Chrysler working "intensely" on Hornet-like small car
The folks at Chrysler have finally come to the realization that it's time to stick a fork into that whole gas guzzler thing. They're done. Panicked about what to build instead, they have searched through the company's closets and drawers looking for the plans for a small car that might get them out of the hole they've been digging. Apparently this is all they could find, the Dodge Hornet concept from the 2006 Geneva auto show. And although they are "...working intensely on the Hornet study..." it may still take a couple of years before it sees a driveway. We think Chrysler's designers may be conferring with their Chinese counterparts in an attempt to make the Hornet more "unique".
Ok, maybe it's not that bad. The box shape certainly worked for the Scion XB 1.0, yielding a lot of space inside a small package. The internet forum at the website that the company set up for the concept even had a few people show up and rave about the styling for a week or two. Of course, the new product won't look like the Hornet exactly. When asked, Thomas Hausch, the company's vice president for international purchasing, couldn't even say whether it would even wear the Dodge insignia. He did, though, intimate that there would be a Chrysler smaller than the 2-liter Sebring coming. Hit the jump to see a video of the Hornet buzzing along.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 7:06PM (6/12/2008)
Work on it hard, and it better get 35+ highway, near 30 city if you want it to sell.
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Dave K. 8:30PM (6/12/2008)
GM seems to get it, they have to build Volts and sell them at a loss to get the thing rolling. Ford at least has the Escape and next year Fusion hybrids. Chrysler has nothing, and no money to develop anything. I think they're dead.
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Owen 10:40PM (6/12/2008)
They have a good size small car, it's called the Caliber and it's been poorly executed. It has a nasty interior and a buzzy rough engine lineup. Spending a ton of cash on making a better Caliber that isn't sold as a Jeep could go a long way for them.
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mike baz 6:23AM (6/13/2008)
They should focus on electric or serial hybrid Jeeps; their best name brand. Or maybe an electric or serial hybrid van based on the Mercedes Transport. Chrysler needs a new Lee Iaccoca with the "vision thing" or I'm afraid they will be the first of the once big three to shipwreck.
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phil easler 8:55AM (6/13/2008)
I believe its to little to late. Sell the Jeep line and mini-van and close the doors.
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vfx 4:38PM (6/13/2008)
The box is dead too.
Another in the long list of arrogant energy hogging decisions that was away from the more efficient "melted butter cube" look. The Volt is a perfect example. The design (which was probably also stemmed from scramble of existing designs just to compete with the upstart, Tesla) is being totally redone for better airflow.
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Sasparilla 4:40PM (6/13/2008)
Gosh, it basically looks like a 2 door Scion Xd with a redesigned grill. Maybe they should buy them from Toyota and just re badge them.
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FronTera 4:08PM (6/15/2008)
Dodge/Crysler should just revise/revive the ole Neon. They sold like hot cakes, achieved decent hp & gas mileage. They should still have the mechanicals & tooling around to revive/revise them.
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