The 2009 Dodge Journey, which offers seating for up to seven people, will go on sale in North America during the first quarter of next year, the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker said.
The Journey reflects Chrysler's effort to introduce models that burn less fuel than large pickups, minivans and sport- utility vehicles. Crossovers, which combine comfort associated with sedans with some of the off-road ruggedness of SUVs, are gaining U.S. buyers as gasoline prices top $3 per gallon for the third-straight year.
``I like the interior look of the Journey, and the carrying capacity will appeal to most buyers that are starting families,'' said Erich Merkle, an analyst with IRN Inc. the Grand Rapids, Michigan. ``It's tough competition out there, and they will need a strong marketing campaign.''
Chrysler's U.S. sales have fallen 2.3 percent through July. The company is now operating as a stand-alone U.S. automaker under control of Cerberus Capital Management LP.
The Journey will be introduced to the public at the Frankfurt auto show next month.
The company had no comment on pricing and sales volume, said Beth Ann Bayus, a Chrysler spokeswoman. After its U.S. debut, the Journey will be sold in Europe and Asia. The vehicle shares the same body structure as the Dodge Avenger and the Chrysler Sebring.
No Kids Yet
Chrysler is targeting ``young couples who are ready to have kids,'' said Rick Kukucka, Chrysler's director of front-wheel drive production and planning. He said it will be bigger than the Caliber and smaller than Chrysler's minivans. He spoke during a media preview of the Journey this month.
Dodge is Chrysler's best-selling U.S. brand, with a 6.5 percent share of U.S. market in 2006, according to Autodata Corp. of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
The Journey will be sold standard with seating for five. An optional third row will provide seating for up to seven.
The standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine provides 173 horsepower and gets about 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway. The automaker will also offer a 186- horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 that can run on E-85, the gasoline- ethanol mix, and a 235-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. Dodge will also offer a 2-liter diesel engine outside of North America.
Among the vehicle's interior features are cold-storage areas in the glove compartment and hidden in the floor in the rear-passenger area. The glove compartment uses air conditioning to keep two beverage cans cold; the other compartment is designed to hold ice and as many as 12 cans.
Other features include lit cupholders in the front seat area, DVD screens built into the roof for passengers, and a rechargeable flashlight for emergency lighting.
German automaker DaimlerChrysler AG sold an 80.1 percent stake in Chrysler to Cerberus this month.
