Comments on: It’s time for Plymouth to return http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/ Chrysler, car, and other discussions by Allpar contributors Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:37:56 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Bill Winkelman http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/comment-page-1/#comment-77683 Bill Winkelman Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:06:28 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/#comment-77683 Chrysler, whatever it does, should not make the same mistake again that started its demise all the way back in the 1961 model year, when it had the Dodge division market a duplicate of the upcoming Valiant with its Lancer, which later became the Dart. That started the blur between the Plymouth and the Dodge. Consumer Reports even commented in the 1960s that any evaluation of a Plymouth served equally for a Dodge. Prior to that, all the Chrysler product lines were distinct from each other. By the mid 1960s, there were no important differences between Dodges and Plymouths, and by the 1990s no differences at all, save the nameplate. The K cars, a product of the 1980s, blurred the distinctions among all the three name lines from Chrysler; any junkyard man can tell you that nearly all the parts are interchangeable between the Plymouth Reliant, the Dodge Aries, and the Chrysler LeBaron. The Plymouth division had a moment of glory with its Prowler, a very fine piece of engineering and styling, and the Dodge division had its Viper. But the Chrysler division subsumed the Prowler, and the car disappeared. Chrysler, whatever it does, needs to get away from its prior self-destructive marketing nonsense and offer a product line with distinctive vehicles, like Toyota does, for example. Chrysler, whatever it does, should not make the same mistake again that started its demise all the way back in the 1961 model year, when it had the Dodge division market a duplicate of the upcoming Valiant with its Lancer, which later became the Dart. That started the blur between the Plymouth and the Dodge. Consumer Reports even commented in the 1960s that any evaluation of a Plymouth served equally for a Dodge. Prior to that, all the Chrysler product lines were distinct from each other. By the mid 1960s, there were no important differences between Dodges and Plymouths, and by the 1990s no differences at all, save the nameplate. The K cars, a product of the 1980s, blurred the distinctions among all the three name lines from Chrysler; any junkyard man can tell you that nearly all the parts are interchangeable between the Plymouth Reliant, the Dodge Aries, and the Chrysler LeBaron. The Plymouth division had a moment of glory with its Prowler, a very fine piece of engineering and styling, and the Dodge division had its Viper. But the Chrysler division subsumed the Prowler, and the car disappeared. Chrysler, whatever it does, needs to get away from its prior self-destructive marketing nonsense and offer a product line with distinctive vehicles, like Toyota does, for example.

]]> By: Mopar2fast http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/comment-page-1/#comment-77159 Mopar2fast Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:45:58 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/#comment-77159 Hear is how I see a revitalized Chrysler Corp. Imperial: (luxury) a super deluxe version of Chrysler with a longer wheelbase. Chrysler: (prestige) Top of the line 300, mid level LaBaron, and lower price Newport Dodge: (performance) Revamp four door charger and call it Polaris. Come out with two a door Charger. Restyle the PC Cruiser to a non retro design and call it Dart. And minivan. for true performance, let's not forget the Viper. Mopar Truck. (utility) Eliminate the Dodge Ram name. Start a new truck division called Mopar Truck. This includes pick-ups, vans and SUV's. And like GM and their GMC trucks. Mopar trucks can be ordered through any Chrysler Corp. Dealer Plymouth. (economy/ performance) Build a line of cars based on the 1970 Duster/ Valiant/ Scamp platform. Complete with RWD, front torsion bars and rear leaf springs. This platform is inexpensive to build. And can be used for an entire line from the new Duster, Barracuda, GTX/ Road runner. As well a 2 and 4 door family cars and a 5 door (oow that dreaded word) station-wagon called Satellite. With inline 4's a V-6 or small V-8. Build a wider array of vehicles based on the PC Cruiser with a 4 cyl. Diesel option. Hear is how I see a revitalized Chrysler Corp.

Imperial: (luxury) a super deluxe version of Chrysler with a longer wheelbase.

Chrysler: (prestige) Top of the line 300, mid level LaBaron, and lower price Newport

Dodge: (performance) Revamp four door charger and call it Polaris. Come out with two a door Charger. Restyle the PC Cruiser to a non retro design and call it Dart. And minivan. for true performance, let’s not forget the Viper.

