Chrysler Group UK, under its revamped senior management, has a clear marketing plan to weather the current automotive industry crisis. The company is going to focus more on actual market demand and pin their hopes on core sales models for each of its three brands—Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge.

This plan was bared by marketing director Nigel Land at Chrysler UK’s customary year-end media brief. He mentioned that the Chrysler 300C and Grand Voyager, the Jeep Patriot, and the Dodge Journey will be the core sales models for those respective brands.

“Next year we must focus on getting the message across to the buying public on the relevance of our brands,” said Land. “We must show customers what our models do and the relevance they have to the public’s needs. We will be taking our products to the people and showcasing them at appropriate events as well as using new forms of communication such as YouTube to get our message out there.”

In the face of production cuts and restructuring, Chrysler UK is looking at these measures for the immediate future, especially since Chrysler LLC in the US is still awaiting its share of the $15 billion bailout money.

Source: Motor Torque

February and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And also, the Chicago Auto Show.

As part of their gimick, Dodge held their “Journey of a Lifetime” contest where winners will get an all-new 2009 Dodge Journey and an all-expense paid wedding. Winners Blake Humphrey and his future bride Jackie Rohner, from Rock Island, Ill. will be tying the knot on a Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony in Chicago. For added kicks a live Journey cover band will be playing in their wedding.

The contest required participants to answer the question: “Why should Dodge select you to start your ‘Journey’ of a lifetime together at the Chicago Auto Show on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2008?” As always, the couple with the cheesiest answer wins.

The Dodge Journey features a 173hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine (a 3.5L 235hp V6 option is also available). It’s MSRP starts at $19,985. The vehicle debuted last year in Frankfurt.

Source: Dodge

And yet another one will be debuting in Frankfurt. Dodge announced that the Dodge Journey crossover will be debuting in the IAA. Now this is going to be the “Crew” crossover that was initially reported.

I’m quite glad they ditch the name. But “Journey” doesn’t sound too cool either. It just doesn’t sound too competitive enough for a crossover market that has curt names like RAV4, CRV, Rogue or EX. Well, at least there’s Santa Fe.

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