subject: 2009 Was Not A Complete Loss For Dodge [print this page] When asked how did Dodge do in 2009, some are hard pressed to answer. The fact is that Dodge made some very positive forward strides, but was also hampered by a handful of serious setbacks. Depending on how one chooses to view these tides of fate will depend on how one views how well or poorly dodge did in 2009. So, how did Dodge do in 2009?
If one takes a long term view of the situation, then Dodge did fairly well in 2009 in some regards. The cancellation of many street racing team SRT vehicles is probably a blow to many enthusiasts, but the new Journey is a solid vehicle that combines Dodge's famous attitude with practicality that is sure to keep sales strong as the economy continues to recover. The cancellation of the Dodge Caliber SRT did not seem to have a negative impact however, as the economic road-rocket was not well received. The news that the aging Dodge Charger was due for a replacement did not help sales very much and Dodge pickup and SUV sales have been stagnant at best, especially with the Durango being canceled with little notice.
Dodge's parent Chrysler made headlines news with its bailout and subsequent alignment with Fiat, and that news was generally received positively by many. Dodge loyalists may not be so happy about the news given the brand's traditional appeal to the heartland consumers who have been led to believe that foreigners do not know what Americans want or need in the way of automobiles. So, if someone were to ask how did Dodge do in 2009?' the answer would have to vary depending upon one's point of view.
