patfromigh
Well-known member
The new entry level brand at Stellantis is Free-2-Move. For North America the question remains which products will be available, and how will the franchised dealers be involved. During the boom days of the econobox, the strategy was to bang out as many high mpg units as possible to raise the CAFE. Cheap cars filled the ranks of the rental fleets and the retail dealers got upset because it was "cheaper to rent a car than a lawn mower" to quote one source at that time. Now subscription services and curbside auto sharing will be appearing.
If one looks at the Free-2-Move website the Jeep Renegade is already the poster child for that division. The next Renegade with its battery electric powertrain will inherit that post. It would be nice if the Grande Panda could be added to the mix, but Fiat is a boutique brand. Now added to the list of people who can't charge an EV at home are condominium dwellers and other people living under the rules of an HOA. Even if the plugin vehicle owner has a garage, HOA rules forbid charging a vehicle inside.
We have been discussing the end of the entry level ICE vehicles for a number of months now, that is nothing new.
If one looks at the Free-2-Move website the Jeep Renegade is already the poster child for that division. The next Renegade with its battery electric powertrain will inherit that post. It would be nice if the Grande Panda could be added to the mix, but Fiat is a boutique brand. Now added to the list of people who can't charge an EV at home are condominium dwellers and other people living under the rules of an HOA. Even if the plugin vehicle owner has a garage, HOA rules forbid charging a vehicle inside.
We have been discussing the end of the entry level ICE vehicles for a number of months now, that is nothing new.