Now that the new Grand Cherokee, including the Durango-replacing Grand Cherokee L, is in full swing at Mack, Jefferson North is shutting down for eight weeks for retooling. When it is done, a $900 million changeover, which is creating 1,100 jobs, will allow for the production of plug-in hybrids and full battery-electrics. … What does this mean for the Dodge Durango and WK Grand Cherokee?
Stellantis and LG Energy Solutions have signed a deal to build a new battery plant in Ontario, which will be operational in 2024. The plant will bring around 2,500 jobs, and produce over 45 gigawatt-hours of battery capacity per year. The plant is being created by a joint venture company which will invest US$4.1 billion … Read more
A relatively small number of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2021-22 Dodge Durangos are being recalled because the steering rack bar may not have been hardened enough, which can cause it to bind; that can make steering difficult or impossible. The fix is to replace the entire steering gear assembly on Stellantis’ dime. The recall … Read more
Jeep has come to the rescue of Mopar-following news sites by releasing a 2022 (Jeep®)RED Renegade Special Edition. The punctuation is from (Jeep®), which uses parenthesis around its own name and a superscripted RED on the special edition Renegade and Compass. Jeep wrote, “The 2022 Jeep Renegade – known for its best-in-class off-road capability – is … Read more
FCA US, a/k/a Ma Mopar, has recently patented a casting which includes both the cylinder head and turbocharger body.
The turbocharger itself would be serviced by replacing the internal parts as a cartridge, so turbocharger failure would not require replacing the head (or heads, on a V-engine).
Incorrectly written software in the antilock brake control module in 370,437 Ram 2500s and Dodge Durangos can result in the ESC light failing to come on when the electronic stability control (ESC) does. This can increase the odds of a crash, as drivers will be less aware that they are approaching the vehicle’s road-adhesion limits. … Read more
The Prowler had another trick up its sleeve, too—a pushrod suspension design which had horizontal dampers and active controls. That suspension design also appeared on the Chrysler ME-412, an incredibly potent lightweight vehicle using an AMG V12 engine which was reportedly “production intent” but angrily cancelled from Stuttgart—because it made mincemeat of the expensive Mercedes SLR. According to Muscle Cars & Trucks (cited by Mopar Insiders), Stellantis recently patented a similar design adapted for electric cars…
… the Kokomo Engine Plant, which has been repurposed and renamed from making transmissions, has officially started production. Indeed, the plant has actually been churning out engines since late February, according to Stellantis—as quoted by the Kokomo Tribune.
With nearly a decade on the same platform, the Cherokee has waxed and waned in popularity. While it’s a comfortable vehicle whose TrailHawk version crossed the Rubicon Trail, some of the Jeep faithful still deride it, and there are still 2021s in inventory despite a vast car shortage. The assembly plant that makes it has been running just one shift, and shutting down for weeks at a time. It’s clearly time for something new, and perhaps we have seen its future:
The new Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer were puzzling because the powertrain options were carryovers. Then the 4xe was announced for the Grand Cherokee; it should provide acceleration that rivals or beats the Hemi V8, albeit at a price. The Wagoneer, on the other hand, remains Hemi only….
Jeep has added a new Gobi paint color to the 2022 Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler option sheet. the sand color, named after the Asian desert, was first available on the 2020 Gladiator; it has never been an option for the Wrangler. The color could be described as being near tan.
Russia has reacted to EU and North American sanctions by banning the export of numerous products—including motor vehicles such as the vans that Stellantis was gearing to export from a new joint-venture factory there. The vans may still be exported to other countries which are not affected by Russia’s 48-nation ban. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, … Read more
While Dodge came close to the average for mass-market brands, Chrysler hit the bottom of the J.D. Power dealer service surveys. The reason is not readily apparent, but dealership sources claim that Stellantis has been making it harder to get warranty claims paid, slowing some repairs while they get proof that they were needed. The … Read more
The Dodge Power Brokers dealer network is officially open now. The exclusive source for Dodge’s new Direct Connection factory-backed performance parts has nearly 100 dealerships in 34 states across the United States, with more dealers set to join it in the coming months. Certified Dodge Power Brokers staff have extra training in Dodge features and … Read more
During the 2030 strategy presentation, Carlos Tavares pointed to the many Stellantis brands as a major asset. He noted that car prices range from 6,000 to 200,000+ euros, and described each brand with one or two words. The former Chrysler brands are bolded. Alfa Romeo: Sportiness Chrysler: Ingenious Citroën: Care Dodge: Muscle DS: Art of … Read more
Stellantis has set up two Russian-invasion task forces, according to Reuters as cited in Automotive News. One is to comply with sanctions, and the other is to safeguard their 71 employees in Ukraine with a “24/7 dedicated support team.” Carlos Tavares stated that the company would continue to sell cars in Russia, even as most automakers … Read more