Mopar Truck. (utility) Eliminate the Dodge Ram name. Start a new truck division called Mopar Truck. This includes pick-ups, vans and SUV’s. And like GM and their GMC trucks. Mopar trucks can be ordered through any Chrysler Corp. Dealer

Plymouth. (economy/ performance) Build a line of cars based on the 1970 Duster/ Valiant/ Scamp platform. Complete with RWD, front torsion bars and rear leaf springs. This platform is inexpensive to build. And can be used for an entire line from the new Duster, Barracuda, GTX/ Road runner. As well a 2 and 4 door family cars and a 5 door (oow that dreaded word) station-wagon called Satellite. With inline 4’s a V-6 or small V-8. Build a wider array of vehicles based on the PC Cruiser with a 4 cyl. Diesel option.

]]> By: Robert Whittington http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/comment-page-1/#comment-75826 Robert Whittington Sat, 17 May 2008 04:35:30 +0000 http://www.allpar.com/weblogs/2007/05/25/its-time-for-plymouth-to-return/#comment-75826 Like what some of the others have said I don't think that DeSoto should be brought back (Imperial should though). But I have a very different opinion on what should be done with the "new" Chrysler Corporation. Bring back Plymouth but also bring back Eagle as a mid-priced vehicle (like Olds was with GM) (Remember them?, Vision,Talon,etc.)and for my brightest idea yet bring out a nicer truck than Dodge with a name like I don't know, Fargo? for the upscale brand dealers to sell. I like the way that Chrysler was in the '90s the best because I was growing up then and really liked cars like the LH's,Neon's,and P-Bodies,and not to mention the Minivans (we had a '89 Light Blue Grand Voyager SE that we drove the wheels off of and got rid of in 2000). Here's the way I would make the lineup work. IMPERIAL (High Priced like Cadillac, independent sales unit can be grouped with other divisions if necessary) I would make a ultra-nice long/short wheelbase version of the 300. A HEMI is a must in the long wheelbase but a Phoenix V6 should do in the "shory". A 300 coupe convertible (Challenger LX platform). Should have a HEMI. Make a smaller totally new convertible (like the Chrysler/Maserati hybrid the TC, I know it was a Chrysler but it was much nicer). It should have a 4-cyl or a Phoenix V6. CHRYSLER (Mid-High priced like Buick) Consolidate Chrysler-Plymouth into one sales unit so that Plymouth can be the low priced alternative. (Like above can be grouped with other divisions). Get rid of the 300 nameplate off of sedans. Put it on a nicer version of a Challenger (and call it 300N,weren't they all coupes in the olden days anyway?). Again the HEMI is a must!!! Call the 300 sedans New Yorker and offer Phoenix V6's only. Pass the Sebring Sedan to Plymouth and let them call it the Acclaim (Maybe with a Valiant Luxury trim package), Keep the Convertible and return the coupe on another totally new platform. (make them a 4 or a Phoenix V6) Get rid of the Pacifica & Crossfire Make the PT Cruiser a Plymouth (rename it Pronto). EAGLE (Mid-priced like Olds was). (Consolidate Jeep-Eagle into one sales unit like the olden days, like above can be grouped with other divisions) Make a LX called Vision with a Premier Luxury trim package that is just a little bit toned down from a 300/New Yorker but more refined than a Charger. No HEMI here. Make a Talon off of the sebring coupe platform Make a Summit Sedan,Coupe & Wagon with only a 4-cyl on that same platform with a Medallion Luxury trim package. FARGO TRUCKS (Just like Dodge's but nicer appointed for Chrysler-Plymouth,Imperial,and Jeep-Eagle dealers,independent division though). Totally new platform for big vans. Will be called H-Vans (Ford and Chevy have already used or are using C,E,F,G,K prefixes and Dodge will get B prefixes again like they used to have for it's version) Version of the Ram Truck Version of the Dakota Throw in a Dodge Power Wagon concept inspired full-size truck DODGE (Performance oriented like Pontiac, Low-Mid price) (Independent division as always) Drop the Charger name and HEMI on sedans, as well as the Daytona,Plum Crazy,and Super Bee Editions on Sedans (Save those for the coupe). make a LX Platform Charger coupe with a HEMI Keep the Magnum not change anything else PLYMOUTH (Performance/Value oriented like Chevy) LX Platform Barricuda,Roadrunner,and Superbird Short wheelbase Minivans Sebring sedan named Acclaim Sebring,Talon,and Summit coupe called Sundance. A Caliber has to be in there somewhere. JEEP Get rid of the ugly Compass Rename the Patriot, Cherokee with a Patriot trim package. Not add the gladiator Keep everything else I sure hope that I didn't bore you to death!!!! but now we are at the most brands that Chrysler has had in it's history in the US at one time, 7!!! (I really don't know about the rest of the world). They used to have 5 at one time,or actually two times (we all know that, right?). Like what some of the others have said I don’t think that DeSoto should be brought back (Imperial should though). But I have a very different opinion on what should be done with the “new” Chrysler Corporation. Bring back Plymouth but also bring back Eagle as a mid-priced vehicle (like Olds was with GM) (Remember them?, Vision,Talon,etc.)and for my brightest idea yet bring out a nicer truck than Dodge with a name like I don’t know, Fargo? for the upscale brand dealers to sell. I like the way that Chrysler was in the ’90s the best because I was growing up then and really liked cars like the LH’s,Neon’s,and P-Bodies,and not to mention the Minivans (we had a ‘89 Light Blue Grand Voyager SE that we drove the wheels off of and got rid of in 2000). Here’s the way I would make the lineup work.

