Car shortage easing with higher production

Building TigerShark 2.4 at Dundee

While car shortages are expected to continue for another year, due to parts shortages, North American production has been rising—according to Automotive News. Within the Big Three, in June 2022 compared with June 2021:FCA US: 159,677—up by 34,885General Motors: 186,979—up by 29,101Ford: 153,401—up by 27,665For the year to date, the numbers are also better than … Read more

Road Runner, Barracuda coming—but not the way you’d think

1972 Cuda

Last week, Mopar announced a number of new additions to its Direct Connection portfolio, aimed mainly at racers—Direct Connection’s original 20th-century audience and purpose. These include a new Drag Pak rolling chassis for the Sportsman class in drag racing and a new $8,000 Challenger body-in-white. These were covered by Stellpower in some detail last week, … Read more

Mopar opens goodies store on Amazon

Mopar memorabilia

Mopar has opened up an accessories store on Amazon, making it possible for people to buy memorabilia and Mopar-branded clothing without having to go through car dealers. If this story sounds familiar, it’s because Dodge has already done so.The store is likely to excite some and disappoint others—because aftermarket and replacement parts still go through … Read more

Hornet GLH? Fratzogs? “Extreme” Jeeps? Clues dropped in plain sight

1985 Dodge GLH

In addition to bringing back the fratzog—its logo through the 1960s and early 1970s—Dodge may bring back a symbol of 1980s performance.FCA US trademarked three Dodge terms, all in the category of “passenger automobiles and structural parts therefor:”Fratzog—the Dodge symbol which, to our knowledge, was only informally named, and not trademarked by the old Chrysler … Read more

The-next-Dodge answers are coming soon

Dodge Charger BEV AWD Burnout

On August 15, 16, and 17, Dodge will be making global debuts. Stellpower.com will be up front and center on all three, which should answer some questions about the brand’s direction.Dodge was created as Dodge Brothers in 1902, as detailed in this allpar story. They started out by making parts, selling to (among others) Ransom … Read more

2023 Gladiator in High Velocity Yellow

2023 Jeep Gladiator in high velocity yellow

Jeep is adding High Velocity Yellow to the 2023 Gladiator options; it’s the first yellow paint available for the off-road-capable pickup. Other color options are Firecracker Red, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting-Gray, Granite Crystal, Black and Bright White. The color is $395 in the US, and is also available in Canada.

Mopar releases high-performance wipers for Jeeps

Mopar high performance wiper-washers for Jeeps

The Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) team at Mopar is releasing new high performance wiper blades for the Wrangler and Gladiator. They have 12 laser-cut holes along each blade which create “wet jets” of washer fluid along the entire length, flooding the dirty windshield glass as the blade travels along its arc. Dirt and debris are washed … Read more

Canada: Official 2023 Wrangler updates released

2023 Jeep Wrangler - Earl and Reign

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler will get two new colors, as announced earlier; and the Jeep Wave loyalty program will expand to include the Wrangler, providing up to six oil changes and tire rotations, dedicated call center support, trip interruption, and first-day rentals (all for the first three years). The Rubicon will get new wheels.In both … Read more

Jeep recalls Grand Cherokees for lighting goof

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee (and L)

Jeep is recalling 2022 Grand Cherokees and 2021 Grand Cherokee Ls because the tail-light side markers may be broken. Around 100,000 vehicles in the United States, as well as exports to countries that use the same lights, are covered by FCA US recall Z50 (federal recall 22V544).Only 1% of the recalled vehicles are likely to … Read more

Buddy Arrington, independent Mopar racer (updated)

Buddy Arrington

Buddy Arrington has died at the age of 84. He had run 25 years in NASCAR’s toughest division, posting 15 top five finishes; he achieved first place runs in 1965 (Nashville) and 1979 (Talladega), impressive for an independent operator without factory backing. At Talladega, he ran in first place for two laps, but his crew … Read more

Inside the new engine coming to the USA for STLA Medium

EP6 Peugeot engine for Stellantis STLA Medium 1.6 hybrids

On Monday, FCA US announced that it would be making a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine for use with hybrid powertrains in two American vehicles. This engine appears to be a new edition in the established EP6 series.The first EP6 four-cylinders had rather public issues with the valve timing; when these were fixed, PSA assigned the name … Read more

FCA US, clearing up legal issues, paying $300 million for EcoDiesel cheats

VM diesel (Ram)

With Stellantis in charge and apparently eager to move beyond past mistakes, FCA US entered a guilty plea to conspiracy charges in federal court last two months ago. Today, the sentence came down: the company must pay $300 million for misleading federal regulators about the diesel emissions systems on 101,000 vehicles (Ram 1500s and Jeep … Read more

We know when the 2.4 is leaving—but what’s the replacement? (updated)

2.4-liter MultiAir Tigershark Engine

When the 2022 Jeep Cherokee eliminated the 2.4 liter four-cylinder, the writing on the wall became easier to read. The old “Tigershark” version of DaimlerChrysler’s World Gasoline Engine was now only used in the Jeep Compass and Ram ProMaster City.When we first wrote about this, weeks ago, we believed the 2.4 had around one or two … Read more

Japanese+BMW recall day

2022 toyota at new york auto show

Reading the recalls at Stellpower, people may get the idea that Stellantis recalls its cars at an unusual high rate. In fact, every automaker issues numerous recalls, as cars are exceedingly complex systems made with a bewildering array of option groups to maximize both sales and profits.We don’t have a lot of Toyota stock images.It … Read more