Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FCA Ending Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart to Focus on Trucks, SUVs

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will eventually discontinue the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart, increase Jeep SUV and Ram truck production, and roll out additional hybrids as part of its business plan leading toward 2018.

by Staff
January 27, 2016
FCA Ending Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart to Focus on Trucks, SUVs

Photo of 2016 Jeep Wrangler courtesy of FCA US.

2 min to read


Photo of 2016 Jeep Wrangler courtesy of FCA US.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA US) will eventually discontinue the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart, increase Jeep SUV and Ram truck production, and roll out additional hybrids by 2018, the automaker announced as an update to its 5-year business plan.

FCA US is shifting its product strategy in the U.S. market as a response to persistently low gasoline prices and a shift in demand toward utility vehicles and trucks over passenger cars, CEO Sergio Marchionne said during a Jan. 27 conference call with investors. The company is also dealing with higher recall costs.

Ad Loading...

While discussing the FCA vehicles offered in the U.S., Marchionne said the company has incorporated a "permanent shift in demand" from cars to trucks and utility vehicles. Since 2009, FCA has seen its sales reflect this shift. That year, FCA sold 56% cars, 29% utility vehicles, and 15% trucks. In 2015, FCA sold 46% cars, 37% utility vehicles, and 17% trucks.

"There are two cars in particular, the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, which will run their course," Marchionne said. "Without creating additional capacity, we need to reutilize those plant infrastructures to try and deal with the development of Jeep and the Ram brand."

Marchionne perhaps foreshadowed the announcement about the Chrysler 200 earlier this week, when he said the car was "not up to snuff" because of its cramped rear seating.

FCA US executives gave some initial details about their expansion plans for Jeep and Ram. The company hopes to sell 2 million Jeeps globally in 2018. In 2015, FCA US sold 1.2 million Jeep vehicles — the most in the brand's history and a more than 50% increase from 2013.

Marchionne said FCA US is working to open up production capacity for the Wagoneer and three-row Grand Wagoneer expected to arrive around 2018. FCA plans to introduce the next-generation Wrangler in 2017. A North Carolina defense contractor is now negotiating to return a military-spec Wrangler to the battlefield, the Detroit News reported.

Ad Loading...

The Chrysler 200 is built in Sterling Heights, Mich., and the Dodge Dart is built in Belvidere, Ill. FCA US is expected to move production of its Ram pickup to Sterling Heights and its Jeep Cherokee to Belvidere, reports the Detroit Free Press.

To meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emissions regulations, FCA US plans to produce gasoline-electric hybrid and diesel-powered versions of its Wrangler, upcoming Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and Ram 1500.

The business plan updated a 5-year plan announced in 2014.

More Operations

fleetio coast pay cost
SponsoredAugust 13, 2026

Why Reactive Fleet Management Is Becoming Too Expensive to Sustain

Research highlights a growing need for proactive management strategies to address rising costs in fleet operations effectively.

Read More →
"Element Mobility report cover with a utility fleet truck and the title 'What your fleet KPIs aren't telling you.'"
SponsoredAugust 12, 2026

What Your Fleet KPIs Aren’t Telling You

Tracking fleet metrics is only useful when the data leads to better decisions. This guide helps fleet leaders assess cost, utilization, and downtime more accurately, identify performance gaps, and prioritize the actions that can improve operational results.

Read More →
Cover of the AgileFleet white paper "Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks" with the AgileFleet logo and a photo of fleet vehicles parked outside a government building.
SponsoredAugust 7, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks

Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Turning Fleet Payment data into executive insights blue podcast thumbnail
OperationsAugust 5, 2026

Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights

Does data alone drive results in operations?

Read More →
Graphic promoting Automotive Fleet's 2026 Personal Use Survey with the text "Have a Personal Use Policy? We Want to Know!" encouraging fleet managers to complete the annual industry survey.
Operationsby StaffAugust 5, 2026

Automotive Fleet Opens 2026 Personal Use Survey for Commercial Fleet Managers

Commercial and corporate fleet managers are invited to share how their organizations handle company vehicle personal-use policies, charges, and driver eligibility.

Read More →
Gary Van Orden Retirement
Operationsby Jeanny AbrahamJuly 31, 2026

Gary Van Orden Retires After Nearly Four Decades in Commercial Fleet

From answering customer calls at Ford Motor Company to leading fleet sales across multiple OEMs and a fleet management company, Gary Van Orden's career reflects nearly four decades of leadership in commercial fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
OperationsJuly 31, 2026

How Stellantis Plans to Get Ahead of Fleet Downtime

Vehicle acquisition may grab the headlines, but fleet uptime increasingly determines operating success. Darren Bradshaw of ‪Mopar‬ North America gives the details.

Read More →
A lineup of Hyundai vehicles with overlay text announcing the 2027 Commercial Fleet Program, highlighting new fleet incentives for eligible commercial and government buyers.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseJuly 31, 2026

Hyundai Releases 2027 Commercial Program Incentives 

The 2027 Model Year "Fleet Street Incentives" are available to commercial and government fleets.

Read More →
Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet and Lauren Fletcher of Work Truck pose beside a Soap Box Derby car in a Team Brown vs. Team Fletcher race graphic benefiting The Hourglass Foundation.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseJuly 30, 2026

It's All Downhill from Here! Fleet Industry Raises $22,000 for Skilled Trades Scholarships

Work Truck’s Lauren Fletcher and Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown turned a friendly racing rivalry into $22,000 for automotive technology and skilled trades scholarships.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Commercial Fleet
SponsoredJuly 23, 2026

The Top 300 Commercial Fleets

The Top 300 Commercial Fleets: See the List

Read More →