Industry Report: Chrysler's Short Term Future Part II - What Models are Coming Next?

The midsize Sebring replacement, once expected to share architecture with and be built alongside Mitsubishi's Galant in

The rumors were that the new Sebring would share architecture with and be built alongside the Mitsubishi Galant, but due to strained relations that may have changed. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Normal, Illinois, may be nothing of the sort. Chrysler Group has remained hush-hush on this topic, possibly because rifts between it and MMNA have caused changes in the cooperative plans midstream. Even if the new model was based on Galant architecture as was initially rumoured, Chrysler Group would still be able to move forward with its midsize entry without MMNA's blessing, although many changes would have to be made if it was designed to accept Galant-derived powertrains, electrical components, etal.

Incidentally, whatever the Dodge variant of the new Sebring replacement is called will be coming to Canada according to reliable sources, now that the automaker's entry-level brand managers have decided to make Dodge an international brand, and also because

The Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe is expected to join the Viper SRT-10 roadster later this year or early next. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

with each new model update its cars are differentiating themselves more significantly from their Chrysler siblings.

Other models that will be forthcoming, and could arrive sooner than the SX 2.0 (Neon) and Sebring (Stratus) replacements depending on the automaker's new model introduction timeline, which is currently unknown outside of Chrysler's inner circle, start with the Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe shown in Los Angeles earlier this month. The model is expected to join the Viper SRT-10 roadster later this year or early next, to continue its rivalry with a much more powerful Corvette Z06.