Chrysler News
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Carmakers are usually cautious when it comes to discounting their performance flagships and halo models, but a new report claims Chrysler has finally made its Dodge Viper supercar eligible for its employee discount program. According to the company’s employee advantage website, both the Viper Coupe and Convertible models are eligible but the ultra-performance ACR track package is excluded. While there is no public data on how big a discount Chrysler’s employees actually receive, Automobile Magazine reports that employee pricing typically shaves approximately 7-9% off a car's...
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Chrysler plans to drop AWD option on 2009 Sebring, Avenger and CaliberChrysler will drop its all-wheel-drive option for the 2009 Dodge Avenger, Caliber and Chrysler Sebring because of low demand. The information was confirmed by company spokesman Jiyan Cadiz, who said the option never really caught on since its introduction for those particular models late last year...
James Martinez -
Chrysler cancels Getrag dual-clutch contractJust as Chrysler was preparing to begin bringing a dual-clutch transmission to its North American fleet, a dispute with Getrag has sent plans for yearly production of up to 700,000 of the units up in smoke. Earlier this month Chrysler brought a lawsuit against Getrag, and now the German gearbox...
Kenneth Hall -
Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids rated at 22mpg highwayChrysler’s new Dodge Durango and Aspen hybrid SUVs finally began rolling off assembly lines in late August at the company’s Newark plant in Delaware. The two SUVs are Chrysler’s first entries in the hybrid market and are now able to backup Chrysler's claimed fuel efficiency...
James Martinez -
Report: GM could eliminate Chrysler after acquisitionLate on Friday it was reported that General Motors was in preliminary talks with Chrysler’s parent company Cerberus Capital Management over a possible deal to acquire the Auburn Hills carmaker. Since then Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has confirmed that the talks had taken place but stated that...
Ralph Hanson -
Dodge unveils Challenger SRT10, Blacktop and Targa for SEMARaring up for the 2008 SEMA show, where a handful of tuners will offer their interpretations of the Challenger, Dodge has let the covers slip from its own 2009 Challenger SRT10 Concept. Rather than taking the supercharging route that most of the tuners have been going with for the Challenger, Dodge...
Nelson Ireson -
Following a number of weekend reports claiming Chrysler could be sold to General Motors comes the first official confirmation from its CEO that major structural reforms are being considered at the Auburn Hills carmaker. Bob Nardelli told employees in a memo today that Chrysler has been in negotiations with other parties "interested in exploring future possibilities” but said no final decision has been made. Nardelli stated Chrysler is evaluating “strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets,” and that the best interests of employees, dealers...
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Chrysler seeking partners for new 'Project D' mid-size sedansIn the wake of reports of a possible merger between Chrysler and General Motors, the company has begun looking for partners to build its mid-size platform. The new car will replace the Sebring/Avenger pair, and will likely feature alternative powertrains including hybrid and all-electric options...
Kenneth Hall -
Update: GM approached Ford before ChryslerCapping off a week that saw General Motors’ share price take a 31% hit in a single day comes a new report claiming the carmaker is in talks with Chrysler over a possible merger deal. According to an inside source familiar with the talks, GM approached Chrysler more than a month ago to discuss...
James Martinez -
Next-gen Chrysler PT Cruiser sketchedThe PT Cruiser has enjoyed a long and surprisingly successful run since its debut in 2000, but rumors of its demise have been spreading for some time. Nevertheless, a graphic designer has taken the time to envision what the PT Cruiser might look like if it were to live on for another generation...
Alex Kaufmann -
Chrysler raises prices on all 2009 models by an average $500Chrysler has revealed that the pricing for its 2009 model vehicles will be increased by an average of $500, in line with rising raw material and labor costs. In addition to this, Chrysler will be raising the price for shipping by about $50 per vehicle, reflecting the increased cost of...
James Martinez -
Chrysler offers Avenger with turbodiesel and dual clutch, but not in U.S.American automotive enthusiasts have long been used to being left out of the loop on some of the best models European and Japanese carmakers have to offer - the pre-R35 Nissan Skyline GT-R range, any number of hot hatches, wagons and sedans and pretty much anything fun with a diesel engine in it...
