In the wake of corruption scandals involving automakers and the UAW, union members have voted to replace the old system of having leaders appoint their replacements to a direct voting system, where members themselves will choose leaders. While some reported this as an “overwhelming” victory for the reformers, only around 143,000 actually voted with the … Read more
The morning’s recalls are much more minor than yesterday’s Cummins fuel pump bombshell. First, some 2021 Ram 1500 pickups don’t show the rearview camera image at times, because of a conflict with the Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module.Ram doesn’t actually have a solution yet. The 38,157 trucks (in the USA) covered were built from June … Read more
Lithium-ion batteries have been miraculous for laptops, phones, and watches, but have some issues in cars. The next generation, many believe, will be solid state batteries, which use a solid electrolyte material to provide greater range and increased safety. Factorial Energy has developed what they believe to be a breakthrough in solid state battery technology; … Read more
Ram is recalling around 222,000 heavy duty pickups and chassis cabs, due to a surprisingly high number (6,399) of warranty claims coming in from August 2018 through this September. Despite the claims, the investigation apparently did not begin until this October.The problem is premature wear in the Bosch CP4 fuel pump, which causes metal shavings … Read more
In 1952, Willys created a subsidiary in Brazil; its first engines came off the line in 1956 for local Jeeps, with local production of cars starting in 1958. These were the “Hurricane Six,” a mere 161 cubic inches (2.6 liters), with a single barrel carburetor and 90 gross horsepower output (around 50-70 net horsepower). Willys … Read more
Last year, Mopar brands trawled the depths of the J.D. Power™ dealership satisfaction numbers.This year, while the Chrysler brand itself is still down in the dumps, the others have improved quite a bit—which Automotive News credited to initiatives from new CEO Carlos Tavares.In a rather stunning development, Dodge leaped up to the top of the … Read more
Did you really want a Chrysler Concorde back in 1994, but failed to buy one when they were new? Now is your second chance; Primo Classics has one which is, for all intents and purposes, brand new, with just 987 miles on the clock. Photos show a mint condition car.The Concorde has a four-speed automatic, … Read more
Ram is recalling 22 2022 pickups. All two-dozen Ram 1500s were made with the wrong systems and will not effectively defrost their windshields, making it a safety issue.Ram Big Horn pictured but we have no idea which vehicles are actually affected. It seems more likely it would be base models. The recall does not mention … Read more
Motales has done a 1971-72 Mopar extravaganza this week, with four different articles covering various aspects of the late-muscle Mopars—and how decisions made then could have prevented the bailout.The first in the series covers an effort to change Chrysler’s product strategy, so they would focus on a smaller number of cars—fixing customers’ complaints and raising … Read more
Americans can still buy Fiats, as long as they take a 500X, with the 1.3 liter turbocharged engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. New for 2022 are a retractable fabric roof on every trim levels, and in black, red, gray, or, for the Yacht Club Capri, blue. The Yacht Club Capri, since you asked, is a … Read more
Once again, Chrysler is leaving Australia. With this move, drivers Down Under will have to pay over $100,000 to get a V8 engine in their car—and the 392-powered Chrysler 300 SRT, not to mention right-hand-drive Chryslers, will leave production.Dealers have an inventory of around 30 cars, according to news.com.au, which broke the news. The 300 … 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.Windsor, Ontario police have arrested a suspect, and he is not one of the union … Read more
Two new engines are getting much closer to production for American Mopars. Each replaces an engine which has been around for quite some time, but isn’t quite living up to its potential.1.5 turbo should be a good drop-in replacement for the 2.4First we have the long-awaited turbo six-cylinder, based on the GME architecture which drives … Read more
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 fuel … 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 original … 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 have … Read more
