mycargets52mpg

Chrysler's Rebadging Plan: Strategic Blunder for Nissan?

It may be more than simple Prizm/Corolla-style rebadging, at least one would hope. Using the Altima/Maxima "platform" with a Chrysler interior/exterior design might still flop, given their utter loss of styling direction, but if done right, could save the company. There's no reason to be ashamed about utilizing good engineering. For instance, VW is so good at this game that its Czech subsidiary Skoda builds a Jetta-sized vehicle (the Octavia) that is better, and lots cheaper, than the Jetta, but with mostly the same mechanicals. That strategy effectively saved Skoda, and allowed VW to spread the cost of its engineering over more units.

One more point - after the Talon/Laser came the moderately popular Sebring/Avenger, again built off the Mitsu Eclipse platform. Did anyone know, or care? I didn't think so, either.