Fuse Lit

Chrysler Group plans to build the Dodge Nitro midsize SUV at its plant in Toledo, OH.

One of 10 new vehicles Chrysler expects to launch next year, the Nitro, as expected, will roll off the same assembly line as its platform-mate, the Jeep Liberty, sources tell Ward's.

Chrysler's Toledo North Assembly Plant will be tooled up for a mid-summer 2006 production launch of at least 75,000 units of the new Nitro, which will be sold as an '07 model. Toledo built just under 225,000 Liberties in 2004.

The Nitro's arrival also sets the stage for the production of a revamped Liberty.

First shown as a concept vehicle in February at the Chicago auto show, the Nitro represents the Dodge brand's first foray into the midsize SUV segment — a well-timed move given that volatile gasoline prices are expected to drive consumers out of larger SUVs.

“The midsize SUV segment is growing,” says Steven Landry, vice president-Dodge marketing. “The Dodge Nitro will strengthen and grow the Dodge brand by allowing us to attract a new buyer.”

However, Ward's segmentation shows there are 22 '05-model midsize SUVs, three fewer than in '03. And through the year's third-quarter, midsize SUV sales were down 8.4% compared with prior-year. But luxury midsize SUV sales were up nearly 6%.