FCA shuffles Dart lineup, aims for higher sales

Fiat Chrysler is giving the slumping Dodge Dart a midyear tuneup by dropping two models, shuffling content and adjusting prices.For the rest of the 2016, the Dart lineup -- with prices including shipping -- looks like this:The Dart SXT Sport, priced at $18,990, is the new entry-level model. It replaces the SXT, which cost $1,400 more. But the SXT Sport costs $1,000 more than the prior entry model, the Dart SE, which is discontinued. The SXT Sport engine is FCA’s 2.0-liter Tigershark four-cylinder.Dodge Dart Turbo, priced at $20,490, replaces the Dart Aero, priced at $22,090. The Dart Turbo is powered by a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and sells for $1,600 less than the Aero.Dodge Dart GT Sport, priced at $21,990, replaces the Dart GT, priced at $23,090. The GT Sport is available with one engine, a 184-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and has a base price of $1,100 less than the GT.In addition to the SE, the most expensive Dart, the Limited, priced at $25,390, is being dropped.“We are repositioning the Dart lineup to better align production and dealer inventory with consumer demand and preference,” Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger car brands -- Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat -- said in a statement today.In addition to two existing cosmetic packages, Rallye and Blacktop, FCA is making a Chrome package available on the SXT Sport that adds bright trim to the grille and door handles and adds 17-inch polished wheels and fog lamps.“The simplification of Dart models, coupled with the availability of popular Rallye, Blacktop and Chrome appearance packages across more of the line-up, makes it easier for dealers to order and stock vehicles that customers are looking for,” Kuniskis said.Through March, sales of the Dart have slumped from 25,115 to 16,868, a drop of nearly 33 percent, while competitor cars such as the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla are off just over 5 percent and 7 percent respectively.

FCA shuffles Dart lineup, aims for higher sales

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