Brampton is not “at risk,” according to insider, officials

Brampton - final Dodge Demon

According to a source inside Brampton, Stellantis officials recently visited the plant and told workers that Stellantis was happy with its work—and had big plans for its future. They confirmed that the plant would have a major transformation to make electric cars on a new, flexible platform.

Last year, Stellantis announced that it would be spending nearly US$3 billion to upgrade the Windsor and Brampton plants. A major battery factory, a joint venture with LG, is being placed in Windsor to support the Canadian factories, both of which are in Ontario. The company could not commit to the number of shifts, but previously announced that it expected to run three shifts. There was some concern expressed over wage growth and the need for competitive costs.

Pacifica PHEV “stalling” recall and stop-sale

2018 Pacifica PHEV

An “unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power” in the 2017-23 Pacifica PHEV—or, in the vernacular of pre-hybrid days, the minivans can stall out. The recall does not affect the gasoline-only minivans, only the plug-in hybrids; and only 0.2% of PHEVs have actually experienced the problem.laThe recall affects 67,217 vehicles in the US and … Read more

A better 2022 for Mopars, north of the border

Jeep Wagoneer

Mopars fared reasonably well in Canadian sales for 2022, with 169,179 cars sold—a 5% gain over 2021.

The Wagoneer had a good outing with 1631 regular and 930 high-priced Grands trading hands—totaling 16,682 sales. Compare those premium cars from a standard brand to Alfa Romeo’s 911 total sales for the year. Both were up from 2021 but that makes sense, since they started production late in that year.

Chrysler recaptured minivan title

2023 Chrysler Pacifica Road Tripper minivan

Despite numerous plant shutdowns and a brand-new Toyota Sienna and semi-new Kia Carnival, Chrysler managed to hold onto the minivan crown, though it was a somewhat pyrrhic victory.  With sales at just under 100,000, Chrysler held steady with 2021, but every competitor plummeted in sales.The Sienna fell by 35%, despite a brand new all-hybrid lineup … Read more

Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator Debuts at CES 2023

Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator

The Chrysler brand plans to introduce its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in 2025 and a full battery-powered lineup by 2028. At the ongoing 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Stellantis is providing a glimpse into Chrysler’s all-electric future with the Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator. This futuristic two-seat cockpit it designed to showcase … Read more

Pacifica to stick with two shifts, planned cuts canceled

The Windsor, Ontario plant which makes Chrysler Pacifica minivans will stay on two shifts, according to a recent company announcement, dropping plans to cut one shift.The minivan, sold in gasoline and PHEV forms, has varied in popularity over time, and the plant itself  has had numerous temporary shutdowns due to parts shortages. The Windsor plant … Read more

FCA: Please, please, please get your Dodge and Chrysler airbags replaced!

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT

FCA issued an “urgent need for service” to recalcitrant Mopar owners who are apparently refusing to get their old and increasingly dangerous airbags replaced.

While Chrysler used far fewer Takata airbags than most other major automakers, they did use them in numerous cars. In this case, the company is urgently asking owners of 2005-2010 Chrysler 300s and Dodge Magnums, Challengers, and Chargers to let their dealers know they have the cars. The dealers will then tow them to the dealership. 

New Chrysler Road Tripper minivan revealed

Road Tripper minivan

Chrysler, which created the minivan in both North America (Voyager, Caravan) and Europe (the Matra vehicle which became the Renault Espace), has made minivans for over 40 years. Today, they announced the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Road Tripper. The name was selected by fans on social media.The Road Tripper starts with Pacifica’s hefty collection of safety features, … Read more

Chrysler, Fiat doing LA reveals; Dodge, Jeep, Ram showing new vehicles

500e reveal

The Los Angeles show will see a new version of the Chrysler Pacifica and an “electric” reveal of one of the “most iconic and classic FIAT brand models of all time.” The Fiat is almost certainly the new-and-improved 500e already on sale in Europe.While it’s possible there will be a new generation of the Pacifica, … Read more

Do not drive your 2005-10 Charger, Challenger, Magnum, or 300—says STLA

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT

Stellantis has issued a do-not-drive alert to the owners of around 276,000  Dodge Chargers, Challengers, and Magnums, and Chrysler 300/300Cs, all from the 2005-10 model years until making sure they have had a Takata airbag recall done.The company issued a recall on Takata airbags quite some time ago, but there are apparently quite a few … Read more

Windsor coming back to life today

The Windsor Assembly Plant, which makes all Chrysler minivans, came back to life with two shifts of production today. It had been shut down due to parts shortages.While U.S. production is only reported for the Chrysler Pacifica, not the cheaper Voyager, Canadian production is reported for both the Pacifica and the cheaper Chrysler Grand Caravan.The … Read more

Charger-Challenger-300 plant down for weeks, due to parts shortages

Brampton - final Dodge Demon

FCA’s Brampton, Ontario plant builds the Dodge Charger and Challenger along with the related Chrysler 300; it has been the only home of the Chrysler LH and Lx cars. Now, with the end of all three cars coming in 2023, a series of special interest editions has spiked interest—including a final run of 2,200 Chrysler … Read more

2023 Chrysler 300C Arrives with 485hp, Adaptive Suspension and More

2023 Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler 300 will be discontinued after the 2023 model year, but before the sleek luxury sedan races off into the sunset, the company is offering one final high performance model. The 2023 Chrysler 300C doesn’t have as distinct of a name as did the 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8, but the 2023 300C packs more … Read more