Chrysler Preview Four Mopar Image Vehicles

Two Dodge and two Jeep custom jobs will be wheeled out by their parent company, Chrysler Group LLC, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show next month in Las Vegas. Topping the four vehicles is the Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320 Image Vehicle, a straight-line racer with an all-aluminum V8 Hemi pushing out 556 horsepower and up to 540 ft-lb of torque.

The Challenger features the Drag Pak option, which strips the Challenger of a substantial amount of weight. Gone are the center console, radio, and rear seats. Normally meant for race cars only, this Challenger features the package while maintaining a street-legal status. It uses wheels meant for cop cars, street-legal-yet-race-ready tires, an adjustable coil-over kit, and an ARB locking differential.

The other Dodge is a luxe version of their signature pickup truck. Painted in Arctic Ice, the Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle is meant to convey an upper-class look on what is supposed to be a blue collar truck. Built off of a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport using a 5.7-liter V8 engine. Inside the truck bed is a plush, easy-to-clean rug. Although they added 22-inch contrasting wheels, the vehicle has been lowered using a Ground Force kit. Performance upgrades include a cold-air intake and dual-exhaust. Inside, Arctic Ice and Piano Black contrasts are augmented by Katzkin white and black seats. The truck also features an upgraded audio system.

Being able to use a "normal" ride as a camping shelter has been toyed with for decades. Likewise, the Mopar Jeep Wrangler Overland Image Vehicle is meant to be a "stop-anywhere, camp-anywhere Jeep." Based on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the special edition has no rear seats, a rubber floor, and a roof-mounted two-person tent with awning. The Jeep has been modified to be more water resistant, with a three-inch raised suspension and 35-inch tires to be more off-road capable. Added lighting and steel bumpers has been included for this purpose.

Last is the Jeep Lower Forty Image Vehicle, a heavily stripped version of the Jeep Wrangler. Meant for "extreme trail" driving, the vehicle gets 20-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 40x13.5-inch tires. Fenders are wider and higher, and three inches has been cut off the windshield frame. Despite the stripped look, the interior was color matched and the seats were covered in leather. The truck also takes advantage of a new, 5.7-liter V8 Hemi with a Getrag 238 six-speed manual transmission.

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Chrysler to use Fiat engines, ends GEMA alliance

The GEMA alliance has ended this month. GEMA stands for Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, and was a joint venture between Mitsubishi, Chrysler and Hyundai-Kia to develop a family of 4-cylinder engines.

There are currently three different sizes available – 1.8 liter, 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter. In Malaysia, there are a few cars that use engines derived from the GEMA project – the 2.0 liter motors in the Lancer and Lancer Evolution X, and the 2.0 liter motors in the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and Naza Rondo.

Chrysler says it intends to replace its GEMA engines with new small engine technology it will gain access to from its new Italian partner Fiat. But interestingly, despite Chrysler stating an intention to replace its GEMA products with Fiat products, Chrysler is the one who has ended up with full ownership of the GEMA plant. Mitsubishi and Hyundai have just sold their stakes to Chrysler. It is likely that the plant will be converted to a plant making Fiat engines in the future.

Technology bought to GEMA by an individual company will remain the intellectual property of that company, so Hyundai and Mitsubishi will likely be able to continue using their Theta/Theta II and 4B series of engines respectively.

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Dodge May Sell Rebadged Alfas in the US while Europe Could get Dodge Models as Alfas

In an interview in New York on Wednesday, Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that one of the first priorities of the partnership is to decide how to handle the Dodge and Alfa Romeo brands, which he sees as American and European counterparts. It sounds crazy but one of the scenarios being examined by Marchionne is the possibility to sell Alfa Romeo models under the Dodge brand in the U.S. and Dodge cars as Alfa Romeos in Europe.

According to the CEO, the two brands share a common identity and therefore should work closer in the near future.

"The level of competition between these two brands is tremendous because they are both going after the same customer," said Marchionne. "Dodge is the American muscle car, while Alfa Romeo is the European muscle car. How we dovetail these two brands is very important."

While we're having a hard time trying to find any current Dodge model that could fit in Alfa's European range - especially if you take into consideration the different needs of buyers on the other side of the Atlantic, we could see several Alfa models including the MiTo making it to the States with the Dodge logo.

But wouldn't such a move dilute Alfa's premium image? Unless that is, Fiat is considering to abandon its plans to re-introduce the Italian firm to American buyers.

In any case, Marchionne said that he wants to make a final decision on the future of the two brands by the end of the July, so it won't be long before we learn more details.

