Chrysler came up with a solution. They are killing the Sebring name. The car will not go out of production just to be clear but the Sebring will under go a major makeover to revive its appeal until a new member of the range arrive by 2013.

The refreshed Chrysler Sebring is expected to roll out on the 4th quarter of 2010. Experts expect that it will also be rebadged to don the 200 name. The car will also be restyled following the design lines of the 200C Concept EV during the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The interior will also get a good upgrade.

It will be a totally different vehicle as it tears apart the old Sebring and releases a new animal. The official name of the new Chrysler vehicle is yet to be announced.

Buyers will have an option to add a dual clutch system or choose from a range of multiair engines that are fuel efficient.

The Dodge Avenge is also expected to get some update.

The plan was unveiled by the VP for manufacturing of Chrysler, Scott Gaberding, who also revealed that they are considering several options on the drawing board. This also includes an option to build a brand new factory if necessary.

Chrysler is looking at the possibilities of using their plant in Windsor, Ontario, as well as their assembly lines in Mexico and the United States. The factory in Ontario serves for the production of Chrysler’s Town & Country, and the Dodge Caravan. If the plant will be re-organized and re-tooled for the production of the Fiat-based cars, it can help with the production of the MiTo under the Alfa Romeo brand. It can aid in the assembly of Chrysler vehicles using the C-Evo platform of Fiat.

The factory in Mexico being considered is doing the production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Dodge Journey. As earlier announced, the PT Cruiser will be killed by Summer which can give way to the production of A platform Fiat vehicles using the facility. So the Mexico plant might roll out the likes of Fiat 500 or a new Jeep model derived from the Panda Cross.

The other plant in consideration is their assembly line in Belvidere, Illinois. Units like the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, and the Dodge Caliber zoom out of this factory. Upon retooling, this one can help with the production of the Giulietta from Alfa Romeo and other Fiat models.

The CEO is expected to let the stakeholders and the public know about the 5-year plan of Chrysler by early November. The plan is expected to include selling shares to the public by 2011 and make the quarterly financial report of the company public by next year.

The move seems to get the nod from business analysts and the auto industry community. Some experts foresee Chrysler to report about $841 million in operating profit by next year but declare a net loss of about $169 million as 2010 ends. When 2011 comes, these figures will jump up to $2.45 billion in operating profit and a $952 million net income. Analysts say that these figures might be too good for Chrysler before but is very doable today.

Prior to Marchionne’s take over of the top post, Chrysler was listed as a private company under the Cerberus Capital Management Chrysler. Being a private company, it was not required to publish or release the details about its finances. Some reports are putting the losses at the $6.8 billion mark tracing it as recent as 2007. The company was able to get to a clean sheet after General Motors declared bankruptcy to resolve its problems.

The game plan for Chrysler is to move up in the scale to face luxury car makers head on. The Dodge on the other hand will focus on producing a sportier line of vehicles. The goal is not just to be at par with the Lincoln and the Cadillac but to outpace them with class.

CEO of Chrysler Peter Fong puts it as making their brand a notch better than the competitors. It will be a difficult race as Cadillac tries to improve their line of products from their own garage. Cadillac is ahead of the race as of now with models like the CTS range, SRX, and the flagship XTS.

Chrysler has not revealed how they plan to beat the other brands. The product range that will help achieve their goal is set to be known by November.

Experts are foreseeing future vehicles following the architecture of the electric vehicle Chrysler 200C displayed during the Detroit motor show. The EV might have not gone to production but it has the qualities needed by Chrysler to impress the discerning consumers of the luxury market. The public may also see Chrysler rebranded Fiats and Alfa Romeos.

The Dodge line up will be focusing on giving the consumers performance cars while keeping in mind the CO2 emission and fuel mileage standards set by the new laws taking into effect. The range of Jeep will most likely remain the same but will dwell more on recent smaller vehicles like the Patriot and the Compass.

Chrysler decided to kill production of the PT Cruiser from January to mid this year due to the dropping sales figures and lack of future plans to update the car. The Cruiser became one among seven models axed by the management of Cerberus Capital Management.

The other units killed by the management were the Pacifica SUV, Aspen SUV, Crossfire, Durango SUV, and the Dodge Magnum.

The PT Cruiser graced the public starting in 2000 and was instantly loved for its retro looks. Aside from the styling, consumers opted for this Chrysler for its very affordable price. The PT Cruiser became an icon of the industry with dealers being able to inflate the price because of the high demand.

Fast forward to today, the PT Cruiser’s styling is basically untouched. Some minor tweaking was done back in 2006.

The sales of the PT Cruiser reached its climax in 2001 when the company was able to dispose of 144,717 cars. In 2008, there were 50910 sales. As of Q2 of 2009, the PT Cruiser has just made about 8591 moves out of dealerships.

An old vehicle in the line up of Chrysler may be seen as an illogical move by market experts but some sees it as a nothing to lose step since the PT Cruiser sells without lifting a finger for marketing plus the machines used to make the vehicle have all been paid off.

Chrysler has recently survived bankruptcy and is now under Fiat’s control. The viability plan also divulged insider information about future Fiat models to be produced once the Chrysler-Fiat alliance has been formalized. Therefore, it follows that Chrysler models will be undergoing major changes in the years to come.

