Chrysler to promote special editions

[rickaren]

January 7, 2010

Chrysler to promote special editions, exotic vehicles at auto show


Chrysler Group LLC is counting on a raft of special edition and new trim levels of existing vehicles and some exotic cars from partner Fiat SpA to draw traffic to its new-look display at the North American International Auto Show.

The Ferraris and Maseratis will be the real attention getters at the display, but Chrysler is hoping to generate some buzz about its core products by showing off mildly upgraded vehicles, including new trim levels of the Dodge Nitro and Journey as well as the Jeep Wrangler. Most of these go on sale this quarter.

However, the Auburn Hills-based automaker still won't have a press conference during media days next week because none of the new editions represent a big enough change, the company said. Chrysler has some all-new cars in the wings, but does not want to put them on display at an auto show until closer to when the public can actually buy them.

That doesn't bother Carl Galeana, vice president of Van Dyke Dodge Inc. in Warren. As a retailer he said he does not have a problem with Chrysler forgoing a press conference in Detroit "because the point would be to talk about new products," and nothing product-related has changed since the automaker outlined its five-year plan in November.

For Detroit, "we are showing the best of what we can do with the cars we have," said marketing chief Olivier Francois.

Here is a rundown of what can be seen:

# Chrysler will show off a PT Cruiser Special Edition to mark its final year of production. It goes on sale this quarter, starting at $19,995.

# A 2010 Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series minivan that has some improvements to the interior and more standard features, starting at $33,365. A concept minivan with a black exterior and white interior will also be on display.

# The Chrysler 300 S6 and S8 sport blacked out grilles and a more serious look, including a dark grey interior and a sportier suspension.

For Jeep, a new Liberty Renegade with an off-road appearance package will be available and Wrangler adds the Islander and Mountain editions, with features to evoke the beach and the trail. Some new names will also be present at the Dodge Car stand.

The Nitro is more macho and spawns three new models: the Heat, Detonator and Shock, which range from $23,995 to $26,995.

# There are new trim levels for the Dodge Journey, including a more affordable entry-level crossover for $20,995; a Hero package with a more powerful V-6 and improved all-wheel drive and the upscale Uptown model with more creature comforts.

# The Dodge Caliber has an all-new interior with more storage space and higher-quality materials to address past criticism. Five new models of Caliber represent a rebundling of features.

On display at the Ram truck stand are the all-new commercial Class 3-5 chassis cabs popular with ambulances, EMS vehicles and tradesmen. The versions of the 3500, 4500 and 5500 will go on sale in the second quarter as 2011 models.

Showgoers will also be able to see a Fiat 500, the subcompact that will go on sale at the end of the year. An electric concept version will be shown in Detroit.

Jackson dealer Wes Lutz said he likes the statement Fiat is making by putting a Ferrari and Maserati in the Chrysler display. Lutz said he also looks forward to a bump in sales following the car show, in part due to the publicity generated and because in the past there was a $500 incentive offered to buyers in the Detroit area following the show.

LINK: Chrysler to promote special editions, exotic vehicles at auto show | detnews.com | The Detroit News