Chrysler's Marketing Push For 16 New Vehicles Hitting Showrooms

Sixteen all-new vehicles, with the same model names except the Sebring to 200, were introduced by Chrysler last year and the marketing push is hard to sell them as they hit showrooms. Chrysler executives and engineers are making the rounds to remind the automotive media that the latest Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles are better than ever. Chrysler brand executives showed off the Chrysler 300, 200 sedan and convertible and Town & Country mini-van at an all-new dealership in the heart of Los Angeles yesterday.

The 2011 Chrysler 200 LX starts at $19,245 with fuel economy of 21 mpg city / 30 mpg highway from the standard 173 horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine on the LX, Touring and Limited models. A 3.6 liter Pentastar Flex Fuel V6 Engine is available on the Touring and Limited versions.

The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 is a little less "bad ass" than its popular predecessor but still maintains that character with the ability to be customized to suit the owner's personality. The 300 starts at $27,995 (including $825 destination) and runs up to a starting price of $41,145 for the 300C AWD. The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 and 300 Limited models feature the 292 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with EPA-ratings of 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300C has the 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine delivering up to 25 highway mpg. The engine’s Fuel Saver Technology allows for transition between high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.

The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country has the all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine for improved fuel economy of 36 mpg highway with a new fuel-economizer mode that helps maximize fuel efficiency. There are more than 40 safety features including a new driver-side knee blocker airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring. It also comes with the Super Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, with larger, more comfortable seats and a new one-touch fold down function.

The pressure is on Sergio Marchionne and his team to make Chrysler profitable and there's no better way than new vehicles to add sizzle to a comeback brand where sales are up 23 percent over the first 3 months of last year. The upscale Chrysler brand trails Ram, Dodge and Jeep in sales so the push is on to boost sales of the nameplate that carries the company name.

All-new 2011 Chrysler 300 Arrives In First Quarter of 2011

The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 has an all-new grille featuring the new Chrysler wing badge with added design refinement from its predecessor. Chrysler luxury flagship's windshield has been raked back 3 inches, while rolled-framed doors with thinner pillars improve outward visibility by 15 percent. To take in the sky above, a new dual-pane panoramic sunroof provides Chrysler 300 passengers with twice the outward visibility of a standard sunroof.  The all-new Chrysler 300's interior has substantial upgrades consisting of soft touch materials, premium interior trim, available heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, and real wood appliques on the instrument panel, doors, center console and steering wheel.

A new instrument cluster features two large gauge faces with sapphire blue illumination and chrome ring accents. Providing a premium and contemporary environment is an all-new sapphire blue LED-illuminated ambient interior lighting. The all-new Chrysler 300 sedans feature the segment's largest standard touchscreen display, a  8.4-inch Uconnect® Touch infotainment center. The 2011 Chrysler 300 arrives in showrooms in the first quarter of 2011.

Again, will a quick glance at the Chrysler 300 force the question, "is that a Bentley?" That was the comment I got a few years when test driving the new 300 at the time when I pulled up to the foyer of the Los Angeles Century Plaza hotel in front of a crowd of doctors attending a medical convention.