Dodge Challenger Dominates the Factory Classes at the NHRA Midwest Nationals

NHRA Midwest Nationals FSS and FX Winners

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

State Police: How Dodge Durango, the only Mopar, Compares with the EVs and Other Pursuit Cars

2022 Dodge Durango police pursuit car (squad)

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

UAW moving to pressure Ford, GM

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

Turk’s Blackbird Dodge Challenger Sets Early Records in Factory X

Geoff Turk and His Blackbird Dodge Challenger Factory X

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

Stellantis Delays Second U.S Battery Plant Location: What You Need to Know

Factorial CEO Siyu Huang and solid state battery

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

Throwback Thursday: Pictorial—adding assembly lines to a crowded plant

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

STLA replaces Jeep chief, two regional leaders

Christian Meunier

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

Direct Connection Stage Kit Update for Charger, Challenger Hellcat

Dodge Hellcat Tuning Package

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

Windsor minivan plant down

Windsor plant

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