Group Alleges That Chrysler & Ford Engage In False Advertising

The Made in the USA Foundation was created in 1989 to promote American-manufactured products, and Ford was one of the companies that provided initial funding to the group. That hasn’t stopped the Made in the USA Foundation from calling out both Ford and Chrysler, charging both companies with false advertising in complaints filed with the FTC. Read more

The Dodge Dakota Reaches The End Of The Line

If you like your utility not too big, but not too small, you’re about to have one less choice on the market. The last Dodge (actually, Ram) Dakota pickups will roll off of Chrysler’s Warren Truck Plant Line tomorrow, ending a production run of some 24 years. Spotty build quality and mechanical issues plagued the Dakota over much of its life, and owners seem to be divided into two camps: those who experienced no problems with their trucks and those who experienced nothing but problems from their trucks. Read more

Chrysler Working On Engine That Burns Gas And Diesel

What if you could have the performance of a 4.0 liter V6, while returning the fuel economy of an inline four? Chyrsler is working with the Department of Energy on just such an engine, and it will use both gasoline and diesel to achieve these performance targets. It won’t burn the two fuels independently, so running out of gas (or diesel, presumably) will still leave you stranded. Instead, the engine burns the two fuels simultaneously to achieve both superior performance and fuel economy. Read more

No Alfas In The U.S. Until 2013

If you’re hounding your local Chrysler dealer, asking when you can put money down on an Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan, I’ve got bad news for you: you won’t be driving an Alfa in 2012, at least not in the United States. The storied brand’s return to the United States market has been delayed by at least six months, which pushes it back to mid-2013 unless further delays are encountered. The holdup appears to be the design of the new Giulia, which Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has expressed his displeasure with. While the Alfa engineers go back to their drawing boards (monitors, actually), Chrysler engineers are being told to rework the next generation of Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger, which will share platforms with the new Giulia. Read more

Chrysler Borrows Harley-Davidson’s Business Model, Sells T-Shirts

It’s no secret that the real cash cow for Harley-Davidson isn’t their bikes. It isn’t hard goods, either, like replacement air cleaners, exhaust systems, seats or other farkles that may or may not add horsepower. Harley-Davidson was one of the first companies to realize the power of brand licensing, and gets a cut of every single item that bears their bar-and-shield logo. Demand for Harley swag is enormous; not everyone can afford their bikes, but dropping $20 on a Harley t-shirt still gives you the biker image on a budget. Now Chrysler is following suit and launching a line of t-shirts with their “Imported From Detroit” slogan, made popular by Eminem’s Super Bowl ad for the Chrysler 200. Read more

Chrysler Rolls Out 200 Convertible For Chicago

If you’re at the Chicago Auto Show this week, chances are good you’re not driving a convertible (at least not with the top down). The cold weather isn’t stopping Chrysler, who plans to unveil the new 200 Convertible in Chicago. Chrysler wants us to know the 200 is no Sebring drop top, and their press release emphasizes the changes. The 200, we’re told, is “redesigned, re-engineered, re-packaged and re-priced for 2011”. In other words, throw out any preconceived notions you may have had about Chrysler convertibles based on past experience. Read more

2009 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition Review & Test Drive

When the original 300C hit the streets back at the turn of this century, it hit it big with enthusiasts waiting for the return of rear wheel drive, a big V8 engine, packaged into a full-size sedan.  When the Charger appeared it took with it the enthusiasts who wanted more edgy performance and styling.  The Chrysler 300C always stood for elegant style, Hemi power, comfortable high-performance handling, and luxury.

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Chrysler and Fiat Finalize Deal: Chrysler and Fiat Alliance Cleared by U.S. Supreme Court

Today the Supreme Court cleared the sale of Chrysler LLC to the Italian Fiat S.p.A led group. The sale was closed this morning, as the New York Times reported, confirming a wire transfer from the federal government providing Chrysler with $6.6 in bankruptcy exiting financing.

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