The 200 nameplate debuted on the 200C, a prototype hybrid vehicle shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and based on the Chrysler 300.

Chrysler's new Pentastar 3.6 L V6 engine was also offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, generating 283 hp (211 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) of torque.

Other changes included stiffer body mounts, revised suspension geometry with a softer ride rate, a new rear sway bar, and upgraded tires.

Chrysler added features such as LED lighting, thicker seat cushioning with higher quality materials, along with new measures to decrease noise, vibration, and harshness.

Acevedot also noted that the name change has the added benefit of distancing itself from its predecessor, a vehicle notorious for quality issues and fleet pervasiveness.

Prior to the 2013 model year, the suspension on convertibles was largely shared with the Sebring that preceded it.

[11] The retractable-hardtop version was also updated to the steering rack and rear toe link that the softtop received.

The 2015 model year Chrysler 200 debuted on January 13, 2014 at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

It is offered in four trim levels, LX, Limited, S as well as C — and is positioned as a mid-size entry intended to compete with Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion.

[20] Becoming available in mid-2014 as an early 2015 model year vehicle, the second generation debuted at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, and became available in dealership showrooms shortly after.

According to CEO Marchionne: “The 200 failed because somebody thought that the rear-seat entry point inside the 200 — which is our fault, by the way — is not up to snuff.

But I think we’re learning from this process.”[32] Instead, more evidence points to FCA's stronger sales in trucks and SUVs being a primary reason for discontinuation.

Either solution would not impact FCA's CAFE margins,[34] thus allowing it to continue selling the cars while existing as primarily a truck manufacturer in the United States.

On July 26, 2016, FCA announced that Chrysler 200 production at the Sterling Heights plant would end in December 2016.

At the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Marchionne explained the decision to end production, and not offer a replacement for the US or Canada: "I can tell you right now that both the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart, as great products as they were, were the least financially rewarding enterprises that we've carried out inside FCA in the last eight years," adding "I don't know one investment that was as bad as these two were.

[37] For Super Bowl XLV, Chrysler purchased a 2-minute-long advertisement featuring Eminem with the motto Imported from Detroit.

Shortly after being uploaded to YouTube after the Super Bowl, the ad quickly received over 5 million views.