Back in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Sony worked with a handful of automakers to create 17 unique-and-futuristic cars for the racing game Gran Turismo 6. That program asked the automakers to create a car that featured the most advanced technology that the teams could imagine to create futuristic cars in a virtual world, where gamers … Read more
Stellantis announced three new leaders in its design offices, two at Jeep and one heading the global user experience. Ralph Gilles, the company’s chief design officer, is remaining in his post. Vince Galante has been appointed vice president of Jeep® exterior design; he joined what became Stellantis in 2005, rising through the ranks and working … Read more
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.) [Read more…]
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. [Read more…]
Stellantis North America announced yesterday that Mark Allen, in charge of Jeep exterior design for the past 30 years, will retire at the end of this month. Today is the end of the month, so this is the final day in the Stellantis Product Design Office for the man who has overseen decades of Jeep exterior design. [Read more…]
STLA partner First Automotive Cells (ACC) has opened up the first of its three planned European battery plants in France. The line will produce 13 gigawatt-hours initially, rising to 40 by 2030. ACC was founded by Stellantis and TotalEnergies/Saft three years ago; Mercedes joined the group last year. Stellantis sells 24 battery-electric vehicles in Europe, … Read more
To help create a culture of innovation, Stellantis created the Star*Up program, where employees presented their ideas. A hearing-impaired worker who was not named provided the idea for visual hazard notices, according to Automotive News, which resulted in Stellantis’ participation in the HAAS Alert System. The idea was presented in 2021 and pushed into production far … Read more
Two companies coincidentally reported steering column issues. Ford recalled 2023 Ford F-250 through F450 trucks for loose or missing bolts, while Jeep recalled 2021-23 Grand Cherokees due to incorrectly made ThyssenKrupp steering columns. The problem can cause drivers to lose control… [Read more…]
The Dodge brand does not build any Challengers or Chargers with the steering wheel on the right, since the vast majority of those vehicles are sold in the United States and Canada – where we drive from the left side of the car. This is a pretty substantial problem for Mopar fans in Australia, as … Read more
Lyten’s batteries do not use nickel, cobalt, or manganese, slashing their carbon footprint to 60% of today’s best-in-class vehicle batteries. Raw materials for Lithium-Sulfur batteries can be sourced and produced in North America or Europe, avoiding supply chain disruptions. They also have the potential of doubling the energy density of current lithium-ion systems; and their new sensing modes do not require chips, batteries, or wires. [Read more…]
Ram intends to have a 500-mile EPA-estimated range on its Ram 1500 REV next year; but the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado is set to arrive this year, and its pricing has already been announced (unlike Ram’s). The 2024 Silverado EV work pickup, aimed at fleet buyers, will be able to run 450 miles on a charge, according … Read more
This past weekend, the 2023 Mecum Indy Auction included a long list of incredible Mopar collectible vehicles. Two unusually special classic muscle cars rolled across the stage – the 1970 Plymouth Cuda Rapid Transit System Show Car and the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE known as The Black Ghost.
The RTS Cuda ended up being the top seller at Mecum Indy and the Black Ghost car ranked third, with a modern Ford GT Heritage Edition car sneaking into the second spot.
If you are not familiar with these two classic Mopar muscle cars, here is a quick rundown on both, along with video footage of the Mecum Auction action. [Read more…]
Recall Monday—the day when NHTSA releases its list of recalls from the prior week—shows two Mopar recalls, one of which we have already covered (electrical shorts in 2014-16 Jeep Cherokees resulting in a “park outside” warning) due to its urgency. The second Stellantis recall for the week is almost trivial, a missing airbag warning label on 2022-23 Grand Cherokees. The fix for this one is adding a label, which cannot be done via over-the-air updates.
BMW’s Mini made the list with possible short-circuits in the footwell control module, affecting 2007-13 Mini Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW, and 2008-14 Cooper Clubman.
[Read more…]
Dodge is discounting Durangos, which are still available with a gasoline-driven V6 and Hemi V8 engines. The Dodge web site shows two Durango offers, either $3,250 in cash back or a $419/month three-year lease ($5,059 due up front and not including tax).
The cash back is a trifle deceptive, since it includes $750 from Chrysler Capital, which suggests that if you pay cash or get a credit union loan, it won’t apply; but the $2,500 portion is a national cash rebate. [Read more…]
Earlier this week, Stellantis issued a statement regarding a joint-venture battery plant under construction in Windsor, Ontario in which they claimed that “the Canadian Government has not delivered on what was agreed to.” The company then stopped construction on the battery module portion of the new plant.
Just exactly what Canada was not providing was unclear. A day later, Stellantis issued a new statement, claiming that “Stellantis and LG Energy Solution simply ask that the Canadian government keep its commitments in relation to what was agreed last February…” [Read more…]
Jeep has staked out a unique niche in the midsize pickup market, good enough for a #3 share in 2022—with 77,855 sales, most likely exceeding Jeep’s original expectations. That is not likely to remain Mopar’s only midsize pickup, though; a new Dakota or Ram 1200 has long been rumored to be under active development for global sale.
The new pickup would most likely replace the Mitsubishi L200-based Ram 1200, which was never sold in the United States or Canada. As such, its primary competition in North America would likely be the Toyota Tacoma, which had 237,323 sales in 2022—absolutely dominating the market, with the #2 Chevrolet Colorado only reaching 89,197 sales (adding the GMC Canyon version brings that to 117,016, which is still less than half the Tacoma). [Read more…]
