(May 7, 2014) The Dodge Caravan minivan and Dodge Avenger mid-sized sedan and the Jeep Patriot and Compass will depart the automotive scene in a new Fiat Chrysler five-year plan announced by CEO Sergio Marchionne Tuesday in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The company that invented the minivan segment in the early '80s will be reduced to one entry in the shrinking segment for the 2017 model year, the Chrysler Town and Country. A hybrid version of the Town and Country is being developed.

The plan called for the expansion of the Chrysler lineup, which had shrunk to just three models in recent years, to include three cars, the 100 compact, the 200 mid-sized and the 300 large sedan; and mid-sized and full-sized SUVs by 2017.

Dodge will become the performance brand, and the SRT performance division will be returned under the Dodge name along with the Viper super sports car. The full-sized Charger will lead the brand, which will also include the Durango SUV, Challenger sports car and Dart compact sedan.

The company will accelerate its pace for the Jeep brand, which has proven a big success over the past couple of years. Chrysler is hoping to double Jeep sales worldwide. With the demise of the Patriot and Compass, an all-new Jeep SUV will be developed. The Ram truck brand will continue with few changes. Its full-sized pickup has been an award-winner and a strong seller.

Alfa Romeo will be expanded in the U.S. as a luxury brand to compete against the German luxury makers. As many as seven new models will be in the works by 2018, Chrysler said. Fiat is expected to get a baby SUV next year called the 500X and later a yet unidentified vehicle.

Source: Press reports