Chrysler’s deal with Nissan to share development of upcoming models has been canceled. The partnership would have provided Chrysler with its first small car since becoming independent from German conglomerate Daimler in 2007. That car was supposed to be based on Nissan’s relatively pleasant small Versa, itself based on a Renault platform. In exchange, Chrysler would have produced a full-sized pickup truck for Nissan based on the Dodge Ram, which likely would have replaced the aging Titan.
 
The car could have been a shot in the arm for the ailing U.S. automaker, which today has not a single model reliable enough and with good enough performance for us to recommend. Without a version of the Versa to fill the gap, Chrysler will have to wait for a Fiat-based design in order to offer a small car larger than the tiny Fiat 500. Fiat is reportedly working on other small and midsized vehicles that promise to further revitalize and balance Chrysler’s truck-heavy product portfolio.
 
With a dated lineup, Chrysler will face marketplace challenges until this happens. The next new models in their pipeline are the Grand Cherokee SUV and the updated Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger large sedans.  The disbanded alliance with Nissan means that new small cars from Chrysler will have a longer wait.
 
—Eric Evarts