Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said the brand should adopt a "back-to-basics" approach for affordable entry-level vehicles, noting the Durango has picked up sales, in an interview with The Drive's Joel Feder at the 2026 New York Auto Show.
McAlear suggested simplifying base models with analog gauges and minimal infotainment, asking "do you need a radio?" and saying Dodge can "turn a segment on its head" as it did with the first Viper.
The upcoming Slate electric truck plans a cheapest trim without a radio or power windows and will include a shelf for a Bluetooth speaker, illustrating the minimalist idea in practice.
The article notes regulatory constraints such as mandatory backup cameras and a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rule from two years ago requiring automatic emergency braking, and cites past Dodge efforts like the Neon SRT‑4 and the Copperhead concept.
Read the full article at thedrive.com.
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