Pacifica, Fiat Deliver for FCA; Nissan Thinks Small

JOLIET, IL – The ʼ17 Chrysler Pacifica is serving a dual role as both the successor to and replacement for the Town & Country by attracting both those wanting a minivan as well as those shopping for a CUV-oriented alternative.

“Pacifica is outstanding for us in pulling in buyers from CUV utility buyers,” says Michael Downey, vehicle line executive-minivans and large cars for FCA.

“It is doing what we wanted, expanding the buyer base” by having Pacifica attract people new to the brand other than just traditional van buyers and soccer moms.

In an interview at the Midwest Automobile Media Assn. annual fall rally to unveil new product for the ʼ17 model year here, Downey says, “It also is attracting buyers coming out of SUVs as well, though not as much as CUVs.”

WardsAuto data shows the all-new ʼ17 Pacifica, introduced in April, sold 35,373 units through September.

Downey isn’t surprised the new vehicle is attracting both CUV and SUV buyers.

“Pacifica was designed to look more like a crossover than a van, even though it still has sliding side doors. That’s why we gave it a new name (other than Town & Country),” he says, referring to a moniker last used on a CUV marketed when Daimler-Benz had control over Chrysler.

Being an alternative to CUVs and SUVs, Downey is asked, why not offer an all-wheel-drive version since AWD is one of the features CUV and SUV owners want, yet only front-wheel-drive is offered now?CUVs and SUVs, Downey is asked, why not offer an all-wheel-drive version since AWD is one of the features CUV and SUV owners want, yet only front-wheel-drive is offered now?

“The architecture is new and is compatible with AWD, but I have nothing to say or announce about the future (of AWD) for Pacifica,” he says.

As for the future, Downey says FCA will continue to offer the Dodge Caravan minivan in the ʼ17 model year but doesn’t say how much longer after that. Through September, Caravan sales have risen 64.5% year-over-year to 102,891.

Later this year FCA will add a gasoline-electric hybrid Pacifica in which the battery pack will be housed under the floor where Stow ʼn Go compartments to hide second-row seats now are found. The hybrid will claim 30 miles (48 km) of range in battery mode alone and more than 500 miles (805 km) with battery and gas combined. Charge time for the battery pack will be 14 hours with the Level I charger that will be standard equipment or only 2 hours and 15 minutes with the optional Level II charger.

Fiat Pleased to Introduce Spider to New Customers

Also at the rally, Rafael Paz, senior manager-Fiat brand product marketing, says the return of the 124s Spider last sold in 1985 is proving successful, with 1,431 sold through September after arriving at dealerships in June, and sales expected to rise further as the lineup now includes three trim levels.

The Spider was launched in June with the entry-level Classica version ($24,995 base price), followed by the Lusso luxury version ($27,496). The high-performance Abarth edition ($28,195) now rolling out completes the lineup and gives buyers a choice of price and equipment levels.

The Spider is attracting those who once owned a previous-generation roadster, but more importantly it appeals to those new to Fiat, Paz says.

“We now have a group of owners who are sports-car enthusiasts who never had a Fiat and who aren’t trading anything in for the car, since it is their second or third car and a personal reward for achieving success in their life.”

The demographic shows average buyers are 50-year-old males with incomes of $80,000, with most of them new to the Fiat brand, Paz says.

“The mission with the car was to attract a new customer base for Fiat, and that’s what it is doing,” he said.

Since going on sale in June, Spider sales totaled 1,985 through August, with 460 of those in August alone.

Paz also says the new AWD Fiat 500X CUV is the brand’s fastest-growing model in its first year on the market and was rolled out “at a time when small CUVs are the hottest segment in the industry.”CUVs are the hottest segment in the industry.”

Sales of the 500X totaled 9,218 through September.

Paz says the typical 500X buyer is 56 years of age and earns about $79,000 annually. But the key statistic is that 68% of drivers are women, evidence AWD is considered a safety factor for women in general and mothers in particular, he says.

Nissan Won't Give Ground on Small Cars

Perhaps facing a bigger challenge as small CUVs and SUVs grow in popularity are car-oriented automakers such as Nissan. Brandon White, director and chief marketing manager-small cars for Nissan, intends to defend the segment.CUVs and SUVs grow in popularity are car-oriented automakers such as Nissan. Brandon White, director and chief marketing manager-small cars for Nissan, intends to defend the segment.

“While the small-CUV and SUV segment continues to grow, we’re going to defend our turf in small cars.We aren’t going to give ground,” he tells WardsAuto.

The Sentra, Versa and Juke comprise Nissan’s small-car offerings. White says Nissan’s compact Rogue is competing for small-CUV/SUV sales and is doing extremely well.

He notes the small Juke not only offers AWD, the key attribute small-CUV/SUV buyers want but also features styling that makes it resemble a CUV.

“Juke is seen by most as a crossover and so it’s doing well, but Juke is a niche player and Rogue more mainstream when it comes to CUVs and SUVs, the segment that we see continuing to grow with no end in sight,” White says.CUVs and SUVs, the segment that we see continuing to grow with no end in sight,” White says.

Could Nissan attract new buyers by adding an AWD variant of at least one of its existing small cars?

“You never know,” White says. “There certainly is potential to do that. I can't comment on future products, but automakers always want products in segments where the consumers are and we certainly see that the trend is into small CUVs and SUVs.”CUVs and SUVs.”

The trend is so strong that Nissan expects the Rogue will become the automaker’s best-selling vehicle by year’s end, topping the current Altima sedan, he says. In response to consumer interest, Rogue will add a luxury Platinum trim level for ʼ17 as well as a hybrid version.