How Stellantis Is Driving Mopar Toward A Major Crisis

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Yardbird

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2022
Posts
1,158
Reaction score
2,701
Location
Western NC
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6

How Stellantis Is Driving Mopar Toward A Major Crisis​

Story by Jared Solomon
6 min read


Stellantis is under heavy fire right now. Sales are tumbling, dealers are upset, factories are closing, and there is an excess inventory. Though the problems for Stellantis are not only prevalent in North America, what troubles many car enthusiasts in the US is the fact that the Mopar brands are struggling. Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler have had much better days, but under Stellantis, they have not been able to grow or offer products that many fans of the brands would have hoped for. Many are upset, but one fan has come out and blamed Stellantis for killing Mopar in just three years.

Mopar Fans Are Upset With Stellantis

RacerX, is a YouTube car personality, and he is a pretty big fan of Mopar. In his recent video, he came out with guns blazing and stated that he believes Stellantis has killed the Mopar brands. He goes on to use some interesting points that he got from a CNBC special that talked about Stellantis' troubles.

Some of the strong facts in his video include the push for EV adoption, declining sales, dip in share prices, reliability, and of course, the massive inventory of Mopar vehicles just lying around in dealerships. So, let's deep dive into all the problems and see why Mopar fans are so upset and if Stelllantis is indeed solely responsible for the downfall of the beloved Mopar brands.

Is Stellantis' Push For EVs To Blame?​

According to RaceX, Stellantis' push for electric vehicles hasn't resonated well with the U.S. market, leading to poor sales. The U.S. consumer base hasn't embraced EVs at the rate Stellantis anticipated, contributing to the companys financial struggles. But, this is not entirely true. There have been reports of a worldwide decline in EV sales, but in reality, it's a slowdown, not a decline. EVs are still popular, and they are growing in the US. They might have lost market share, but sales are up.

While Stellantis has had declining sales, they have some EVs that are doing pretty well. According to Stellantis' sales figures for Q3 of 2024, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Dodge Hornet R/T, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid take four of the top-five spots for best-selling hybrids in the U.S. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe sold 10,866 units in Q3 of this year, which is 30% of total Jeep Wrangler third-quarter total 2024 U.S. sales.

Not Enough New Mopar Models

The problem is not the push to go electric. What is not helping Mopar right now is that there are not enough new products. RacerX mentions this and we agree. There are barely any new 2024 models available. Dodge for example has the Hornet, but a compact SUV is the last thing a Mopar fan wants in his/her garage according to RacerX. However, Dodge Hornet retail sales increased 109% in Q3 year over year, marking its best retail sales quarter since the vehicle went on sale in April 2023. The brand's first muscle-inspired crossover, the Hornet R/T, accounted for 1,396 units, which is 36% of total third-quarter Dodge Hornet sales.

Dodge needs big sedans and muscle cars, but it does not have any on offer. The Hellcat fans are also upset about the new launch of the Dodge electric muscle car. It's still not for sale yet, and neither are the new ICE Charger and Challenger models, so we cannot comment on how well those models will sell in the future.

The models that were refreshed, however, did pretty well. For example, the 2024 Jeep Compass total U.S. sales increased 71% in Q3 2024 year over year. So, this means that Mopar brands need to offer new products to bring customers back.

RacerX tries to get to the bottom of not only the inventory of Dodge Challengers and Chargers but also other Stellantis products not selling.

Stellantis Dealers Are Unhappy​

RacerX also points out that Mopar dealers are upset that there is a large excess inventory and that dealerships have hundreds of cars sitting around. This was true a few months ago, and Stellantis has already come out and made a statement that they will get rid of 100,000 vehicles from the 2024 models inventory. Already, 40,000 have been removed. Dealers were also upset about the business approach of Stellantis and voiced their opinions openly, but recently the newly-appointed North America leader of the company, Antonio Filosa, who also heads the Jeep brand, met with the Stellantis Dealer Council. According to The Detroit News, dealers left the meetings feeling "cautiously optimistic" after they received new information about better vehicle incentives, and the company's product plans.

Mopar Reliability Problems

Yes, it's true, there have been some reliability problems, and Stellantis has launched products in premium and luxury segments where the competition is stiff. According to the JD Power US Vehicle Dependability Study 2024, all Mopar brands are further down in the rankings.

Mopar Reliability Rankings

  • Dodge - Ranked 10th
  • Jeep - Ranked 11th
  • Ram - Ranked 18th
  • Chrysler - Ranked 30th (Last)

Is Stellantis Responsible For Mopar's Death?

