Jul 18th, 2008 by Liz Opsitnik
Chrysler’s Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring sedans are losing in sales to their competitors. The Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Honda Accord all had sales increase 10 percent or more this year, while the Sebring’s sales have dropped 30 percent.
The Avenger gained only two percent in sales.
In response to these sluggish sales figures, the company may eliminate the highest trim levels of the Avenger and Sebring sedans while adding more luxury amenities to the mid-level models of those vehicles, reports the Detroit News.
This will give the cheaper versions of these sedans standard features like heated seats, currently only available on the higher-end models.
The two trim levels that might be eliminated are the Avenger R/T and Sebring Limited. They both offer a 3.5 liter, V-6 engine.
“Given where fuel prices are at, I’m not sure that people are following the old progression that the higher the trim-level, the bigger the engine,” said Mike Wall, automotive analyst with CSM Worldwide. “(Chrysler) needs to hit what the customer wants, and that may be a 4-cylinder engine with leather seats and a navigation system.”