Chrysler News
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Barack Obama has backed Congress' decision to delay a decision on additional auto industry loans, urging the carmakers to have a clear plan when they return to Capitol Hill in December, and the carmakers are already reportedly planning to show up in dramatic style, forming a caravan of Detroit's most efficient cars as exemplars of the work the industry's been doing to make strides forward in recent years. Another angle for the parade of parsimonious people-movers is the humanizing aspect - putting a face and a sense of perspective to the issue of the auto industry's importance to the U.S...
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Renault-Nissan still looking for US alliance, supports Detroit 3 bailoutSpeaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, the boss of Renault-Nissan Carlos Ghosn has reaffirmed his company’s need for a “full North American partner” and pledged support for more federal aid for the Detroit 3 as a way to fuel growth in the industry. While Renault-Nissan is...
Ralph Hanson -
Video: Dodge EV sports car prototype takes on the Challenger SRT8
Chrysler demonstrated that it won’t be left behind in the technology stakes with the unveiling of three near-production prototype electric vehicles earlier this year, one of which was a high-performance sports car. The carmaker has now given a preview of the capabilities of its future...
James Martinez -
Hyundai denies claims of talks with Chrysler
Late last week we reported on news that Hyundai was in talks with Chrysler to potentially acquire the Jeep brand, and other assets from the Auburn Hills carmaker. Now, Reuters is reporting that the South Korean manufacturer has denied any interest in Chrysler's assets due to the fact that its own...
Kenneth Hall -
Dodge reveals "Big Daddy" Don Garlits Drag Pack Challenger at SEMA
The Dodge Challenger Drag Pack is a factory production heavily modified Dodge Challenger built exclusively for drag racing. Don Garlits, 17-time Top Fuel drag racing champion and still getting behind the wheel after over 50 years in the sport has cooperated with Dodge to create a special edition...
Ralph Hanson -
2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger unveiled at SEMA
Formula Drift is serious business for those involved in the series and the drift community, and Chrysler's Mopar division has revealed its latest entry to the field at the SEMA show today. The 2009 Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger will be the factory ride for Samuel Hubinette during the 2009 season. In...
Ralph Hanson -
The ongoing merger-acquisition talks between Chrysler and General Motors are expected to bear fruit in the form of an announcement this Friday revealing some of the details being discussed. The timing of the announcement coincides with GM's release of its third-quarter earnings report, which is expected to reflect the global drop in sales volumes. Chrysler and General Motors both have remained almost completely silent on the subject of a merger between the two, refusing to even confirm the topic had arisen. Nevertheless, the discussions are clearly leading toward some cooperative end, as both...
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Mopar Underground unveils handful of modified Dodge vehicles
The star of Dodge’s lineup at this year’s SEMA Auto Show is undoubtedly the V10-powered Challenger SRT10 Concept, but there are a slew of other modified Dodge vehicles on show in Las Vegas this week that are also worth mentioning. These include cars like the Mopar enhanced Dodge...
Ralph Hanson -
Autonet Mobile and Delphi team up to provide wireless internet for cars
Automotive parts supplier Delphi Corporation and wireless internet company Autonet Mobile announced an agreement this week to market and develop Internet-connectivity technology products for a number of automobile manufacturers. The two companies are field testing new telematics and in-car...
Jeremy Weber -
Chrysler adds features, efficiency to Sebring, 300 and Dodge Avenger
Stronger fuel efficiency, better value and more features are the focus of the 2009 model year updates for Chrysler's Sebring, 300 and Dodge Avenger. Other touches include updated exterior design and upgraded interior materials. Fuel consumption is improved by offering smaller engines, such as the...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: Chrysler and Renault-Nissan end talks
With a number of reports claiming a formal announcement detailing a merger partner for Chrysler is expected within the next two weeks, all eyes are currently focused on the two most likely suitors – General Motors and Renault-Nissan. However, it appears more and more likely that GM will be...
Jeremy Weber -
Group 5 building Dodge Challenger speedster for SEMA
While Chrysler may have ruled out adding a convertible variant of the 2009 Dodge Challenger, no fewer than three open top versions of the rejuvenated muscle car will be on show at this year’s SEMA event in Las Vegas. The first custom convertible, announced two weeks ago, is the creation of...
