No Girlie Cars Please -- We're Dodge!

Reuters ^ | Thu Jan 20, 2005 09:15 AM ET

[sully777]

DETROIT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG has no qualms about ignoring female tastes -- at least when it comes to selling Dodge cars.

The new Dodge Magnum sport wagon and a soon-to-be-released Dodge Charger, a modern update of the classic muscle car from the 1960s, are very much targeted at a male audience, said Trevor Creed, design chief at the company's U.S.-based Chrysler unit.

"It does scream male, there's no doubt about that. We found that in our market research and focus groups," he said at an automotive conference in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn.

Creed was responding to a comment from the audience that suggested that the brassy styling of the vehicles -- broad-shouldered and with massive hoods to pack in big V-8 Hemi engines -- had a testosterone feel about them that might not appeal to most women.

"But I don't think there's anything wrong with that. There can be an awful lot wrong with doing the opposite," Creed said.

In an earlier speech, Creed jokingly referred to how Chrysler's 300 sedans -- a big hit in the U.S. car market since last year, have become "the poster child for the 'Pimp My Ride' movement and Dub magazine."

He was referring to how the 300 -- which features a low-slung roof and massive egg-crate grille -- has become a success among hip-hop artists as well as normally staid businessmen.

"Pimp My Ride" is a popular television show in which the host, a native Detroiter now based in Los Angeles, uses his car shop to transform vehicles seemingly overdue for the junk heap into hot new street rockets.

[sully777]

...Creed was responding to a comment from the audience that suggested that the brassy styling of the vehicles...had a testosterone feel about them that might not appeal to most women..."But I don't think there's anything wrong with that. There can be an awful lot wrong with doing the opposite," Creed said.

I've noticed more women driving burly, testosterone vehicles from Dodge and the other companies. It's about time the automakers make the great leap of faith that masculine sells products, especially in this so-called metrosexual age.

[mgc1122]

With all due respect to Dodge, but the Magnum - such as its latest reincarnation is - is nothing more than a glorified station wagon. I ain't buying it ...

[mgc1122]

With all due respect to Dodge, but the Magnum - such as its latest reincarnation is - is nothing more than a glorified station wagon. I ain't buying it ...

[bikepacker67]

"Son, can you say hemi?"

"HEMI!"

"Good Boy!"

[Lazamataz]

No Girlie Cars Please

[TXBSAFH]

I agree with you on not buy the magnum, but a lot of people do like it. And FYI theya re coming out with a police version of the magnum that is drawing a lot of attention.

[MD_Willington_1976]

I like both the 300 and the Magnum...300 for me magnum for the wife...Sounds good to me...just wish I had the $$$ for them..

MD

[vetvetdoug]

If Dodge and Plymouth came back with late 60's styling it would be a smash. Apparently, you have seen the current Magnum and you have such a bad opinion about it that you posted it twice!!

[linn37]

I'm driving the Durango and I'm a girly girl,well sort of..... Vroooooom

[An Old Marine]

I like my Dodge Ram with the 20" wheels and 5.7 Hemi.

So I'm a chauvinistic redneck.

[An Old Marine]

Does the girl come with the car???

[flutters]

It's still for sale...

[Red Badger]

Plymouth is gone the way of the Studebaker.....and Oldsmobile......

[sully777]

Nice house!

[Dead Dog]

So was the Willies and 50's Rambler. Let's face it, there was nothing wrong with Station Wagons until the Ford LTD, Dodge Aspen, and the Vista Cruise.

The Magnum would beat the heck out of a Mini-Van. Perfect for the Hockey or Football Mom.

[TXBSAFH]

My mom once in the 70's had a Ford LTD station wagon. It was a tank.

[Revolting cat!]

Oh, yeah?!

[Professional Engineer]

There's a car in the picture?

[MineralMan]

And there was the Datsun Fairlady:

[Dan from Michigan]

No girlie cars? What about the NEON?! Huh?