Marchionne Predicts 2013 Dodge Dart will be Certified at 40mpg, will get 9-Speed Auto

The Chrysler Group gave us our first taste of its sporty looking all-new 2013 Dodge Dart compact sedan on Tuesday with the release of a teaser photo gallery and the initial data on the car's specifications.

The Dart may prove to be one of the most important models in Dodge's recent history not only because it is the first Chrysler product to be based upon a Fiat architecture and in particular, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but also because CEO Sergio Marchionne told Reuters that he believes its fuel efficiency will be certified at "40 mpg or more by the end of the month".

The reason why that matters is that, under the deal made with the U.S. government to allow Chrysler to emerge from bankruptcy protection in 2009, the Italian company will receive the final 5 percent of stock if it develops a Fiat-based car that will be built in the U.S. and can get at least 40 miles per gallon.

The Italian group currently owns 53.5 percent of Chrysler. If the new 2013 Dodge Dart is certified at 40mpg or more, then Fiat can automatically raise its stake to 58.5 percent. The remaining shares of the company are held by the United Auto Workers [UAW] retiree health care trust.

The new Dart is based on a widened and elongated version of the Alfa Giulietta platform and will be offered at launch with a choice of three four-cylinder gasoline engines, including improved versions of the group's 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter World Gas engines that have been renamed to Tigershark, and the 1.4-liter turbocharged unit from the Abarth 500.

Autonews reports that the Dart will debut with a Fiat Group-sourced 6-speed dual-clutch transmission but in 2013, the range will be enhanced with a new 9-speed transmission currently being developed by the ZF Group.

The Dart will be manufactured at the Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.

Story References: Autonews

PHOTO GALLERY

Police Vehicles : 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Records Fastest-Ever Lap Time at Michigan Evaluation Test

The ongoing bragging war among Detroit's big three and their newly launched police vehicles continues without an end in sight.

Today, the Chrysler Group announced that the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 with 370HP set the fastest lap time ever reordered at Michigan State Police’s (MSP) annual Police Vehicle Evaluation tests earlier this week at the Grattan Raceway in Belding, at 1:33.70.

Chrysler added that Hemi V8 Charger Pursuit also leads the sedan segment (namely GM's Chevrolet Caprice PPV and the Ford Taurus Interceptor) in terms of pure acceleration with the fastest 0-to-60mph (96km/h) and 0-to-100mph (160km/h) time:

• 0-to-60 mph (5.83 sec)
• 0-to-70 mph (7.38 sec)
• 0-to-80 mph (9.18 sec)
• 0-to-90 mph (11.43 sec)
• 0-to-100 mph (13.65 sec)

The Detroit maker was also quick to point out that 292 horsepower Charger Pursuit V6 models averaged the fastest times for naturally aspirated (1:37.71) and E-85 capable(1:37.57) six-cylinder police cars with four wheels, seats and a steering wheel.

“Achieving the fastest-ever lap time at the Michigan State Police’s annual Police Vehicle Evaluation test reflects the mission of the Dodge Charger Pursuit Team to equip our law enforcement officials with the absolute best combination of vehicle performance and tactical equipment,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet, Chrysler Group LLC.

“Even more impressive is that all four Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Team drivers averaged their fastest times in the Charger Pursuit – reinforcing the driver confidence provided when world-class acceleration, braking, handling and dynamics are combined.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Dodge Mulling Super Durango SRT8 with 465HP Hemi V8

Chrysler already a high-performance SUV in its arsenal, namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 that comes fitted with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 pushing out 465 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque and which can complete the quarter mile sprint in the mid-13 seconds range.

But now, the Detroit carmaker it also considering giving the Durango the SRT8 treatment in 2013. This would be an easy task, since both models are based on the same platform.

Therefore Dodge should have no problem shoehorning the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 under the Durango’s bonnet, as well as use the Jeep's lowered active suspension and proceed to some bodywork and interior upgrades befitting the SRT badge.

The only obstacle is that the most powerful model in the Durango line-up, the370HP R/T, has sold only 2,418 units since it launched in March – a meager 7% of the model’s total sales.