[Via: Bloomberg]

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Analyst Forecasts New Chrysler and Fiat Models Until 2012 Including Jeep based Alfa GTX SUV

Research firm IHS Global Insight (GI) has released a new analysis forecasting a variety of Chrysler and Fiat Group models to be built in North America between 2011 and 2012. Before we say anything else, we'd advise to pay attention to the words 'analysis' and 'forecast'. That said, don't take everything you read as a fact. The report begins with the Alfa Romeo 169, a BMW 5-Series rival that is said to be built at Chrysler's Ontario factory in Canada with the first models rolling off the assembly line as early as November 2011.

The analyst predicts that the 169 will be based on Chrysler's LX platform which underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models. While it makes sense for the Italians to use the LX platform, unless Fiat is planning to simply re-skin / re-mask the next-generation Chrysler 300 into an Alfa, in which case, we're talking about a mistake from Fiat's behalf, saying that that the Alfa Romeo 169 will be ready to enter production in about two years time, is quite optimistic. Plus, as you can see in one of Fiat's previous product plans, Alfa was supposedly scheduling to introduce a self-developed 169 in 2009 - what happened to that?

Talking about the LX platform, the forecaster said that due to the bankruptcy of Chrysler LLC and the plant closures, the start of production of the new 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 have been delayed to November 2010 and January 2011 respectively.

Continuing with the North American-built Fiat models, Global Insight said that the highly successful in Europe, 500 mini, will be made in Toluca, Mexico with U.S. sales starting in July 2011.

The MINI-rivaling 500 will be the only Fiat-badged model to be sold in the States. Since the 500 is based on Fiat's 169 platform, the Toluca plant will also produce the Jeep Panda 4x4, again from July 2011. We're guessing that the Jeep variant will most likely be a remasked version of the European market Panda 4x4.

Next up we have an array of models based on the Fiat Group's C-EVO platform that underpins C-segment cars like the Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo. The report says that the C-EVO will be used on the next-generation Dodge Journey crossover, Dodge Caliber crossover and Chrysler Sebring sedan. Production is slated to begin for the Journey and Caliber in July 2012 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant, and for the Sebring, in June 2011 at the Toluca assembly plant.

In addition to the above models, the C-EVO platform is also reported to form the base for an Alfa Romeo compact SUV (no date) and weirdly enough, for the successor of the Jeep Liberty (July 2012) with both SUVs said to be produced at the Toledo plant in Ohio.

But the report gets even better as it is predicted that Fiat will produce a larger Alfa Romeo SUV model called the GTX at Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant beginning in July 2011. The GTX is said to be based on Jeep's WL platform that underpins the 2011 Grand Cherokee. However, bear in mind that the Grand Cherokee's WL platform is derived from Mercedes-Benz (it was developed during Daimler's reign over the company) so we're not entirely sure if Fiat has the rights to use the platform for one of its own models.

The paper ends with two subcompact hatches, the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo MiTo that will share the same hardware- aka Fiat's 199 B-segment platform. Both cars are reported to be built for the American market at Chrysler's Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois with production slated to begin in March 2011 for the Hornet and July 2011 for the MiTo.

Call us skeptics, but if you want our opinion, we find the forecast extremely optimistic in the sense that Fiat will not only have to develop, design, engineer and test a whole bunch of new cars but also revamp Chrysler's North American factories to build the vehicles and all this in just two years from now.

[Source: Carsoop]

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European and Asian Automakers to Build More Cars than Detroit's Big Three in N. America by 2012

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit's 'Big Three' by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

At the same time, all other foreign automakers combined are expected to increase their North American production by around 1.5 million a year or 20 percent, to more than 8 million units.

"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton LLP Principal Kimberly Rodriguez, co-leader of the firm's global automotive practice.

Grant Thornton LLP reports that Volkswagen and BMW will nearly double their combined production, increasing their output capability to around 1 million units a year while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are projected to expand their combined production by 20 percent, or nearly 1 million units.

The study finds that the dramatic shift in production will have a large impact on North American parts suppliers that will need to secure more business from European and Asian makers.

"Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming," said Kimberly Rodriguez.

[Source: Grant Thornton LLP]

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REPORT: GM pursuing Chrysler for repayment of Two-Mode Hybrid development

Our friends at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that General Motors has filed documents in court in an attempt to get "New" Chrysler to honor its full pre-bankruptcy debt of $531,275 (of which Chrysler has so far only agreed to pay back about a third) for work on the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid powertrain that was jointly developed by the two American automakers along with Daimler and BMW.

