Some of you may have heard about the recent axing of the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart. They want to use the manufacturing plant capacity to make more RAM trucks and Jeeps.
FCA to stop making Dart, 200; focus shifts to RAM, Jeep
In the same article, it also mentions that...
This begs the question will they simply expand the rebadging already done in Mexico? Most of us know that Dodge is selling rebadged Mirage sedans there as the Dodge Attitude.The company, according to Marchionne, is in continuing discussions with potential partners that could “provide a product from their facilities” to allow the company to cover gaps in the lineup left by the compact Dart and midsize 200. It’s unclear whether Fiat Chrysler would purchase re-badged cars or produce the cars using their current platform.
At least in the US, with no good mileage vehicles they will be facing fines from not meeting CAFE (corperate average fuel economy) ratings. This makes the Mirage a very attractive vehicle as it has such high mpg ratings. It can improve their CAFE rating and reduce and/or eliminate those fines plus probably make them a little cash in the process.
The benefit to us of course is lots more dealers selling Mirages means more Mirages sold which means more parts for repair or modding, more people looking to do fun stuff with them, etc. etc.
Time will tell what is to happen...
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Related thread: Photos: Mirage sedan (Attrage) rebranded as "Dodge Attitude" for Mexico