2005 Dodge Caliber Concept

Dodge Goes Global

North Americans have long benefited from European auto imports, bringing the most advanced engine, safety and chassis

Car companies we associate with here at home are planning an assault overseas. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

technologies available to a market that has, up until recently, not been able to build domestic models to directly compete on its home turf, let alone even consider exporting its vehicles across the Atlantic to take on the Europeans. But this is in flux.

Now, car companies we associate with here at home are planning an assault overseas. In 2005, Chevrolet will be officially re-introduced into Europe as the purveyor of GMDAT (Daewoo-engineered) vehicles, and Cadillac will continue building its premium image with its Euro-intensive CTS and STS sedans. Likewise, Chrysler has received a boost to its European

DaimlerChrysler wants to market the Dodge name in Europe, totally new ground for the brand. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

lineups, now bolstered with the overtly American 300-series luxury sedan and Crossfire sports car.

But unlike the previous examples, where reasonably established brands are being brought back to life in Europe, DaimlerChrysler wants to market the Dodge nameplate in Europe, totally new ground for the brand.

To many, the first thing that comes to mind when the name Dodge is spoken is either legendary muscle cars from the '60s and '70s, or tough pickups driven by tough people. With its current lukewarm lineup of rehashed Chrysler cars, Magnum and upcoming Charger excluded, it's likely that Dodge would succeed if dropped into Europe today.