Will the Chrysler badge be returned to its spiritual home? If one of Walter P. Chrysler’s great grandsons has his way, the answer is yes.
Frank B. Rhodes Jr. has used a YouTube video to pitch prospective investors on the idea of bringing Chrysler and Dodge home to the USA, which would involve buying it out from its current Dutch owners, Stellantis.
Mr Rhodes leans heavily on Chrysler and Dodge’s impact on American history, but is light on details about how he’d actually do that.
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Chrysler Airflow concept
Speaking with MOPAR Insiders, he said his ownership would see a “balance between innovation and tradition”.
“We understand the importance of embracing new technologies and meeting global demands for sustainability,” he said.
“However, we must not lose sight of the heritage and unique appeal of Chrysler and Dodge that have defined these brands for decades.”
Mr Rhodes wants to buy the Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, and MOPAR brands, along with their operations, manufacturing plants, and employees to form a new Chrysler Corporation.
Currently, the brand is owned by Stellantis – a company formed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot Citroen Group (PSA) merged.
It’s headquartered in tax-friendly Netherlands, and includes Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall, Maserati, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, and Fiat under its umbrella.
Recent concept cars have pointed to the future Stellantis sees for Chrysler and Dodge.
The Airflow Graphite concept points to a new SUV hero for Chrysler built on the STLA electric vehicle platform – though it’s reportedly being changed for production – while the Halcyon concept was an “aerodynamic, streamlined and uncompromising vision of the Chrysler brand’s future exterior character”.
Chrysler Airflow 
Dodge Charger 
Chrysler Halcyon 
Over at Dodge, the reborn Charger is designed to drag the muscle car into the modern age.
It’s electric at launch, although six-cylinder petrol power is due in 2025.
Both the Charger sedan and coupe are based on the STLA Large architecture, and are big beasts as they measure 5248mm long, 2028mm wide, 1497mm tall, and ride on a 3074mm wheelbase.
Tipping the scales at 2648kg, the electric Charger is significantly heavier than the outgoing model, which weighed between 1733kg and 1887kg. Dodge has yet to provide weights for the six-cylinder versions of the new Charger.
At launch, the coupe will be available only with a 400V pure electric drivetrain featuring two motors, all-wheel drive, and fed by a 93.9kWh battery pack.
All electric Chargers will be noted by the famous Daytona nameplate, and support DC fast charging up to 350kW.
During the new Charger Daytona’s launch phase, two drivetrain variants will be available: the 370kW/548Nm R/T with Direct Connection Stage 1 kit, and the 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack with Direct Connection Stage 2 kit and standard limited slip rear differential.
Chrysler left Australia in 2021; Dodge hasn’t sold cars here since 2016.
