Chrysler brings back the Dodge Dart
The issue is that it's FWD and called a Dart. Carries no heritage from it's past.
Most people don't know or care.
Sure have a FWD that sells to the masses, but call it something else...
Actually…no. This is one of the things the American automakers have consistently screwed up completely. What's Dodge's entry-level car? Why, it's the Dart! No, wait, the Aspen!, No, it's the Colt! No, the Aries! The Shadow! The Neon! The Caliber!
Meanwhile, Honda have built
decades of brand equity and owner loyalty with the Civic and Accord nameplates. Toyota have done likewise with the Corolla and Camry. Today's Civic, Accord, Camry, and Corolla have nothing in common but make and model names, but they're still perennial top sellers. Most people who buy one of them buy another one. And another one. And another, and another, then give that one to their kid who finishes it off and buys another. Yet this lesson is lost on the American companies, who usually throw away whatever brand equity they've managed to build and start all over again from scratch every time. Almost as if they're embarrassed at their previous effort. Almost as if they want people to forget.
a classicly styled light weight RWD (3000lb max) car with around 220-250hp, and 6 speed option would be a blast to drive.
Agreed! You can buy such a car from Ford…in Australia. It's called the Falcon.
every car that BMW makes still RWD
Take a look at BMW's market share -- or lack thereof.
Why chase Honda and Toyota FWD compacts?
'cuz that's where the money is.