The 2006 Chicago Auto Show was the showplace for the Dodge Nitro, a compact sport utility vehicle that is assigned the same platform as the Jeep Liberty. The Nitro was first sold in the fall of 2006 and was the only compact SUV in the maker's lineup. Since its inception at the auto show, consumers and reviewers have questioned Dodge's decision to give the Nitro a modern, boxy design. Sales have reflected that doubt, and the Nitro is one of the least profitable vehicles for Dodge.
Available with either a 3.7L Powertech V6 or a 4.0L SOHC V6 engine, the Nitro is also one of Dodge's least powerful SUVs on the market. The Nitro also has three transmission choices: a 6-speed manual, a 5-speed 5G-Tronic Mercedes automatic, or a 4-speed automatic. The exterior of the SUV is styled with oversized wheel wells, sharp lines, and a flat hood. Unfortunately, while the design has been well-received in Europe, American buyers have been put off by it. Mostly, consumers and critics alike agree that the sport utility vehicle simply does not fit in the maker's lineup.
More disappointment came for Dodge when the magazine Consumer Reports named the Nitro one of its eleven worst cars for the 2008 model year. The Jeep Liberty was among the ranks as well. Coupled with rumors of a Chrysler bankruptcy (Dodge's parent company), the maker is on shaky ground with consumers. Financial gurus like Jim Cramer are stating that Chrysler is a sure bet for failure. Unfortunately, claims that Bob Nardelli, the Chrysler CEO, is completely incompetent do nothing to help the American maker.
Another rumor floating around is that American manufacturer Ford will take over the minivan division of Chrysler and keep Jeep around, but will phase out all other vehicle models. Regrettably, that would mean an end to the short life of the Dodge Nitro. Most gossip points out that even if another manufacturer absorbed Chrysler into their ranks, they'd still surely get rid of the Dodge Nitro because of poor sales and harsh criticism. No matter what, Dodge claims that a newer, more publicly-accepted Nitro is in the works and will blow the competition out of the water. Nevertheless, reviewers are commenting back that Dodge is simply blowing smoke and has no real resolution for the current rebuffed design. Latest rumors include the addition of a V6 HEMI in the Nitro and a spinoff crossover vehicle that will resemble the Nitro, but will be marketed more to a younger market.
