Jeep slapping cash on the hood to clear 2023s

rebates - cash on the hood of 2024 Willys

Jeep announced pricing for the more-comfortable 2024 Jeep Wranglers, which have new convenience features and moderate changes to the front-end styling. The 4xe powertrain is now available on every model except the Sport (and Rubicon 392, which comes with the 392 cubic inch Hemi V8). 

The price of the Sport appears to be unchanged from 2023 models, while Willys and the most popular model, Rubicon, have gone up somewhat. The 2024 Wranglers are better outfitted than they were in 2023, but Jeep faces new competition from the Ford Bronco and will be tackling the Volkswagen Scout in a year or three, as well.  [details]

STLA dominates the week’s recall list

VM diesel (Ram)

After a few good weeks, Stellantis is dominating the U.S. weekly recall list with three types of incidents (Ford and BMW tied at #2).

First, 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2014-19 Ram 1500s with VM diesel engines can stall out due to bad crankshaft position sensors; their tone wheel can delaminate, so the engine can’t time fuel injector pulses to the camshaft movement. This is recall 23V411, expanding a prior recall from 2020 (20V-475). This covers 80,629 trucks and Jeeps in the United States, as well as an unknown number elsewhere…

Dealers can’t order gas-only Jeeps in 14 states—PHEVs in the rest

2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe

According to a story by Vince Bond, Jr., in Automotive News, Stellantis dealers can no longer order gasoline-only cars “on spec” in states following California air pollution rules (“CARB states”). Nearly all the CARB states are in the Northeast or coastal West. 

Dealers can still order vehicles for customers—just not “on spec.” 

To balance supply and demand, dealers in other states can no longer buy plug-in hybrids from Stellantis without customer orders. Some customers are crossing state lines to buy cars off the lot—both gasoline-only and PHEV versions. 

$392 Million in Fines Highlights the Need for a Dodge Charger EV

Dodge Charger SRT Daytona EV Concept

The federal government is pushing automakers towards an electric future, but the regulations both punish and reward – we just never hear about the rewards – issued as credits – which can actually reduce future and past CAFE fines. As a result, the 2024 Dodge Charger EV could actually help the company save money on fines from the 2021-2023 model years.

CAFE Fines And Credits Explained

When an automaker fails to reach the goals of the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) program, the automaker is fined. FCA was fined $77 million for failing to meet CAFE requirements for the 2016 model year and $79.4 million for 2017, followed by a fine of $235.5 million for coming up short for the 2018 and 2019 model years.

Ram locks in 12,000 ProMaster EV orders

Ram ProMaster EV

Merchants Fleet has ordered 12,500 Ram ProMaster electric commercial vans, to be delivered over several years, according to Ram. To be launched later this year, the van will be Ram’s first fully electric vehicle to hit the market; the Fiat version is already sold in Europe. The next electric Ram is the 1500 REV.Merchants Fleet … Read more

Ram makes bid for a greater European presence

Ram hybrid at motocross race

Ram has slowly but surely been working on global sales since its birth as a separate marque. Most recently, Stellantis used a motocross race in Germany, the MXGP, to publicize the Ram line and unveil the Ram 3.6 liter V6 eight-speed mild hybrid powertrain in Europe—a powertrain already the default choice in North America.

Ram actually announced the powertrain on June 7, with 305 hp and 365 Nm of torque; it is available in the Ram 1500 Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel in Europe. The system has a 430 watt-hour battery pack with 48-volt current during launch and gear shifts, with a 3kW DC to DC converter so it uses a 12-volt starter motor.  

Yet more Ford fires, fracturing Alfa brakes, Cross Corollas, the wrong wheels: Recall Monday

Ford on fire recalls

The NHTSA issued its weekly summary of recalls today.

Ford had an interesting fire recall on the 2020-23 Escape, 2022-23 Maverick, and 2021-23 Lincoln Corsair: engine failure can cause a fire. When Fords with the 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines have an engine failure, they can vent oil and fuel vapor which can be ignited by hot engine or exhaust parts, causing a fire.

