The teardown and rebuilding is continuing over at Chrysler. The automaker is apparently ready to cut the slow-selling the Jeep Commander SUV from its lineup by mid-2009, according to a Bloomberg report.
Since its takeover by Cerberus Capital Management last year, Chrysler has been relentlessly trying to decrease costs through what it describes as a "new customer-driven philosophy." This rebuilding plan includes the reduction of production shifts at multiple plants, the selling of land assets, the closing of a design studio, and the elimination of 25,100 employees.
If the Bloomberg report is accurate, the deletion of the Commander would make it the fifth model to be scrapped by Chrysler after a 29 percent decrease in sales to just over 63,000 units since 2006. The move wouldn't be a big surprise considering the vehicle's sales and the ever-increasing price of gas. The Commander was one of the last new full-size SUVs released on the market, and from the beginning has been a classic case of wrong vehicle at the wrong time for the Jeep brand.
Chrysler has officially announced the elimination of the Dodge Magnum, PT Cruiser, Pacifica and Crossfire sports car from its lineup.
As the company continues to redefine its image and moves to put its brands under one roof, we'd be willing to bet a Sebring that the Commander won't be the last Chrysler model to get the axe.
Source: Bloomberg