And it is quite likely, with profits up due to soaring sales, that Chrysler will add a second sports model to its portfolio, or potentially eliminate the Crossfire
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| It is quite likely, with profits up due to soaring sales, that Chrysler will add a second sports model to its portfolio. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
altogether in order to make way for something entirely new. It's hardly news that Crossfire sales have been slow, something that Chrysler had expected when it launched the attractive sports model - as previously mentioned it was mostly designed for halo purposes after all. But to reiterate, now with the 300 doing more for halo purposes than the Crossfire ever could, there's an opening for something even more enticing, and even more "Chrysler" at the top end of the domestic brand.
More Chrysler? That's right. Chrysler is renewing its image as a builder of powerful American luxury cars, an image that was seen as a stigma in the energy conscious late '70s and early '80s,
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| The introduction of a new sports car, which most consider will be based on or at least inspired by the Firepower concept, could do a great deal to increase its presence in the premium sector. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
when an oil crisis caused lineups at gas stations and forced domestic automakers into the economy car game. Chrysler's answer was to kill off its classy Cordoba (with Corinthian leather) and introduce the economical Omni, a surprisingly resilient runabout that can still be seen on the road today. Its famous K-car, heralded by then-CEO Lee Iacocca, brought the company out of another financial crisis, strengthened by the dawn of its Magic Wagons, the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyageur and Chrysler Town & Country.
While Chrysler Group is still the "minivan company", maintaining its hold on the market with its best selling Dodge Caravan, its image has moved up-market thanks to the 300C, Pacifica crossover and Crossfire. The introduction of a new sports car, which most consider will be based on or at least inspired by the Firepower concept, could do a great deal to increase its presence in the premium sector.
