Chrysler to Focus on Longevity, Brand Chief Says

CHICAGO – For the past three years, Chrysler has been building stability for the brand and now it's time to focus on longevity, President and CEO Saad Chehab says.

“That will mean replacing the 200 sedan soon and coming up with a new Town & Country peoplemover and 300 sedan,” changes planned by 2015, he says at the auto show here.

Chrysler and majority stakeholder Fiat will continue sharing platforms, engines and transmissions “to maximize the opportunities for the group,” Chehab says.

“Last year, we sold almost 100,000 vehicles more than the year before, and now we have to protect our growth with new versions of mid- and large-size sedans and peoplemovers.”

But the Chrysler brand also “needs to grow in segments we are not in now: people movers (cross/utility vehicles) and vans in different sizes and different prices for different budgets,” he says.

At the show, Chrysler reveals the new ’13 Dodge Challenger R/T Redline edition, powered by a 5.7L Hemi V-8 teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission and making 375 hp (372 hp with 5-speed automatic).

The performance-option package goes on sale this spring priced at $29,995. It includes special colors, striping and graphics as well as performance radials, remote start and a T-Handle shifter.

The ’13 Challenger R/T Redline follows the rendition that came out in mid-2012 with a 305-hp V-6.