Autoline Detroit: Dodge to Reduce the Number of Models it Offers
18 January 1999
Autoline Detroit: Dodge to Reduce the Number of Models it OffersDETROIT, Jan. 15 -- On the television program "Autoline Detroit" the head of the Dodge division, James Julow, announced that Dodge is looking at reducing the number of models it offers. "Clearly there's a proliferation of nameplates that we've got to deal with," Julow said. "We're struggling with that and we'll have some resolution over the next 18 to 24 months. I'll give you an example. We have a Stratus and we have an Avenger. One happens to be a coupe and the other's a four- door. Maybe there's an opportunity for looking at a common nameplate." Some auto analysts have expressed concern that Detroit's automakers have placed too much emphasis on light trucks. They worry that Detroit isn't doing enough to sell more passenger cars. But Julow says those concerns are somewhat misplaced. "We look at it a little different," he said. "We have front wheel drive product and rear wheel drive product. And a large portion of our front wheel drive product happens to be a light truck by certification standards, which is the Caravan. When you look at it that way we have a 50-50 mix. So it's not quite as big an issue as it might sound when you go to the traditional car and truck ratings." "Autoline Detroit," hosted by John McElroy, Editorial Director of Automotive Industries magazine, airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Detroit Public Television. Videotapes are available at http://www.theautolink.com. Underwriters of "Autoline Detroit" are Visteon Automotive Systems and General Electric. It is produced and distributed by Blue Sky Productions.