As a result, Chrysler’s executives are still understandably cagey about producing a model that would sell in even smaller numbers and wouldn’t justify its development costs.

Story source: Inside Line

PHOTO GALLERY

Chrysler Touts New 300's 8-Speed Automatic in New Imported from Detroit Commercial

The Chrysler Group continues to roll out new advertisements that communicate the “Imported from Detroit” message, albeit without the success of the original commercial starring Eminem that in our opinion should have been about the new 300 instead of the 200, but that is another tale for another time.

The new 60-second commercial is titled, “If You’re Gonna,” and it begin to air on national and cable networks last Friday, September 16.

The spot is centered around the new 300 sedan touting its new eight-speed automatic transmission and the improved fuel-efficiency of the lineup. The ad shows the 300 traveling throughout Detroit and its neighboring cities.

“The new commercial continues our 'Imported from Detroit' theme by taking this great city to the rest of the world and captures a day-in-the-life of local citizens in and around Detroit,” commented Saad Chehab, President and CEO of the Chrysler Brand.

The new campaign was created in partnership with the Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency from Portland, Oregon.

PHOTO GALLERY

Delay in Alfa Romeo's Return Brings Desperation To The Fiat Dealers in USA

Alpha Romeo

American fans of the Alfa Romeo brand are not the only ones to be upset by the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's most recent decision to delay the scheduled return of the Italian automaker to the States. So are the company’s newly launched Fiat dealerships that were expecting the brand to launch in late 2012.

While Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne never put it in ink, the company had told its 130 Fiat dealers in the USA that they would likely get Alfa Romeo cars as part of their franchise.

The Fiat-Chrysler alliance appointed a total of 130 Fiat dealers across the States, most of which already had a Chrysler store. The company gave dealers the permission to incorporate temporary showrooms in their existing Chrysler facilities, but required them to build separate and permanent stores by the end of 2012.

"Right now I'm pretty disappointed because I have a pretty big investment in Fiat," Carl Galeana, owner of Fiat of Lakeside in suburban Detroit, told Automotive News. "I built my store predicated on the fact there would be more than Fiat." Galeana added that the company had not told them about the new delay.

Another CEO of a Chrysler dealership with a Fiat store, who asked not to be named, told the news site: "This delay is not positive for dealers who have invested and committed to the Fiat franchise."

However, there are dealers who are not bothered by the absence of Alfa Romeo in their showrooms as they focus on the Fiat 500, 500C and the upcoming Abarth variants.

"Most of my customers are just happy with what we have," said Louis Perez, a salesperson at Fiat of Portland in Maine. "Fiat is a stand-alone vehicle anyway, and it works out well. We'll have an Abarth coming."

Alfa Romeo's revised plan calls for the arrival of the BMW 3-Series challenging Giulia in 2014, instead of 2012, while the company canceled plans to build a mid-size SUV in 2014.

A smaller crossover that was originally scheduled to enter the market in 2012 is now due in 2013, the same year that will (allegedly) see the introductions of the 4C mid-engine coupe and the MiTo subcompact.

In 2014, Alfa Romeo will present the two-seater Spider (originally planned for 2013) and the Giulietta compact hatchback, while the company's plan also includes a large rear-wheel drive sedan that shares its platform hardware with the next Maserati Quattroporte.

Story sources: Autonews [sub.req.]

The Manchurian Candidate: Jeep capitalizes on Fiat’s Chinese Operations, Wants to Build SUVs locally

Now that Sergio Marchionne has consolidated Fiat-Chrysler management into a smaller, leaner unified team, its members are working full force to maximize the group’s capabilities.

Jeep CEO Mike Manley travelled to China last Wednesday to negotiate the local production of Jeep models with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd., which already has a joint venture with Fiat.

“Fiat has a very strong partner there, so we will be discussing various options,” said Manley who is also Fiat Group’s head of marketing in Asia. “If I can localize Jeep you are going to see many multiples of what we sell today.”

Right now Jeep’s Chinese range is comprised of the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Patriot and Compass. Last year, Jeep sold 11,646 units in the country, all imported.

