In the latest incentive to move vehicles off dealer lots, Chrysler has introduced their "Let's Refuel America" plan, in which Chrysler will pay for part of your fuels for the next three years.

They will lock in a price of $2.99 for that time span. That's what you the customer will pay. Anything over that Chrysler picks up the tab. For owners of diesel-powered Dodge Rams, it could mean a savings of $3000 or so over that time span.

Full story here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Chrysler Unveils New Gas-Price Guarantee Incentive: “Let’s Refuel America”

Suzuki too
It looks like Suzuki is jumping on the free fuel bandwagon too, at least for three months. No word yet from the other automakers.

Recently Straightline confirmed that the next Titan and Dodge Ram are going to be kiss'n cousins. Now we have some more info on that model, as well as some new info on the yet-to-be-seen HD Nissan pickup.

As to the Titan, the doors and roof panels will be shared by the Titan. Other exterior body panels will be unique. Like the current Titan, it will only be offered in extended cab and crew cab versions. One good feature coming over from the Ram is the lockable in-fender storage compartments.  Also, as per the Ram 1500, a new Cummins diesel is in the cards.

One piece of news I'm not happy about hearing is that it will likely get the Dodge Hemi engine. Now before everyone jumps all over me here, my feeling the equally good (and arguably better) Titan 5.6 engine would clearly set it apart from the Ram—which I think is very important. The Titan will likely also share other Ram 1500 engines. Good news, however, is the (next-generation) Nissan 5.6 engine will live on in future Amardas and Infiniti SUVs.

Now as to the heavy duty Nissan pickup, it will not be Ram-based, but instead will be a 100% Nissan effort. It will be offered in both single-rear wheel and dual-rear wheel configurations. A concept version of this truck is expected to be shown at next year's Detroit auto show next January.

Full story here.

American muscle is back.

We put the new Challenger against another cool modern muscle car, the Ford Mustang Bullitt.

Which one do you prefer?

Read the Challenger/Bullitt Comparison Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

The wait is over. We finally have our track test numbers on the 425-horsepower Hemi V8 Challenger.

Zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 107.5 mph.

Orange you glad we finally tested the Challenger SRT8?

All right, all right, I know it's a bad joke, but I couldn't resist.

Read the Challenger Full Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

While Honda and others are reaping the benefits from selling loads of smaller cars, the makers of big trucks an SUVs are taking it it on the chin. In it's latest move GM will cutting one shift in all four of their factories that make full-size pickups and SUVs. The cuts will occur at Pontiac, Flint, MI;  Janesville, Wis; and Oshawa, Ontario.

States GM North America President Troy Clarke: “With rising fuel prices, a softening economy and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-sized trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities.”

Full story here and here.

Dodge Ram hurting too
AutoObserver points out that Chrysler LLC is spending more than anyone on truck incentives in order to move Ram trucks off dealer lots.

Dodge Ram: Spending Most for Incentives

Same with Toyota
High inventories of Tundras and Sequoias are hurting the "Big T."

Image: Patricia Beck / Detroit Free Press

PickupTruck.com has a story up on how the upcoming 2009 Dodge Ram came to be. I find these kinds of stories fascinating because of my interest in both vehicles and design. As you would expect it shows many preliminary design studies and goes into the thinking behind what they did and why they did it.

Full story here.

Looks like the rumors have proved true. The next Nissan Titan will be built by Dodge in their Saltillo, Mexico plant.

No word yet on the specifics, but it's safe to assume it will be merely a Dodge Ram with Nissan styling cues. Think Nissan Frontier/ Suzuki Equador, and you pretty much have the picture.

And from my perspective, it's not a pretty picture. Oh, I have absolutely nothing against the new Ram. In fact I'm pretty impressed with what I've seen so far of it. I just HATE badge-engineered vehicles, and that's what this will be. So in a nutshell, Nissan is packing it in, and will let Dodge do the heavy lifting (pun intended) from here on in.

The vehicle will go into production in 2011. No word yet as to whether Dodge will supply heavy duty versions, but my guess is that's part of the plan.

With this announcement you have to wonder what's next for Nissan's and Infiniti full-size SUVs, as they shared many components from the current Titan? Will they now also become Ram-based?

Full story here. The press release issued by Nissan can be found here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Chrysler, Nissan Link to Share Models

We found ourselves minivanless, so we added a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan to our long-term fleet.

We opted for the SXT version with the 251-horsepower 4.0 SOHC V6.

It's loaded with goodies like Swivel 'n Go seating, second/third-row removable/stowable table, three-zone A/C, and much, much more including Inferno Red paint.

Read the Introduction of the Dodge Grand Caravan on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

"We're creating a new global American car company that does one thing well," said Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press to the gathering at the Dodge stand. "It puts customers first."



Statements like that always sound good, but the company's effort to drive the point home during the unveiling of the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and SE felt a bit forced.

Continue reading...

GM had to shut their Pontiac, MI truck assembly plant due to the strike at American Axle. The plant builds full-size SUVs and pickup for Chevy and GMC.

Not only is the strike hurting GM, but it could soon affect Chrysler as well, as they also supply parts for Dodge trucks.

“It is unfortunate that a market-competitive labor agreement for American Axle’s original U.S. locations could not be reached,” said company president Richard Dauch. “All of the changes we have proposed have been accepted by the UAW in agreements with our competitors in the United States.”

Full story here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: GM Closes Plant Due to Supplier Strike