Future Dodge Car Brand Developments

Today is a big day for the future of Chrysler as each brand lays out the future developments planned through 2014, but the Dodge Car brand probably has one of the toughest roads ahead of it looking at the current products. Ralph Giles, president and CEO of the Dodge Car brand, talked about the future of Dodge in the marketplace ranging from new models from Fiat that will be added to the lineup, revised interiors to give its cars a more competitive edge as well as exciting new vehicles to continue the trend of sporty, athletic vehicles at Dodge. According to Giles, “a total of 11 Dodge vehicles will be redesigned or significantly refreshed by 2014.”

One of the biggest criticisms Chrysler faced heading into bankruptcy was the fact that there was really no new product in the pipeline, but today’s marathon media event showed off the a sufficient amount of new vehicle planning. The first new vehicle that will be unveiled under the new Dodge Car brand is a redesign of the popular Dodge Charger in 2010. Dodge showed a pair of images (displayed here) that seem to be a sneak peek of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger with cleaner, more athletic body lines and a sportier instrument gauge cluster that also showed off the use of push-button starting. Later in 2010, Dodge will unveil a full-size, seven-passenger crossover although no additional information is currently available about this vehicle other than the fact that it will have a platform designed by the Chrysler Group. It is likely that this crossover could replace the Dodge Nitro which is labeled as “under consideration” following the 2011 model year.

Other than the cancellation of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 next year as we previously reported, important vehicles such as the Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Avenger and Dodge Journey will receive significant updates including a revised interior. Interior quality has been one of the weakest areas for the Chrysler Group in recent years, but the new interior of the 2010 Dodge Caliber should show that the automaker is on the right track.

As for the Caliber, Dodge plans to dump the hatchback in 2012 and replace it with a compact sedan that will be the first Dodge vehicle to utilize a Fiat platform. The highly anticipated Fiat 500 will be the only direct import to North America (it will not be branded under the Chrysler Group) and it will arrive at select Dodge dealerships by the end of the 2010. In addition to the Fiat 500 getting floor space in Dodge showrooms, Dodge will get an unnamed small car (slotting below the Caliber replacement) with its own branding that will be a captive import from the Fiat Group. The only other Dodge vehicle scheduled to use a Fiat platform in the next five years will be a replacement for the Avenger sedan which will arrive in 2013.

Finally, an all-new, sixth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan is expected to be introduced in 2014 using a platform designed by Chrysler, while the retro-designed Dodge Challenger is scheduled for a mid-cycle enhancement in 2011.