage
The 2011 Model Year will probably not go down as one of the better lineups in the Chrysler brand’s history, consisting of only four models from three nameplates. But, according to Automotive News [sub] it will probably be one of the most exclusive and rarest years for the Chrysler Group, which includes Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Fiat, as the 2012 model-year will go into production as soon as dealers receive the “one or two buildouts” of 2011 vehicles.
According to the report
The truncated 2011 model year is a result of Chrysler’s efforts to reinvigorate its lineup after its 2009 bankruptcy. The company introduced 16 new or revamped models for 2011 after a frantic 18-month engineering push.
Most of them did not arrive in dealerships until the first quarter, almost half a year later than normal. And some dealers report they still haven’t received their first 2011 Chrysler 300s, the last of the 16 models to go into production. Dealers can start ordering 2012 models in late May or early June, according to Chrysler spokesman Ralph Kisiel.
But don’t expect anything too exciting from the 2012 builds, as Chrysler is planning “only a few” changes to the lineup, like the addition of the Pentastar V6 to the Wrangler’s engine choices. Otherwise, the next big Chrysler rollout looks to be the Fiat-derived replacement for the Dodge Caliber, which launches early next year as a 2013. And by then a number of the remaining Chrysler Group products could be on their way out, as AN reports
The 2012 model year could be the last for a number of products.
In short, if you don’t get a 2011, you’ll be able to get nearly all the same products for 2012. For those in the know, however, the 2011 model year Chrysler could become a perversely rare (if not universally desired) thing.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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How many times have we seen a car company present their line up like this a year before they stop production permanently? This looks so similar to AMC's 1979 line up. Remember that? A Spirit that was a Gremlin, a Concord that was a Hornet? No more larger cars. No more different cars. 1979 ended up giving AMC a profit as designed, in order to make it attractive to unload to someone willing to buy it. The good folks at Packard swore their 1958's were just a stop-gap to a renaissance. Henry Ford II assured the press that the 1960 Edsels were a new beginning for the marque. This company showed the 1961 DeSotos and put them into production before pulling the plug. This whole thing Chrysler had been doing over the past year smells so similar, and looks so similar to the fate of Willys and Kaiser. No way would I buy one of these cars from this zombie auto company.
And look what I found via Bloomberg: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-05/fiat-said-to-plan-chrysler-stake-increase-to-30-in-weeks.html Money quote: "Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne plans to sell Chrysler models under the Fiat brand in Brazil to reach the first goal that 90 percent of Fiat’s Latin American dealers offer Chrysler vehicles, the people said, declining to be identified because the plans are private. The plan would allow Marchionne to sidestep negotiations with dealers on Chrysler contracts and avoid the cost of introducing the brand in Brazil, where Fiat has the largest share of the market, one of the people said. Fiat has already met the second demand of $1.5 billion in revenue outside North America at Chrysler since Fiat took a stake in the Auburn, Hills, Michigan-based carmaker, one person said."