Section: Chrysler
Written By: Winding Road Staff
May 8th, 2008 10:30 AM
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Our thoughts on the 2008 Dodge Charger R/T AWD are pretty unanimous. We are big fans of the 340-horsepower Hemi V-8 under the hood but the fun starts to diminish when the road begins to curve. As for interior refinement, our test car was loaded up with all of the bells and whistles anyone could want, but the build quality and materials used just aren’t as nice as something we could get from Europe or Japan.
Click through the jump to read our staff’s impressions of the Charger and click the images below to launch a gallery.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 6th, 2008 9:30 AM
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In a move to make its SUV and other low mpg vehicles instantly more attractive, Chrysler has announced a novel new program to help customers with the rising costs of fuel.
Starting tomorrow Chrysler is offering buyers a gas card that will allow them to purchase fuel at a capped $2.99 per gallon for three years, with a bunch of caveats. The automaker didn’t specify, for instance, which vehicles would be eligible for the promotional rate, or how much gas would be allowed during the three years.
Chrysler did say that the program, which will have the automaker paying the balance of the gas cost over $2.99 a gallon, will cover 87 octane, E-85, and diesel. The fuel cards will only be able to be used at sanctioned stations that are as yet unspecified.
Would the chance at three-years of cheap gas turn your head toward a Chrysler product? Give us your thoughts, in comments.
+ Automotive News: Chrysler offers buyers $2.99 per gallon gasoline (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Winding Road Staff
April 29th, 2008 1:30 PM
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We look at some of the similarities and differences between a frontline Chrysler product and the best-selling Mercedes-Benz on earth.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 16th, 2008 11:00 AM
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Chrysler has been front and center in the news this week, announcing a product-sharing deal with Nissan, as well as looking at expanding its partnership with Chery Automotive in China.
Now reports from Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper are claiming that Chrysler is in an advanced state of talks with Fiat, with an eye to teaming with the Italian automaker for possible production in the U.S. Fiat has been looking for idle capacity at auto plants as it plans Alfa Romeo’s American return, and has discussed cooperation with BMW or Detroit Three companies.
Meanwhile, Fiat chief technology officer Harald J. Wester revealed to Handelsblatt that the much-celebrated Fiat 500 minicar will be offered for sale in the U.S., though no time frame was given. Wester said that the American market 500s would be built either in the U.S. or at one of Fiat’s existing facilities in South America.
+ Motor Authority: Fiat in talks with Chrysler, confirms 500 for U.S.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: David Yang
April 15th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Chrysler LLC penned a deal last July with Chery, the largest independent automaker in China, in a production venture that will see Chrysler sell Chery cars to the U.S. Under the contract, Chery will export its A1 model under Chrysler Group’s Dodge brand.
During a recent interview, Chery’s chief executive and chairman, Yin Tongyao, said that the Chery A1, a 1.3-liter compact hatch, has almost completed its road and crash testing overseas. The compact A3 sedan will then follow into the American market.
(Click through the jump to read more or on the thumbnails below to check out the Chery A1.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 15th, 2008 9:00 AM
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Chrysler and Nissan have announced a product-sharing deal that would ostensibly help to bolster each automaker where it is weakest in its North American product range.
Chrysler will be getting a Nissan Versa-based small car, built to Chrysler’s design in Nissan’s Japanese factory, and aimed at competing in North America, Europe, and other global markets. In return Chrysler will begin to build pickup trucks for the Japanese partner, allowing Nissan to discontinue its Titan full-size truck. The Chrysler compact cars will likely be available around 2010, while the Nissan-badged trucks will start to arrive in 2011.
The deal follows an announcement last January that Chrysler would get a Versa-based car to sell in South America. Chrysler co-President Tom LaSorda called the product-sharing arrangement, “critical to the long-term success of Chrysler.” Both companies said in a statement that a dialogue will be kept open for future product-sharing opportunities as well.
+ Automotive News: Nissan, Chrysler strike deal for truck, car (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 8th, 2008 5:00 PM
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Surely not what Chrysler stylists had in mind when they first penned the PT Cruiser, this “rockcrawler mudbogger 4×4 custom” is a collision of style and intent.