Chrysler and General Motors have both filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors, which allows the automakers to renegotiate – or in many cases completely cancel – past contracts that are no longer desirable. It seems that Chrysler's contract with The General, which is supplying the hybrid transmissions to Chrysler, has yet to be picked up by New Chrysler.

This case is a bit more intriguing than most – such as Chrysler's canceled contract with Cummins for light-duty diesel engines for the Ram pickup – as it pits General Motors across the courtroom and on the other side of bankruptcy negotiations. We suspect that New Chrysler may be keen to pick up its old tab since the automaker is still planning to use the Two-Mode Hybrid technology for future vehicles, starting with the 2010 Dodge Ram, though possibly with more favorable terms.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

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Chrysler to Reopen Seven More Assembly Plants by end of June

About a week after emerging from bankruptcy protection and finalizing a deal with the Fiat Group, Chrysler Group LLC confirmed today that in addition to the reopening of the Dodge Viper's Conner Avenue factory in Detroit on Monday, the firm plans to resume production of vehicles at seven more assembly plants in North America by the end of June. According to Chrysler, two factories are in Michigan, one is in Missouri and one in Ohio, while the automaker will also restart production at its assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, Canada and in Toluca, Mexico.

"A restart of production at other Chrysler Group assembly plants will be announced at a later date," the company said in a statement. Chrysler had shut down all of its North American operations for a period of two months when it entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, 2009.

• Plants That Will Reopen by June 29:
  
• Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, Mich.) – Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger
  
• Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, Mich) – Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota
  
• St. Louis North Assembly Plant(Fenton, Mo) – Dodge Ram
  
• Toledo Supplier Park (Toledo, Ohio) – Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  
• Brampton Assembly Plant (Brampton, Ontario) – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger
  
• Windsor Assembly Plant (Windsor, Ontario, Canada ) – Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan
  
• Toluca Assembly Plant (Toluca, Mexico) – Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser

[Source: Carscoop]

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Chrysler Resumes Production with the Dodge Viper at Detroit Plant

Having emerged from bankruptcy protection on June 9, the newly formed Chrysler Group LLC restarted production at one of its Detroit assembly plants on Monday, June 15. The first factory to reopen after the company shut down for a period of almost two months, is the Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit that builds the Dodge Viper sports car. Even though Chrysler did not state why it chose the Conner plant to reopen for business, we assume that its small size (it employs 115 people) had something to do with the automaker's decision.
Chrysler, which is now controlled by Italy's Fiat S.p.A, had previously attempted to sell off its Dodge Viper business unit but the firm did not receive any bids that met its initial requirements.
As for the rest of Chrysler's North American plants, for the time being, they will remain closed. "At this time, we cannot give exact timing in regards to the start of production at our other manufacturing facilities," Chrysler Group said in a statement.
[Via: CNN]

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REPORT: Chrysler pursuing clause to award Fiat $35 million if deal falls apart

Think Fiat's getting a pretty sweet deal with Chrysler? The Italian automaker is, after all, gaining a 20% stake in the troubled American automaker, plus local manufacturing capacity and access to its dealer networks, all without paying a thin dime. Not a bad deal, but Chrysler's hard at work trying to make it sweeter. Emerging reports suggest that if the deal between Fiat and Chrysler were to fall apart, Chrysler would be obligated to pay Fiat $35 million in severance fees.

Chrysler is currently pursuing the clause in the courts administering its bankruptcy protection. The reasoning is that Fiat has put in the time and money into pursuing the partnership that would allow Chrysler to continue operating, and if the courts – or anyone else, for that matter – were to terminate the arrangement, Fiat would deserve compensation. A similar clause worked out well for Fiat after its partnership with General Motors was terminated. The tables now turned, Fiat has certainly come a long way since then.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Chris McGrath/Getty]

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eBay Find: Chrysler Prowler Stretch Limo with Lambo Doors

We always wondered what a Prowler would like if someone had the audacity to convert the retro hotrod that began its life in 1997 as a Plymouth and ended its career in 2002 with a Chrysler badge, into a six-passenger limousine. And at last, our prayers have been answered! Nah, we're just pulling your leg but if you find stretch Hummer limos sooo 2000, then you may want to take a look at this "one-of-a-kind" Prowler limousine that can fit two passengers up front and four at the back. The car comes complete with a hard top incorporating a sliding ragtop, Lambo-style front doors and suicide rear doors.