When a carmaker as big as Stellantis does not do well, there are bound to be many people who will not be happy. However, it's important to separate Mopar fans from fans of the Mopar brands. More often than not, a Mopar fan is a muscle car enthusiast, and RacerX is the proud owner of plenty of high-performance Dodge muscle cars. The problem here is that many of the problems he is referring to are Dodge problems and not all Mopar brands in general. Yes, sales are down across the board despite some models doing well, but the bigger issue is that Stellantis failed to take care of Mopar enthusiasts. The introduction of the electric muscle car did not sit well with many.

But, the problem for Stellantis itself does not only begin and end with Mopar. Stellantis is having trouble with every brand, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Factories are shutting down, employees are being laid off, and stock prices are dropping. RacerX makes his argument seem that Stellantis was out to intentionally destroy Mopar.

There are also a few external factors outside of Stellantis' control, which have affected sales:​

  • Dealers Share the Blame
Many dealerships have been overcharging customers with excessive markups, driving them away to competitors offering better deals. With prices inflated far above MSRP and no noticeable improvements in quality, customers naturally turned to other brands.

  • Younger Consumers Want More Tech
While Mopar fans may long for the glory days of muscle cars, the younger generation is more interested in technology and quality - areas where Stellantis has lagged compared to brands like Tesla and Ford.

  • The Pandemics Impact
The pandemic caused massive disruptions in the global supply chain, leading to microchip shortages and significant delays in production.

  • Muscle Cars Are A Niche Market Now
Cars like the Dodge Challenger and Charger appealed to a shrinking demographic, and the reality is that muscle cars just arent as popular anymore. Rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and the rise of electric vehicles have pushed muscle cars into a niche market.

Has Stellantis destroyed Mopar? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. While Stellantis decisions have undeniably led to a steep decline in Mopars once-dominant position, there are numerous external factors contributing to the current situation.

If Stellantis can adjust its strategies, mend relationships with dealers, and balance its EV ambitions with products that appeal to traditional Mopar fans, there may still be hope for all the brands.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...TS&cvid=4457283a7dee44a2a578dc21be11c3b7&ei=9
 

mikeru

Super Moderator
Staff member
Moderator Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
4,483
Reaction score
9,161
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2020 Limited
Engine
Hemi 5.7L non-Etorque

How Stellantis Is Driving Mopar Toward A Major Crisis​

Story by Jared Solomon
6 min read


Stellantis is under heavy fire right now. Sales are tumbling, dealers are upset, factories are closing, and there is an excess inventory. Though the problems for Stellantis are not only prevalent in North America, what troubles many car enthusiasts in the US is the fact that the Mopar brands are struggling. Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler have had much better days, but under Stellantis, they have not been able to grow or offer products that many fans of the brands would have hoped for. Many are upset, but one fan has come out and blamed Stellantis for killing Mopar in just three years.

Mopar Fans Are Upset With Stellantis

RacerX, is a YouTube car personality, and he is a pretty big fan of Mopar. In his recent video, he came out with guns blazing and stated that he believes Stellantis has killed the Mopar brands. He goes on to use some interesting points that he got from a CNBC special that talked about Stellantis' troubles.

Some of the strong facts in his video include the push for EV adoption, declining sales, dip in share prices, reliability, and of course, the massive inventory of Mopar vehicles just lying around in dealerships. So, let's deep dive into all the problems and see why Mopar fans are so upset and if Stelllantis is indeed solely responsible for the downfall of the beloved Mopar brands.

Is Stellantis' Push For EVs To Blame?​

According to RaceX, Stellantis' push for electric vehicles hasn't resonated well with the U.S. market, leading to poor sales. The U.S. consumer base hasn't embraced EVs at the rate Stellantis anticipated, contributing to the companys financial struggles. But, this is not entirely true. There have been reports of a worldwide decline in EV sales, but in reality, it's a slowdown, not a decline. EVs are still popular, and they are growing in the US. They might have lost market share, but sales are up.

While Stellantis has had declining sales, they have some EVs that are doing pretty well. According to Stellantis' sales figures for Q3 of 2024, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Dodge Hornet R/T, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid take four of the top-five spots for best-selling hybrids in the U.S. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe sold 10,866 units in Q3 of this year, which is 30% of total Jeep Wrangler third-quarter total 2024 U.S. sales.