The enterprising builder has used the evergreen K5 Blazer (a 1979 here) as the basic platform for his monster Cruiser, dropping the Chrysler body and interior on the Chevrolet running gear. It’s fair to say that said running gear has itself been substantially toyed with; in this case the 4-inch BDS suspension lift and 36-inch tires make the biggest impression.
For those who love the look of a beastly PT but are concerned with the reliability of the package (sensibly), the seller has thoughtfully offered a personal drivetrain warranty of 30 days or 1,000 miles. You might be sick of scraping the top of your garage by then anyway.
+ eBay Motors: 2001 Other Makes pt cruiser blazer
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 1st, 2008 8:00 AM
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In a move consistent with the cutbacks it’s been making all year, Chrysler has announced that will no longer provide free life insurance benefits to its retired white-collar workers. Retirees had been covered by a free $50,000 policy, but will now only be eligible to enroll in a voluntary MetLife plan at a reduced, group rate. Individuals losing benefits will also be eligible for a one-time pension boost of up to $4,000.
Chrysler currently has about 14,000 white collar retirees and the company decided that the cost of that group’s insurance policy was one it could no longer bear. “We made this choice after looking at the competitive landscape,” said Chrysler vice president of compensation, benefits, and corporate services Thomas Hadrych. Hadrych went on to say that only one-third of America’s 1,000 largest companies offer retiree life insurance.
The pension boost was given to keep former white-collar workers abreast of United Auto Workers retirees, who are slated to get an increase of $2,800 to their pensions over the next four years. The pension boost is said to be unrelated to the cessation of life insurance, but Hadrych helpfully points out that retirees could, “use the payment to buy life insurance, if they choose.”
+ The Detroit News: Chrysler cuts white-collar retiree life insurance
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 26th, 2008 8:00 AM
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Just two months after being picked to head a critical Chrysler product development team, vice president and engineering chief Mike Donoughe has resigned his post.
Donoughe had been chosen to lead Chrysler’s secret Project D, a development program for the all-important new global mid-size car platform, which will replace the Sebring and Dodge Avenger. The 49-year-old engineer had been seen as one of the best and brightest the automaker had in its roster, spending time working on both front and rear-drive vehicles, as well as working for two-years in Germany with former company partners Mercedes-Benz.
While Chrysler’s prepared statement claimed that there was no acrimony behind Donoughe’s quick departure, The Wall Street Journal reported the engineer had clashed with senior management.
Mark Chernoby has been tapped to replace Donoughe as vice president and chief engineer for Chrysler’s mid-size product team.
+ Automotive News: Key Chrysler product developer Donoughe quits (subscription required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 13th, 2008 3:00 PM
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While Chrysler may not be able to force its employees to take buyouts, it seems the automaker has got the authority to make them take summer vacations.
It seems that an internal email was leaked today, revealing a Chrysler order to its employees that no one will be able to come to work from July 7 through July 21 this summer. Mid-summer shut downs are normal occurrences at many auto factories, but this no-work order will extend to most salaried employees as well. Only Chrysler teams working on “special projects” will be up and running during the two-week timeout.
Chrysler was unwilling to elaborate on the short-term shut down, saying only that the move would lead to a boost in productivity and efficiency. Get your Mopar bathing suit ready.
+ Autoblog: Chrysler plans summer shutdown, mandatory vacation for workers
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 13th, 2008 12:30 PM
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When Chrysler first announced that it would be offering buyouts to United Auto Workers members in January, the automaker had hoped that it would get around 10,000 employees to take up the offer. Now it seems as if the company will fall short of its goal, though no one seems to want to say how short just yet.
UAW vice president General Holifield thinks that Chrysler may have to offer a richer buyout package if it hopes to get to the 10,000 number. The slumping economy seems to be persuading workers to stay put, as Holifield said, “People are trying to hold on to what they have … Jobs are not that easy to find.”
(Click through the jump to read on.)
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