Chrysler Ends Production of Dodge Caliber After Six Years
Dodge Caliber production has ceased as Chrysler prepares to launch the Dart, marking the end of a troubled chapter in its compact car line-up.
Chrysler Group has halted production of the Dodge Caliber, drawing a line under the compact hatchback that never matched its predecessor’s popularity. The last Caliber rolled off the assembly line in December 2011, ending a six-year run that began in 2006 when the model replaced the Dodge Neon.
The Caliber’s production halt comes as Chrysler, now under Fiat’s control, shifts focus to a new generation of compact cars. The Caliber struggled from the outset with critical reception and sales. Consumer Reports placed it at the bottom of its small hatchbacks and wagons ranking in its 2011 annual issue, citing poor engine refinement, lacklustre performance, and subpar interior quality. By the time production stopped, the Caliber had gained a reputation for being outclassed by rivals on quality and driving dynamics.
Chrysler originally positioned the Caliber as a versatile, value-focused alternative to traditional hatchbacks. It was offered with a range of four-cylinder engines and, in some versions, a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT, intended to boost efficiency, drew criticism for its noise and slow response. Interior materials and overall fit and finish lagged behind competitors, while the Caliber’s weight and handling failed to impress reviewers or buyers.
A New Direction with the Dodge Dart
Fiat’s acquisition of Chrysler in 2009 set the stage for a major overhaul of the company’s compact segment. The Caliber’s successor, the Dodge Dart, is set to debut in early 2012 as a 2013 model. Unlike the Caliber, the Dart is based on Fiat’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform and will be the first Chrysler product to use Fiat architecture. Chrysler has confirmed that the Dart will offer a choice of three four-cylinder engines, including a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo and two “Tigershark” units (2.0-litre and 2.4-litre).
- Dodge Dart: 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo engine
- Dodge Dart: 2.0-litre Tigershark engine
- Dodge Dart: 2.4-litre Tigershark MultiAir engine
The Dart is expected to address the Caliber’s weaknesses, with Chrysler promising improved performance, handling, and interior quality. The model will also mark Chrysler’s first major product launch developed under Fiat’s stewardship. The Dart’s unveiling is scheduled for the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, and Chrysler is hoping it will revive its fortunes in the competitive compact segment.
What Caliber’s End Means for Chrysler
Ending Caliber production allows Chrysler to reset its approach in a segment where it has struggled for years. The Belvidere, Illinois plant that built the Caliber will shift to producing the Dart. For dealers and workers, the transition brings the promise of a more competitive product and, potentially, stronger sales. For buyers, the Dart’s arrival is likely to mean more modern technology and refinement compared to the outgoing Caliber.
