Chrysler has been working on a duo of CUVs for the Chrysler and Dodge brands, codenamed JC49 and JZ49. The new Dodge Crew (although it’s unsure whether the Crew name will be used under the Dodge or Chrysler header) rides on the new Sebring/Avenger platform, making smaller than the brands’ bread-and-butter minivans. What’s most interesting about the Crew is that Chrysler is showing a concept version of the JC49/JZ49 at this fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show; the production version is slated for either the ’08 L.A. Show or NAIAS at the start of the year.
Unsurprising given Chrysler’s recent push into the European market and the re-introduction of the Dodge Brand outside of North America. Last year, out-of-North America sales of Dodge were up 57 percent from the 2005 sales figure, and with the family-mover market burgeoning in Europe, Chrysler seems to hope to not be playing catch-up much longer.
Picture via Carscoop