Why did Chrysler give up on SUVs?
Posted by 8rings_86k@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 48 comments
The Aspen and Pacifica are on the shortlist of modern SUVs that have failed, but I can’t put my finger on why. Even if they were terrible cars, people still bought their platform mates in droves, so poor quality alone doesn’t explain why neither were green lit for a 2nd generation.
espressocycle@reddit
The Pacifica SUV was a little ahead of its time as a crossover when most SUVs were still trucks. It was underpowered, overpriced and just not a great car for the gas crunch and recession. I don't really know why the Aspen wasn't continued with the third-generation Durango. It seems like a missed opportunity to have a more luxury-focused model on that platform.
themouspotato@reddit
Thats the thing with the Aspen and the Durango. In 2009, both were body on frame SUVs that shared a platform with the Dakota. The Dakota was going away, the Aspen wasn't selling. The next generation Durango moved to share a platform with the WK2 Grand Cherokee, which included more upmarket trims. A next gen Aspen wouldn't have done them any good by that point.
espressocycle@reddit
Why not? It would have been a much more plausible luxury platform.
themouspotato@reddit
Because the Durango and Grand Cherokee already shared the platform. With Jeep trying to move upmarket, it wouldn't make sense to spend the money to make a third new model, to replace a poor seller, and that just compete with the GC.
mk1power@reddit
Because Jeep is more marketable, and has brand appeal to the wealthy. They started selling a ton of high trim Grand Cherokees and leaned into it.
salvage814@reddit
The Pacifica was butt ugly. You look at the equinox and escape that it compared with and looked like crap.
Aspen why buy the more expensive version of the Durango. A fully loaded Durango had the same features for 2/3 the price.
lordponte@reddit
I knew someone who bought one when it came out. One person and the only person I’ve ever known to own one. Anyways, I had to hold back my questions as why the hell they bought one, especially being a ford family.
salvage814@reddit
It was cheaper then the other two is why.
lordponte@reddit
Was there only one engine option? I bet it was a slug
salvage814@reddit
There where three. The 3.5, 3.8 and 4.0 all V6s not terrible but not good at the same time.
lordponte@reddit
Huh. Thats fascinating. They’re so close in size. I’m gonna have to look up the specs now. I know next to nothing about Chrysler motors
salvage814@reddit
The 3.5 is a POS. The 3.8 isn't bad but the 4.0 is where it's at. It's got low end torque but also has mid range power. Pretty stout engine.
lordponte@reddit
Same 4 liter that jeep used? I have actually driven one of those before. Pretty smooth.
salvage814@reddit
No this is a V6 not a straight 6.
lordponte@reddit
Right right. Thanks. Been a while haha
salvage814@reddit
That's ok don't worry about it.
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
Fair, but isn’t that true for the Buick Enclave of the era? Just a blingy traverse?
salvage814@reddit
Same thing. I think the only one that goes the other way is the encore and the trax.
PizzaWall@reddit
Chrysler discontinued models because it broke up with Daimler.
When DaimlerChrysler split the sheets in 2007, Chrysler was bleeding money. It had $1.6 billion in losses in 2006. Daimler sold it for $6 billion to Cerberus Capital Management which included payments to simply get the company off their books.
After Cerberus acquired Chrysler, every platform developed with Daimler was slowly dropped. This included the Dodge Sprinter and the Chrysler Crossfire, which were made in Germany by Mercedes.
In 2008 the downturn in the economy caused the restructure plan to fail and in 2009 Chrysler was bankrupt and without capital infusion from the US Treasury Department, the company would have collapsed. Chrysler simply didn't have money to build new models for at least a five year period. It also ended production of the PT Cruiser, Dodge Nitro, Caliber, and Jeep Liberty models, further scaling back its lineup. This is also the timeframe where they spun out RAM from Dodge to help have another easy-to-sell asset in case it collapsed. The Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / RAM are in essence one company and if Jeep already has an EUV, why have something at Chrysler competing with it?
In 2011 Fiat first started investing in Chrysler and this arrangement helped Chrysler introduce new models, most of which have been discontinued as the company struggles to succeed.
cdr-77@reddit
The Chrysler brand needs to die off. They haven’t been relevant for at least a decade.
qkdsm7@reddit
Try stuff, see what sticks. Durango has stuck, the others haven't.
vilius_m_lt@reddit
Pacifica is a minivan
PreviousText3945@reddit
No, it isn't. A minivan can haul sheets of drywall.
beipphine@reddit
My car can haul sheets of drywall, doesn't make it a minivan.
machetemonkey@reddit
The original Pacifica wasn’t a minivan; it was a weird sort of wagon-SUV cross-breed. Anyways, I’m guessing that’s the one OP is referring to
dbx999@reddit
The more "minivan" an SUV is, the more Pontiac Aztek the sales of that vehicle gets.
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
Precisely. Maybe I’m just stuck in 2009
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
Not the one I’m talking about x
seajayacas@reddit
The current gen is a minivan. There was one back in the earlier 2000's that was an SUV. Didn't sell well and it was discontinued after a few years.
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
That’s incorrect
espressocycle@reddit
The name is currently used for a minivan but the first one was an SUV.
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
Chrysler didn’t give up on SUV’s, Stellantis/Fiat gave up on Chrysler. It’s essentially a single model make now.
1988rx7T2@reddit
They stopped producing the Pacifica due to tariffs
athensslim@reddit
Precisely. It’s a dead brand walking now.
facepillownap@reddit
Because Jeep exists?
Pitiful-MobileGamer@reddit
What do you mean giving up on SUVs?
Dodge Durango Jeep Grand Cherokee Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
I mean the Chrysler BRAND had two SUVs in the 2000s and none since the Aspen.
Pitiful-MobileGamer@reddit
The simple fact that any other Mopar label competing against their money maker SUVs is just going to suck customers from those money Maker SUVs
robertwadehall@reddit
The OP was referring to the Chrysler brand. It only has one model at present, the Pacifica minivan.
ZealousidealAnt111@reddit
The DODGE Durango and JEEP Cherokee aren’t Chrysler (the brand) vehicles. Just a silly FYI
Tuques@reddit
Why would they make competition for themselves? Lol
Mpls_Mutt@reddit
GM did it for decades with Buick, Olds, Pontiac and Chevy.
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
And still does with Buick and GMC, though GMC has made more of a name for itself as trucks take over
ChickenXing@reddit
GM has decided Buick will be fully EV vehicles only to differentiate itself from the other GM brands and also as a way to trim down the fading Buick brand - all GMC dealerships choosing to hold on to the Buick brand had to make massive EV charging upgrades to the dealership. Thus you may have noticed that some GMC dealerships no longer sell Buick
Jimbodrumman@reddit
The smaller one was the Dodge Journey.
Best_Market4204@reddit
because they didn't? they decided to put all that under the jeep brand.
ram - trucks
jeep - suvs
dodge - sport cars
Chrysler - vans
Only thing missing is just normal sedans. which was under the Chrysler brand
8rings_86k@reddit (OP)
And this comment is quite laughable because the Durango, Hornet and grand caravan aren’t sports cars AND the original Pacifica wasn’t a minivan. Thanks
HondaForever84@reddit
It takes a lot of money for R & D to produce any kind of vehicle. SUV’s included. It probably makes sense to just let jeep handle the SUV’s. I’m not even sure what the Durango exists.