Is this the End of Dodge Ram?

The Dodge logo is coming off!

The shakeup of the world’s auto brands continues!

GM has dumped or is dumping Opel, Hummer, Saturn and Pontiac. Volkswagen has added Porsche and is considering buying part of Suzuki. Now comes this news:

Chrysler appears ready to turn the Ram nameplate into its own brand.

According to the well-informed folks over at Edmunds, Ram will be developed into a brand that sells pickup trucks, vans, SUVs and commercial vehicles. That in turn would leave Dodge open to evolve into an affordable performance brand.

A year ago I might have scoffed at such an idea. Now though it kind of makes sense, for these reasons: Chrysler is owned by Fiat. Fiat owns Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo makes great cars. And Alfa Romeos could become Dodges, thanks to the Italian ownership of Chrysler.

Separating the line of trucks from the line of sports cars seems like a good move, and Ram is a name that’s been around long enough to be able to stand on its own.

If this is a glimpse into the future of what Chrysler will become, I’m excited about it. How long have us Americans been asking for some European flair in our cars? A long time. And now it’s coming in the form of Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

I’m not a Dodge guy, and never have been, but put the Dodge logo on an Alfa MiTo, 159, Brera or 8C Spider and I’m all over it like hot butter on a dinner roll.

Is making Ram its own brand a good idea?

-tgriffith

Share this post:

Related posts:

• NAIAS 2008 TRIP …Part 3
• GM: Two-thirds of Camaro’s business will come from 27mpg V6 sales
• Audi Dominates Road America
• Challenger Convertible on CarDomain!
• Jason Calacanis Tesla Roadster Production Model #16

Related posts:

• GMC Terrain SUV Unveiled...It's Another Great Example of Badge Engineering
• Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: 1973 Ford Ranchero Camper For $12,500? [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]
• The Next Saturn Vue
• [Video] Exotic Cars in Monaco (Enzo.. Aston Martin.. Yachts..)
• 2008 Saturn Astra Will Start at $15,995...Better than the Old Saturn Ion?

Fiat to Sell Four Versions of the 500 in U.S.

Fiat 500 Abarth

It’ll be a crazy day when there are more Fiats on the road in America than Chryslers.

It could happen, too, because the Chrysler/Fiat merger isn’t just bringing one Fiat 500 to the States - it’s bringing at least four: hatchback, convertible, station wagon, and sporty hatchback.

Perhaps the best news for Fiat fanatics is the “sporty hatchback,” which will be the famous Abarth version that won Europe’s 2008 Car of the Year Award.

Alfa Romeo Kamal concept

The station wagon could be based on the sexy Alfa Romeo Kamal concept, which should help Americans shed the wagon stigma of the ’70s. I don’t care what logo ends up on the front of this baby - I’d drive it all day long.

Come 2011, get ready to see fleets of Fiats cruising your city. I’m going to predict right now that these cars will hardly get to know dealers’ lots before flying off them and into garages across the country. The other side of that, unfortunately, is sure to be premium prices without a lot of negotiation room, which is something Chrysler salesmen aren’t used to. I think they’ll adapt pretty quickly, though!

In addition to the four Fiat 500 versions already slated to arrive, there could be a fifth: a micro SUV. Hey, if MINI can do it, why not?

I’m genuinely excited to see Chrysler shack up with Fiat; these are products much more relevant to the U.S. market than losers like the Sebring. In early 2011, you can count on me stepping foot inside a Chrysler dealership for the first time in years and taking a test drive.

Will you try out a new Fiat when they arrive at Chrysler dealerships in 2011?

-tgriffith

Related posts:

• BMW 335i Coupe Gets All-Wheel-Drive...It's Now Faster Than the RWD Version
• NAIAS 2008 TRIP …Part 3
• Pics galore: clean diesel Mercedes BlueTec SUVs coming to America
• Ford releases pricing for all five 2010 Fusion models
• The four-door has three Mac computers (including a MacBook Air and two ...

Related posts:

• NYSE Puts GM Stock Trading On Hold While Awaiting 3Q Announcement [Earnings]
• Husmen 699 GTO Concept!!!
• Trade You a Dodge Ram for a Fiat 500?
• Maserati Grand Tourismo S: No Concession to the Times
• This one is off-topic for sure, but it’s a great story about a gorgeous ...