Nelson Ireson -
The third and final production-intent electric prototype unveiled by Chrysler today is arguably the most important of the carmaker’s future electric vehicles as it is likely to be the highest seller of the trio. Designed around the more mainstream Town & Country minivan, the prototype showcases Chrysler's new ‘Range-Extended’ plug-in hybrid module in a front-wheel-drive application. Like the Jeep Wrangler plug-in revealed earlier, as well General Motors’ own Chevrolet Volt, the Town & Country plug-in combines the drive components of a pure electric-vehicle with an...
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Jeep takes electric technology off-road with Wrangler-based plug-inShowing its commitment to clean and efficient motoring both on and off the road, Chrysler has unveiled a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV. Designed with the full capability of the legendary off-road vehicle, the new prototype still promises an electric-only driving...
Ralph Hanson -
All-electric Dodge concept previews new production sports carChrysler has demonstrated that it won’t be left behind in the technology stakes with the unveiling of three near-production prototype electric vehicles at a press event at its Auburn Hills headquarters in Detroit today. The prototypes are the result of the carmaker’s recently...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee to get efficient Phoenix V6Chrysler is taking heed of tougher fuel-economy standards and shifting demand for smaller and more environmentally friendly vehicles by redesigning its next-generation models to be lighter and greener. The carmaker’s vice chairman, Tom LaSorda, has revealed that the next-generation model, due...
Siddarth Raja -
Report: Chrysler to build new axle factory with ZFChrysler is planning an aggressive model offensive over the next couple of years, with up to nine new models in the pipeline including both model refreshes and all-new vehicles. To cope with the extra capacity required for the new fleet, Chrysler is reportedly planning to build a new factory north...
James Martinez -
Fed loans will help roll-out electric vehicles says ChryslerCongress is currently deciding whether to provide Detroit’s carmakers with new loans that could top $25 billion as part of a greater package to help them ride out the storm that is CAFE. The new regulation will force carmakers to improve their fleet-wide fuel economy levels to 35mpg...
Alex Kaufmann -
Last month Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli hinted that several “unexpected” models could be launched as early as next year to help meet shifting consumer trends, and now the company’s vice chairman Jim Press has stated that another eight or nine new models could follow in 2010. Press, who will be speaking later today at a media event in Detroit, is expected to reveal details about Chrysler’s future plans under what he calls a "product renaissance." Press has returned to Detroit following a week in California where he previewed three new electric vehicles in front of...
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Detroit 3 running out of finance options, Federal loans look uncertainThe Detroit 3 are already getting as creative as they can to create liquidity as the downturn in the U.S. economy and car market push bottom lines lower and lower. Selling brands and cutting leasing programs, renegotiating deals with union officials and encouraging worker buyouts, the carmakers are...
Nelson Ireson -
Update: Chrysler confirms it will cut SUV from its lineupWith Project Genesis already underway at Chrysler the fat is truly being trimmed in order to turn things around for the ailing car maker. The latest step is an elimination of all 'twin' models - cars that look essentially the same, based on the same platform, that target the same buyers, but sold...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Chrysler boosts power and efficiency of 5.7L HEMI for 2009Chrysler’s HEMI V8 engine dates back more than fifty years, going back to the first ‘FirePower’ units from the 1950s and culminating with the third-generation design found in the carmaker’s current lineup. While the future of the legendary V8 is in doubt, there’s still...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Chrysler will preview three new electric vehicles to dealers this monthChrysler may be struggling substantially more than its Detroit 3 rivals, or any other major carmaker for that matter, but the company is hard at work and investing in the next-generation of powertrain and vehicle technologies. Its co-president has now revealed that three new electric vehicle...
Kenneth Hall -
Jeep Patriot and Compass receive interior updates for 2009The two smallest SUVs in Jeep's lineup, the Compass and Patriot, are getting all-new interiors for 2009 to help boost sales and fix problems with the previous models' design and materials. The two vehicles are the only ones in Chrysler's lineup that will be getting the upgrades for the 2009 model...
Nelson Ireson