These mini-minivans have huge sales potential as the next "small" thing in my view. And makers are once again missing an opportunity.
Renault has just introduced a new TomTom Edition in Europe of its wildly popular Kangoo. It is the fifth special edition of the 2010 Kangoo range, which includes existing Access, Authentique, Expression and Privilège versions.
In France, Kangoo is the best-selling vehicle in its class in both the private car and light commercial segments.
Like the original Chrysler minivan, or the original four-door Jeep Cherokee, (both of which went unanswered for years as Chrysler printed money from their sales) these mini-minivans have huge sales potential as the next small thing in my view. And makers are once again missing an opportunity.
Here, there is an opportunity with far great sales potential for Chrysler than the cute — but hopelessly small for Americans – Fiat 500 model.
Here's a minivan with far greater sales potential for Chrysler than a cute -- but hopelessly small for Americans – Fiat 500.
The Citroen Berlingo – shut out of the U.S. market — and the Fiat Fiorino, which is derived from it, are other variants of the type.
Here, there is an opportunity with far greater sales potential for Chrysler than the cute — but hopelessly small for Americans – Fiat 500 model that is coming next year.
How about a Fiorino derived camper version from the Jeep brand, as well as Chrysler luxury models and Dodge truck derivatives?
If Chrysler is to be a comeback company, it needs to gamble on such new things in the U.S. market. New decals, which debuted on Jeep Wrangler models at the NAIAS, will only go so far.
A Kangoo could also easily be successful here as a Smart or Mercedes-Benz model – one personal, the other commercial. During 2008, Smart sold 24,622 copies of its pint-sized fortwo, a figure that plunged 38% in 2009.
Kangoo could also work as a smart or Mercedes-Benz model – one personal the other commercial.
Dieter Zetsche, the head of Daimler confirmed earlier this week that the German maker is in need of small car design and engineering expertise, and is talking with Renault about possible future products.
This an easy one, since Renault is shut out of the U.S. market, though the global aspects of such a program would require some thought on the part of both makers.
The TomTom is in the top of the center stack.
However, right now, in what appears to be stunning oversight on the part of normally astute and aggressive automakers, Ford Motor company has this segment in the U.S. all to itself with its commercial version of the Turkish-built Transit Connect. Even here Ford, by overlooking the personal market, is setting its sights too low. And why it left Transit’s high mileage diesel engine in Europe is incomprehensible.
The Kangoo TomTom is typical of a European class of commercial/consumer vehicles that immerged in the late 1990s. Based on Kangoo Privilège, the new TomTom edition version incorporates what else – a TomTom navigation system, which uses real time traffic speed measurements to calculate the quickest possible route. A 5.8-inch widescreen color display is in the center of the dashboard and the control unit is located on the centre console in front of the armrest.
Equipment also includes a climate control, panoramic sunroofs front and rear, and chrome roofbars, which cleverly convert into a roof rack. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels, and a leather wrapped steering wheel are among other nice touches.
This new version will go on sale in France at prices ranging from €19,750, with the 1.6-liter
And therein lies the rub, with the dollar collapsed against the Euro, and the U.S. Treasury printing billions upon billions more as the deficit grows, Euro-base cars are priced out of the market here. TomTom in priced in dollars is $28,390-$31,000. Other Kangoo versions start at €12,999 or $18,690.
So the next step is simple.
Build commercial and personal versions in the U.S. or North America.