Future Chrysler Brand Developments

In addition to a new logo, Olivier Francois, president and CEO of the Chrysler brand, hopes the signature brand of the Chrysler Group can overhaul its entire image to become a leader in luxury and style. For years, Chrysler vehicles have simply been rebadged and slightly more luxurious versions of Dodge models, but Francois hopes that moving forward Chrysler can “design cars that start out revolutionary and end up timeless.” By 2014, the entire Chrysler vehicle lineup will be completely redesigned from what it is today and it will grow from its current four-model lineup to a broader six-model lineup.

The first phase of to differentiate Chrysler from Dodge, Dodge Ram and Jeep involves giving the 2011 Chrysler Sebring and 2011 Chrysler Town & Country a “major modification plus” which means that the only thing that won’t change on these two models is the chassis architecture. Each vehicle will get a completely unique interior and exterior design that will create more separation between the Dodge Car brand counterparts (Dodge Avenger and Dodge Grand Caravan). These models will also get powertrain updates, but this will most certainly include the Dodge vehicles.

Chrysler engineers are also retuning the next-generation Sebring to offer reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and improved handling, but the sedan will be replaced altogether by a D-segment sedan based off of a Fiat platform in 2013. This platform will also spawn a D-segment crossover despite the fact that Dodge will be getting a Chrysler-designed seven-passenger crossover. Likewise, the Chrysler Town & Country is slated for a complete redesign in 2014, but it will remain on a Chrysler platform.

Later in 2010, Chrysler will introduce a redesigned 300 sedan that features a new exterior, interior and powertrain. It is very likely that the 2011 Chrysler 300 will continue to utilize chassis and suspension components shared with Mercedes-Benz vehicles like the current car. During its bankruptcy proceedings, Chrysler showed a rendering of the next-generation 300 in its viability plan to Congress. Unlike the restyled Charger, the 2011 Chrysler 300 will retain most of the elegant exterior styling of the current offering, with the majority of the improvements taking place in the interior and the powertrain.

After more than a decade on the market with very few changes, the Chrysler PT Cruiser will be phased out following the 2010 model year, but it will be replaced by a Fiat-derived compact sedan. A B-segment small car is also planned as a captive import for the Chrysler brand most likely the same car being offered under the Dodge nameplate.