At a marathon 7 hour press conference yesterday Fiat/Chrysler officials revealed their plans for the company for the next 5 years. By 2014 Chrysler will be a very different company than it is today.

Fiat 500

The 500 shows up in showrooms around this time next year sold as a stand-alone product.

Jeep

The Commander goes away next year, the Compass and Patriot are done in 2012. The latter two will be replaced by a Fiat-based C segment vehicle in 2013. The Grand Cherokee and Liberty stay but the Liberty is replaced with a Fiat-based vehicle in 2013. Also, a new A segment, Fiat-based SUV is also introduced in 2013.

Dodge

Trucks are pulled out of the Dodge division and sold as a separate brand: Ram. The Viper is dropped next year but might return in another form later. The Nitro goes away in 2011 and the Caliber is done in 2012. The Charger, Challenger, Avenger and Grand Caravan stay. A new full size cross-over is introduced next year, a new compact comes on line in 2012, a new sub-compact in 2013 and the Avenger moves to a Fiat platform in 2013.

Chrysler

The 300/300C, Sebring and Town and Country stay and get updated. The PT Cruiser is done next year. A new Fiat-based compact is introduced in 2012 and a new Fiat-badged B segment compact in 2013 along with a Fiat-based mid size cross over. The Sebring moves to a Fiat platform in 2013.

Ram

Light Duty, Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab models remain and get updated in 2012. The Dakota goes away in 2011 and might be replaced by a new uni-body mid size truck. Large commercial vans on a Fiat platform are introduced in 2012 as is a Fiat badged small commercial van.

Minivans, the rear drive passenger car and pickup truck platforms stay and will account for 44% of the line up but by 2014 fully 56% of Chrysler’s products will be based on Fiat platforms. Most of those will be sold as Chrysler brands though some Fiat badged products may enter the market.

Will it work? That remains to be seen. Chrysler’s market share is at an all-time low and it will take a lot of heavy lifting to move it back up. Chrysler also has quality issues to deal with and Fiat’s previous reputation in the U.S. market means it will take a lot of polishing to restore the luster.

--M.D.