Plymouth Neon
The Neon replaced the Plymouth Sundance and Plymouth Colt in 1994. When the Plymouth brand was discontinued in 2001, the Neon continued to be sold under the Dodge brand until it was replaced by the Dodge Caliber. The Plymouth Neon, together with its Dodge counterpart, holds a place in automotive history as one of the notable American compact cars from the 1990s to early 2000s. It’s remembered for its distinctive design and the value it provided to consumers.
Plymouth Neon Overview
The Plymouth Neon was a compact car introduced by the Plymouth division of Chrysler in the mid-1990s. It was sold alongside its twin, the Dodge Neon, and the two cars were essentially identical save for badges and minor cosmetic differences. The Neon was positioned as an affordable and fun-to-drive compact car, aiming to appeal to younger buyers and those seeking value.
The Plymouth Neon was introduced for the 1995 model year. It was produced in two generations: the first from 1995 to 1999 and the second from 2000 to 2001 for the Plymouth version. (The Dodge version continued for a while longer.)
The Neon was recognized for its friendly and somewhat playful design, with large round headlights that led some to say the car had a “smiling” appearance. The car’s advertising tagline “Hi” (which sometimes appeared on the front fascia in early promotional materials) emphasized this friendly design approach. The interior was straightforward and functional, geared toward the car’s position as an affordable compact.
The Neon was generally praised for its handling and overall driving dynamics, especially considering its price point. It was powered primarily by a series of 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines, with different outputs for base models versus sportier trims. Notably, the sportier SOHC and DOHC versions of the 2.0-liter engine offered spirited performance for the segment. The Neon also had a performance variant called the ACR (American Club Racer) aimed at the enthusiast market, offering performance enhancements and sometimes fewer amenities to save weight.
The Plymouth brand was phased out by DaimlerChrysler, with the last Plymouth vehicle produced in 2001. As a result, the Plymouth Neon ended its run with the 2001 model year, while the Dodge Neon continued until 2005. After the Dodge Neon’s discontinuation, it was effectively replaced by the Dodge Caliber in 2007.
Plymouth Neon US Sales Data & Charts
The Neon was received well initially for its driving dynamics and affordability. It sold well and was a vital entry-level vehicle for Chrysler during its production run. However, over time, some criticized it for issues related to build quality and long-term reliability.
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 120 |
| 1998 | 1,594 |
| 1999 | 2,365 |
| 2000 | 2,631 |
| 2001 | 2,187 |
| 2002 | 1,328 |
| 2003 | 516 |
