The 2012 Chrysler 300. Image: Chrysler Group LLC

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.

Ford claims in radio spots that the mid-size Fusion is an American car, yet it’s built in Mexico with Mexican labor. That will partially change in the near future, as Ford moves some of its Fusion production to Flat Rock, Michigan, where the car will be built alongside the Mustang. The bulk of Ford Fusion product will still come out of Ford’s plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, which should preclude Ford from waving the flag behind this particular model.

It gets worse for Chrysler. As both Automotive News (subscription required) and Left Lane News point out, the “Imported From Detroit” Chrysler 300 is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and uses an engine built in Mexico. That may be good enough for NAFTA, but it hardly qualifies the car as an American-made product.

Ford hasn’t commented on the complaint and Chrysler says it’s without merit. Per Michael Palese, Chrysler’s manager of legal communications, “Chrysler Group will continue to pursue all avenues to protect our “Imported From Detroit.”

Made in the USA Foundation also charges both automakers with removing the country of origin label from car windows at auto shows. This information can be found on the window sticker, which automakers often remove from vehicles displayed at car shows to prompt dialogue with in-booth personnel.

As Chrysler’s Palese points out, there’s nothing illegal about this. The American Automobile Labeling Act requires country of origin information to be displayed on vehicles distributed for sale, and not on those shown at auto shows.

The bottom line? If you really want to buy an American-made product, do your homework before you sign on the dotted line.

The 2011 Ram Dakota. Image: Chrysler Group, LLC

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.

Despite this, Dodge once sold as many as 177,000 Dakota pickups annually, but sales have fallen off in recent years. In 2010, Ram sold just under 13,000 Dakota pickups, and the overall compact pickup truck market now accounts for less than five percent of new vehicle sales in the United States. Buyers seem to favor full-size trucks, which often cost the same (or even less) than their smaller brothers, while yielding greater versatility.

That’s not to say that Dodge is abandoning the compact truck market like Ford did with the demise of its Ranger pickup. Chrysler is planning a “lifestyle vehicle,” featuring unibody construction, to supplement the range of trucks available from Ram dealers.

Source: Detroit News, via Left Lane News

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.

The engine is primarily a gas-burner that utilizes high compression and twin turbos to make reasonable power from a small displacement. Diesel is injected into the combustion chamber to control preignition, which allows the engine to run higher compression than pump gas normally allows. As a result, Chrysler claims comparable performance with a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to their 2009 model year 4.0-liter V6. That translates into 31 mpg on the highway in a Town & Country minivan, but a smaller, lighter vehicle could see even bigger fuel economy improvements.

Chrysler isn’t the first automaker to undertake a multi-fuel engine project. Ford is working on a multi-fuel engine that uses both gasoline and ethanol, but there currently isn’t an infrastructure in place to support such a design in the real world. Where, exactly, would you buy ten gallons of ethanol? Diesel is commonly available from coast to coast, but both designs suffer from the same design drawback: multi-fuel engines require two separate fuel tanks and fuel systems, and they assume that drivers will never inadvertently mix fuels.

Since the engine is only in the design phase, Chrysler has time to sort out the bugs. I like the possibilities that such a design presents, because it shows that horsepower can coexist with fuel economy. Maybe the future for us horsepower junkies isn’t as bleak as we thought.

Source: Kicking Tires

Alfa Romeo, please build this concept roadster...

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.

If all goes well, expect to see a Giulia sedan, a 4C sports coupe and an Alfa Romeo SUV based on the next generation Jeep Liberty / Compass by the end of 2013. There’s a chance that we could also get a wagon version of the Giulia platform, although European manufacturers tend to believe that wagons won’t sell in the United States. Personally, I’m holding out hope that Alfa builds a two seat roadster for the U.S. market, like the 2uettottanta Concept pictured above and shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Source: The Torque Report

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.

The shirts are available in white, gray and black, in both bold logo and distressed logo designs, on the Chrysler Collection website. I should be more precise and say they WERE available on the Chrysler website, until they sold out. In every color. In every style. Priced at $29.95 (really, I’m not making that up), shirt sales will go a long way towards adding to Chrysler’s 2011 bottom line, if they can keep them in stock. If Harley’s history is an indicator, we can expect Chrysler to trademark the sound of Dodge’s 5.7 liter Hemi V8 any day now.

Source: Autoblog

The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible. Image: Chrysler Group, LLC

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.

