Friends, we gather here today in order to pay respects to a car. Not just any car. A Dodge. In the words of Al Bundy, “A name that speaks power and glory…Dodge.” Guess the new Chrysler Fiat, owner of Dodge, doesn’t see any use for a supercharged 4-cyl. The Caliber SRT4 has been extinguished. Apparently, “Caliber SRT4 failed to live up to its Neon-based predecessor—a car which we once crowned king of the featherweights – much less any of its current competition. Indeed, even brand new, the front-drive hatch found itself last in a four-car comparison test.” This decision also means the death of the SRT4’s 285-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The engine survived for just two model years in a Chrysler product. PT Cruiser, your grandfather’s version of the Caliber, remains thru 2011.

Chrysler/Dodge wants to be known as “the best little car company in America” according to the maker’s president in a recent interview. We’re assuming he means North America, since Chrysler/Dodge serves both the United States and Canada with their vehicles. Winning back the American spirit by way of muscle car will certainly help in that market, once Dodge Challenger hits the sales market that is.

However, this is only the beginning steps for Chrysler to build everlasting customer trust throughout the world. That’s right, soon European car buyers will be able to drive past the Thames in a Dodge Charger or take the family “on holiday” in their Journey. A global volume of 3 million cars is what Dodge execs are shooting for – no small “challenge” in a world interested in Toyota and BMW. How will Chrysler/Dodge achieve this result and still make a buck? The plan is to design identical vehicles for all countries. Both Dodge and Chrysler will create concepts appealing to those wanting something “identifiably American,” no matter where they live in the world.

2009′s Dodge Journey crossover was their first experiment – revealed in Europe before showing off on American soil. It can be equip with several different transmissions and a diesel engine for foreign buyers, but the outer shell will be a twin to the American vehicle. Chrysler 300 and Dodge Caliber models already do well overseas because they “stand out.” The next Dodge Challenger may have to be a bit “thinner” to fit down those narrow century-old England roads.