As we know, the Mexican automotive landscape differs enormously from ours. Because needs and mores differ and because buyers’ budgets are unfortunately not as high as ours.
During a short trip during spring break near Cancún, I was able to see once again how the Mexican car park is full of car curiosities. For example, cars and SUVs from the English brand MG, now in the hands of a Chinese group, as well as a Chevrolet range made up of the new Aveo and Onix sedans, a Cavalier Turbo, a Tracker and new small SUVs like the Groove and Captiva.
In short, there are several cars there that could probably have some success in Quebec, but probably much less in the rest of North America. However, what was my surprise to discover there two Dodge vehicles which are not offered to us at home. First, a subcompact sedan which, in fact, is nothing more than a Mitsubishi Mirage G4 to which we have grafted a Dodge grille, and which is marketed under the name of Dodge Attitude. A car which, as you will have noticed, bears its name very badly.
Dodge Journey 2.0
Dodge’s other great curiosity on the Mexican market consists of a new 2022 Journey. All new, all beautiful, with frankly inspiring lines and which compares directly with SUVs on our market, such as the Chevrolet Equinox, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 (three vehicles assembled in Canada).
First of all, we must remember that after having experienced a monster success that would stretch over a good ten years, Dodge abandoned the Journey in 2020. A successful vehicle that was very popular with us, and which even was sold in Europe as the Fiat Freemont. In the US market alone, Dodge has sold close to one million units of the Journey.
Despite some internal upheaval at FCA (now Stellantis), it was therefore difficult to understand that Dodge had little intention of renewing the Journey, which was nevertheless in a very fashionable segment. Stingy with comments, the manufacturer’s strategists did not want to comment on this decision, even if they kept mentioning wanting to put the emphasis on the Jeep brand. And the irony is that today we know that Dodge is preparing to unveil the Hornet, a small SUV that will be derived from the new 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Why not with us?
So, if Mexicans are now entitled to a new Journey, why not us? Again, Stellantis public relations refuses to answer our questions, only confirming that it is an exclusively Mexican product. However, it is by digging a little that we discover the origin of this new kind of Journey, whose genes are clearly not American. In fact, the Mexican subsidiary of Dodge, which needed an SUV of its kind, entered into an association with the Chinese GAC Group which markets the Trumpchi GS5. A vehicle that the manufacturer unveiled in Detroit a few years ago, although it never took any additional steps with us leading to potential commercialization.
Dodge’s strategists therefore chose to slightly revamp this vehicle, giving it a more “American” look in order to market it in Mexico, using the name Journey, for which Dodge still had the rights. All in all, an SUV that has a nice face, very friendly, although equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with 169 horsepower, which is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Nothing very impressive.
Does this “made in China” Journey, sold for the equivalent of $34,500, have a chance of success with us? Maybe, maybe not. However, it is clear that for Canada and the United States, Dodge’s strategy is totally different from that of the Mexican division. A strategy that we can’t wait to discover, considering that the current range is by far the most aging of all the manufacturers present on the Canadian market.