Chicago auto show

The Chicago auto show is coming soon, and I was surprised to see very little speculation on what would be there. One invitee got a note saying that there would be three entries from Ma Mopar; with no clue as to what they could be. Some suggested that the long-awaited medium-duty Dodge trucks would be there, the assumed-to-be Ram 4500 and 5500. Others pointed to the laundry list of vehicles we know are coming: the Patriot, Nitro, Avenger, Sebring, etc.

It is interesting to look at the fallout of the NAIAS show. The one car many people remember is the Challenger, but those who “don’t like American cars” or just aren’t motorheads tend to get the Challenger and Charger mixed up for now, believe it or not. The Caliber went over well among those who were paying attention, but between the Challenger and Camaro, the Caliber got very little print space, and Dodge really has to do something about that before the actual launch. Likewise, the Raider seems to be starting up without much of a splash, and the Aspen was apparently largely ignored, though I personally think it was a commendable effort - given that I haven’t actually been in one yet, it looks like it could be a Chrysler. I have been disappointed by badge-engineered SUVs before, notable the Lexus RX330, the Cadillac (well, any Chevy truck posing as a Caddy), and the Lincoln Navigator (haven’t been in the Aviator but I’d bet against it being more Town Car than Ford). I sure hope Chrysler made the Aspen a real Chrysler, not just a Dodge wearing a more ornate skin.

The Chicago auto show will be open to the press on Wednesday, and we should have some good coverage for you then - starting with automaker releases in the morning and proceeding to the ever-reliable Stratuscaster’s on-the-spot reports hopefully in the afternoon.