With its release of new information about plant upgrades, Stellantis confirmed that it will make a new GME-T4 EVO engine, which includes improvements made to the GME engine series for the Hurricane Six. The company promised production of the GME-T4 EVO before the year is over; it will be made at the Dundee plant alongside … Read more
Stellantis announced that it is retooling the Sterling Heights plant to build the Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger electric and range-extended pickups alongside the gasoline-powered versions. In addition, Warren Truck is being upgraded to make “electrified” (probably hybrid) Jeep Wagoneers, and Dundee is being set up to make battery trays and beams. The Ram 1500 … Read more
Following GM’s longstanding policy of giving buyers of Chevrolet Bolts a home charger, Stellantis will provide a home charger or credits on its national network to buyers of any FCA US battery-electric car—but there is a catch. The device, apparently named after the pioneering band, is dubbed HEVO, an unexplained acronym. The charging station must … Read more
According to ClickOnDetroit (WDIV), substantial layoffs are coming to the Auburn Hills headquarters of FCA US, the former Chrysler Group, which was the former Chrysler Corporation. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said he was aiming his cost-cutting directly at the Auburn Hills complex, and also said there were “at least two” production plans needing a “significant … Read more
Most of our articles about executive changes don’t get much attention, but this morning, Stellantis issued a press release that is certain to rock the automotive world of many members of the Brotherhood of Muscle – as it has been announced that Tim Kuniskis is retiring from Stellantis. Kuniskis will retire on June 1st, 2024, … Read more
Two official press releases on trivial marketing changes to Jeeps coincided with a report in Automotive News which confirms rumors that as engineering jobs are cut in Auburn Hills, new ones are being added in Brazil and India at somewhat lower salaries. …
Stellantis appears to have adopted a strategy of keeping list prices on its cars high, but offering large discounts to clear out cars when sales lag. There are some advantages to this strategy…
According to rumors in Auburn Hills, a second engine is planned for these trucks. It, too, would be an inline six-cylinder, but engineered specifically for truck engines. The new engine is rumored to be larger—3.7 liters—and to have a more traditional design, other than an odd 30° tilt. A source within Engineering told us that it was tilted over to make room for accessories on the side so that it could fit into smaller engine bays; and to provide space for a better air path, increasing its efficiency.
Video coverage of this year’s 2024 New York Auto Show, as well as coverage of the few Mopars to be found there, brought up memories of past shows. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbL40nww9iM[/embedyt] Camp Jeep is a relatively new phenomenon, and it’s gotten progressively more elaborate over the years; when it started out, admittedly, it was already a … Read more
Camp Jeep sat outside the New York Auto Show [see story/video], displaying a good range of Jeeps, but what about the show itself? Officially, Stellantis had no presence; but other exhibitors brought some Mopars in, and here they are…. with a brief video! First, when we come in, we see this Emergency Safety Solutions Jeep, … Read more
FCA US will have a bit more flexibility in meeting emissions targets over the next few years after having reached an agreement with the California Air Resources Board. Part of the deal is being carbon-net-zero by 2038, which is 14 years away. Stellantis pledged to expand its commitment to electrification through educational efforts, collaborating with … Read more
While the week’s reporting was dominated by the release of the Dodge Charger, Stellantis did have a few recalls as well. The 2022-23 Ram ProMaster could fail to warn drivers when the seat belt was unlocked, affecting around 30,000 vans—not all of them. High beams might not activate on 2023-24 Grand Cherokees (including L)—a recall … Read more
Apple will be launching a more fully-featured version of CarPlay later this year, letting owners use climate control, rear view cameras, and tire pressure gauges without leaving the system; it will also include charging status for EVs. There are other features as well, such as turn-by-turn directions in the gauge cluster. Support for CarPlay, as … Read more
Apple car dead. Apple, which has been semi-secretly working on making its own electric car in conjunction with a real automaker, today officially cancelled the project. The Apple Car was likely first initiated under Steve Jobs; around 2,000 people were working on it as of this month. The project has been going on for over … Read more
The good news: Two Mopar marques were rated as above average in the J.D. Power 2024 Dependability Study, which looks at problems per vehicle after three years of ownership. It is a better test of quality than the initial quality study, which only looks at around 90 days and is more heavily influenced by dealer and factory preparation.
The bad news: Chrysler was the absolute worst brand on the list, coming in even below Land Rover and Tesla; though the study covers the first year of the Pacifica PHEV, which had a rough launch. Ram came in below average, but still beat fellow truck sellers GMC and Ford.
McDonald’s made a brave choice when they adopted a Plymouth Barracuda, rather than the default choice of a Mustang, for the Hamburglar to drive across America.
The relatively rare Barracuda, with a Shaker hood and cheeseburger-themed spare tire, was worked over by Sean Smith Designs much more tastefully than most custom jobs. As a getaway car, it’s probably not quite as useful as a Plymouth Road Runner would have been, but it’s also far more muscular-looking than a Mustang.