One of the areas stressed by Chrysler is the new car’s “elegant craftsmanship” and “refined driving experience”. The improvements in handling come largely from a suspension that has been thoroughly redesigned, retaining only six suspension bushings (of 28) from the old Sebring. Engine choices are new for 2011, and include either the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 or the 2.4 liter World Gas I4. On the inside, the cars get a redesigned interior, complete with an available media center, voice command infotainment system, Sirius Travel Link and a 30 Gb hard drive for storing images, music or movies.

Prices start at $27,195 for a base Chrysler 200 Convertible Touring, and go up to $31,990 for a well equipped Limited version. Chrysler also has a sport version in the works, called the 200 Convertible S, but didn’t provide details on pricing. Expect Touring and Limited versions to hit dealer showrooms early in the second quarter, with S model convertibles following later in the year.

Source: Chrysler Group, LLC

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.

With the introduction of the new 2009 300C Heritage Edition, consumers wanting the elegant style and luxury found in a 300C, but needed that more edgy performance, now have the opportunity to have both.

The new Heritage Edition combines the same edgy, sport-tuned suspension, performance shocks, and a performance steering gear found in the Dodge Charger RT Daytona.  On the outside Chrysler adds a unique, bright chromed mesh grille, chin spoiler, rear trunk lip spoiler, and ‘Heritage Edition’ badges on the front fenders.  The Heritage Edition 300C doesn’t look or perform like the factory 300C, it only does it better and is a terrific bargain for a full-size, powerful, high-performing luxury sedan. It’s the way I would want my 300C to look and handle.

Since its introduction the Chrysler 300C has been a winner with all enthusiasts and pundits gaining points for styling, engineering, comfort, luxury and safety for a reasonable price.

The new chromed mesh grille adds more style and bling up front, while the front fender ‘Heritage Edition’ badges have red, white and blue colors beneath the two words to dress them up-level, and the front/rear spoilers increase downforce for added stability.

It is just the right amount of bling and glitz not offensive to most, just a wide stripe on top of the front bumper, under the quad HID headlamps, doors, door handles, side mirror housing, a strip along the beltline and around the greenhouse.  The rear shows a strip above the bumper and bright polished dual round exhaust tips set between the bottom diffuser.

In the right angle the giant 20X8in. chrome clad aluminum wheels are blinding, and each is wrapped with Goodyear, all-season, high-performance 245/45R20in. tires.

Inside is plush, sporty, comfortable, and luxurious with power adjustable/heated real Nappa leather trimmed sports seats with suede inserts, ‘Heritage Edition’ vertical badges on each seat back top.

More chrome has been added to the dual cupholders and door trim panels.  The center storage bin/armrest contains lots of space for your needed items.  The power tilt/telescoping leather/wood wrapped steering wheel feels perfect in your hands as does the perfectly placed, leather/chrome stick shifter.

The instrument cluster is elegant with silver bezels around the analog gauges, easy to see and understand.  The brushed aluminum center stack has easy to use controls for the audio/navigation/personal communication systems and dual-zone climate control system with air filtration.  Light colored California Poplar burl wood trim is placed on the center console and passenger-side dashboard adding to the luxury look.  The door pulls also feature the same wood as the steering wheel.

All switches, dials and buttons are within easy reach and fully illuminated for safe nighttime driving.  All of the touch points are soft and shows Chrysler’s attention to detail and workmanship.  The rear seats are heated with a pull down armrest with dual cupholders.  Air ducts mounted on the rear of the center console brings cooled or heated air into the rear more efficiently.  Above each rear door is a grab handle making entry and exit easier.

Under the skin is the new, more powerful 360hp, 5.7 liter HEMI V8 engine with variable cam timing and a Multi-Displacement-System (MDS) that shuts off 4-cylinders under light throttle to increase fuel efficiency.  An ‘ECO’ LED lights up in the space next to the outside temperature readout on the top of the instrument cluster when you go into MDS letting you know that you are saving gas.  The system is seamless, only the lighted ECO letting you know.  I was driving the car on level freeway with light throttle at 68mph and the ‘ECO’ light came on and stayed until I increased the pressure on the throttle.

The powerful HEMI V8 engine with a high-speed engine controller is mated to Chrysler’s 5-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, and Adaptive Electronic Control.  AutoStick lets you hold down the gear to redline increasing your ability to accelerate and de-accelerate.  Adaptive Electronic Control learns your shifting habits choosing the best gear as you travel.  The transmission is smooth and strong having no trouble handling the massive 389lb.ft. of torque.  Putting all of the power down on the pavement is a responsive limited slip differential.

