FCA to Trim Brampton-built Large-Car Lineup in 2020
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will cut one of its full-size sedan models when the company redesigns its large cars around a new Alfa Romeo-based platform for the 2021 model year.
The report comes from Automotive News, which gleaned the info from sources inside FCA itself, and one of the company's suppliers.
That forthcoming redesign would see the next generation of the Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 use an enlarged version of FCA's Giorgio platform as their basis; that's the architecture that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulia sport sedan, set to go on sale later this year.
Until that redesign comes along, the report states that FCA will once again refresh the Brampton, Ontario-built Charger, Challenger and 300 for the 2018 model year, but it suggests the company's recent behaviour predicts the extinction of one of the big sedans. FCA has been methodically discontinuing "badge engineered" models that share mechanicals and underpinnings; for example, when an all-new Jeep Compass goes on sale next year, it will replace both the current Compass and its Patriot sibling.
The trade book thinks the Chrysler 300 is the most likely of the two sedans to be axed, a move that would leave the Chrysler brand selling nothing but the Pacifica minivan, as FCA has already announced it will stop building the mid-sized Chrysler 200 by the end of 2016.