IMPERIAL (High Priced like Cadillac, independent sales unit can be grouped with other divisions if necessary)
I would make a ultra-nice long/short wheelbase version of the 300. A HEMI is a must in the long wheelbase but a Phoenix V6 should do in the “shory”.

A 300 coupe convertible (Challenger LX platform). Should have a HEMI.

Make a smaller totally new convertible (like the Chrysler/Maserati hybrid the TC, I know it was a Chrysler but it was much nicer). It should have a 4-cyl or a Phoenix V6.

CHRYSLER (Mid-High priced like Buick)
Consolidate Chrysler-Plymouth into one sales unit so that Plymouth can be the low priced alternative. (Like above can be grouped with other divisions).

Get rid of the 300 nameplate off of sedans. Put it on a nicer version of a Challenger (and call it 300N,weren’t they all coupes in the olden days anyway?). Again the HEMI is a must!!!

Call the 300 sedans New Yorker and offer Phoenix V6’s only.

Pass the Sebring Sedan to Plymouth and let them call it the Acclaim (Maybe with a Valiant Luxury trim package), Keep the Convertible and return the coupe on another totally new platform. (make them a 4 or a Phoenix V6)

Get rid of the Pacifica & Crossfire

Make the PT Cruiser a Plymouth (rename it Pronto).

EAGLE (Mid-priced like Olds was). (Consolidate Jeep-Eagle into one sales unit like the olden days, like above can be grouped with other divisions)

Make a LX called Vision with a Premier Luxury trim package that is just a little bit toned down from a 300/New Yorker but more refined than a Charger. No HEMI here.

Make a Talon off of the sebring coupe platform

Make a Summit Sedan,Coupe & Wagon with only a 4-cyl on that same platform with a Medallion Luxury trim package.

FARGO TRUCKS (Just like Dodge’s but nicer appointed for Chrysler-Plymouth,Imperial,and Jeep-Eagle dealers,independent division though).

Totally new platform for big vans. Will be called H-Vans (Ford and Chevy have already used or are using C,E,F,G,K prefixes and Dodge will get B prefixes again like they used to have for it’s version)

Version of the Ram Truck

Version of the Dakota

Throw in a Dodge Power Wagon concept inspired full-size truck

DODGE (Performance oriented like Pontiac, Low-Mid price) (Independent division as always)

Drop the Charger name and HEMI on sedans, as well as the Daytona,Plum Crazy,and Super Bee Editions on Sedans (Save those for the coupe).

make a LX Platform Charger coupe with a HEMI

Keep the Magnum

not change anything else

PLYMOUTH (Performance/Value oriented like Chevy)

LX Platform Barricuda,Roadrunner,and Superbird

Short wheelbase Minivans

Sebring sedan named Acclaim

Sebring,Talon,and Summit coupe called Sundance.

A Caliber has to be in there somewhere.

JEEP

Get rid of the ugly Compass

Rename the Patriot, Cherokee with a Patriot trim package.

Not add the gladiator

Keep everything else

I sure hope that I didn’t bore you to death!!!! but now we are at the most brands that Chrysler has had in it’s history in the US at one time, 7!!! (I really don’t know about the rest of the world). They used to have 5 at one time,or actually two times (we all know that, right?).

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