Chrysler brand facing uncertain future
New report suggests the writing's on the wall for famous American car brandAutomotive News has suggested that Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne will announce the axing of historic US brand Chrysler as part of his next five-year plan to be revealed to shareholders this Friday (June 1).
According to the report, rumours suggest the under-resourced Chrysler brand will be closed as FCA lays foundations to move away from manufacturing mass-market cars in favour of higher profit SUVs and pick-ups.
Supporting the rumours that FCA could axe the brand altogether is the fact the car-maker has spent little on developing new Chrysler offerings in recent history.
Back in 2014, Marchionne told investors that, come 2018, Chrysler would have eight vehicles in its line-up, including two plug-in hybrids.
Today in the US market the 93-year old car maker has just two models: the elderly 300 sedan (the only Chrysler model sold in Australia) and the Pacifica people-mover, which is offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Slow sales of the smaller 200 medium sedan, as part of a wider shift away from traditional sedans in the US, led to its axing.
The report cites FCA's failure to invest in its proposed 100 compact sedan and an SUV to be built on the Pacifica platform as evidence a decision could have already been made as regards to Chrysler's fate.
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