Citing abysmal take rates of less than 1.5%, Chrysler is discontinuing the all-wheel-drive versions of the Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Caliber beginning in 2009. Chrysler mentions lack of consumer interest and reduced fuel economy as prime reasons for dropping the option; Borg Warner, the AWD supplier, thinks Chrysler is jumping the gun, claiming that AWD penetration on small cars is on the upswing worldwide. We think Borg Warner is probably right about AWD overall, but Chrysler knows the Sebring and Avenger are already uncompetitive, so why mess with the added cost of offering an additional, rarely ordered option? [Automobile]

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