Despite putting the project on hold, Chrysler says it remains committed to the electric crossover
January 15, 2025 at 07:41
- Chrysler has told all suppliers to immediately suspend spending on the electric crossover project.
- The company has been working on the EV since the launch of the Airflow concept in 2022.
- CEO Chris Feuell says Chrysler needs to assess the market and the needs and wants of customers.
It’s no secret that Chrysler desperately needs a hit—something, anything, to inject some life into its lineup.That is, if we can even call it a lineup, considering it consists of just one model, the Pacifica minivan and its Voyager sibling. Unfortunately, for anyone hoping the long-awaited electric crossover might swoop in to save the day, there’s bad news, as the project has been put on ice, at least for now.
“Stop All Spending Immediately”
An email shared with suppliers, obtained by Mopar Insiders, reveals the grim reality. The message confirms that the “C6X (CA) program has been put on hold until further notice. Therefore, any spending associated with this program should be suspended immediately.” In other words, Chrysler is hitting the brakes hard on what was supposed to be its big leap into the EV space.
Stellantis’ efforts to launch an electric crossover for the Chrysler brand date back to the Airflow concept unveiled at CES three years ago. It was originally expected to enter production but less than 18 months later, it was axed and the Chrysler team decided to go in a different direction, designing a new electric crossover codenamed the C6X. The brand’s new styling language, which would presumably also be adopted by this crossover, was previewed in early 2024 with the Halcyon concept.
Read: This Stunning Halcyon Concept Is Why Chrysler Axed The Airflow
Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’ head of design, shed some light on the pivot in a 2023 interview with Motor Trend. According to Gilles, Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell, who joined the brand in 2021, “wanted a statement that had literally zero to do with anything that you have seen today, even the Airflow concept car. It is evolving in a new direction.” Initially thought to be coming in 2025, and then pushed back to 2026, it now seems uncertain when the new crossover will be launched.
A Brand In Dire Need Of Something New
In a statement issued to Auto News, hrysler confirmed the program’s pause but insisted the electric crossover isn’t dead—yet. The company also reiterated plans for another new model inspired by the Halcyon concept.
“Chrysler brand CEO Chris Feuell confirmed the program is paused for now as we assess the market and our customers’ needs and wants,” the automaker said. “As the Chrysler brand celebrates its 100th anniversary this summer, the future for Chrysler is bright with a refreshed Chrysler Pacifica coming in 2026, a new crossover coming soon after and a third product, inspired by the Halcyon concept, to follow.”
Optimism aside, new products can’t come soon enough for Chrysler. The numbers paint a bleak picture, as in 2023, the brand’s U.S. sales dropped 7%, tallying just 124,683 units. Worse, its current lineup consists of exactly two models, the Voyager and the Pacifica, which are essentially just different versions of the same minivan.
