Never mind the Eminem "Imported From Detroit" Super Bowl ad.
Ignore the freshened versions of Chrysler and Dodge models dating back to 2006 or before.
The most important new car for Chrysler today--as crucial to its long-term survival as the legendary K-car line when it launched in 1980--is a compact 2013 Dodge sedan that will be unveiled at next January's Detroit Auto Show.
This will be the first car to be designed, engineered, and built from scratch by Chrysler under the control of Fiat.
Mission: Be best globally, or else
And it will be the first of many, many models to use a new architecture (known as "Compact Wide") that will underlie sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, crossovers, and other body styles sold globally under no fewer than six brands: Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa-Romeo, and Lancia.
2011 Jeep Compass live photos. Photo by Joe Nuxoll.
Now, he's putting that belief--which has come into wide industry acceptance--into practice. Almost two years ago, all future Fiat and Chrysler product programs were collapsed into a single plan using the same underlying component sets.
Current Chrysler compacts criminal
But the compact 2013 Dodge, whose model name hasn't yet been revealed, is crucially important because compacts are the biggest segment of the global car market.
2011 Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot compact crossover received slightly better reviews, but all three cars remain criminally uncompetitive in the face of surprisingly stiff competition not only from Japanese and Korean brands, but also from hometown rivals.
Not only is the Caliber worse than the aging Toyota Corolla, and much worse than the new 2012 Honda Civic, it's beaten hands-down by the 2011 Chevy Cruze and the 2012 Ford Focus.
Then there's the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra, so popular dealers can't keep it in stock.
Compact Dodge: 1.4-liter four, 40 mpg
Fiat Multiair 1.4-liter engine
We know a few things about the car.
It'll use a version of the same U.S.-built 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine now fitted to the 2012 Fiat 500 minicar.
It'll be a four-door sedan (the most popular body style in compacts) and it will be assembled in Belvidere, Illinois, where Chrysler now builds the Caliber, Compass, and Patriot.
At least one version will deliver 40 mpg highway, the milestone that will enable Fiat to buy its last 5-percent share of Chrysler from the U.S. government.
But if that 2013 Dodge compact sedan isn't as good as--no, make that better than--the best of the competition, compact buyers will have zero reason to consider visiting a Dodge dealer, perhaps for the first time ever.
Cars needed to offset trucks
2010 Dodge Ram 3500 HD
Let alone new CAFE rules of up to 62 mpg for 2025.
Make no mistake, Chrysler designers and engineers know how important this car is. Because their future livelihood depends on its selling in volumes vastly higher than the Caliber's low 45,082 sales in 2010.
We'll bring you more news about the 2013 Dodge compact sedan as soon as we have it.
[Automotive News (subscription required); Bloomberg]
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