This past weekend, the NHRA headed to World Wide Technology Raceway for the Midwest Nationals and among the 13 classes competing were two factory-based classes – Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) and Factory X (FX). Both of these factory-based classes were won by Dodge Challenger entries, with Mark Pawuk winning in Factory Stock Showdown while Allen … Read more
This year, for the first time in its history, the Michigan State Police ran their tests without any actual sedans. The Dodge Charger, Ford Police Interceptor, and Chevrolet Impala are all history.
Dodge had a single entry, the Durango, with all wheel drive and a choice of Pentastar or Hemi V8 engines; there was only a 1.45 minute gap between them in the overall dynamics testing. Chevrolet, for the first time ever, had an electric police pursuit car in the mix; Ford entered its Mach-E Mustang last year, as well. Read more
Leading the recall news for the week is a flock of recalls for fires in the engine bay caused by either the antilock brake unit or the hydraulic brake computer. The recalls affect Kias from 2010 to 2019, and Hyundais and Genesis models from 2011 to 2015. The range of vehicles is quite wide, from … Read more
The last UAW move spared Ford from having its parts plants go on strike; but the Ford Chicago plant is going on strike today. That puts the Explorer and Aviator out of action. GM is being hit in Lansing with the Traverse-Enclave plant on strike. The union’s president, Sean Fain, said that Stellantis had made … Read more
If you pay any attention to the world of modern Mopar drag racing, you are likely familiar with Geoff Turk and his Dodge Challenger race car, known as the Blackbird. For years, Turk has campaigned one of the quickest modern Challenger race cars in the world in a variety of different racing associations, but for … Read more
In recent years, Stellantis has stated its goal of being a significant player in the global market for electric vehicle batteries. Through strategic partnerships and facility development, the company is trying to catapult itself to the forefront of the electric vehicle industry. Stellantis was due to announce the location of another United States battery plant, … Read more
Trenton Engine was built in 1951 to make high-volume V8s; today, it makes V6 engines and motor parts. Nearly a quarter of a century ago, the plant was just about at its capacity, as Chrysler had been building up its sales through the 1990s and dropping imported Mitsubishi fours and sixes. They made aluminum-block V6 … Read more
Christian Meunier, current head of Jeep, is being replaced by Antonio Filosa and Meunier is taking “a long break to focus on personal interests.” Also interested in personal matters is Carl Smiley, who is being replaced as COO of India/Asia-Pacific by Ashwani Muppasini. Emanuele Cappellano is replacing Antonio Filosa as COO of South America, as … Read more
The first Direct Connection stage kits to reach Power Broker dealerships earlier this year were strictly for the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye (and closely related Super Stock). Due to issues with government regulations, the approval process took a whole lot longer than expected, so the first kits were shipped and delivered almost a year … Read more
A minor glitch in the programming of a Dodge Hornet feature has been confusing early customers of the small, sporty crossover. When the Hornet is getting a weak GPS (global positioning system) signal, it may show a red circle on the dashboard with an odd number there, which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the actual speed. Read more
The Jeep Avenger, currently sold only as a battery-electric, has reached 40,000 sales so far this year. These sales seem to be an addition to the Renegade, which has beaten its 31,705 January-through-August 2022 sales with over 32,000 Renegades changing hands so far this year (through the end of August). The new Avenger is, in … Read more
Only four recalls made it to the NHTSA mailing this week. Genesis had various 2021-2022 vehicles with fuel pump failures that could cause “loss of drive power” or, as old-timers say, stalling. Toyota had the wrong load-carrying capacity cards installed in 2023 Tundras. Kia had rear-view cameras which may not work in 2019 Sorentos, and … Read more
The minivan famously arrived in 1983, for the 1984 model year, starting with a Mitsubishi-engined Plymouth Voyager which was followed by a Dodge Caravan*. But it could have started by 1976 or 1977. According to artist Dennis Kline, minivan work started around 1972… Read more
The Windsor minivan plant has cancelled all production for today without giving a reason. Skilled trades and employees engaged in launching new vehicles were called in for work.
The UAW has struck a number of Stellantis parts distribution centers, which will start to impact dealers trying to get service parts and may impact factories as well. However, the company has a large inventory of minivans at dealerships, so the production stoppage might not be related to the strike. Read more
The UAW has stepped up its strikes by targeting Stellantis and GM parts distribution centers (PDCs), while leaving its initial Ford strike in place. The move reinforces the idea that the UAW is making more progress with Ford than with GM or Stellantis. Image of parts warehouse from the company’s remanufactured parts group. 38 GM … Read more
Jack Benny, a vaudeville master of ceremonies with a suave manner and self-deprecating jokes, went on the radio in 1932 radio show. He was to become a legend, inspiring Johnny Carson, other comedians, and at least one Shakespearean actor…. Read more
