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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge , Jeep Sales of Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehciles are down a scary 36 percent year over year, which means even the somewhat interesting marketing gimmick of the $2.99 gas guarantee isn't working very well. Unfortunately, gas for just under $3 is all Chrysler, LLC had up its sleeve this summer, as the Pentastar has extended the deal through July 31. We'd reported earlier that only 5-10 percent of all Chrysler product buyers were opting for the seemingly attractive promotion, which leads us to believe that the deal isn't much of a deal after all. Maybe Chrysler can borrow the tried and true "Do you have a job? Do you have $199?" from Kia, because the Korean automaker's sales are up 21% . [Source: Chrysler] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Trends , Minivans/MPVs , SUVs , Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge , Jeep , Earnings/Financials Click above high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Now that General Motors and Ford have completely abandoned the minivan market for good, the American originator of the species faces only Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Kia and soon Volkswagen as manufacturers that also offer competitive choices. Perhaps you'd think that Chrysler would be benefiting as the only domestic automaker currently playing in the segment, but it seems that sales are down this year by 13 percent for the Chrysler Town and Country while the Dodge Grand Caravan is down an alarming 35 percent. High gas prices are the obvious reason why the minivan market is seeing such a harsh downward trend, and likely the culprit behind Chrysler's impending move to idle its St. Louis South minivan plant as early as December, which would leave some 1,500 employees jobless. Utility...
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Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Chrysler, LLC. , Earnings/Financials , Rumormill Despite the fact that Chrysler shares are no longer sold on the stock market, rumors regarding the company's financial standing continue to haunt the number three domestic auto manufacturer in America. Last week, rumors regarding the negative cash flow were so rampant, a company spokesperson went out of his way to deny that the automaker was headed towards bankruptcy . Now, despite constant assurance from Chrysler that it's hitting all of its internal goals, the lack of announced future product and credit warnings from major firms such as Merrill Lynch and Fitch Ratings are causing some industry insiders to predict major changes from the automaker. Some analysts even believe that Cerberus is looking to offload or break up the company, allegations that Chrysler vehemently denies. Because the automaker is privately held, the world will just need to sit back and wait to see how Cerberus' so...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Etc. The North American International Auto Show is by far the largest auto show in North America, but the small, aging facility that houses the new car party is prompting automakers to ditch the event all-together. In response to news that Suzuki has joined Porsche in bowing out of the 2009 show, the city of Detroit is rushing a $90M plan to increase floor space by 80,000 sq. ft. The move is seen as a stop-gap measure, with other more grand plans still on the way at a later date. With far superior facilities in New York, Chicago, and LA, Detroit may not have long to act. For people in the Detroit area, the Cobo expansion has been a hot topic of conversation, but one that typically doesn't get beyond the talking stage. If area executives continue to try to one-up each other, argue and get nothing done, more automakers are likely to bow out in the future. [Source: Detroit News ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: I.C.E. , Chrysler Click above to view a video of Chrysler's uConnect in action. At Chrysler's annual "What's New" gathering at its Chelsea Proving Ground, we were able to get a demonstration of the new uConnect Web system , which transforms any vehicle into a rolling WiFi hot spot. The hardware consists of a WiFi router with a built in wireless 3G modem. The 3G modem automatically connects to the internet and allows any WiFi enabled devices, such as a laptop, iPod Touch, Nintendo DS or XBox to connect, as long as you're within range of a cell signal. Chrysler is offering the system as a dealer installed option through it's Mopar parts division starting this August. Initially, it will only be available for 2009 models, but earlier models will be added further down the road. The system will cost about $500 installed plus $29 a month for unlimited service, and if you sign up for a two-year contract you get two months for free. Theoretically, you could...
