A Chrysler spokesperson explained developing a topless variant of the 200 has been ruled out because the company is not willing to spend money on making the major structural modifications needed to turn the four-door sedan into a two-door convertible. In addition to designing a soft top and all associated hardware, the required changes include shaping a new deck lid as well as reinforcing the A-pillars and the rocker panels.
“We decided we’d be putting our best foot forward by concentrating all of our available resources into the sedan versus dividing them between the sedan and a convertible,” explained a company spokesperson in an interview with Edmunds.
The news of the 200 Convertible‘s demise is hardly a surprise. Although Chrysler essentially owns the large, front-wheel drive non-sporty convertible segment, the topless 200 made up just five percent of all 200s sold last year. Sales of the Lancia Flavia, the 200 Convertible’s European twin, are so low that they are insignificant.
Avenger Axed
The 200 Convertible isn’t the only model leaving the Chrysler family in the near future. Confirming an earlier report, a company spokesman all but announced Dodge will not get its own version of the 200 to replace the aging Avenger.
Our long-term plans include moving away from ‘sister’ vehicles to reduce overlapping products in dealer showrooms,” explained the spokesman.
The Avenger will be phased out without a direct successor after the 2014 model year. Dodge did not reveal what model will fill the void left by the sedan but expect a new mid-sizer that is better differentiated from the Dart in terms of price to arrive before the end of the decade.
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