Not Enough New Mopar Models

The problem is not the push to go electric. What is not helping Mopar right now is that there are not enough new products. RacerX mentions this and we agree. There are barely any new 2024 models available. Dodge for example has the Hornet, but a compact SUV is the last thing a Mopar fan wants in his/her garage according to RacerX. However, Dodge Hornet retail sales increased 109% in Q3 year over year, marking its best retail sales quarter since the vehicle went on sale in April 2023. The brand's first muscle-inspired crossover, the Hornet R/T, accounted for 1,396 units, which is 36% of total third-quarter Dodge Hornet sales.

Dodge needs big sedans and muscle cars, but it does not have any on offer. The Hellcat fans are also upset about the new launch of the Dodge electric muscle car. It's still not for sale yet, and neither are the new ICE Charger and Challenger models, so we cannot comment on how well those models will sell in the future.

The models that were refreshed, however, did pretty well. For example, the 2024 Jeep Compass total U.S. sales increased 71% in Q3 2024 year over year. So, this means that Mopar brands need to offer new products to bring customers back.

RacerX tries to get to the bottom of not only the inventory of Dodge Challengers and Chargers but also other Stellantis products not selling.

Stellantis Dealers Are Unhappy​

RacerX also points out that Mopar dealers are upset that there is a large excess inventory and that dealerships have hundreds of cars sitting around. This was true a few months ago, and Stellantis has already come out and made a statement that they will get rid of 100,000 vehicles from the 2024 models inventory. Already, 40,000 have been removed. Dealers were also upset about the business approach of Stellantis and voiced their opinions openly, but recently the newly-appointed North America leader of the company, Antonio Filosa, who also heads the Jeep brand, met with the Stellantis Dealer Council. According to The Detroit News, dealers left the meetings feeling "cautiously optimistic" after they received new information about better vehicle incentives, and the company's product plans.

Mopar Reliability Problems

Yes, it's true, there have been some reliability problems, and Stellantis has launched products in premium and luxury segments where the competition is stiff. According to the JD Power US Vehicle Dependability Study 2024, all Mopar brands are further down in the rankings.

Mopar Reliability Rankings

  • Dodge - Ranked 10th
  • Jeep - Ranked 11th
  • Ram - Ranked 18th
  • Chrysler - Ranked 30th (Last)

Is Stellantis Responsible For Mopar's Death?

When a carmaker as big as Stellantis does not do well, there are bound to be many people who will not be happy. However, it's important to separate Mopar fans from fans of the Mopar brands. More often than not, a Mopar fan is a muscle car enthusiast, and RacerX is the proud owner of plenty of high-performance Dodge muscle cars. The problem here is that many of the problems he is referring to are Dodge problems and not all Mopar brands in general. Yes, sales are down across the board despite some models doing well, but the bigger issue is that Stellantis failed to take care of Mopar enthusiasts. The introduction of the electric muscle car did not sit well with many.

But, the problem for Stellantis itself does not only begin and end with Mopar. Stellantis is having trouble with every brand, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Factories are shutting down, employees are being laid off, and stock prices are dropping. RacerX makes his argument seem that Stellantis was out to intentionally destroy Mopar.

There are also a few external factors outside of Stellantis' control, which have affected sales:​

  • Dealers Share the Blame
Many dealerships have been overcharging customers with excessive markups, driving them away to competitors offering better deals. With prices inflated far above MSRP and no noticeable improvements in quality, customers naturally turned to other brands.

  • Younger Consumers Want More Tech
While Mopar fans may long for the glory days of muscle cars, the younger generation is more interested in technology and quality - areas where Stellantis has lagged compared to brands like Tesla and Ford.

  • The Pandemics Impact
The pandemic caused massive disruptions in the global supply chain, leading to microchip shortages and significant delays in production.

  • Muscle Cars Are A Niche Market Now
Cars like the Dodge Challenger and Charger appealed to a shrinking demographic, and the reality is that muscle cars just arent as popular anymore. Rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and the rise of electric vehicles have pushed muscle cars into a niche market.

Has Stellantis destroyed Mopar? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. While Stellantis decisions have undeniably led to a steep decline in Mopars once-dominant position, there are numerous external factors contributing to the current situation.

If Stellantis can adjust its strategies, mend relationships with dealers, and balance its EV ambitions with products that appeal to traditional Mopar fans, there may still be hope for all the brands.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...TS&cvid=4457283a7dee44a2a578dc21be11c3b7&ei=9
In response to this article, I have a few problems with it, but I'll speak specifically about the section referring to EV's. The author is throwing hybrids in with EV's. He specifically mentions the 4xe and other hybrid models produced by the Mopar brands. I would believe there has been an increase in hybrid and PHEV sales. But an EV is a fully electric vehicle and is its own class if vehicle. I suspect that actual EV sales have declined when you remove hybrid and PHEV vehicles from the mix.
 
