Why was Dodge Dart discontinued?
The Dodge Dart, a compact sedan that once promised to bring a fresh perspective to Dodge's lineup, was officially discontinued in 2016. Despite its initial appeal and modern design, the Dart faced several challenges that ultimately led to its demise. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Dodge Dart and what it means for the automotive industry.
1. Declining Demand for Compact Sedans
One of the primary reasons for the Dodge Dart's discontinuation was the declining popularity of compact sedans in the U.S. market. Over the past decade, consumer preferences have shifted dramatically toward SUVs and crossovers, which offer more space, versatility, and a higher driving position. This trend left compact sedans like the Dart struggling to compete in a shrinking market segment.
2. Intense Competition
The compact sedan market is highly competitive, with well-established players like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 dominating the segment. These models offered superior reliability, fuel efficiency, and brand loyalty, making it difficult for the Dodge Dart to carve out a significant share of the market. Despite its stylish design and modern features, the Dart struggled to stand out against these heavyweights.
3. Production and Platform Challenges
The Dodge Dart was built on a platform shared with Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which posed some challenges. While the platform allowed for a sleek design, it also limited the Dart's ability to compete on price and performance. Additionally, the production costs associated with this platform made it less profitable for Dodge to continue manufacturing the Dart.
4. Lack of Powertrain Options
Another factor that contributed to the Dart's downfall was its limited powertrain options. While the Dart offered a range of engines, none of them stood out as particularly powerful or fuel-efficient compared to competitors. This lack of compelling engine choices made it harder for the Dart to attract buyers looking for either performance or economy.
5. Strategic Shift by Fiat Chrysler
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Dodge's parent company, made a strategic decision to focus on more profitable segments like SUVs, trucks, and performance vehicles. This shift in priorities meant that resources were redirected away from compact sedans like the Dart. The discontinuation of the Dart, along with the Chrysler 200, was part of FCA's broader strategy to align its lineup with market demand.
Conclusion
The Dodge Dart's discontinuation was the result of a combination of market trends, competitive pressures, and strategic decisions by its parent company. While the Dart had its strengths, it ultimately couldn't keep up with the shifting preferences of American car buyers. For Dodge, the move away from compact sedans has allowed the brand to focus on its strengths in SUVs, trucks, and performance vehicles, which continue to resonate with consumers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Dodge Dart a reliable car?
The Dodge Dart Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 28th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $597 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Dart.
Why did they stop making Dodge Dart?
The new Dart was a dud
The new Dart couldn't distinguish itself in a crowded compact car segment and failed to crack 90,000 units sold in its best year, 2015. Dodge permanently put the brakes on the Dart that September and repurposed the Belvidere, Illinois, factory used to make Darts to build the Jeep Cherokee.
What is the life expectancy of a Dodge Dart?
200,000-300,000 miles
There isn't too much information out there about the lifespan of a Dodge, but it's safe to say most last 200,000-300,000 miles. The Dodge Dart matches right up with this average for an excellent lifespan.
Why did the Dodge Dart fail?
There were also significant steering and brake issues for this model, which turned into a safety hazard. Other problems with the rebooted Dart are excessive oil consumption, engine stalling, issues with the suspension, and transmission malfunction.
How many miles is too much for a Dodge Dart?
Thus, the high mileage for the Dodge Dart is anything over 150,000 miles. Once it reaches and passes this point, it is much more likely to encounter serious troubles that will cost a bit of money to maintain.
Is Dodge Dart coming back?
So spectacular. And why the new dart is quickly becoming a fan. Favorite. The Dodge Dart name plate has a rich. History originally launched in 1960.
What is the common problem with Dodge Dart?
A broken sun visor, a stalling engine, or a failing battery are some of the common issues that drivers have reported while driving their Dodge Dart.
What was the Dodge Dart almost called?
The Zipp? The Dart name made its first appearance in 1960 on a model that was based on the Chrysler Plymouth. However, it almost had a different title. Though “Dart” was the first suggested moniker for the car, Chrysler spent a significant time researching and came up with the name, Zipp.
What year of Dodge Dart is the best?
If you absolutely have to buy a Dodge Dart, get the 2016 model year. The 2016 model is the most reliable year of Dodge Dart, mainly because it lacked the significant issues of its predecessors. As per CarComplaints, the 2016 Dart only has 300+ complaints and four recalls.
Do Dodge Darts have bad transmissions?
The Dodge Darts with faulty transmissions experienced symptoms such as rough shifting, jerking motions, and service transmission light illuminating. The most common fix is to replace the transmission, which also costs a lot of money ($3,420 on average).
