Chrysler has unveiled its new Dodge Dart showing that it is moving away from its muscle machines of past decades towards smaller, more economical cars – with the help of the Fiat Group.
Reid Bigland, president and CEO of the Dodge brand said: “We can’t keep looking through the rear view mirror. We have to move forward with models which have greater fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.”
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The Dart is based on the Alfa Giulietta and includes Fiat’s 1.4-litre multi-air engine in its line up. It gives the brand a stronger presence in the US compact car segment which it only takes around 15% at the moment.
Despite that, Chrysler, which now has Fiat as its parent, is now the fastest growing carmaker in the US. Bigland added: “Our sales were up 26% here last year and it’s the same story across the border in Canada and who would have thought that when we went through bankruptcy two years ago?
“We have to thank Fiat for giving us a second chance. We have even been able to pay off all the government loans we were given in Canada, where we continue to build some of our models, six years ahead of schedule.”
The Dart will be launched in North America in the second half of this year.