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Filed under: Gadgets , Chrysler Though we've known Chrysler has been planning to offer in-car internet connectivity on its 2009 models as an option through Mopar for a few months now, the Auburn Hills-based automaker has now given it an official name and bundled the technology with a suite of in-car tech solutions. Called uconnect web, the in-car wi-fi capability will be offered alongside other technologies called uconnect phone, uconnect tunes, uconnect gps and uconnect studios. uconnect phone is basically bluetooth compatibility that enables hands-free calling, stores your cell phone's address book and also records memos. uconnect tunes includes a 30GB hard drive for storing songs and viewing photos, and also allows playback of movies on the dashboard screen while in Park (no word on whether video can be stored on the in-dash hard drive and played back, though). uconnect gps is a touchscreen navigation system with voice recognition, and uconnect studios is Chrysler's offering...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Marketing/Advertising , Chrysler , Dodge , Jeep Chrysler's Project Genesis plan has been gaining traction as of late. The goal is to cut out redundant models between the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, which would also mean consolidating its entire product line into one dealership which offers all three marques. While there are some dealership owners fighting the strategy, The Detroit News reports that Chrysler already has fifty-eight percent of its dealerships offering its three brands, and its been able to cut out some smaller, less profitable sites in the process. While franchise laws prohibit Chrysler from requiring the switch, reducing its model line can have the same effect, forcing its dealers to offer the entire product catalog from the company in order to offer a full line of vehicles. As a side benefit, the automaker hopes that its dealers can upgrade their franchises, offering a modern look and high-tech features such as Wi-Fi and a cafe on site...
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Filed under: Spy Photos , Sedans/Saloons , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler The Chrysler Sebring has been a major league disappointment since its introduction in 2007, but execs at Chrysler headquarters have promised that a new, better midsize sedan is on the way. The photo to the right is not that magical new Chrysler, but is what appears to be a warmed-over version of the Sebring we already have. The most obvious change arrives at the hood, where the Sebring's ungainly washboard ribbing is replaced by a smooth surface. There is significant camouflage covering the front bumper and lower fascia, but due to some un-kept grass, we can't see any details. The Chrysler experts over at Allpar say that the updates will mainly improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, which will also help improve fuel economy. Chrysler also plans to simplify manufacturing by making many former options standard equipment, adding the Premium and Luxury group as standard on the Limited model. The Touring...
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Filed under: Chrysler , Dodge , Earnings/Financials Chrysler, already hurt by slow sales of its bread-and-butter pickups and SUVs, doesn't think things will improve any time soon. According to an email sent by CEO Bob Nardelli to Chrysler employees, he believes that sales will continue to spiral down the drain. So far, though, the third of the Detroit 3 isn't ready to announce any additional layoffs or plant closures. Chrysler must have had some really foresighted, or extremely pessimistic, people on the team who set early '08 predictions, as Nardelli claims that the company he's leading is still on track to achieve its goals. Dodge has already shut the doors of its Saltillo plant in northern Mexico in an effort to "adjust" inventory levels of the current Ram pickup. The next vehicle set to debut for Dodge is the completely new Ram , which will appear just as gas prices have seriously trimmed truck sales. For Chrysler, the Hornet can't come soon enough. [Source...