[Link: ebay]

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Report Says Chrysler Bankruptcy Could Take up to Two Years and not 60 Days

In another twist to the Chrysler LLC imbroglio, a report from Bloomberg citing an unnamed administration official said that the automaker's bankruptcy procedure may take as long as two years and not the two months period initially projected by President Barack Obama. The administration official told the news agency that the 60 days announced by Obama at a press conference at the end of April only applies to the sale of Chrysler's best assets to a new entity held by Italy's Fiat S.p.A., an auto workers health trust and the U.S. and Canadian governments.

Lawyers seem to be backing the official's claims as they told the news agency that the firm's creditors would later on kick in fighting their cases in court over unwanted factories and other assets to get their money back.

"The unsold assets and liabilities may take years to sort out due to the complexities of resolving thousands of commercial, tort, future asbestos, dealership and employee claims," told Bloomberg Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP partner, Martin Bienenstock.

[Via: Bloomberg]

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Chrysler Group Sales Plunge 48 Percent in April

Whereas FoMoCo and General Motors managed to keep their loses under 35 percent, Chrysler LLC took another plunge in April reporting U.S. sales of just 76,682 units, representing a chilling 48 percent decrease versus 2008. Chrysler said that the April sales included a fleet reduction of 66 percent year-over-year for the same period, as the company "continues to emphasize retail over fleet." Brand-wise, Chrsyler suffered the biggest loss with a 55 percent decrease followed by Dodge with -48 percent and Jeep with a 42 percent decline over the same month in 2008.

As for the few positive highlights of the month, Jeep Wrangler sales increased 7 percent year-over-year compared to April 2008, sales of the Dodge Challenger were up 11 percent compared to March and Chrysler Town & Country retail sales increased 6 percent over the previous month.

Via Carscoop

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My Two Dents on GM, Ford and Chrysler LLC

Just a word to the people... The auto industry, along with the rest of the economy, is in shambles. Obviously the big-wigs cannot be trusted to make the right decisions. Everyone (be they layman, enthusiast, or insider) needs to voice their opinions, not only on finished products but on job standards, engineering developments, and the quality of the buttons on the dashboard.

Only by listening to the people will companies start to make the right choices and thrive. After all, why should we be expected to settle for rubbish? While currently concentrating on the Big Three, my articles will soon begin to branch out and hopefully have a more global scale.

GM:

GM is a sinking ship, and the fact that it is eliminating dead weight by jettisoning four brands is old news. Many people have been throwing out theories about where not only the victims, but the survivors are going.

Of the "Poor Four", Saturn and Pontiac are the two with potential (if they play their cards right). Frankly, Hummer was commercially doomed from the start and I have no idea where it could possibly go other than the great junkyard in the sky. Saab lost its soul a long time ago, and again: nowhere to go but away.

Chrysler:

Chrysler is the black sheep of the group, the little-guy outsider. Think Squeak from Baseketball. This company's products have been all over the board, from Neons to Vipers and from racetracks to mountaintops. Good in theory, but oh-so-poorly executed. Now Chrysler needs to make some tough decisions regarding its three brands and their respective images. Upcoming target: Jeep.

Ford:

Not much to scream about here, unless you want to nitpick.... and I do. I'll explain why the Blue Oval deserves to be on top, and yes, it will sound like a PR thing. Why? Because when it comes to domestics, I'm a Ford guy. Regardless, they can stand to do better; Lincoln isn't exactly a direct competitor for Cadillac anymore, and Mercury is all but scrap. Volvo is on its way out, as no one seems to want to touch the Swedes with a ten-foot pole (consumers and Sweden alike).

As will be the norm, I will go ahead and exercise the right to drop in my two cents. Feel free to follow my lead. In fact, I insist on it; it's lonely out here. As always, the point of all forthcoming articles is to incite discussion, not arguments. So ladies and gentleman, start your engines and... GO!

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel since he was a wee lad. He currently resides a stone's throw from Japan's international airport in Narita. All of this can be seen on Facebook, so check it out. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded.

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Detroit's Big Three Post Huge Drops in March U.S. Sales

March didn't bring any good news for the U.S. car market as most major brands recorded steep declines in vehicle sales. General Motors and Ford Motor company were the worst hit as their sales were down 44.7% and 42.1% respectively compared to March 2008. Chrysler LLC didn't manage any better with a 39.0% decrease while the same goes for Toyota (-33.6%), Lexus (-40.6%), Mitsubishi (-57.0%), VW (-19.7%), Mercedes-Benz (-25.0%), BMW & MINI (-22.9%), Audi (-19.4%), Honda (-34.2%) and Acura (-29.5%).

