It would be an important step for Chrysler if it can get the car to market in time to save itself. First of all, electric powertrains are an important part of the automaker's turnaround plan. But just as importantly - so are better-looking, better-built cars and trucks.
The sleek 200C could replace the current Sebring, a slow seller that's been criticized for its design as well as for its lackluster performance. (The 200C is a little larger than the Serbring, and Chrysler isn't saying what it would replace -- if anything.)
Chrysler hopes that when the economy improves, cars like this will bring back some of the market share it has lost.
"You're going to buy a car that checks all the boxes," Chrysler's vice president for design, Ralph Gilles, said in an interview at the auto show. "It's efficient, it looks good, it feels good, you're proud to drive it. And when it does that, you win. That's all we can do."
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