Chrysler won’t be stretching the company’s new 300 for livery service anytime soon. According to Automotive News, the automaker isn’t interested in locking horns with Lincoln in the limousine business. The reason? Chrysler built a long-wheelbase 300 once before and the vehicle didn’t exactly leap off of lots and into chauffeur fleets. Part of the lackluster demand came from the fact that the old 300 had to be shipped to a separate company for livery modification, making it more expensive in the process. Chrysler says that since there isn’t an overwhelming demand for the elongated 300, there isn’t much of a business case for its creation. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.

Funk Flex

Lincoln likely will have the livery and limousine market to itself.

Chrysler Group has no plans to revive its stretched 300 sedan.

The workhorse of the livery and limousine market for decades has been the rear-drive Lincoln Town Car. Ford Motor Co. targeted that market because it created a halo over the Lincoln line and incremental volume for the Town Car line.

Lincoln offers a livery version with a six-inch stretched wheelbase giving rear-seat passengers more legroom. Lincoln also offers a special equipment package for coachbuilders who cut the car in half to create a limo.

Over the years, limo fleets and coachbuilders have preferred the rwd Town Car over Cadillac’s front-drive offerings. Cadillac over the last decade offered full-sized sedans for the livery market, but exited the business after disappointing sales.

Meanwhile, the days of the rear-drive Town Car are numbered. Production ends in mid-September. The rwd vehicle is to be replaced by a fwd version based on the MKT that also will be called Town Car. Sales are expected to begin next spring.
autoblog