FCA to End Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart Production, Shifts Focus to Trucks and SUVs
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart will be phased out within 18 months, redirecting investment to more profitable segments.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will discontinue production of the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart within 18 months, CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed during a 2016 business strategy update. The decision signals a clear pivot away from traditional saloon models in North America as FCA reallocates resources towards trucks, crossovers and SUVs, which have delivered stronger returns in recent years.
Marchionne told analysts that both the Dart and 200 would "run their course," confirming that FCA would not pursue further development or new generations for either model. The Chrysler 200, a mid-size saloon introduced as a major new product, represented a substantial investment for the group. Its discontinuation comes less than two years after a major relaunch, reflecting a rapid reversal in FCA’s US strategy.
The Dodge Dart, based on the Fiat Compact platform shared with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, never reached expected volumes in the North American compact car segment. Marchionne said the market shift towards crossovers and SUVs is now seen as permanent, and that low fuel prices are expected to persist. As a result, FCA will focus capital and engineering resources on its more profitable Jeep and Ram product lines.
Implications for FCA’s US Saloon Line-up
The withdrawal of the 200 and Dart leaves FCA without a direct competitor in the volume compact and midsize saloon segments in the US. The company has not announced any immediate replacements. Instead, Marchionne said FCA is seeking external partners to address these segments, potentially through badge engineering or joint ventures.
The move follows a wider trend in the US market, where buyers have shifted away from traditional saloons in favour of crossovers and SUVs. FCA’s decision to abandon the Dart and 200 comes after the group previously ended production of the Dodge Caliber and has since concentrated on expanding its Jeep and Ram portfolios.
What It Means for Workers and Dealers
FCA’s Sterling Heights plant, which built the Chrysler 200, had already faced extended shutdowns as demand fell. The end of 200 and Dart production will impact workers at affected plants, though FCA has indicated that capacity could be repurposed for higher-demand models. Dealers will lose two saloon options in their line-up, narrowing choices for buyers seeking a mainstream American sedan.
