Dodge Dart has lousy sales...

[Scott]

...the company assures is just due to the automatic tranny not being ready.  I have another theory - it's gawdawful UGLY   

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2012/08/29/too-many-stick-shifts-hurt-dodge-dart-sales/

[cosworth151]

By a large margin, most Americans can't drive a stick. I'd guess that percentage is even higher among those in the market for a little Granny sedan.

I'm not a big fan of the Dart's looks, but it's better than most of the stodgy little 4 doors currently on the market.

[Scott]

By a large margin, most Americans can't drive a stick.

I know, it's funny when they show up here to rent a car and are presented with a 5-speed.  

Although I think the market the Dart is targeted probably has a much higher percentage of those who can handle a clutch.

[F1fanaticBD]

The is not that bad, I might consider having one, if you may ask, but with marquee like Chrysler & Fiat I will think thrice before considering having one, given their reliability issues. And also I question their marketing strategy, why would you ship manual when you know your target is severely incline to auto-transmission?

If they keep such stubbornness they will fail the company for sure

[lkjohnson1950]

I had a '76 Fiat 128 that I quite liked, though it had areas that certainly could have been improved. It suffered only 2 minor reliability issues in 6 years and 75 thousand miles. The most unreliable part was the Delco battery. I would by a 500 Abarth without hesitation if I was in the market.

[F1fanaticBD]

I would by a 500 Abarth without hesitation if I was in the market.

I will take the Abarth 500 anytime, anywhere, if possible the SS please..

[cosworth151]

The Dart is aimed primarily at the same econobox market as the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruise. All three offer sporty versions, but the vast majority of them will be the standard offerings and will end up hauling grandkids and groceries. I would guess that at least 80% of that market can't stir a gearbox.

From what I've heard, there were problems with the production of the slushbox.

[Jericoke]

The Dart is aimed primarily at the same econobox market as the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruise. All three offer sporty versions, but the vast majority of them will be the standard offerings and will end up hauling grandkids and groceries. I would guess that at least 80% of that market can't stir a gearbox.

From what I've heard, there were problems with the production of the slushbox.

Surely most Americans with grandkids would have learved to drive on a stick.

It's the grandkids who have no idea how to drive.

[F1fanaticBD]

It's the grandkids who have no idea how to drive.