Chrysler Car Blog

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Brand new Chrysler RWD sedan will replace Serbing and Avenger in 2010

Last February, Chrysler presented a viability plan at the U.S. Treasury. Little did the company know, the document revealed details about the new Chrysler 300 and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler has recently survived bankruptcy and is now under Fiat’s control. The viability plan also divulged insider information about future Fiat Chrysler 200cmodels to be produced once the Chrysler-Fiat alliance has been formalized. Therefore, it follows that Chrysler models will be undergoing major changes in the years to come.

For instance, the upcoming Alfa Romeo models are to be called the Milano, the 147 hatch replacement, and the Giulia, 159 successor. The 2010 Milano model is set for Europe this year, while the Giulia will enter the market in 2011.

According to Automotive News, Chrysler is deciding whether to come up with a brand new RWD sedan as a replacement for the Sebring and Dodge Avenger models that aren’t raking in enough sales. The candidates for the new model include a revamped Fiat D-Evo that is in the existing Alfa Romeo 159 model.

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Chrysler Assets Sold to Fiat; Announces Roll Out of 500 minicar

A United States bankruptcy judge approved on 31 July the acquisition of the assets of the Chrysler Group. The distribution goes to a health care trust associated with the United Auto Workers which takes 68%, Fiat has 20%, Canadian government gobbling 12%.

The judge who ruled on the case cited no alternative to the bankruptcy but a fast liquidation of the assets to save the value of Chrysler. The move was opposed by certain consumer groups, an Indiana based pension funds firm, and about 789 Chrysler dealerships. These groups see the move as done in haste and that Chrysler is getting rid of dealerships unnecessarily.

In the wake of the take over, Chrysler was forced to abandon thousands of units in the assembly with engines and components also unfinished. Several plants were also closed down. The halt of the production leads auto experts to assume that there will be delays in the launch of important projects like the new Grand Cherokee of Jeep and the next gen Chrysler 300.

On the other side of the story, Italian car maker Fiat is set to market the 500 minicar in the United States dealerships of Chrysler. The launch is estimated to be 18 months from now.

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Say Goodbye to Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler PT CruiserIt is considered as one of the original stylish retro cars. Forgive us for the pun but it will be in reality a retro after summer since Chrysler will discontinue the production of the PT Cruiser.

Executives from Chrysler confirmed the decision during an interview earlier this January.

The great style of the PT Cruiser has earned its respects from enthusiasts. It was even compared to the 1930’s gangster cars when it was launched last 2000. It was an instant hit and the car manufacturer has produced around 14 versions for the brand.

The PT Cruiser had variations like the Woodie, Turbo, and Woodward Dream Cruise variations.

The unchanged style of the car for almost a decade led to decline of sales. In 2008, PT Cruiser had a dismal performance in the market having a sales drop of 51%. The percentile translates to only 50910 units of PT Cruiser sold last year. The assembly line for this classic is in Toluca, Mexico.

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Chrysler LLC under Investigation after Getrag Deal Call Off

After the collapse of the Getrag – Chrysler LLC deal, the state of Indiana puts the car manufacturer under the microscope for possible securities fraud. According to an insider, the investigation has started but there are no allegations or complaints made.

If the joint venture between the two companies pushed through, a $530-milliion transmission assembly plant would have risen in the Tipton County and jobs for 1200 people would have been created. All of these plans were dissolved after Getrag declared a bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11.

getrag-chrysler

Getrag was pushed to against the wall when Chrysler LLC filed a complaint against Getrag claiming that the latter failed to get the appropriate financing.

The spotlight is on the revenue bonds sold by the Tipton County to Getrag and Chrysler. A local paper revealed that the bonds sold to the two companies amount to around $11 million.

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Heavy-Duty 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Models Roll Out from Chrysler Assembly Line

2010 heavy-duty Dodge Ram 2500The 2010 heavy-duty Chrysler Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models were unveiled during the Chicago Auto Show. The adjusted suspension greatly improves the driving quality of these overhauled models.

These Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models carry the engine of the previous model. The initial power comes from a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that has 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. In addition to this, a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine with 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque is an option for those who want to have additional power for their heavy-duty automobile.

While there are similar designs borrowed from the light-duty Dodge Ram models, the heavy-duty versions carry a front bumper that is exclusive only for the 2500 model and especially the 3500 model that features brand new wheel fenders with advanced aerodynamic qualities.

As for the interior modifications of the heavy-duty models, an optional two-compartment console, big enough to support a laptop and several piles of paperwork is also an option you might want to consider. It also carries the top of the line interior volume system.

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Chrysler declares in need of another $2 billion to aid production

Chrysler recently submitted their viability plan to the government to request for a supplementary$2 billion to exceed the $7 billion loan fund and also included in the report are the actions that they will do to cut costs.

The car manufacturer also declared that they will decrease fixed costs by adding $700 million, cutting 100,000 more of its units of production ability, suspending three more concept array and selling $300 million more in their assets.

Chrysler assured that they will complete their viability plan by its deadline on March 31.

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General Motors to trim down 14% of its global workforce this year

Chrysler FactoryGeneral Motors will trim down its workforce by fourteen percent around the globe by the end of this year and will also slash down the salaries of those who will remain in the car company.

From the current number of 73,000 salaried workforces, they will have a dreadful decline to a difference of 63,000 that is according to the statement made by General Motors. In the United States, approximately 3,400 of the car company’s 29,500 salaried workforces, mostly in southeast Michigan, will be removed by the first of May. These workers are eligible to receive severance pay and some financial assistance as declared by General Motors. The rest of the affected workforces will be from the European offices and from other parts of the world.

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Chrysler’s 200C EV Concept Car - Detroit auto show

Chrysler 200C Electric VehicleAutomotive journalists and enthusiasts alike were at the Detroit Auto Show, which served as the venue for the world premiere of Chrysler LLC’s four electric vehicles. Adding to the excitement was the surprise unveiling of the concept car for the company’s upcoming electric vehicle called the 200C EV.

The 200C EV concept car donned the similar electric drive system used in the other Chrysler EVs shown in Detroit, such as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV, Town & Country EV minivan, and the Jeep Patriot EV. According to Jim Press, Chrysler co-President, the line of EVs showcased at the Detroit show serves as evidence of the company’s ongoing plan to invest in EVs that will continue well into the next years.

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Chrysler 300C: Big Cars are Not Out

Rising fuel costs and the global financial crisis may have changed a lot of aspects of how people live on a daily basis. This includes how people choose their cars. The Chrysler 300C is a big car that is a big proof that big cars are not out.

The 300C signaled the return of the car manufacturer to the sedan rear wheel drive market. It conquered the market and became the top product of Chrysler.

The 300 follows the architecture of the Dodge Charger, Magnum, and Challenger all built in the same LX Platform of Chrysler. The LX platform is patterned after the architecture of the E Class of Mercedes released in 2002.

The power plant under the hood of the rear-wheel-drive 300 LX has an output of 178 horsepower at 5500 rpm for the 2.7L V6 version. At 4000 rpm, it has an excellent torque of 190 lb-ft.

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Glimpse of the Raging Bulls: 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Mega Cab

Although there is still two months left before the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Mega Cab is unveiled to the world, some car enthusiasts were able to shoot a few snap pictures of the said unit while the models were taken out for a final shakedown.

Chrysler’s Dodge Ram Mega Cab is said to feature optional 8-foot beds in its availability in 2010. The said humongous foot box will provide more space for the fifth-wheel trailer—a feature that could be of extreme use and service when the unit is faced with tight and difficult turns.

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