FCA US sold 385,665 cars and trucks in the third quarter, a decline of 6% from 2021—despite gains by Chrysler and Dodge. Year to date, FCA US is down by 12%. Chrysler’s two vehicles, Pacifica and 300, both rose, with Pacifica up 46% and 300 up 17% vs the third quarter of 2021; the Pacifica … Read more
There has been a lot of speculation about what exactly Stellantis is up to with the Mopar brands we’ve become attached to—given rumors of the end of Hemi V8s and L-platform cars, what some see as the impending doom of an electrification takeover, chip shortages, hybrids, and such. Perhaps it’s time to breathe for a … Read more
Earlier this week, I had a chance to drive the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L with the new Hurricane 3.0-liter twin turbocharged inline-six engine. We aren’t allowed to share our drive impressions with those big SUVs until next month, but in the meantime, I wanted to share my pictures of the … Read more
Today at the State Fair of Texas, Ram unveiled a 2023 surprise—the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel. The Ram Heavy Duty Rebel will have a choice of the 6.4 Truck Hemi or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; either way, buyers get a unique off-road suspension, rear limited slip differential, and rear electronic locker. A factory-installed 12,000-lb. … Read more
When enthusiasts look at the future of the Chrysler brand in particular, and Mopars in general, they may be somewhat dismayed by the heavy use of the term “electrified.” It may conjure up images of expensive, poorly made Teslas on one end, and golf carts on the other; or the Toyota Prius in between, a … Read more
Ram’s second installment of “Built to Serve” limited-edition models geared towards first responders is aimed at Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers. Ram’s leader, Mike Koval, Jr., noted, “The Ram 1500 ‘Built to Serve’ EMS edition is our way of honoring and expressing deep gratitude to the frontline heroes who serve or have served our country.” … Read more
Some time ago, Chrysler recalled Pacifica minivans for stalling caused by bad crankshaft position sensors. Now, the company has apparently settled a lawsuit around the same issue. The legal time handling the case doesn’t mention that the sole cause of the problem was the crankshaft position sensor, but it seems obvious from the details on … Read more
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
Samir Cherfan, leader of Stellantis’ Middle East and Africa regions, reported today that the company was in talks with Egyptian government leaders to expand Stellantis’ manufacturing in the country. Cherfan reported on social media: “Today, I was honored to meet with his Excellency Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Engineer Ahmed Samir, Minister of Industry and Commerce … Read more
Buildout for Ram 1500 diesel pickups is coming in January 2023. That spells the end for the small Italian diesels, made by Fiat subsidiary VM, though Cummins diesels will continue to drive heavy-duty Rams. Changes are the Gladiator diesel will follow into oblivion as well. Why? The 3.0 L “EcoDiesel” produces 260 hp and 480 … Read more
Many years ago, AMC developed a replacement for its revolutionary “XJ” Jeep Cherokee, which had the body code “ZJ.” After Chrysler bought AMC, company leaders realized they could have both versions, and they produced the new model, which was more luxurious than the original, as the Grand Cherokee while keeping the Cherokee going. Today, Jeep … Read more
Jeep has released, with almost random timing, their summary of changes to the Wagoneer for 2023. The Wagoneer Series II and III will have the new Hurricane engine, producing 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque; the base Wagoneer engine is the 5.7 Hemi V8, with 392 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque. Despite its … Read more
As Chrysler told owners five days ago, tomorrow, September 13, will be the official reveal of one of their “most luxurious and powerful special edition vehicles to date.” Most observers expect this to be a 300C with the 392 cubic inch, 6.4 liter Hemi V8 engine used in the closely related Dodge Charger and Dodge … Read more
Earlier this week, Jeep unveiled the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S. Surprisingly, they have more in common with each other than the Wagoneer S has in common with the Wagoneer. Specifically, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are body-on-frame vehicles based on the Ram 1500; the Wagoneer S is on the STLA Large platform, which … Read more
Chrysler’s revival is due in mid-to-late 2024 with a series of electric and possibly “electrified” (hybrid-electric) vehicles. In the meantime, buyers were promised one final hurrah in the form of a Chrysler 300 special edition, and it seems it will be a 300C just like the original 1957—in that it packs a 392 cubic inch … Read more
Jim Morrison, head of Jeep and longtime off-road enthusiast, said that there would be four all-electric Jeeps by the end of 2025, with hybrids or full-electrics by that time. These are three of the new battery-electrics coming out in 2023-24. Rivian’s R1S has already shown that the BEV format can be very helpful in increased … Read more