Hello, I´m writing this to show our foreign friends what was sold in Mexico and when. The chart starts in 1982 when the first K car was produced in the Toluca plant, 80 km West of Mexico City.
1981: The Saltillo engine plant is retooled for the new 2.2.
1982: The first K car (a Dart) rolls out from the Toluca plant. The Mexican K car kept the name Dart and was simply marketed as the "Dart K". Both two and four door versions are offered. Only 2.2 engines were available, and an automatic transmission was optional. The Dart K used a Reliant grille but was mostly based in the Aries. A cheaper Volare K was introduced the same year. It came only in two door and was basically a Reliant with an Aries grille. All cars had only the Mopar 2.2 engine. That year was the last for the RWD "A" body cars in Mexico.
1983: The LeBaron is introduced as a sedan and coupe. Turbo engine was optional and together with the Magnum was the first fuel injected car made and sold in Mexico. That same year brings new options like a Dart station wagon. The Magnum is introduced both a N/A version with a H.O. 2.2 engine with a Holley two barrell and a sportier ride, and the Turbo. It was faster than many V8 cars (such as the Mustang and Montecarlo) which were still popular. The Magnum was a local development which used the Dodge 600 grille with an Aries two door body, however many suspension and performance parts were sourced from Europe. The fuel injected engine was a complete novelty for the Mexican market.
1984: A four door sport sedan with European inspiration was launched as the 600. Turbo was optional. Those cars were sold as a more European luxury alternative to the LeBaron but didn´t sell well (strong competition from true Eurosedans like the Renault 18 GTX and the VW Corsar had something to do) and lasted only a year. The LeBaron continued unchanged. More options were brought to the whole line but so far nothing new.
1985: All K cars were restyled following their US cousins. The Dart was made more similar to the Aries, and a new Volare (Reliant) was launched, now with a 4 door option. The Magnum kept its pointed Dodge 600 grille and introduced more European features in its interior and trim. LeBaron was kept unchanged but a Town and Country wagon was added. However the first E platform was introduced as the New Yorker with a 2.2 turbo engine.
1986:The Dart is restyled again. It is now the US E body 600 with small changes. Those Darts were renamed Dart Europa (they were supposed to resemble a large European sedan) and were highly popular. Wagon and two doors kept the new 600 grille, as well as the Magnum which had a bigger turbo by Mitsubishi, a Getrag 5 speed gearbox, a stiffer suspension, Recaro seats and (even more) an increased European feeling. The Volare was unchanged. Among the luxury lineup, the LeBaron line was softened with a rounded grille and tail. A new voice alert system was available (also in the New Yorker). The New Yorker had more options as well as more rounded elegant tailights.
1987:All the line is carried over with only small changes in colours and options. However the new LeBaron GTS Coupé is launched in Mexico as the Phantom. All had turbo engines and there were two versions, a Sport with 5 speed gearbox and analog instruments and a Luxury with digital cluster and a 3 speed auto. Phantoms were among the most luxurious cars built in Mexico at that time and in spite of initial electrical problemas and some jokes with their voice alert system, they sold quite well.
1988:LeBarons are discontinued and instead the Dart inherits its grille and some luxury options. The Volare is also offered with enlarged E body and becomes a best seller. The Phantom gets new colours. New Yorker is unchanged. Last year of the original K platform in Mexico.
1989:Last year of the Dart, which is sold only as a 4 door, same thing with the Volare. The Shadow is launched, including the GTS, a local developmet of the R/T which replaces the Magnum K. Mexican Shadows kept the Sundance grille for its basic versions but the GTS used a Dodge one. Last year also of the New Yorker. The Phantom gets four disc brakes and even more options.
1990:The E platform is completely gone from the Mexican market. Dart is replaced by the Dodge Spirit, a Mexican only New Yorker (based in the Spirit platform) is launched and the 2.2 engine is replaced by the 2.5. Phantom gets new engine and completely new interior.