It wasn’t too long ago that Stellantis revealed EVs would be the backbone of Chrysler’s future. The brand once had a lineup of several models but things have now dwindled down to only two models, the Chrysler Pacifica (and its blink-or-miss-it cousin the Voyager.) The Pacifica (we treat the two as one model) is still a player in the minivan wars but age and the task of holding the brand up on its box-shaped shoulders are finally starting to catch up with it.
The news certainly placed Chrysler on an interesting trajectory with the Airflow concept providing a taste of what’s to come. However, a new report suggests Chrysler could be moving away from its EV plans and putting traditional vehicles back on the radar.
Slumping demand and changing times are forcing Chrysler’s hand
Chrysler’s first EVs were supposed to launch in 2025 with the lineup going fully electric by 2028. But reality and changing conditions on the ground are reportedly forcing Chrysler to move away from this plan. EV sales are not as strong as execs were hoping and the Trump administration’s intention to kill the EV mandate and other incentives souring demand for them too. In addition, Chrysler doesn’t have to look far either to see this new reality with sister brand Dodge axing the base Charger EV due to horrifying sales numbers for the model.
Unlike its teammates though, Chrysler is in desperate need of new models and they need hot sellers that move beyond the Pacifica. An electric CUV was supposed to come in 2026 but while Chrysler recently said the model is still on track, the launch has been pushed back “until further notice.” In the meantime, a growing number of dealerships are growing frustrated with Chrysler being the proverbial ball and chain in their plans and this anger has been magnified by the Charger EV’s sluggish sales start.
Chrysler wants to reconnect with its experimental roots
While it might be hard to believe now, Chrysler was once known for its habit of experimenting with vehicles and bringing some of the innovations that we take for granted into the automotive industry. Stellantis is now keen on reconnecting with this heritage with Design Chief Ralph Gilles saying that the company wants to “experiment” with the brand with the exec citing the STLA Medium and Large platforms as potent underpinnings for this future during the brand’s 100th anniversary bash in Detroit.
“I think it’s time for us to pivot,” he said. “We’re going to try. We’re going to experiment with the brand. There is an unserved part of our portfolio in our showroom that our dealers have identified that we can maybe serve with Chrysler, so we’re in the process of experimenting.”
One part of this “experimenting” could involve gas-powered vehicles. Chrysler wants to be innovative but it needs sales even more and one way of getting sales and cash quickly is giving customers more vehicles that they want in more segments. We suspect CUVs and SUVs will (eventually) do the leg work for the brand but a revived 300 is not out of the question either. The last generation model had a strong following and a loyal pool of customers despite having a platform that dated back to the DaimlerChrysler era and if Chrysler wants to deliver a strong statement about it being far from dead, bringing back the 300 moniker could be a good way of doing it.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.