So Close but Yet So Far
Just over a year ago on September 1, 2003, Chrysler released photos of a unique concept that has now become a reality (see
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| While the made-in-Canada Chrysler 300 wagon will become a reality, unfortunately it won't be sold in North America. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
new archive for Sept 2, 2003: Chrysler Releases Photos of All-New 300C Touring Concept). While building a production car out of a concept is nothing particularly new for the domestic automaker, the fact that the 300 wagon won't be available in the land that builds it is unusual.
Just like the popular new 300 series sedan, the wagon will be built at Chryco's Brampton, Ontario plant, but unlike the 4-door the 5-door will then be shipped off to Europe never to ride on North American roads. While it's exciting for one of ours' to be accepted so readily across the Atlantic, it's a shame that a car so attractive and then so functional won't be available to a willing public.
Of course, we have the Magnum, which is an exciting prospect in its own right. But some don't like the aggressive
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| The 300 Touring's profile is similar to the new Dodge Magnum, which is starting to show up all over Canadian roads. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
crosshair-grille, and overall bold appearance of the Dodge wagon. My mom for instance loves the 300 sedan, but due to a need for the space utilization of a wagon the new Chrysler won't do. I showed her the Magnum and she doesn't like it at all. No doubt Dodge wasn't targeting retirement aged ladies when it penned the new sport wagon, so the design team shouldn't feel too badly. I then showed her a photo of the 300 Touring concept wagon that debuted last year and she fell in love. Telling her that she'd have to move overseas to buy one nearly crushed her, however, and left me wondering why Chrysler decided a classic large American wagon wasn't right for the North American market.
