Higher Fuel Economy Standards Kill Chrysler Imperial
By Michelle Krebs July 18, 2007
Anticipated higher fuel economy standards have claimed yet another victim: the Chrysler Imperial.
The large luxury sedan, unveiled as a concept car at the Detroit auto show in 2006 and to go into production at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, plant as a 2009 model, has been scrapped, the Detroit Free Press reported today.
A Chrysler spokesman confirmed CAW President Buzz Hargrove’s comments to the newspaper that he was informed the intended Chrysler flagship was scrapped because of pending legislation in the U.S. Congress to increase fuel-efficiency standards.
Indeed, a Chrysler spokesman told the newspaper that it would have been irresponsible to bring the Imperial to market in the current climate, considering it is larger and heavier than any car Chrysler now builds.
The CAW had agreed to contract concessions in the spring in exchange for a $700-million (Canadian) investment in the plant to prepare for the Imperial. Chrysler will still invest the money in the plant, which also produces the Chrysler 300 and will make its next generation.
The Imperial concept created quite the buzz when it was introduced. The unveiling included Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria.
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Chrysler Imperial they should build it nake lighter put a fuel injected V6 engine in it.
It would give Mercedes Cadys Lincolnsa run for thier $$$$
Thank God this ugly thing won't see the light of day!
In Canada there is a protype diesel engine in a 300C which gets 40mpg on highway. Put it in the Imperial
It seems like Chrysler has joined GM and probably Ford with its passive-aggressive way of opposing the new CAFE restrictions. All of them are like, "oh, here's this really sweet car we were going to make, too bad we can't make it now because they're raising the CAFE." The big three don't seem to realize that most Americans don't want massive gas hogs these days. Maybe Congress will wake them up.
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