How to solve the Dodge Dart dilemma in 3 easy steps

The Dodge Dart as we know it today will soon be dead—though an argument could be made that it was never really alive to begin with.

Unable to latch on with consumers as a throwback to the glory days of the ever-popular Neon, sales of the Dart in the United States only once surpassed 85,000 units.

And without an heir apparent, the history books could be closed, at least temporarily, on Dodge compacts.

Unless, of course, parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles takes my advice on how to solve the Dodge Dart dilemma.

1. Replace from within

Rather than designing and engineering a Dart successor from scratch, an expensive and arduous task, FCA could easily rework the Fiat Tipo and slot it into the Dodge lineup.

Doing so would still cost money, but nowhere near as much as building an all-new car, and there is less risk involved and the potential for more reward.

Think it can't be done?

A version of the Tipo is already sold in Mexico flying the Dodge flag—the Dodge Neon flag, to be exact.

That means the legwork of redesigning the grille, headlights and other components to fit Dodge's lineup has already been done.

2. Resurrect the Neon name

Consumers identify with what they know.

The Neon was a hit for much of its production run before being replaced by the Caliber for the 2007 model year, and the name still has some cache with the car-buying public.

Unlike the Dart name, which was last used 40 years ago, the Neon name resonates with people of all ages.

3. Look beyond sedans

Sure, the Neon was a sedan, but a lot has changed since that car was on the market, and North American consumers are increasingly interested in hatchbacks again.

And with the competition taking another run at hatchbacks on this side of the Atlantic, FCA would be wise to do the same.

But the Tipo is a sedan, you say.

True, but it's not just a sedan, with hatchback and wagon variants available in Europe.

A wagon may not make sense for the North American market, but Dodge could easily reuse the grille, headlights and badges from the Mexican sedan to make a hatchback version of the Neon work here.

In a market hungry for choice, the choice is now with FCA to do right by the Dodge brand and give it a compact that consumers will crave.