Chrysler - we know diesels?

rjmaype · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:30 pm

Chrysler’s Marchionne Hints at Diesel Proliferation
2012 North American International Auto Show
Tue, 2012-01-10 10:41
WardsAuto
Eric Mayne

DETROIT – Expect diesel engines to be offered in the successor to the Ram Dakota small pickup and possibly the Dodge Durango midsize SUV, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says.

But the proliferation of diesel technology within Chrysler’s North American product portfolio likely begins and ends with light trucks, he adds.

The disclosure comes on the heels of confirmation the auto maker will next year offer a diesel engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Durango’s platform-mate.

“We know diesels,” Marchionne says, referring to Fiat, Chrysler’s partner and the company that invented the common-rail fuel-delivery technology that benefits lower emissions, higher torque and improved fuel economy in diesel engines.

Chrysler produces diesel-powered Grand Cherokees for the European market at the auto maker’s Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit. Production launched in April 2011.

They are equipped with a 3.0L V-6 turbodiesel supplied by Italy-based V.M. Motori, which is controlled by Fiat and General Motors. The Grand Cherokee destined for North America will feature the same engine.

Chrysler sold diesel-powered Grand Cherokees in ’07 and ’08, but strict emissions standards in key markets such as California and New York conspired to limit demand and the option was discontinued.

But Chrysler is more confident this time around. Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley tells WardsAuto that brand enthusiasts constantly are asking about diesel availability. At Jeep-sponsored events, “I get 20 questions every time,” he says.

Jim Morrison, Jeep product marketing director, notes Canadian-market penetration particularly was strong for the last diesel-powered Grand Cherokee, which featured a 3.0L V-6 supplied by Mercedes-Benz. Dealer orders accounted for some 70% of the mix, he tells WardsAuto.

Building diesel-powered Grand Cherokees for North America opens the door for Durangos equipped with the same engine, says Marchionne. But he does not commit.

However, the CEO promises the successor for the Dakota, which went out of production Aug. 23, will feature a diesel option. And it will be unibody construction, he says.

Do not expect Chrysler to introduce a diesel-powered car in North America, Marchionne says, adding history shows there is ample appetite for the technology in light trucks, but that does not extend to cars. “A diesel (Fiat) 500 would never sell.”

Also on the product front, Marchionne reveals plans to exhibit a downsized minivan at the Geneva auto show in March.

ibedonc · **Joined:** Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:40 pm **Posts:** 236

A diesel (Fiat) 500 would never sell. ,, they are wrong I would buy one to replace my Ford Fiesta

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:21 pm

This is comical. My guess is A: it'll never happen. Like so many other promises of diesel powered vehicles in the US by other manufacturers... B: If it does happen, the support from dealers will be poor, like we have experienced with our Liberty's. Lastly, a unibody Dakota replacement? I don't know about others, but I don't think I'd want any unibody pickup truck... Lastly, I, too, would consider a 500 if it were a diesel. Funny Europe gets diesels with excellent MPG's, but here we don't. Politics at its finest! :roll:

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:37 pm

MRausch82 wrote:

This is comical. Lastly, I, too, would consider a 500 if it were a diesel. Funny Europe gets diesels with excellent MPG's, but here we don't. Politics at its finest! :roll:

The majority of people in the US think the Hybrid is the holy grail of automobils. What would be wrong with a properly designed Dekota size unibody pickup? Jeep Cherokes, XS's had unidody construction their whole production run of 18 or so years. Since E-coat came into use rust is not nearly the problem it used to be.
Our Liberties are Unibody and if I'm not mistaken the Honda Ridge line is too. Not everyone wants or needs a 3/4 ton Dodge powered by a Cummins monster :seuss:

But seeing really is believing :seuss:

Siardi · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:03 am

rjmaype wrote:

“A diesel (Fiat) 500 would never sell.”

I thought he was making a little sense till I read this part, Is he stupid or what. How many VW beetles and Jettas diesels are out there in the US? and if your looking to buy one, you can never find one, they do not last on inventory and particular sales usually don't even need to advertise, that tells me there are not enough of them.

NJCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 8:53 am

Yeah...
I would never buy another Chrysler product ever again.
I don't care if they built diesels in everything they offered, this test mule we have was simply that. You add in the fact that a simple concept will be over engineered with all the new emmissions crap they will be forced into using and it becomes just another engine.
F Chrysler

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:42 pm

I'd rather push a TDI VW than drive another Chrysler product ever again.

Sergio, you have your work cut out for you in trying to encourage repeat purchases from the vast pool of people that have been pissed on by Chrysler "service" and "reliability".

My family... Will not buy another Mopar EVER again.

Patrick Henry · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 10:56 pm

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:30 pm

Patrick Henry wrote:

+2

+3. Though I said it before when we unloaded out 05 CRD back in 2008. The only reason we got another was for the MPG and because it is a diesel. Due to where we live, we need a 4x4, especially with the wife commuting 120 miles a day 6 day a week at least. We have put 14k on it since August and it's been pretty good this far and has been through one deer impact. She likes it and it has grown on me. I plan, as of now, to keep it as long as possible. Would I buy another Chrysler product? No. Especially a new one with a warranty... Been there. I wish VW or someone else would come out with a small diesel SUV that was reasonably priced. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are out of my price range. Mercedes lost my business... Long story. Wife wants a Q7 diesel, but too pricey for us, haha. I'd personally love to see a Subaru outback diesel in the US.

crdjon · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:51 pm

geordi wrote:

I'd rather push a TDI VW than drive another Chrysler product ever again.

Sergio, you have your work cut out for you in trying to encourage repeat purchases from the vast pool of people that have been pissed on by Chrysler "service" and "reliability".

My family... Will not buy another Mopar EVER again.

We've all been bitten, no more Chrysler press rubbish for me. Once I'm finished playing with the KJ, Chrysler are out of of my life forever.

Each week I manage to put someone off buying one.

Pity really coz it could be quite different, bad business management from the customers perspective and we do matter a lot in this century.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:17 am

rjmaype wrote:

Jim Morrison, Jeep product marketing director, notes Canadian-market penetration particularly was strong for the last diesel-powered Grand Cherokee, which featured a 3.0L V-6 supplied by Mercedes-Benz. Dealer orders accounted for some 70% of the mix, he tells WardsAuto.

Orders and percentages are one thing but how many did they actually manage to manufacture and deliver?

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:35 pm

"Chrysler’s Marchionne Hints at Diesel Proliferation...."

Just another load of farm field fertilizer from a car salesman headed for another bailout.

Crankworm · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:05 pm

I have to laugh because I just told a guy at work yesterday that the only way I would get rid of my rusty 92 Ford Festiva was if I could buy a car like the Fiat 500 with a diesel. I commute 150 miles round trip, the festiva gets 38-43mpgs all the time

crdjon · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:45 am

Crankworm wrote:

I have to laugh because I just told a guy at work yesterday that the only way I would get rid of my rusty 92 Ford Festiva was if I could buy a car like the Fiat 500 with a diesel. I commute 150 miles round trip, the festiva gets 38-43mpgs all the time

Looks ok if all you do is comute. Thing is, you look under the bonnet on these vehicles and it's a nightmare, tubes, pipes and wires lying around everywhere. Their next best innovation would be to sort out the engine bays, I'm sure the service guys would just love that.

That ecoomy would be handy for the to and from work.

Chrysler - we know diesels?

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