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Filed under: China , Government/Legal , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler , Ford , GM , Earnings/Financials American automotive companies have been doing rather well for themselves these last few years in China. Still, the majority of manufacturing those vehicles is done in China using locally sourced parts. For this reason, the Chinese government has been facing pressure to ink more deals with American companies for the export of goods there, which is apparently now beginning to take place. Ford, for instance, has announced that it will be sending 30,000 complete vehicles (no word on which ones) to China along with other various auto parts. General Motors has also signed on with about $1 billion in vehicles and parts for export to China. Chrysler too will get in on the trading, though its deals will likely be smaller than either Ford's or General Motors'. All in all, the automotive sector will make up about $2 billion of the recently announced deals, which total more than $8.3 billion...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Hatchbacks , Chrysler It seems as if earlier rumors of the PT Cruiser's death may have been slightly exaggerated. According to PTCruizer.com , the retro-style hatch from Chrysler is still alive, though perhaps on some sort of artificial life support. At least for the 2009 model year, the Cruiser is expected to be built alongside the Dodge Journey, though this could change in the blink of an eye. The plant in Toluca, Mexico where the two vehicles are built is capable of switching at a moments notice between the Journey and the Cruiser. So, if the Journey picks up sales or Chrysler does the unthinkable and launches its own version of the Dodge crossover, the PT could wave good bye for good. If you are in the market to do some Cruisin' of your own, our suggestion would be to act fast. Reports indicate that Chrysler is reducing the options on the vehicle as much as possible to make them as easy, and therefore as cheap, to build as possible. For instance, the...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , Chrysler , Dodge Click above for high-res gallery of Chrysler's hybrid SUVs Apparently hoping to avoid the ignominious fate of the full-size hybrid SUVs from two-mode hybrid partner General Motors, Chrysler is getting aggressive with the pricing of its new Durango and Aspen hybrids. At launch this fall, the Chryslers will be stickered at 45,340 and $45,570 respectively, some $8,000 below the four-wheel-drive versions from GM. GM recently had to slap $4,000 cash on the hood to entice customers to check out the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid. Unlike GM, however, Chrysler has chosen not to offer a two-wheel-drive variant of its hybrid SUVs. At this point we still don't know how equipment levels will compare between the GM and Chrysler models, so it's hard to do a direct comparison of these high-mpg hybrid SUVs. The last time we talked to Chrysler about the hybrids, they were not planning to implement any of the weight...
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Filed under: Government/Legal , Chrysler , Ford , GM Barack Obama has been less than friendly with Detroit automakers in the past, but he's promised to meet with them both during his campaign and afterwards if he makes it into the Oval Office. The presumed Democratic nominee told a crowd in Flint, MI that he would meet with executives to discuss how "we're going to build the cars of the future right here in Michigan." Obama also criticized President Bush not meeting with automakers until his sixth year in office, which actually isn't true. President Bush met with automakers in 2003, though his second meeting with industry execs was delayed several times in 2006. Obama has also promised to deliver $150 billion in funding over 10 years and 5 million jobs in the "green sector." Some of the money is being promised to automakers to retool older plants for plug-in electric vehicle production, which would be welcome news to the financially struggling automakers...
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Filed under: Government/Legal , Safety , Crossovers/CUVs , Chrysler , Dodge Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Journey Chrysler is recalling 6,692 Dodge Journey crossover vehicles equipped with its 3.5L V6 engine due to a wiring harness problem that could potentially result in an engine fire. NHTSA says the issue can occur when the wiring harness becomes dislodged and makes contact with the transaxle mount. Effected vehicles need to be checked out at your local Dodge dealer where the wiring harness will be inspected for damage. If the harness is damaged it will be replaced, and all harnesses will be secured with a tie wrap to ensure the issue doesn't reoccur. Chrysler has known about the issue since mid-March, but no actual fires have been reported as of this time. The Journey recall is the second NHTSA action on a new vehicle this month, the Volkswagen Tiguan being the other, with each model having less than 7,000 units effected. Though nobody wants to see a time-consuming...
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Filed under: Coupes , Economy , Hatchbacks , Chrysler , Dodge , Nissan Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Hornet concept The Dodge Hornet was one of the best-looking concepts that Chrysler has produced the past few years, and thanks to a partnership with Nissan , the impressive-looking compact is inching closer to production. Chrysler and Nissan have yet to officially announce details of the upcoming Nissan Versa-based vehicle they'll develop together, other than to say that it'd be available as a 2010 model, but everyone is banking on a production Hornet. Chrysler vice president of international sales Thomas Hausch recently said that the Pentastar is working hard on a Hornet Study, and that Chrysler would "announce something" in the near future. The linked Automotive News article is further evidence that our suspicions were correct and that Nissan, rather than Chinese automaker Chery, will build it. [Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Read | Permalink...
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