For instance, the upcoming Alfa Romeo models are to be called the Milano, the 147 hatch replacement, and the Giulia, 159 successor. The 2010 Milano model is set for Europe this year, while the Giulia will enter the market in 2011.

According to Automotive News, Chrysler is deciding whether to come up with a brand new RWD sedan as a replacement for the Sebring and Dodge Avenger models that aren’t raking in enough sales. The candidates for the new model include a revamped Fiat D-Evo that is in the existing Alfa Romeo 159 model.

But according to reliable sources, the carmaker will probably use the LX RWD platform from the 200C electric car concept that was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show last January. They also added that borrowing several components can hasten the car’s production.

We still don’t know if the new RWD sedan will get the green light. However, Chrysler is really in need of a new midsize sedan model. On the other hand, the Sebring and Dodge Avenger models, both of which are being manufactured at the Sterling Heights plant, will cease production sometime at the end of 2010.

The judge who ruled on the case cited no alternative to the bankruptcy but a fast liquidation of the assets to save the value of Chrysler. The move was opposed by certain consumer groups, an Indiana based pension funds firm, and about 789 Chrysler dealerships. These groups see the move as done in haste and that Chrysler is getting rid of dealerships unnecessarily.

In the wake of the take over, Chrysler was forced to abandon thousands of units in the assembly with engines and components also unfinished. Several plants were also closed down. The halt of the production leads auto experts to assume that there will be delays in the launch of important projects like the new Grand Cherokee of Jeep and the next gen Chrysler 300.

On the other side of the story, Italian car maker Fiat is set to market the 500 minicar in the United States dealerships of Chrysler. The launch is estimated to be 18 months from now.

Fiat executives clarified that the 500 minicar will be the only unit carrying the badge of Fiat. It is hoping to copy the success of BMW in relaunching the Mini several years back.

There are also plans for Chrysler to build units derived from the platform of Fiat. It was made clear that Fiat will not just rebrand their line-up to market in the US.

When Fiat brings in the Fiat 500 minicar, there is a buzz going around that it will be inevitable for the other car makers to compete with the small Italian car.

Executives from Chrysler confirmed the decision during an interview earlier this January.

The great style of the PT Cruiser has earned its respects from enthusiasts. It was even compared to the 1930’s gangster cars when it was launched last 2000. It was an instant hit and the car manufacturer has produced around 14 versions for the brand.

The PT Cruiser had variations like the Woodie, Turbo, and Woodward Dream Cruise variations.

The unchanged style of the car for almost a decade led to decline of sales. In 2008, PT Cruiser had a dismal performance in the market having a sales drop of 51%. The percentile translates to only 50910 units of PT Cruiser sold last year. The assembly line for this classic is in Toluca, Mexico.

With the dwindling performance, rumors have spread within the auto industry that Chrysler is axing the PT Cruiser. The recent declaration of the company confirms all the buzzes.

Chryler PT Cruiser was known for its sporty ride and smooth handling. Compared to other cars from other brands, its performance was far more satisfying to car experts.

The car manufacturer announced that it is willing to sell the assets for the production of the Cruiser PT. So far, the company has no offers.

The line of Viper is also in the market amid cost cutting schemes of the company to cut costs and survive in the harsh market environment.

If the joint venture between the two companies pushed through, a $530-milliion transmission assembly plant would have risen in the Tipton County and jobs for 1200 people would have been created. All of these plans were dissolved after Getrag declared a bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11.

Getrag was pushed to against the wall when Chrysler LLC filed a complaint against Getrag claiming that the latter failed to get the appropriate financing.

The spotlight is on the revenue bonds sold by the Tipton County to Getrag and Chrysler. A local paper revealed that the bonds sold to the two companies amount to around $11 million.

Chrysler offered the Tipton County $5.5 million in bonds so it can cushion the impact of the dissolved deal on the community. The car manufacturer blames Getrag’s failure to set up the required financing for the deal.

Around $14.5 million worth of funds have been released by Chrysler LLC before to improve the required production framework at the Tipton County plant.

Getrag representatives declined to comment about the issue citing that they are not the ones under investigation.

Last February, the secretary of commerce of Indiana pushed for Chrysler to pay some 40 contractors using about $4 billion government bail out funds. The car manufacturer insisted that the contractors were hired by Getrag. Getrag, on the other hand, argued that Chrysler was the one to quit from the project.

These Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models carry the engine of the previous model. The initial power comes from a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that has 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. In addition to this, a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine with 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque is an option for those who want to have additional power for their heavy-duty automobile.

While there are similar designs borrowed from the light-duty Dodge Ram models, the heavy-duty versions carry a front bumper that is exclusive only for the 2500 model and especially the 3500 model that features brand new wheel fenders with advanced aerodynamic qualities.

As for the interior modifications of the heavy-duty models, an optional two-compartment console, big enough to support a laptop and several piles of paperwork is also an option you might want to consider. It also carries the top of the line interior volume system.

The models’ towing capabilities is supported by the new Electronic Range Select application that allows the driver to limit the highest gear manual and permit manual up shifts and down shifts varying on the engine speed and road feel. Restructured trailer-tow mirrors now come with bigger convex glass, puddle lamps, and memory functions.

The heavy-duty 2010 Dodge Ram models are expected to enter the market this coming fall and should have the base price of $30,000.