LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Chrysler Corp. brings back its 300 sedan to the chauffeured transportation market on Monday when it appears for the first time in four years on the trade floor of the International LCT Show.
The debut of the Chrysler 300 Limited — redesigned and upgraded from the previous 300 model that was modified and sold by Accubuilt until 2010 — marks a significant milestone in the changing chauffeured vehicle marketplace: All “Big Three” Detroit-based U.S. automakers will now have new-generation livery vehicles on display at the 2012 International LCT Show that will compete for limousine operators’ post-Town Car vehicle spend.
The Chrysler 300 Limited enters the market priced in the low $30,000s, making it price-competitive with the Toyota Avalon and Hyundai Genesis sedans. That compares with about $43,000 for the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car and the estimated low $50,000s for the Cadillac XTS sedan, which is the major debut chauffeured vehicle at this year’s Show. The former 2011 Lincoln Town Car Executive L sedan had cost about $41,000.
The Chrysler 300 sedan, a vehicle popularized in movies and TV programs that resonates with younger generations, adds a distinct flair to the chauffeured marketplace with its cutting-edge styling and cachet. Although the 300 Limited is clearly geared toward a corporate clientele, customized stretch versions of the Chrysler 300 sedan have proven successful for many years in the leisure and party market among younger client groups.
The Chrysler 300 Limited to the displayed next week comes standard with chrome wheels, leather seats, and interior wood trim on doors that open almost 90-degrees. It has 50.7 cubic feet of rear seat volume.
The sedan offers a 6-cyliner, 292 horsepower, 3.6-liter dual overhead cam engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission that gets 19 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. More Chrysler 300 specs here.
While the Chrysler 300 Limited is available at dealerships nationwide, it also can be bought through chauffeured vehicle dealer Acton Fleet Sales in Acton, Mass. Acton general manager Bill Cunningham sells Chrysler vehicles through Acton Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Acton and continues to sell the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car through nearby Century Lincoln in Medford and Dorchester, Mass. Acton will have a booth at the Show.
The Chrysler 300 Limited is also available through Towne Livery of Orchard Park, N.Y., also a leading source for the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car and other Lincoln livery vehicles. Commercial livery manager David Bastian will be at the dealership's booth at the Show.
Chrysler is in the process of developing a formal limousine/livery program for U.S. operators. LCT will have more details on the Chrysler 300 following the International LCT Show.
— Martin Romjue, LCT editor