The 300C ‘Heritage Edition’ gets the high-performance tuned, fully independent suspension found on the Dodge Charger ‘Daytona’ RT.  Up front is a SLA (short/long arm) setup with high upper ‘A’ arms, coil springs over gas-charged shocks, and a stabilizer bar.  The high-performance tuned rear features a 5-link setup with an isolated suspension cradle to attach the coil springs, specially tuned Nivomat self-leveling gas-charged shocks, and stabilizer bar. It’s more responsive in the turns keeping the rear inline and fully patched to the road, and cuts out all noise, vibration and harshness.

You can of course shut off the traction control and stability control systems to let the rear slid out as you slice through tough curving back roads.

Enhancing control even further is the hydraulic power-assist, rack & pinion performance-tuned, 9-land steering gear from the Daytona and SRT models. It gives you a tremendous feel for the road surface and returns almost instant response to your steering inputs.  The only negative part of the steering system is when you are in a parking lot traveling about 20mph as it feels as if you lost your power steering system.  But is a small price to pay when you are traveling at high speeds, or carving up curving roads glued to the road.

Quickly slowing the 300C ‘Heritage Edition’ down from speed are large, power-assisted, 4-wheel, steel disc brakes.  Up front are 13.6in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers, and 12.6in. solid discs in the rear clamped with single-piston calipers.  Standard ABS and Brake Assist ensures that you remain in control while braking hard, or when traveling over slick or wet road surfaces.

The new 2009 Chrysler 300C ‘Heritage Edition’ comes fully equipped with these standard features not mentioned above: power adjustable pedals, cruise-control, rain sensitive, intermittent wipers/washers, power windows/door locks with express up/down up front, remote keyless entry/exit, universal garage door opener, rear window defogger, u-connect Sirius Satellite Radio, 276-watt digital amphifier/six speakers, steering wheel mounted audio control/trip computer readouts/personal settings, radio/driver’s seat/steering column memory, self-dimming rearview mirrors, power-remote/heated/self-dimming side mirrors, illuminated entry, illuminated rear map pockets, dual front map lamps/rear reading lamps, illuminated dual vanity mirrors, and front/rear Berber floor mats.

Options included in my test 300C were a 368-watt amphifier DSP with 7-Boston Acoustic speakers/subwoofer, iPod enterface, rear park sensors, power sunroof, and Chrysler’s Multi-Media Navigation System with GPS, Sirius Satellite Radio/Traffic, Video Entertainment System to play DVD’s with a Sirius Backseat TV system folded and mounted on top of the center console.  The only option not found on this 300C was the Adaptive Cruise Control.

Wow!  My time behind the wheel of the new 300C ‘Heritage Edition’ was both fun and exiting.  My favorite rear-wheel-drive model is the 300C and now with the specially tuned fully independent suspension, steering, and 20in. wheel/tires, it handles more like a high-performance sedan which was dearly missed before, except for the SRT model.

Just a few exterior pieces like the new chrome mesh grille and front fender badges differentiates this 300C ‘Heritage Edition’ from the other 300C’s, plus you can have more fun and exciting times on the back roads and steep curves.

COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: MSRP $37,135.00 as tested including destination charges $46,040.00
Type: Large Sedan
Where Built: Canada
EPA Class: Large Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 196.8 in.
Width: 74.1 in.
Height: 58.4 in.
Wheel Base: 120 in.
Ground Clearance: 5.6 in.
Curb Weight: 4096 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5300 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.7 in.
Front Hip Room: 55.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 59.4 in.
Rear Head Room: 38 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 57.7 in.
Rear Hip Room: 55.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.8 in.
Rear Leg Room: 40.2 in.
Luggage Capacity: 17.2 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 5.7 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 360 hp
Max Horsepower: 5000 rpm
Torque: 390 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm
Maximum Towing Capacity: 2000 lbs.
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 38.9 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 16 mpg / 25 mpg / 19 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 304 mi. / 475 mi. / 361 mi.

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.

Ever since the bankruptcy filing of Chrysler, the buyer was reported to be Fiat but several road blocks kept the deal from going smoothly.

A White House official said after the sale, “We are delighted that the Chrysler-Fiat alliance can now go forward, allowing Chrysler to reemerge as a competitive and viable automaker.” … “We are gratified that not a single court that reviewed this matter, including the U.S. Supreme Court, found any fault whatsoever with the handling of this matter by either Chrysler or the U.S. government.”

The Obama administration and Chrysler urged the Supreme Court to allow the sale to take place warning that a longer delay could end the deal resulting in a liquidation and loss of over 38,000 jobs.

A $2 billion sale of Chrysler’s assets to a new company allows 68 percent to be controlled by a health care trust aligned with the UAW as agreed on June 1^st. Fiat will now control 20 percent while the U.S. and Canadian governments will control 12 percent.

[source: Autonews]