Two recent recalls provide a window into sales of the new Grand Cherokee and Cummins-equipped heavy duty trucks. Recall 21V88 covers 222,410 Cummins-equipped 2019-20 Ram pickups and chassis-cabs in every capacity. The high pressure fuel pump may fail suddenly, stalling the engine. Owners will replace the pump, update the computer software, and replace any other … Read more
Way back in the early 1990s, Chrysler worked with a power company group to build its first all-electric minivans. They were never too famous—the maker of Who killed the electric car? apparently missed them completely—but some of them ended up in private hands and lasted a good many years after their creation. Chrysler followed up the … Read more
Dodge released an illustration to go with “24 months of muscle,” featuring both events and products; some of them have already been filled in, e.g. the $150,000 per year product ambassador role dubbed “donut maker,” and the launch of Direct Connection. What are the other programs: They are not placed based on date; some events … Read more
In another sign that the semiconductor shortage isn’t ending any time soon, partly due to damaged fabrication plants in Texas and Asia, Stellantis is cutting 400 more jobs at the Belvidere plant in Illinois, starting January 14. The company will try to provide jobs for the laid off workers as they become available in other … Read more
How to name a retail shop where you can buy new and used cars, arrange for service, rent a car, or buy aftermarket parts, for Peugeots, Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, Citroëns, Opels, and Jeeps? Obviously, it seems, stellantisandyou.com is the perfect name for Stellantis’ retail services, at least in 11 countries in Europe and in … Read more
Michigan’s Department of Environmental Protection has released a page with details on the-former-Chrysler’s plant permits and violations. Some plants have recent violations, including the Detroit Assembly Complex née Jefferson North (pictured below from 2017) and Mack Engine I and II (combined recently into Mack Assembly). Violation notices were issued in September, October, and November related … Read more
An explosion and fire yesterday at the Windsor Assembly Plant, which makes Pacifica, Caravan, and Voyager minivans, has been confirmed by police, who said it appeared to be intentional. Arson investigators found a “suspicious package that detonated,” according to the CBC. A Stellantis spokesperson said that the space has been cleared, and work appears to … Read more
When NASCAR officially told manufacturers they could no longer directly support racers, a prohibition that was only lightly observed by GM and Ford, Chrysler sought a new series to test their mettle and gain publicity. They chose the new Daytona Continental road race, and built up a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere with the 426 Hemi dual-carb … Read more
In the 1960s and 1970s, people who wanted to race their Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler cars could buy the parts Chrysler Corporation supplied to professional racers—through the aptly named Direct Connection, Mopar’s way to directly connect Joe Sixpack to race-equipment engineers. Chrysler started taking racing seriously a little late, but then 1962 Max Wedge engine … Read more
Jeep just released the official list prices for the 2022 Grand Cherokee line. These are very likely the prices people will pay, at least until the new-car shortage eases up. There are two surprises… <>Read more
The Jeep Wagoneer swept its categories in the Texas Truck Rodeo, winning the top prize (SUV of Texas) as well as the Full-Size Luxury SUV and Full-Size SUV categories. Perennial winner Ram 1500 took Full-Size Pickup Truck, while Ram 2500 Power Wagon walked off with Heavy Duty Pickup Truck. The Ram TRX nabbed both Luxury … Read more
The rumors are true: Stellantis is offering buyouts to a large number of salaried employees in the United States. The deal is being offered to employees who are eligible for pensions; they must be at least 55 years old, with 30 years of experience at the companies, for 58 years old with ten years of … Read more
Stellantis has finalized its purchase of First Investors Financial Services Group and renamed it to Stellantis Financial Services US Corporation. The move provides Stellantis with a foundation for a full-service captive finance arm, which historically has been more profitable than actually making cars.
The old Grand Cherokee “WK2” will live on, at least in Canada, according to Mopar Insiders; it appears in the jeep.ca Build and Price system, and dealers told the site that it would indeed continue. The models will be Laredo, Altitude, Limited, and Limited X; the Laredo starts at C$50,445 (Canadian dollars). The reason is … Read more
A new Mopar rewards program provides “miles” rewards based on how much you drive—and how much you walk or bike… <>Read more
Yesterday, Ford announced that its revenue had fallen by just 5%, while its third-quarter profit fell 24%, to $1.8 billion. Ford also restored the dividend it had suspended due to COVID, and announced that its full year profits would be much higher than expected—$10.5 to $11 billion. How did Stellantis, parent company of the former … Read more