“For us to grow in China, you have to produce. The import duties are pretty high when you bring vehicles in,” commented Manley. He added that the Compass, Patriot and Wrangler would be the first Jeep to produce locally, if he does finalize the deal with Guangzhou Automobile.

“Our vehicles really play in the premium segment in China. The market is just too big an opportunity not to take advantage of it on a local manufacturing basis.”

Manley estimates that if the deal goes through and gets approval by the authorities Jeep could begin local production in 18-24 months. Moreover, Manley said the company plans to add a fourth model in 2013 that will be based on a front-wheel drive Fiat platform and slot in below the Compass and Patriot in Jeep’s line-up.

Story source: Automotive News

PHOTO GALLERY

Chrysler Slows Down Production Due to a Lack of Carpets

Chrysler Carpeting

A lack of carpets after one of Chrysler’s suppliers on the East Coast was hit by the tropical storm Lee has forced the automaker to slow down production and cancel shifts this week at three of its plants.

The carpeting shortage has hampered production at the Sterling Heights Assembly in Michigan, Toledo North in Ohio and Brampton Assembly in Ontario.

The models that are affected by this problem are the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Nitro, the Chrysler 200 and 300 and the Dodge Durango, Avenger and Challenger.

However, workers at the three plants will not get a chance to rest despite the cancelled shifts as they will be reporting to work as usual in order to receive further training.

Story source: Reuters

Another Month, Another Delay: Alfa Romeo Won't Come to the States Until 2013, Cancels SUV Plans

Alfa 4C
In what has become something of a joke for those closely following the Fiat Group's plans to re-introduce Alfa Romeo to the States, the Milanese firm's CEO Harald Wester told journalists in Frankfurt that the company has once again pushed back the U.S. presentation of several key models.Wester also said that Alfa Romeo has canceled plans to build a mid-sized SUV at Chrysler Group's factory in Ohio.

In July, and following a string of delays that began in 2000, Fiat and Chrysler Group head honcho Sergio Marchionne said that Alfa Romeo would enter the U.S. market with the 4C sports car before the end of 2012, and launch a compact crossover model in 2013.

Now, Marchionne is claiming that the current debt crisis in Europe is forcing the company to reevaluate the timing of its new vehicle introductions.

"We are reviewing volumes and the timing of new products to see when it is really necessary to launch them," Marchionne said.

Under the new plan –which could very well be reassessed in a couple of months […]- Alfa will bring the 4C to the States in the first half of 2013, and the Ford Fiesta-sized MiTo hatchback in the second part of the same year.

In addition, the latest plan ditches the Jeep Liberty-based Alfa Romeo crossover and instead calls for a large rear-wheel drive sports sedan, loosely based on the next generation Maserati Quattroporte which will appear sometime after 2014.

Story source: Automotive News [Sub. Req.]

IAA 2011: Lancia Displays its Stars and Stripes in Frankfurt

Lanika Frankfurt

If anything else, and with a few exceptions such as the Ypsilon supermini, the aging Musa and the Delta compact hatchback, Lancia's range is beginning to look eerily similar to that of the Chrysler brand.

At this week's 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, the Italian company displayed its entire lineup including the Thema sedan, Flavia Cabrio and the Voyager MPV, which are rebadged versions of the Chrysler 300, 200 Convertible and Town & Country respectively.

The rear-wheel drive Thema will go on sale in Europe in October with a choice of V6 diesel and gasoline units. The Voyager will also reach dealerships at the same time with buyers having the option of either a 287HP 3.6-liter V6 petrol linked to an automatic transmission or a 163HP 2.8-liter Multijet diesel with a manual gearbox. .

Lancia has not yet clarified when the Flavia Cabrio will enter production, but it is believed that it will go on sale in Europe early next year. The roofless model shown in Frankfurt is equipped with a 175HP 2.4 litre petrol engine matched to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Even though Lancia exhibited a sedan variant at the Geneva Show earlier this year, the company decided against offering it in Europe due to the high cost of adding a necessary diesel engine option.

PHOTO GALLERY