James Martinez -
The United States Treasury Department has put an end to any hope that additional federal money will be lent to either General Motors or Chrysler to help aid a merger. The Bush administration's decision not to fund the merger at this time effectively puts the question on hold until after the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. "The Treasury is not negotiating with automakers," a Bush administration official revealed to the Detroit Free Press. No reason was given but GM and other automakers are reportedly still attempting to lobby the government for more financial assistance. One of the...
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Report: GM merger could axe all but seven Chrysler models
One of the more worrying scenarios resulting from a possible merger between General Motors and Chrysler is that the Auburn Hills carmaker could be absorbed entirely by GM, meaning most of its models, plants, dealers, and employees would be dropped. Chrysler, along with Dodge and Jeep, would then...
Ralph Hanson -
Toyota denies GM ever requested its help
The negotiations between General Motors and Chrysler are reportedly going well, with some major hurdles being overcome this week. However, discussions on how GM plans to finance Chrysler's estimated $10 billion of debt are proving to be a major snag in the process, with cash-strapped GM struggling...
James Martinez -
Chrysler unveils new Dodge Trazo compact car for Latin America
Chrysler LLC launched into a new segment in Latin America today, with the introduction of the new Dodge Trazo at the São Paulo Motor Show. The Dodge Trazo C1.8 will be offered as a low-cost four-door sedan focused on fuel efficiency in select Latin American markets, including Brazil, Argentina...
Kenneth Hall -
Report: GM seeks $10 billion in federal aid to fund Chrysler merger
As the potential merger between General Motors and Chrysler becomes clearer in detail, it is beginning to look less and less likely due to problems with the financing necessary for GM to complete the deal. Government aid could bridge the gap, and recently we saw reports that the Treasury was...
Nelson Ireson -
Daimler suspends production for 1 month
Even the upper tier of the mass-market luxury car manufacturers are facing troubled times this year. Sales are down, inventories are up and there appears to be no end in sight. In response to this situation, Daimler has decided the right move is to cut all production for at least one month...
Nelson Ireson -
Chrysler has announced that it will discontinue its Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango full-size hybrid SUVs less than a year after first revealing them and only two months into their full-scale production. The main reason behind the move is the closing of the Delaware plant where they are made. Instead, Chrysler will focus on launching a hybrid version of its full-size Dodge Ram pickup in the first half of next year. "The demand for our full-size SUVs has really dropped off this year," Chrysler spokesman Scott Brown told Edmunds. "Even though we got significant orders for the hybrids, it...
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Report: Chrysler to use more Mercedes diesels in Europe
Though Daimler and Chrysler split last year, cooperation between the two carmakers is ongoing, and it looks to be headed into the future as well, with the next-generation Mercedes four-cylinder diesel headed into Chrysler vehicles in Europe, according to the latest reports. A 2.1L unit will be the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Chrysler announces 25% of salaried jobs to be cut by year end
Ongoing merger negotiations, record financial losses and the worst sales figures in recent history have all been pointing to serious trouble for Chrysler, LLC, and today CEO Bob Nardelli said in a letter to employees that the company will cut 25% of its workforce - or about 4,300 salaried jobs -...
Nelson Ireson -
Daimler values 19.9% stake in Chrysler down to zero
Both General Motors and Renault-Nissan are reportedly eying an acquisition of Chrysler, or at least some of its shares, but one carmaker that already owns a stake in the Auburn Hills-based firm has downgraded the value of its holding to zero. Daimler AG, which retained a 19.9% share in Chrysler...
Jeremy Weber -
Chrysler says Phoenix V6 project still underway
Chrysler’s future Phoenix V6 engine has been speculated on for the past several years and now as the company is the midst of merger talks there have been claims that the $3 billion engine project may have been shelved. The Phoenix V6 was touted to be a world class engine designed for...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Cerberus won't split Chrysler up, wants single buyer
Talk of General Motors purchasing or merging with Chrysler, sale to a third party or other speculation has been refined somewhat by Cerberus' statement today that it is trying to find a single buyer for Chrysler. The ideal situation for Cerberus would be a merger with GM, stake in the combined...
Nelson Ireson