OP
OP
Yardbird

Yardbird

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2022
Posts
1,158
Reaction score
2,701
Location
Western NC
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
In response to this article, I have a few problems with it, but I'll speak specifically about the section referring to EV's. The author is throwing hybrids in with EV's. He specifically mentions the 4xe and other hybrid models produced by the Mopar brands. I would believe there has been an increase in hybrid and PHEV sales. But an EV is a fully electric vehicle and is its own class if vehicle. I suspect that actual EV sales have declined when you remove hybrid and PHEV vehicles from the mix.


I believe you are right. Every article I have read states that EV sales have fallen, while hybrids have increased in sales.

Some (a lot) of these articles show the bias of the writer.

I had a very good article to post today, but the writer ruined it by getting political in it, so I let it slide.
 

Bigskyroadglide

Moderator
Staff member
Member Relations Specialist
Moderator Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2016
Posts
2,778
Reaction score
5,930
Location
Montana, officially RETIRED
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7, supercharged
I think the push from ICE to 100% EV was too much change for some consumers and the slowly developing infrastructure to support 100% EV was an impediment to the successful change over. Companies like Toyota and GM have successfully mitigated this while others have not. Stellantis failure to take this change into consideration has led to out of touch market conditions and is a failure of management.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Yardbird

Yardbird

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2022
Posts
1,158
Reaction score
2,701
Location
Western NC
Ram Year
2018
Engine
3.6
Look how bad the early front wheel drive cars were. The same is for EVs. There needs to be development time based upon years of in service time.

I think there is way too much tech in the form of screens and other crap not needed. Make them like a regular car from several years back, without self drive, self park, self this and that. Lots of junk that cost a lot of money.

Also, use smaller electric motors and two wheel drive instead of all wheel drive. Who needs 550 HP and 750 ft lbs of torque?

All these things would make for a more affordable vehicle that would appeal to more buyers.

I don't like big screens. The only screen in my truck is the 8" midsize radio screen in my pickup.

The wife's Edge has a big screen for the heat/AC, radio, heated seats, fan speed, ect. I hate it. You can not change anything without taking your eyes off the road multiple times.

In my Ram, I can reach over without looking, and change anything I want. I can change radio volume with the steering wheel. I only listen to one station, so changing stations is not a problem.
 

Jerrybob

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2019
Posts
9,479
Reaction score
14,804
Location
WA
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7 hemi
Every major brand of cars/trucks over the years have had problems usually due to bad management. Mopar is having problems....so is Ford. Ride it out.....they will all be here for years to come.
 

rzr6-4

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2022
Posts
1,232
Reaction score
2,399
Location
nebraska
Ram Year
'09 2500
Engine
5.7 hemi
Younger Consumers Want More Tech
While Mopar fans may long for the glory days of muscle cars, the younger generation is more interested in technology and quality - areas where Stellantis has lagged compared to brands like Tesla and Ford.

No, we don't. I do have one friend who wants all the latest tech in his cars. He's also the kind of guy who never would be in the Mopar/stellantis market anyway, so trying to cater to him is a waste of time. As for all of my other friends and family, and the majority of the historical market base, we like the simplicity of the old school cars. AC and a radio are about the only tech I want in a car.

  • Muscle Cars Are A Niche Market Now
Cars like the Dodge Challenger and Charger appealed to a shrinking demographic, and the reality is that muscle cars just arent as popular anymore. Rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and the rise of electric vehicles have pushed muscle cars into a niche market.

Also completely false. My dad and all of his friends had muscle cars when they first started driving. A used Camaro wasn't that much more expensive than any normal car. And by percentage of yearly income, cars were more affordable in general. My dad can tell you what he did and didn't like about driving all the different muscle cars from his era. I have yet to drive one because no one my age has that level of disposable income.

Now, I know a bunch of guys who all like fast cars, but only a select few of us can afford them. Of the guys that do, most of them are cheaper japanese cars. American muscle is just too dang expensive. "Fuel costs" lol, a 700hp hellcat get's better milage than my ram, so null point. Eco concerns are debatable at best, certainly not enough to influence my personal purchasing decisions, so that's out. And no one like EVs, so once again, wrong.

You can make up all the theoretical reasons you want, but at the end of the day when I have to decide between buying a fun car and being able to afford a house within the next 10 years, well it's hard to shower in the back seat of a car.
 