Subaru and Hyundai managed to keep their sales somewhat steady reporting a 3.0% and 5.0% decline respectively over March 2008 volumes. On the other hand, Kia saw its sales increase by 0.6% in March '08.

Via Carscoop

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Chrysler Reveals Electric Minivan for Postal Service, Asks Gov. Money to Create Demo Fleet...

Those 'jolly old' folks down at Chrysler never cease to amuse us with their government loan tactics. Today, Chrysler LLC showed off four all-electric Town & Country minivan concepts to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as part of the USPS Earth Day celebration. The catch? Well, Chrysler said that in conjunction with the USPS and select energy service providers, it intends to apply for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DoE) Transportation Electrification stimulus program for a federal grant.

According to Chrysler LLC, the grant (feel free to call it taxpayers money) would be used to establish a nationwide demonstration fleet of zero-emission electric minivans that could -and we repeat, could- be used by the U.S. Postal Service for mail delivery. In other words, you pay for it, Chrysler takes the credit for creating a useless fleet of electric demo cars slapped with its logos. Wonder what they'll come up with next...

Via: Carscoop

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Chrysler Celebrates Grand Voyager's 25th Anniversary with Limited Edition Version

In celebration of the Grand Voyager's 25th birthday, Chrysler has launched a new special edition version of its full-size MPV in Britain. As with most models of the sort, the Grand Voyager 25th Anniversary comes with extra interior and exterior equipment along with the necessary memorabilia that in this case include commemorative badging on the outside and a special keyring.

The interior equipment of the 25th Anniversary Grand Voyager includes leather trimmed upholstery, dual screen rear DVD entertainment system and a GPS system with a phone and voice recognition. The exterior features include Xenon headlamps, chrome mesh grille, LED daytime running lights, revised lower front fascia and a special paint finish.

Available exclusively with a 2.8-liter diesel that provides acceleration from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 12.8 seconds plus a top speed of 115mph (185km/h), and a combined fuel economy figure of 30.4 mpg UK, the 25th Anniversary Grand Voyager is priced at £32,600 on-the-road with only 100 units being allocated to the British market.

Via: Carscoop

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2010 Chrysler 300 - Official Images and Details

Along with the forth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler LLC's official document on the firm's new viability plan also included a computer generated image (GCI) of the 2010 Chrysler 300 sedan. The rendering suggests that the new 300 will retain the most characteristic design cues of the current model like the "gangster"-style roofline and Bentley-like eggcrate grille. Furthermore, Chrysler LLC's document reveals that aside from the V8 Hemi, the 2010 300's powertrain options will include an "all-new fuel-efficient six-cylinder engine"

Source: Carscoop

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Photoshoped on Chrysler 200C RWD Concept

In the world of Photoshop, there are no boundaries other than one's imagination. Take this proposal for the Alfa Romeo's 159 successor called Giulia for example; the guys over at CWW Automotive Design based the chop on Chrysler's latest concept car, the mid-size 200C study that was presented at this year's Detroit Show.

Pure fantasy? Maybe in what concerns the design, but if Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group end up joining forces and if the American automaker manages to stand on its feet, the 200C that uses a shortened version of the 300's RWD platform could find its way into production and at the same time serve as a base for a next-generation Giulia offering Alfa their first rear-wheel drive sedan in nearly two decades.

Too many 'ifs' if you ask us, but dreaming never hurt anybody.

Via: CWW

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Deja Vu: Chrysler Brings Detroit Show EV Concepts to Geneva

To the surprise of no one, cash-strapped Chrysler LLC won't be performing any global premieres at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Instead, the American automaker will showcase its electric vehicle future (that is, if it makes it through the economic crisis) with the European premieres of the Chrysler 200C EV concept vehicle and Dodge Circuit EV prototype, both of which made their debut at January's Detroit Auto Show.

The stylishly-penned Chrysler 200C EV mid-size sedan concept comes equipped the firm's ENVI electric-drive system that combines a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator. According to Chrysler, the rear-wheel drive 200C has 64 kilometers (40 miles) of all-electric range, and a total-driving range of 644-kilometer (400-mile).

The Lotus Elise-based Dodge Circuit EV is a sport proposition that boasts a range of 241 to 322 kilometers (150 to 200 miles) with zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.

Via:Carscoop

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