2002 Chrysler Prowler on 2040-cars

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Marchionne says the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart were terrible investments for FCA

In a press conference during the Detroit Auto Show, Sergio Marchionne was quite candid about why the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart were discontinued altogether without replacement. He essentially said they weren't worth the trouble. "I can tell you right now that both the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart, as great products as they were, were the least financially rewarding enterprises that we've carried out inside FCA in the last eight years," Marchionne said. "I don't know one investment that was as bad as these two were." Marchionne was responding to a question about whether he felt the company's shift toward trucks and SUVs and sacrifice in sedan development was shortsighted. Marchionne said he felt that the market would likely continue to be strong for trucks and SUVs, and that the sedan market requires enormous investment that might not pay off. He used the 200 and Dart as examples. When we tried out the 200 and the Dart, we had mixed feelings. We enjoyed the 200's potent V6, pleasant interior, and solid handling. However, it was lacking in space (especially in the rear seat area), and doesn't drive any better than the top vehicles in the midsize sedan class. As for the Dart, it was fairly roomy, and had great infotainment thanks to Uconnect, but lackluster handling and a surprising amount of weight left it only average. With that in mind, it's probably not a bad idea to get rid of the 200 and Dart. The sedan segment is shrinking, and FCA can only afford to invest in areas where it can be a class-leader. Related Video:

Mopar's 80 years told through vintage ads

It's more than just car parts. Mopar started in 1937 an antifreeze brand, and 80 years later Fiat Chrysler's now-iconic aftermarket division is known for everything from muscle cars to smart phone apps. This is reflected in its advertisements over the years, which show off the brand's capabilities at different moments. Rediscovered from deep in Mopar's archives as it kicks off a year-long celebration of its history, the ads are snapshots of the former Chrysler Corp. and the mood of America at those times. A colorful, free-spirited 1972 ad hawks T-shirts. A plainer 1964 spot shows off Mopar's expansive portfolio with the tagline, "sorry, we ran out of space!" There were too many parts to show them all. Another 1960s ad explains Mopar's new wire and cable products in what was likely a magazine spread or multi-column newspaper entry. Going back farther, an ad from the 1940s touts radios through wind-in-your-hair exuberance, while a later placement shows a Ward Cleaver-type waxing his hardtop. Slightly more recently in 1989, Mopar used its muscle-car heritage to encourage restoration and customization just as nostalgia for that era was growing. "The Mopar brand holds an unparalleled place in the automotive world, possessing name recognition, scope of service, and passionate enthusiasts unmatched by any other service and parts organization in the industry," Pietro Gorlier, Mopar's global chief, said in a statement. While those advertisements highlight its earlier days, Mopar is using its 80th year to look forward, noting its modern service offerings, competition in motorsports, and special edition models, like a custom Ram Rebel. These ventures have advanced the Mopar's scope and elevated its awareness with consumers, who often don't know what brand of aftermarket products their car uses. Yes, Mopar still wants to sell as many car parts as possible, but as these ads show, it's always been more than that. Related Video: Featured Gallery Vintage Mopar Ads Marketing/Advertising Chrysler Fiat Automotive History

2017 Chrysler Pacifica isn't your parents' Town & Country [w/video]

I'm sick of people hating on minivans. There's something about two incredibly functional sliding doors that give people this idea that they've given up, and given in to family life. But if the van you see here had two fixed rear doors, and maybe an extra inch of ride height, it'd be gobbled up like mad as part of the growing crossover craze. So yes, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica – that's right, Pacifica – is a minivan. But it's so packed full of features, technology, and functionality, that you really ought to look past those sliding doors. There promises to be an incredibly rewarding vehicle within. The 2017 Pacifica rides on an all-new platform, but dimensionally, it's similar to the outgoing Town & Country. That whole "ugh, minivans" thing is one of the reasons why Chrysler decided to axe the Town & Country name for 2017. Simply put, the target customers for the new minivan (young parents) would have grown up in their parents' Town & Country vans (or Caravans, or Voyagers...) in the 1980s. Three decades later, FCA wants to make it absolutely clear that this isn't just your parents' minivan. Why it chose to bring back the name of a lackluster part of its mid-2000s history, though, is anyone's guess. The 2017 Pacifica rides on an all-new platform, but dimensionally, it's similar to the outgoing Town & Country. It's a tenth of an inch shorter in length, about an inch wider, and roughly half an inch taller. The body itself looks great – influence from the 200 sedan is obvious up front, and around back in the taillights, and top-trim models can be had with 20-inch wheels – a big change from the old van, which topped out with 17-inch rolling stock. There's big weight-savings here, too – the Pacifica tips the scales at 4,330 pounds in base spec, which is over 300 pounds less than the Town & Country. Inside, it's more of the same from Chrysler. The interior design uses language brought up from the 200, and the different color and material choices look really rich, especially in Limited Premium trim. Of course, I'll wait to make final judgments on the cabin until I see it in base cloth spec, rife with kid fingerprints and french fries ground into the carpets. Up front, the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen houses familiar infotainment functionality, and for backseat passengers, there's a new Uconnect Theater system, with a pair of 10-inch touchscreen displays.