The Auburn Hills-based automaker has shifted its business plan to launch nearly 50 new or significantly redesigned and refreshed models through 2016, including 10 this year.
AUBURN HILLS, MI- Chrysler Group LLC is planning an “intense” vehicle lineup overhaul, according to CEO and Chairman Sergio Marchionne.
The Auburn Hills-based automaker has shifted its business plan to launch nearly 50 new or significantly redesigned or refreshed models through 2016, including 10 this year.
Chrysler also plans to drop four models in 2013.
“We continue to rework the portfolio to try and match development to what we consider to be proper market demand going forward,” Marchionne said during a conference call Wednesday morning with media and analysts.
Marchionne said the "200 successor," which will be launched in 2014, should benefit from the automaker's new nine-speed transmission.
Ralph Gilles, Chrysler vice president of product design and head of SRT, told WardsAuto earlier this month that the new 200 will signal a new design direction for the brand.
New or significantly redesigned vehicles for Chrysler this year will include three refreshed Jeep/SRT vehicles, including its best-selling Grand Cherokee, and a new “D-SUV”; a freshened Ram heavy duty and chassis cab, as well as a new “Promaster”; an unannounced Dodge refresh; and the Fiat 500L, which debuted at the 2012 LA Auto Show.
The launch schedule through 2016, according to slides posted on its media website, includes an aggressive lineup introduction of Fiat (five new models) and Alfa Romeo (three new models).
“Alfa and its introduction in the United States is crucial,” Marchionne said. The Italian automaker, owned by Chrysler's majority owner Fiat SpA, will bring the sporty 4C to the U.S. by the end of this year.
As part of its 2012 earnings report, Chrysler Group LLC updates its business plan regarding its vehicle launch schedule.The vehicle launch schedule (embedded left) was released as part of the automaker’s 2012 earnings report, which jumped more than eight-fold from the previous year.
Chrysler, which is majority owned by Italian automaker Fiat SpA, reported its full-year 2012 net income increased to $1.7 billion, up from $183 million in 2011.
The profits last year are the best from Chrysler since emerging from its government-backed bankruptcy as part of the auto bailout in 2009.
Marchionne said the automaker is “pleased” with the strong results in 2012, but the company still has work to do.
Check back to MLive.com/auto for more information on Chrysler’s plans and its 2012 financial performance.
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