Gettintired

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Posts
15
Reaction score
7
Location
NC
Ram Year
2020
Engine
5.7
U

How Stellantis Is Driving Mopar Toward A Major Crisis​

Story by Jared Solomon
6 min read


Stellantis is under heavy fire right now. Sales are tumbling, dealers are upset, factories are closing, and there is an excess inventory. Though the problems for Stellantis are not only prevalent in North America, what troubles many car enthusiasts in the US is the fact that the Mopar brands are struggling. Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler have had much better days, but under Stellantis, they have not been able to grow or offer products that many fans of the brands would have hoped for. Many are upset, but one fan has come out and blamed Stellantis for killing Mopar in just three years.

Mopar Fans Are Upset With Stellantis

RacerX, is a YouTube car personality, and he is a pretty big fan of Mopar. In his recent video, he came out with guns blazing and stated that he believes Stellantis has killed the Mopar brands. He goes on to use some interesting points that he got from a CNBC special that talked about Stellantis' troubles.

Some of the strong facts in his video include the push for EV adoption, declining sales, dip in share prices, reliability, and of course, the massive inventory of Mopar vehicles just lying around in dealerships. So, let's deep dive into all the problems and see why Mopar fans are so upset and if Stelllantis is indeed solely responsible for the downfall of the beloved Mopar brands.

Is Stellantis' Push For EVs To Blame?​

According to RaceX, Stellantis' push for electric vehicles hasn't resonated well with the U.S. market, leading to poor sales. The U.S. consumer base hasn't embraced EVs at the rate Stellantis anticipated, contributing to the companys financial struggles. But, this is not entirely true. There have been reports of a worldwide decline in EV sales, but in reality, it's a slowdown, not a decline. EVs are still popular, and they are growing in the US. They might have lost market share, but sales are up.

While Stellantis has had declining sales, they have some EVs that are doing pretty well. According to Stellantis' sales figures for Q3 of 2024, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Dodge Hornet R/T, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid take four of the top-five spots for best-selling hybrids in the U.S. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe sold 10,866 units in Q3 of this year, which is 30% of total Jeep Wrangler third-quarter total 2024 U.S. sales.

Not Enough New Mopar Models

The problem is not the push to go electric. What is not helping Mopar right now is that there are not enough new products. RacerX mentions this and we agree. There are barely any new 2024 models available. Dodge for example has the Hornet, but a compact SUV is the last thing a Mopar fan wants in his/her garage according to RacerX. However, Dodge Hornet retail sales increased 109% in Q3 year over year, marking its best retail sales quarter since the vehicle went on sale in April 2023. The brand's first muscle-inspired crossover, the Hornet R/T, accounted for 1,396 units, which is 36% of total third-quarter Dodge Hornet sales.

Dodge needs big sedans and muscle cars, but it does not have any on offer. The Hellcat fans are also upset about the new launch of the Dodge electric muscle car. It's still not for sale yet, and neither are the new ICE Charger and Challenger models, so we cannot comment on how well those models will sell in the future.

The models that were refreshed, however, did pretty well. For example, the 2024 Jeep Compass total U.S. sales increased 71% in Q3 2024 year over year. So, this means that Mopar brands need to offer new products to bring customers back.

RacerX tries to get to the bottom of not only the inventory of Dodge Challengers and Chargers but also other Stellantis products not selling.

Stellantis Dealers Are Unhappy​

RacerX also points out that Mopar dealers are upset that there is a large excess inventory and that dealerships have hundreds of cars sitting around. This was true a few months ago, and Stellantis has already come out and made a statement that they will get rid of 100,000 vehicles from the 2024 models inventory. Already, 40,000 have been removed. Dealers were also upset about the business approach of Stellantis and voiced their opinions openly, but recently the newly-appointed North America leader of the company, Antonio Filosa, who also heads the Jeep brand, met with the Stellantis Dealer Council. According to The Detroit News, dealers left the meetings feeling "cautiously optimistic" after they received new information about better vehicle incentives, and the company's product plans.

Mopar Reliability Problems

Yes, it's true, there have been some reliability problems, and Stellantis has launched products in premium and luxury segments where the competition is stiff. According to the JD Power US Vehicle Dependability Study 2024, all Mopar brands are further down in the rankings.

Mopar Reliability Rankings

  • Dodge - Ranked 10th
  • Jeep - Ranked 11th
  • Ram - Ranked 18th
  • Chrysler - Ranked 30th (Last)

Is Stellantis Responsible For Mopar's Death?

