Chrysler has reportedly dropped the Sebring name in favor of Nassau for its updated midsized sedan that will be rolled out later this year, according to the Detroit Free Press.
A company spokesman declined to confirm or deny the report, but industry analysts say this could be one of Chrysler’s moves to improve the image of the Sebring, which was criticized for its poor quality and cheap interior.
“Chrysler is desperately looking to restore its credibility with the public, and dropping the Sebring name, long associated with cheap interiors and spotty overall quality, seems a no-brainer,” writes Motor Trend.
Chrysler has in the past named its models the New Yorker, Fifth Avenue, Cordoba, Saratoga, Windsor, and, most recently, the Aspen and Pacifica. Nassau, the capital of Bahamas, may just be an addition to its string of touristy nameplates, MLive.com reports.
The Sebring dates back to the mid-90s when Chrysler launched the “cloud cars,” mid-sized four-door sedans which includes the Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze.