Chrysler made a number of significant announcements today at its press conference, where the company laid out its five year product plan. In terms of product highlights, expect to see fewer V8 engines and more 4 cylinder engines in the coming years. Unfortunately, EV's and hybrids won't surface until their next five year plan. The Ram brand is now officially separated from Dodge. This will be their truck division.
The Dodge Challenger will live on, but the Viper's days are numbered. Dodge also announced a small hatchback based on their Hornet concept car. Fiat and Chrysler will now begin to share their powertrain technology. In late 2010, the Fiat 500 will make its way into U.S. showrooms. A diesel version of the Jeep Wrangler was announced. Also, Jeep will become an more SUV focused brand.
For several years Chrysler has been the only automaker offering satellite TV as an add-on option for its rear-seat entertainment systems, and now it will be the only automaker offering broadcast TV as well. The service will be provided by FLO TV, which was developed by Qualcomm, and offers around 20 channels, including CBS, NBC, Fox News, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.
Audiovox will supply the hardware for the Chrysler system, which will be available for through the company's Mopar parts division as a dealer-installed option. Audiovox introduced the product at the Consumer Electronics Show last January and recently announced that it will soon launch it nationwide through the Audiovox brand Advent's "expeditor" network, which works with car dealerships -- not just Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers. Possibly at a price that could undercut Chrysler.
Chrysler is recalling an estimated 12,674 vehicles because of a possible tire and wheel separation issue. Possibly effected vehicles are the 2009 and 2010 Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300. It only affects those models with rear-wheel drive (therefore all Challengers).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration summary of the problem, "these vehicles may have been built without a front wheel spindle nut. While driving, a tire and wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash."
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Auto Observer: The Secret of Subaru's Success Subaru has made the right series of moves to keep them profitable in a time when most automakers are struggling to keep their head above water. Their timely redesigns, adherence to all wheel drive, and unexpected appeal to upscale buyers has made them one of the biggest success stories of 2009.
IL News: Priced: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty The 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 regular cab 4X2 will start at $28,165. According to Dodge, this price is $1,970 lower than the outgoing 2009 base model. More details on available trim levels after the jump.
In previous decades, Dodge's full-size pickup was to Ford's and Chevy's what Phoebe on "Friends" was to Rachel and Monica. Phoebes had her share of fans, but Rachel and Monica were by far more popular. That's how it was for Dodge until the mid-'90s, when they introduced the then-new Ram pickup with its Kenworth-inspired styling and strong engine choices.
The gap was closed considerably, and if our experience with the redesigned for 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 series pickups is any indication, should grow narrower still. We got to check out the new trucks during a press preview held at the Canyons ranch outside San Antonio, TX. Though we didn't brand any cattle, we did subject the Ram HD to a Texas-style triathlon.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Honda CR-Z to Make it Stateside Honda confirmed at the Tokyo Auto Show that the CR-Z concept coupe will go into production and debut in North America in the second half of 2010. This sporty two-seater will be Honda's latest expansion into the hybrid market and one of the first to have any sort of athletic leanings.
Green Car Advisor: Ford Focus EV Prototype Driven Senior Editor John O'Dell just drove an electric Ford Focus Prototype and his first impressions are favorable - for the car. He notes that an EV charging infrastructure is needed to ensure widespread success, though. With any luck, utility companies have until 2011 to get these stations up and running - when the production Focus EV is slated to go on sale. This Focus will also be based on the European Focus platform.
Auto Observer: Dodge Has High Hopes for the Heavy Duty Rams In the 1980's, the minivan saved Chrysler. Now, the company is looking to the 2010 Heavy Duty Ram pickups to pull them out from bankruptcy. The big Rams are the first new models to come out of Chrysler since narrowly avoiding its latest financial demise. Inside Line has a freshly posted First Drive of the Heavy Duty Rams, and the future looks bright thanks to a slew of improvements.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Ram Brand Is Born, as Chrysler Purges Ranks and Elevates Designer Gilles As part of its new brand focused strategy, Chrysler has announced that the Ram brand will break off from Dodge and become its own truck and SUV label. Meanwhile, a similar change in direction is occurring in the corporate ranks, with new executives being hired and others resigning.
Green Car Advisor: Nissan Leaf Video Campaign Launches to Promote New Electric Car Nissan kicked off the first in a series of informative videos that promote its new electric vehicle. This minute-long video establishes the history that Nissan has in producing electric vehicles powered by lithium Ion batteries. The Nissan Leaf is expected to launch in selected U.S. cities next year.
Auto Observer: Make Mercedes Payment through iPhone App Need to a way to make your car payment over the phone? Like the commercial says, "There's an app for that." With this new application, you can check your loan balance, make a payment, or locate your nearest Mercedes dealership. The application is free to download, and will work on iPhones and the iPod Touch.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: All-New 2010 Toyota 4Runner Debuts at Texas State Fair Toyota chose to unveil the latest 4Runner in the truck capital of the world - Texas. The previous V8 engine has been discontinued, replaced by an even more powerful V6. An economical four-cylinder will also make its way back into the lineup. Returning is the 4Runners insatiable appetite for off-road terrain, as reported on Inside Line.
Green Car Advisor: Honda Shows-Off Segway Alternative Concept The Tokyo Motor Show is known for its wacky concepts and this year looks to be no different. Honda took the wraps off its new U3-X mobility device, a single-wheeled electric personal mobility device that uses a complement of sensors, servos and motors to remain upright. Like the Segway, the rider leans in the direction they want to travel in order to get around. We just hope it's more comfortable than it looks.
Auto Observer: Fiat Plans a Busy 18 Months for Chrysler Chrysler's Italian overlords have noted the lack of new models bearing the pentastar logo and have a rather ambitious plan to bring new models to market. Fiat supremo, Sergio Marchionne, wants makeovers performed to the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot compact crossovers and the newly resurrected Chrysler PT Cruiser. And he wants them ready by mid-2011, along with the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300. We suspect Red Bull will be big part of the Chrysler designer's diet.
In bringing the Challenger back in full fire-breathing glory, Chrysler intentionally played on the car's past and the memories of muscle car enthusiasts by giving it a blatantly retro design. But not the in-cabin electronics.
If someone -- say, a car enthusiast we'll call '60s Muscle Car Man -- got stranded on a deserted island for 30 years, he would no doubt instantly recognize the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 we recently tech-tested. But he would probably have no idea what the screen in the dash is for. (If he guessed a mini TV, he would be partly correct.) Or why all the buttons on the steering wheel are there. Or even what he's supposed to do with the key fob.
But he would be amazed when he found out. And most modern admirers and potential buyer may be too.
Effective tomorrow, Chrysler Group will resume leasing on all 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, courtesy of its recent lending partnership with GMAC Financial Services.
"Special" vehicle lease rates through Sept. 30, 2009 will be available on the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ram 1500 and Journey, and Jeep Wrangler and Liberty. Current Chrysler Group vehicle owners are also eligible for $1,000 Owner Loyalty Bonus Cash for the lease or purchase of select 2010 vehicles or the purchase (only) of select 2009 vehicles.
Auto Observer: Less is More? Smaller Pickups Benefit from C4C Auto Observer reports sales of more fuel-efficient midsize pickups have fared much better than their larger, thirstier stablemates - thank in no small part to the Cash for Clunkers program. In August, the Toyota Tacoma outsold the massive Tundra, the Ford Ranger saw a dramatic increase compared to the F-Series and the Chevy Colorado made modest gains while sales of the full-size Silverado plummeted. With the end of the Cash for Clunkers program, sales are expected to return to previous levels, but it remains to be seen if the shift to smaller trucks will continue.
Green Car Advisor: Dodge Caliber Heads to Frankfurt with Much-Needed Improvements Chrysler will be unveiling an improved Dodge Caliber at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, according to Green Car Advisor. The big news is the addition of a 2.2-liter turbo diesel, but there are no plans to bring that engine stateside. What we will get, however, are an all-new interior plus improvements to the gasoline-powered engines, in the way of increased power, better fuel economy along with smoother and quieter operation.
IL News: Lexus Rolls-Out Refreshed LS and GS Models in Frankfurt Inside Line reports that Lexus will be unveiling the 2010 LS and GS models at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These are not complete redesigns, however, just a few styling tweaks and improvements like new seats, updated hardware and better driving dynamics.
The Insurance Instutute for Highway Safety just announced that the Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger have all earned its prestigious "Top Safety Pick" award. This is a rather difficult honor to achieve, as a vehicle must have stability control as a standard feature and earn the agency's top rating of "Good" in its frontal offset, side impact and rear crash tests.
Further proving that there's never been a better time to buy a new vehicle from recession-battered domestic automakers, Chrysler has announced zero-interest financing for 72 months on certain 2008 Chrysler
, Dodge
and Jeep
vehicles through Chrysler Financial
. This is on top of factory-to-consumer cash incentives
that the bankrupt automaker is already dangling to lure buyers into its showrooms.
The financing option is available through June 1, before Chrysler Financial is taken over by GMAC, and comes as Chrysler seeks to sell 2008 models before being merged with Italian automaker Fiat SpA.
You may need the utility offered by a pickup, but that doesn't mean you have to completely forsake fuel-efficiency. These days, there are more compact and hybrid trucks available than ever before -- a development that spells good things for those seeking trucks that will help them mind their finances at the pump.
These 10 choices are the most fuel-efficient pickups on the market.
With Chrysler's recent announcement that it will close nearly a quarter of its dealerships, consumers might be wondering how this will affect their purchasing decisions if a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep product is on their short list. As the saying goes, I've got good news and bad news (and some sad news). Which do you want first? I'll give it all to you after the jump.
Most Chrysler dealerships that are being closed are in metropolitan areas where their coverage overlaps.
Chrysler today announced that it plans to close 789 of its car dealerships as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring plan. GM is expected to follow suit and shutter about 2,000 dealerships in its attempts to avoid bankruptcy. It's estimated that about 38,000 people will lose their jobs.
It appears that most of the cuts will be made in metro areas where several dealerships selling the same brand are currently competing. While competition is a good thing for consumers by holding down prices, this also means that a service department nearby you will likely remain open. It may require a longer drive to get there, but routine service can be continued along with repairs performed under warranty.
Here's more on the actual closings from Auto Observer.
As tragic as this is for those involved, you still need to keep your wheels rolling. What's the best way to do that?
The Dodge Ram 1500 just eked out a victory in a recent Inside Line comparison test, where editors lauded its smooth-riding and capable rear coil-sprung suspension, healthy track and towing performance, efficient dimensions and plethora of convenience and comfort features. While the sticker price was the highest of the group, we all know that the reality of the situation is that the sticker price is literally just a suggestion, one that is usually overlooked by customers and dealers alike. In addition, Dodge is offering a truck-load of cash incentives that can be used to either drive down the sales price, or to just fill up the bed. Get the details, and make your choice, after the jump.
Chrysler is recalling 37,407 MY 2009 Dodge Ram light duty pickup trucks equipped with manual temperature control (MTC) only. The software programmed into the heating ventilation and air conditioning module may cause the windshield defrosting and defogging functions to become inoperative. This can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions and result in a crash.
Dealers will reprogram the HVAC module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during June 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-835-1403. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. Reference Chrysler recall number J12.
Back in early March, months of planning and logistics that could put NASA to shame came together in an incredibly in-depth comparison test of four popular full-sized trucks. The smackdown consisted of four tow-equipped, crew cab models: the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 4WD Crew Cab, Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 4WD Crew, Ford F-150 Lariat 4WD SuperCrew and Toyota Tundra SR5 4WD CrewMax.
The full story on Inside Line gave the overall win to the Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie, but as the story notes, the margin of victory to last place was incredibly slim. Some of the competitors excelled in certain areas but lagged in others, and we'd like to take the time to point out these traits for consumers that have a narrower focus on what they need from a truck. Keep in mind too, that some trucks offer options that may even-things up or possibly change the final rankings. For this exercise, we're comparing the models as they were delivered to us.
You'd have to live way off the grid to not know that Chrysler just declared bankruptcy, and that Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer are in their death throes. But where does it leave consumers?
As Phil Reed noted yesterday, and as we detailed in this article, the immediate impact on consumers should be limited (see the above links for details if you're still worried, but you needn't be unless you work for one of those companies or their dealerships).
Yes, it's a shock to realize that your car's brand may cease to exist -- or be reincarnated as something you don't recognize. But will that change the way you feel about your car?
Declaring that Chrysler has "a new lease on life" President Barack Obama announced at a press conference today that the automaker will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (reorganization) while it forms a new partnership with Italy's Fiat.
Obama also said the bankruptcy will be "quick" and "controlled" and will not affect Americans' chance to buy a Chrysler or get it repaired. He also announced that General Motor's financial arm, GMAC, will soon finance new Chrysler sales to "unlock frozen credit markets" and help more consumers qualify for a new car purchase.
Chrysler owners will not be left in the lurch since warranties will be honored at the remaining dealerships. Even if the company is liquidated, the U.S. Government has already pledged to continue warranty coverage through a third party fund. While the press conference contained few details, a few events seem likely.
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere
Straightline Ford Fiesta Outsells Volkswagen Golf in Europe Europe's having a Fiesta and it doesn't involve a mariachi band. Ford's completely redesigned Fiesta compact hatchback was the No. 1-selling car in Europe for March, with 52,805 units sold. It bumped off perennial favorite Volkswagen Golf. This means that the new Fiesta is not only a runaway critical success, but also a runaway sales success. You'd think this would be incentive for Ford to bring it over here as quickly as possible, but you'd be wrong. Don't expect our Fiesta until next year at the earliest. You'd better put away that sombrero.
Green Car Advisor Pack Up the Kids, Low Summer Gas Prices Predicted Domestic gasoline prices are forecast to stay relatively low during the summer months that typically are a high-demand season. The Energy Information Administration calls for regular-grade gasoline to peak $2.30 per gallon, with the summer average falling to $2.23. Last summer's per-gallon average of $3.81. Therefore, expect an increase in family road trips to the Grand Canyon and Mt. Rushmore this summer in newly purchased Suburbans.
Edmunds Auto Observer Take My Pickup, Please Maybe those lower gas prices will help pickup sales, because as of today, they are plunging faster than a grand piano dumped off the Sears Tower. Full-size pickup sales for the Detroit Three in the first quarter plunged 45.2 percent for GM's Silverado/Sierra, 44.9 percent for Ford's F-Series and 32 percent for Chrysler's Dodge Ram. If this trend were to continue, Ford would sell only 326,000 units this year, compared to 888,818 in 2004 (its best year). Chevy would go to 269,132 from 705,951. The only commentary needed is "wow."
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio.April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom, I have heard both pros and cons concerning the need for Motorvac service. Please set the record straight. I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer with 35,000 miles. It runs fine. Do I really need this expensive service? -- Joe from Anchorage, Alaska
Joe, Carbon buildup (varnish and carbon are byproducts of gasoline combustion) in the upper regions of the engine is a fact of life. This carbon must be cleaned out because it affects burn efficiency, and the varnish inhibits fuel flow through the injectors. When buildups occur, the performance system senses a problem and tries to adjust various parameters to correct the conditions it "sees." The attempt to correct the conditions results in drivability problems. Regular Motorvac service (every 35-40,000 miles) will prevent this from happening. The engine will start crisply on cold mornings, acceleration will be snappy, and performance and fuel economy will be optimum. Yes Joe, I highly recommend this service.
Despite the recent popularity of SUV's, nothing can carry people and stuff better than a minivan, and when it comes to minivans, nobody has sold more than Chrysler. They have essentially owned this market ever since they introduced the modern minivan 25 years ago. While they may not be at the top of class (Inside Line's long-term Caravan has taken a beating), the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are still competitive and popular. VW even thought highly enough of the Chrysler product to put its name on their Routan version. For this week's deal, there are some nice incentives on all three models. heos
It's not a great day for Chrysler. But then again, when is, lately?
Today Chrysler issued a recall for more than 72,000 Dodge Ram pickups from 2008-2009 for faulty windshield wiper motor assemblies. A faulty assembly could lessen the wiper's capability (or kill it altogether), which could reduce visibility and result in a crash.
Chrysler is also recalling almost 17,000 model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles that come without the optional 115 volt auxiliary power outlet, because the unused electrical connector could corrode and short circuit. If the short circuit doesn't blow the fuse, the connector could potentially overhead and catch fire.
Dealers will fix the problems free of charge. Owners can also contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the NHTSA Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
With it looking like Chrysler edging ever closer to declaring bankruptcy, (rumor has it they will not be getting anymore money from the government come March 31st), it's all too easy to say that the company deserves to die. After all, why throw good money (we're talking billions here) after bad, right? Let's look at what Chrysler offers now and what they've contributed in the past...
Chrysler has become a symbol of a lot of what's wrong with the domestic auto industry, and the company is the odds-on favorite as the first of the Detroit Three to go belly-up. Chrysler's minivans have never gotten much love either and are often thought of as the butt of a joke.
But the company -- and its minivans -- are on the cutting edge tech-wise. The '09 Dodge Grand Caravan, for example, features some of the latest and greatest in-car technology available, including satellite TV and Rear Cross Path detection. The Caravan's rear-seat entertainment and uconnect Bluetooth hands-free phone systems are among the best in the business, and the vehicle can be equipped with Swivel 'n Go seating with a retractable table that folds out of the floor.
