Dodge Journey mailing, deals sent

Dodge has arranged heavy publicity for the neglected but popular Dodge Journey, with over 250,000 targeted letters arriving in early November. The package includes postcards and various offers, including a $25 debit card for a test drive, and cash back for both Chrysler owners and defectors from other brands. People who get the offer can forward it to friends who can then register for a $500 cash allowance.  The promotion is good through the end of January, 2010.

The mailing is targeting current owners, owners of Saturn and Pontiac vehicles, and owners of key competitor vehicles.

Dodge Charger: no-charge AWD

Dodge is adding no-charge all wheel drive on Charger SXT and R/T, using the advanced new system that disconnects the front axle when it’s not needed, increasing gas mileage to around the same level as rear-drive systems.  The promotion is to be made during the winter months, highlighting the advantages of Dodge’s AWD system in winter weather.

The axle disconnect system is used on all Chargers with all wheel drive; the front wheels are independent of the powertrain until they are needed, and the system seamlessly engages all wheel drive, shifting up to 38% of torque to the front axle.

Charger squad car appears to have price drop

The police car market has, in recent decades, tended to be dominated by one manufacturer at a time, with Chrysler holding 80% during the Diplomat/Gran Fury years, Chevrolet holding a dominant share during the Caprice years, and Ford coming in strong when there were no competing rear-wheel-drive domestic pursuit sedans from other automakers. Since its launch, the Dodge Charger police car has been adopted by numerous police agencies despite (according to reports) a heavy price premium. Now, it seems that the Charger can be the most affordable, as well as the most capable, police car.

A recently published Florida contract guide shows the 2010 Dodge Charger squad car, equipped for police usage, at $19,184 marked, or $19,718 with the “street appearance” package. The Chevrolet Impala, usually the low-cost leader and the only major squad car with front wheel drive, listed at $19,246 marked, or a low $18,745 unmarked. Ford came in at $21,119  marked, $21,317 with street appearance (3.27 axle; 3.55 axle was extra). Lead time on the Chargers was, however, the longest of the three, with 120 days quoted vs 60 for the Chevy and 90 for the Ford.

The listings are titled “Police pursuit automobile” and therefore likely include the Hemi engine rather than the V6. However, the model code does not specify which engine is used.

All Ford orders must be in by May 14, 2010, and there may be a rush of final orders as fleet managers eager to keep everything standardized and uniform stock up for future years when convenience takes a back seat to performance and economy.

Chrysler does not have an entry for special service SUVs this year.

Chrysler plans for 400+ hp V6

By 2014, Chrysler could have a V6 engine pushing out over 400 horsepower, according to charts in the five year plan. A three-liter version of the Pentastar V6 with dual turbochargers is charted out in the plan at around 425 horsepower, the same as the old 426 Hemi V8 and similar to the current 6.1 liter Hemi V8. While the 6.4 liter Hemi V8 would push out more horsepower, the V6 would, even with a single turbocharger, match the 5.7 liter Hemi V8.  Torque has not been discussed.

The Pentastar V6 was designed to have variable cam timing and direct injection. It will debut (without direct injection) on the Jeep Grand Cherokee around May 2010. The higher-horsepower varieties discussed in the plan would include MultiAir and would be released by or in 2014. Before then, the Pentastar would have replaced all other Chrysler V6 engines.

A turbocharged version of the World Engine with direct injection also appears on the chart putting out around 300 horsepower, more than the standard 3.3 or 3.6 liter Pentastar V6. Fiat’s 1.4 liter engines were shown at a respectable 150 horsepower with turbocharging, 100 hp without.  Chrysler has already sold a turbocharged version of the World Engine, in the Caliber SRT4.

Dodge to fix trim levels

The five year plan calls for a complete repackaging of all Dodge cars, with new options mixes, by the end of the fourth quarter of 2009. A complete overhaul of branding, marketing, positioning, and point of sale is to be completed by the end second quarter of 2010.

The car and truck brands are being separated to “amplify the youthfulness of the Dodge brand.” Cars will have a base, mid, high, and sport level. SRT will continue as the “ultimate performance sport” level.

Alex Peterson clarified this statement, quoting Ralph Gilles:

The other part of the formula that needs to be adjusted is the way we sell cars. This is the basic classic formula of base, mid, high. In actuality we do most of our sales in the base … What happens is there seems to be a frustration, where they (The Customer) see the things that they want, but they simply cannot afford them. So we are going to go through and really rethink how we package vehicles. And instead of creating this base, mid, high, we are going to create personality types.

He then outlined the types of personalities the vehicles will have. Sweet and Simple, Fun and Practical, Uptown (Luxury), Thrill Seeker, and Cool (Extrovert). A derrivative of the Thrill Seeker will be the Ultimate Performance SRT-8. Imagine R/T vs. SRT =Thrill Seeker vs. Ultimate Performance.

Was the 2012 Dodge Charger shown in the plan?

Jeff Tramontano pointed out that this photo from the Five Year Plan, presented with the label “Future Product Philosophy” and the Dodge logo, might well be the 2012 Dodge Charger. (See the2012 Dodge Charger page for a larger photo.) He wrote, “Page 31 shows a shot of something that looks somewhat like the 1999 concept CNG car but it’s very different, i.e. gas cap, door handles, C pillar and window split not to mention wheels are different.”

International products: Chrysler to remain

Distribution. Most of the international outlets are joined with Daimler. Sales will be integrated into the Fiat organization in Latin America and Europe to provide full support. In Asia, Chrysler has been more self sufficient and will provide its distribution structure to Fiat.

International product development. Jeep will be expanded in international market. Chrysler and Dodge have been spread thinly. In the future, a global portfolio of vehicles will cover 2/3 of global market segments with powertrains that reflect international demand. There will be B and C segment hatchbacks, minivans, and CUVs for Dodge and Chrysler, which will dovetail with Jeep vehicles.

Both Lancia and Chrysler have similar problems, including incomplete portfolios, limited distribution, low brand recognition. The alliance can selectively used either the Lancia or Chrysler brand in any given market for a better focus — with a full market portfolio in each market. The Dodge and Ram brands will continue in appropriate markets as regional or niche brands. Chrysler models will be offered to Fiat for distribution under Fiat brands to give Chrysler access to more volume. Chrysler Australia will move to Iveco.

Financial services are already moving from Daimler.

Jeep expansion will include five global models.

These plans contrast with major media predictions based on “leaks.”

For more and for updates, see the Five Year Plan page.