When a carmaker as big as Stellantis does not do well, there are bound to be many people who will not be happy. However, it's important to separate Mopar fans from fans of the Mopar brands. More often than not, a Mopar fan is a muscle car enthusiast, and RacerX is the proud owner of plenty of high-performance Dodge muscle cars. The problem here is that many of the problems he is referring to are Dodge problems and not all Mopar brands in general. Yes, sales are down across the board despite some models doing well, but the bigger issue is that Stellantis failed to take care of Mopar enthusiasts. The introduction of the electric muscle car did not sit well with many.

But, the problem for Stellantis itself does not only begin and end with Mopar. Stellantis is having trouble with every brand, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. Factories are shutting down, employees are being laid off, and stock prices are dropping. RacerX makes his argument seem that Stellantis was out to intentionally destroy Mopar.

There are also a few external factors outside of Stellantis' control, which have affected sales:​

  • Dealers Share the Blame
Many dealerships have been overcharging customers with excessive markups, driving them away to competitors offering better deals. With prices inflated far above MSRP and no noticeable improvements in quality, customers naturally turned to other brands.

  • Younger Consumers Want More Tech
While Mopar fans may long for the glory days of muscle cars, the younger generation is more interested in technology and quality - areas where Stellantis has lagged compared to brands like Tesla and Ford.

  • The Pandemics Impact
The pandemic caused massive disruptions in the global supply chain, leading to microchip shortages and significant delays in production.

  • Muscle Cars Are A Niche Market Now
Cars like the Dodge Challenger and Charger appealed to a shrinking demographic, and the reality is that muscle cars just arent as popular anymore. Rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and the rise of electric vehicles have pushed muscle cars into a niche market.

Has Stellantis destroyed Mopar? The truth lies somewhere in the middle. While Stellantis decisions have undeniably led to a steep decline in Mopars once-dominant position, there are numerous external factors contributing to the current situation.

If Stellantis can adjust its strategies, mend relationships with dealers, and balance its EV ambitions with products that appeal to traditional Mopar fans, there may still be hope for all the brands.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...TS&cvid=4457283a7dee44a2a578dc21be11c3b7&ei=9
nf this is what happens when you go woke Stella this is on their way out and will start dumping their failures in the automotive industry mark my words. Chrysler used the bailout under Obama and sold out then and I doubt very seriously that stellantis will get any bailout
 

Fatbob Frank

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2018
Posts
3,099
Reaction score
8,744
Location
Mc Gregor, Iowa
Ram Year
2021
Engine
6.4L
Look how bad the early front wheel drive cars were. The same is for EVs. There needs to be development time based upon years of in service time.
In response to this article, I have a few problems with it, but I'll speak specifically about the section referring to EV's. The author is throwing hybrids in with EV's. He specifically mentions the 4xe and other hybrid models produced by the Mopar brands. I would believe there has been an increase in hybrid and PHEV sales. But an EV is a fully electric vehicle and is its own class if vehicle. I suspect that actual EV sales have declined when you remove hybrid and PHEV vehicles from the mix.

We currently have a love/hate relationship with our GC 4XE...
On the one hand- it's the nicest vehicle we've ever owned ( and our 5th Jeep including my Wrangler)
Gets around in the winter great-like a Jeep should.
When the hybrid system works it's awesome. Great power. Great mileage.
Love the regenerative braking too...

Now the bad-all in 2 years of ownership
I'm taking it in tomorrow for repair of the hybrid heating pump ( 2nd time)
3 check engine lights.
6 recalls.
Just got the big "DO NOT plug in and park it away from buildings" battery separation recall- no fix in sight yet...

The hybrid system doesn't work under 30F ( so most of the winter)
The state upcharges us an additional $65/year on our registration fees to compensate for road usage since they aren't getting as much from the pump.
The additional $8k it cost over a regular GC (we got a $7500 tax credit but that's not offered anymore)
We had planned on keeping it a while but with 34K on the odometer and the warranty running out we are ready to trade it off and go back to a straight IC again...
 
Last edited:

NCRaineman

Senior Member
Joined
May 26, 2018
Posts
1,134
Reaction score
1,771
Location
NC
Ram Year
2019 1500 Classic
Engine
Hemi 5.7
The best thing that could happen to CDJR at the moment is Stellantis realizing they are clueless when it comes to what the American consumer wants, cutting their losses and selling the brand to somebody who is actually interested in building cars for Americans instead of some BS "global" market.
 
Back
Top