Chrysler Reveals Road Map to Future

Chrysler will try to become competitive, borrowing some of Fiat’s diesels, Italian platforms, smaller engines and technologies to help them build electric, announced on Wednesday Sergio Marchionne, the Fiat and Chrysler leader.

By 2014, Chrysler will use three shared platforms with Fiat, increasing Chrysler’s average number of models per platform from 1.9 in 2010 to three by 2014. Average volume per platform will more than double from 125,000 units to 305,000.

Chrysler intends to repay the $12.5 billion it borrowed from the U.S. government and the $3.8-billion lent to it by Canada by 2014.

The company expects to reach profitability in 2011, Marchionne said. By 2014, the annual profit will grow to $5 billion, if all goes according to plan. Chrysler says it expects U.S. sales to jump from 950,000 to 2 million in that time period.
In the short to medium term, the internal combustion engine will remain the dominant source of power. Our primary goal is best-in-class fuel economy. In the longer term, as we continue developing solution in electrification and improving the business case and making it attractive for customers, we will expand their applications, said Paolo E. Ferrero, Senior Vice President, Chrysler Powertrain.

Chrysler also plans to:

• Introduce a 1.4-liter gasoline engine in the Fiat 500 in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Launch a turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Apply Fiat technology to Chrysler's Pentastar V-6 -- including MultiAir, which Fiat says improves fuel economy 10 percent by using electrohydraulic valve controls to adjust the air and valve timing for each cylinder. Single and twin turbocharging also will be used.
• Apply Fiat fuel-saving technologies to engines it purchases from outside suppliers, such as the Cummins diesel.
• Continue development of hybrid electric vehicles, including the launch of the Dodge Ram 1500 hybrid electric truck, due out in 2010 as a 2011 model.

Under the product strategy, each Chrysler brand will get new nameplates based on Fiat platforms. The real volume begins in 2012.

• Chrysler brand

In 2010, the Chrysler Sebring mid-sized sedan will get a new interior and improvements in performance and handling. The redesigned Chrysler 300 also will arrive next year.

In 2012, the Chrysler brand will get a new compact sedan.

In 2013, Chrysler will get a new small car based on Fiat's B platform, a mid-sized replacement for the Sebring and a mid-sized crossover.

In 2014, an all-new Chrysler Town & Country minivan will appear.

• Jeep brand

An all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives in May 2010.

Three existing Jeep products will be refreshed in 2010: the Patriot and Compass crossovers and Wrangler SUV. In 2011, the Wrangler will get a new interior and further upgrades.

In 2013, Jeep will get a small SUV based on the Fiat Panda. In 2013, the brand will replace the Patriot with a Fiat-based SUV. That same year, another Fiat-based SUV will replace the Jeep Liberty crossover.

• Dodge car brand

In 2010, the Dodge Avenger sedan and Journey crossover will be freshened, including new interiors.

Also in 2010, the Dodge Charger rear-drive sedan will be redesigned. Dodge will get a full-sized crossover -- probably the replacement for the Durango - that will be based on the Grand Cherokee SUV.

In 2012, Dodge will get a compact sedan to replace the Caliber, which will be discontinued that year.

In 2013, the brand will get a Fiat-based small car and a mid-sized sedan to replace the Dodge Avenger.

In 2014, an all-new Grand Caravan minivan will arrive.

• Dodge Ram brand

The Dodge Dakota pickup truck will be discontinued after 2011. Dodge is considering a mid-sized pickup based on a car platform, but Veltri said the program has not been approved.