Whether the Wrangler 4xe saves money in the long run – fuel economy, sticker price

2022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe

The Wrangler 4xe has quickly become FCA US’ most popular plug-in hybrid. It has two advantages for buyers—it can save money compared with the base V6 gasoline engine, despite having about the same rated mileage, because it can be driven for a while on pure battery; and its has V8 acceleration which comes close to the all-out (and pricier) 392 V8.

The EPA’s ratings are 20 mpg with the base V6 and 21 mpg with the hybrid setup, but this excludes the all-electric portion. (The Jeep Wrangler has never been known as one of the best cars for gas mileage.)
EPA testing found 22 miles of electric power; they rated it at 49 MPGe. As a pure hybrid, though, the combined figure was 20 mpg. The diesel remains the most fuel efficient engine, with a combined 25 mpg (and $2350/year estimated fuel costs), but its acceleration is a far cry from the quick 4xe, and diesel fuel is pricey….

Rampage redux: Brazil vs USA truck rumors (with video)

2024 Ram Rampage

Early rumors claimed that the Ram Rampage to be made in Brazil used a heavy-duty version of the Fiat Toro’s independent rear suspension with rear disc brakes, a front wheel drive based chassis and powertrain (2-liter diesel or 260 hp 2-liter turbo gasoline engine, both coupled to a nine-speed automatic) and eventually take ethanol, since … Read more

2024 Jeep Wrangler prices released

2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys

Jeep announced pricing for the more-comfortable 2024 Jeep Wranglers, which have new convenience features and moderate changes to the front-end styling. The 4xe powertrain is now available on every model except the Sport (and Rubicon 392, which comes with the 392 cubic inch Hemi V8). 

The price of the Sport appears to be unchanged from 2023 models, while Willys and the most popular model, Rubicon, have gone up somewhat. The 2024 Wranglers are better outfitted than they were in 2023, but Jeep faces new competition from the Ford Bronco and will be tackling the Volkswagen Scout in a year or three, as well.  [details]

2023 Dodge Challenger Hellcat 6-Speed Update

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

If you are a Dodge enthusiast waiting to buy a 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat with the six-speed manual transmission, we have some good news. The manual transmission option has finally been added to the dealership order bank system for the supercharged models, after having only been available for Challenger R/T and R/T Scat Pack models earlier in the model year. The six-speed transmission is still not listed on Dodge.com in the Build & Price section, but it is officially available through dealerships. [But this is not the end of the story—read on!]

Recall Monday: Ford fires, Tesla steering wheels falling off

Ford on fire recalls

This week’s list of recalls does not disappoint, with two companies having overheating batteries, Ford yet again fixing fires, and Tesla having steering wheels come off, because that’s something that still happens after over a century of cars with steering wheels.Ford’s fires affect the 2015-19 Lincoln MKC, and since it can involve fires while parked or … Read more

Chrysler may have no cars in production for a while; what is Chrysler’s future?

Feuell and white airflow

Chrysler-the-marque may end up with no cars in current production due to factory scheduling, for what may be the first time in its history (not counting ordinary factory model-year changeovers).

The 300 appears to be the first on the schedule to end production as Brampton shuts down for an extensive changeover. Then the Pacifica will cease production as its plant in Windsor closes for its own changeover. Windsor is one of the most recently renovated plants in the company’s portfolio, having shifted to a modern ergonomic assembly line system for the Pacifica. (Sterling Heights and Detroit/Mack Complex were converted afterwards.)

Tonale EPA tests done, official mpg figures and electric range released

Tonale badge

The Alfa Romeo Tonale, which is on its way to dealerships now, has completed EPA gas mileage testing for an estimated all-electric range of 33 miles, and a 77 MPGe rating. With a full battery charge and gasoline in the tank, the Tonale can run 360 miles; combined city/highway fuel economy as a hybrid is 29 mpg. It is billed as the most efficient plug-in hybrid C-sized SUV in its class.