Chrysler axed in the UK
03-17-15, 05:32 PM
#1
Chrysler axed in the UK
Fiat Group pulls the plug on ailing American brand in the UK – Chrysler will disappear by 2017
The Chrysler brand will be axed in the UK within two years.
Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Fiat Group UK’s deputy managing director, Karl Howkins, revealed Chrysler models will no longer be sold in the UK.
As of today, the Chrysler brand is being withdrawn from sale and will officially disappear from these shores by 2017. Declining sales and a product portfolio crippled by ever more stringent CO2 regulations have catalysed the brand’s exit.
Chrysler’s big saloon, the 300C, has effectively been deleted as has the Grand Voyager. It leaves the Ypsilon supermini as the only model in the range – but it will be sold on an order-only basis until the American brand finally calls it a day in the UK.
The axe falling on Chrysler’s UK operations is being repeated in mainland Europe, too. Fiat Group is culling Lancia from all European markets meaning it will serve just its home Italian market.
Chrysler’s exit will sweep in a raft of changes for the Fiat Group in the UK. Its sales network coverage in the UK is being overhauled with Jeep and Alfa Romeo dealers now joining forces, and Fiat and Abarth dealers operating from dual sites. Some dealers that already sell all Fiat Group brands under one roof will continue to offer all products apart from Chrysler.
The news brings an end to a tough few years for Chrysler in this country. The company’s 300C and Grand Voyager were joined by the Fiat 500-based Ypsilon and VW Golf-rivaling Delta in 2011 and consequently widened the model range and opened up the American brand to new customers.
However, the Delta was deleted from UK price lists last year leaving the Ypsilon, 300C and Grand Voyager. Both the big saloon and people carrier have soldiered on without updates despite newer models appearing in the USA. Last year the brand registered 1,982 cars in the UK – more than 21 per cent down on 2013's total.
Howkins told Auto Express that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is instead ploughing money into its other American brand – Jeep. Over the next three years, the current three-car range will be joined by a mid-sized Nissan Qashqai rival and a range-topping large SUV currently dubbed ‘Grand Wagoneer’.
The Chrysler brand will be axed in the UK within two years.
Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Fiat Group UK’s deputy managing director, Karl Howkins, revealed Chrysler models will no longer be sold in the UK.
As of today, the Chrysler brand is being withdrawn from sale and will officially disappear from these shores by 2017. Declining sales and a product portfolio crippled by ever more stringent CO2 regulations have catalysed the brand’s exit.
Chrysler’s big saloon, the 300C, has effectively been deleted as has the Grand Voyager. It leaves the Ypsilon supermini as the only model in the range – but it will be sold on an order-only basis until the American brand finally calls it a day in the UK.
The axe falling on Chrysler’s UK operations is being repeated in mainland Europe, too. Fiat Group is culling Lancia from all European markets meaning it will serve just its home Italian market.
Chrysler’s exit will sweep in a raft of changes for the Fiat Group in the UK. Its sales network coverage in the UK is being overhauled with Jeep and Alfa Romeo dealers now joining forces, and Fiat and Abarth dealers operating from dual sites. Some dealers that already sell all Fiat Group brands under one roof will continue to offer all products apart from Chrysler.
The news brings an end to a tough few years for Chrysler in this country. The company’s 300C and Grand Voyager were joined by the Fiat 500-based Ypsilon and VW Golf-rivaling Delta in 2011 and consequently widened the model range and opened up the American brand to new customers.
However, the Delta was deleted from UK price lists last year leaving the Ypsilon, 300C and Grand Voyager. Both the big saloon and people carrier have soldiered on without updates despite newer models appearing in the USA. Last year the brand registered 1,982 cars in the UK – more than 21 per cent down on 2013's total.
Howkins told Auto Express that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is instead ploughing money into its other American brand – Jeep. Over the next three years, the current three-car range will be joined by a mid-sized Nissan Qashqai rival and a range-topping large SUV currently dubbed ‘Grand Wagoneer’.
03-17-15, 08:47 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by S2000toIS350
I hope this is the beginning of a worldwide trend.
03-18-15, 03:11 PM
#5
It's true, I never hide my hatred for Chrysler products.
Imagine how pleasant life would be if traffic wasn't snarled by the rusty Chrysler minivans with at least one broken tail lamps farting along at 50 mph in the middle lane of the highway. When you pass them, you can see that the driver is texting away.
Imagine how pleasant life would be if traffic wasn't snarled by the rusty Chrysler minivans with at least one broken tail lamps farting along at 50 mph in the middle lane of the highway. When you pass them, you can see that the driver is texting away.
03-18-15, 08:51 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
By my tastes, it's quite pleasant-driving with the V6 but, as you note, less so with the four. The only thing on it that I find odd (and you may or may not agree?) is the rotary-**** for the transmission-shifter.
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03-19-15, 04:02 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
Anyways, I do like the Chrysler 300. While Chrysler might discontinue the 300 SRT in the USA, the variant may be retained for markets such as the Middle East and Australia
03-19-15, 06:13 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Anyways, I do like the Chrysler 300. While Chrysler might discontinue the 300 SRT in the USA, the variant may be retained for markets such as the Middle East and Australia
03-19-15, 06:39 AM
#11
Only thing that works in complete FCA empire is Jeep. Rest is nothing. Hard to imagine what Fiat is doing sometimes.
03-19-15, 08:28 AM
#12
Lead Lap
Well that's to be expected, as Jeep was in the best place to start with. All the rest of the brands are going to have some very crucial 2016-2018 MY's when several new models come out as outlined in the 5-year plan.
03-19-15, 03:40 PM
#15
So far they are really good on not executing their plans so lets see what happens.
Dealers are put in really bad situation, with some crucial Fiat models being more than a decade old while he spent money on rebadging Chryslers for European market.
I really hope it works out for them, but around here a lot of FIAT dealers are closed already, they run their dealerships to the ground with lack of product... so even when new models do come out, it is going to be hard for them with dealership network in current state.