David Zatz 
Dodge is announcing a series of three new security solutions to help protect Dodge Challenger and Charger owners against criminal theft. The first is an “Enhanced Security Valet Mode” that uses a four-digit code in the radio to limit engine power output to less than 3 horsepower, preventing fast getaways. (This was discussed earlier, but …
US dealers will be clear of one more large sedan in 2023, according to Larry Vellequette of Automotive News, who reported this week that the Toyota Avalon is being dropped at the end of the 2022 model year. Originally created out of the Camry by mainly ex-GM engineers in the United States, the Avalon waxed …
The Jeep Wagoneer, a luxurious full-sized SUV, now has official fuel economy numbers. These are for the Wagoneer, not the Grand Wagoneer; the Grand Wagoneer comes with a 392 cubic inch high-performance Hemi, while the Wagoneer comes with the more mainstream 5.7 (345 cid) Hemi. With rear wheel drive, the Wagoneer is rated at 16 …
Every brand gets ten years to prove itself. That’s the promise of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, and it’s going to be a tough wait for Chrysler, which might go down to a single model before it starts expanding again—then to either succeed or, in 2031, be dissolved, ending a 107-year run and being replaced by …
Earlier today, fellow Chrysler news site Mopar Insiders posted their expectations that the Dodge Hornet will be placed on sale in 2022. Mike Volkmann based part of his story on the chart shown by Stellantis leader Carlos Tavares at the EV Day presentation, which lists a new PHEV Jeep for the second half of 2021 and …
Windsor, the birthplace and current home of Chrysler minivans, will almost certainly get a battery-electric van, according to Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy, speaking with the Windsor Star. He was not revealing a secret: one or two new electric models were brought up in the contract negotiations last Fall. Stellantis said, a week ago, …
How many Mopars are still being used in the United States? According to Experian, which analyzed all registrations of vehicles in the United States and released a summary to Automotive News, the answer is “quite a few.” However, it’s a little more complicated. First, let’s look at the traditional cars. There are apparently 3.7 million …
Stellantis, like every other major automaker, is betting on a more electric future. In this case, the company is investing $35 billion in electrification, using a scalable family of three electric-drive modules. The company is working on solid state batteries as well as two conventional chemistries. The company is planning four flexible BEV platforms with …
Stellantis has reported high first-half-of-2021 results, with an 11.4% margin; all segments were profitable. The following results are listed in euros; currently, €1 = US$1.19. First, net revenues were €72.6 billion, compared with €19.6 billion one year ago; the net profit was €5.8 billion, vs €797 million in the first half of 2020. Pro format, …
The Jeep Gladiator has climbed to #3 among midsize pickups, which is admittedly not a large group of vehicles, partly by being available during a time of shortages. Now, parts shortages are hitting the Gladiator too, but only for one week of production—so far. Americans bought 48,784 Gladiators in the first half of the year, …
Second news brief first: The Jeep Gladiator is temporarily being paused due to parts shortages, while the Wrangler will stay in full production. First brief second: Ralph Gilles provided a snapshot of a global design meeting, bringing together design leaders for every Stellantis brand. Ralph wrote, “What an honor to team up with Jean-Pierre Ploue, …
According to AutoWatching, Stellantis is losing three former Chrysler people to retirement. Scott Garberding was FCA’s highly regard head of manufacturing; he joined Chrysler in 1993 and rose to become head of quality, purchasing, and manufacturing for FCA US, before becoming FCA’s global chief of manufacturing. Michael Keegan, who joined Chrysler in 1990, was FCA’s …
