News

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

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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.

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Manual Transmission Update

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2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Last week, a few outlets randomly shared articles from last year which addressed the availability of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with the 6-speed manual transmission. That led many readers and prospective buyers (who did not look at the date of publication) to believe that the manual transmission was now available for ordering in … Read more

The Mopars getting big tax credits

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4xe logo from Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Three currently sold vehicles from Stellantis will get hefty tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which also ends credits for a number of foreign and domestic cars.The full $7,500 credit goes to the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV, while a still considerable $3,750 goes to the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. No Mopars are losing … Read more

Is Dodge using a Hurricane, or going all-BEV? (Analysis)

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Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee BEV spoiler and engine bay

Analysis. Social media, forums, and comments sections have all seen complaints about Dodge’s future, which many claim will be “all BEV.” In point of fact, there’s never been any indication that this is Stellantis’ plan for Dodge—only for Chrysler.

What we know so far is that Chrysler-the-marque, as opposed to the no-longer-around Chrysler-the-company, is planning to go all-electric by 2030, and at last report was only working on STLA Large—but these are subject to change. FCA US, on the other hand, was looking at being just 50% electric in 2030. That means it’ll still be 50% not-electric.

The last credible installment from our sources claimed that an LB Challenger was indeed on the way, powered by a Hurricane twin-turbo straight six engine…

New York Auto Show ending soon—This is some of what you may miss

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camp jeep 2023

The New York Auto Show is closing soon; this is a quick overview of what you might miss if you’re not there, starting with the outdoors attractions—the Toyota Thrill Ride (professional drivers in a small paved area do make for some thrills) and Camp Jeep, also a thrill ride as you go up and down a steep, tall steel-surfaced roller coaster in your choice of Jeeps.

Furious Fuchsia Dodge Challenger Wins the Street Car Takeover Womens Class

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Kate Tout Dodge Challenger SRT8

The Street Car Takeover racing season began in late February at Bradenton Motorsports Park and among the spread of classes was the Women & Wheels class. As the name suggests, this class is made up entirely of women drivers and well-known Mopar racer Kate Toutkoushian took the class win in her Furious Fuchsia Dodge Challenger.Women … Read more

Dodge’s “gateway vehicle” is finally reaching dealers

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2024 Dodge Hornet

The Dodge Hornet, after a long sea voyage, is finally reaching dealerships. 

Dodge called the Hornet a “gateway vehicle.” Some thought it would be a hybrid Challenger or Charger to bridge the gap between gas-powered models and EVs; but it was a gateway in different ways—

A gateway to Dodge for first-time buyers
A gateway between FCA and Stellantis—between SUSW and STLA Small
A gateway between gasoline and electric
A gateway between Dodge as “only big cars and trucks” and Dodge as a full line 

One could also call the Hornet a gateway between past and future; the original Hudson Hornet was a full sized car, sold in several body styles, that won NASCAR and AAA racing championships with its six-cylinder engine and either two-barrel carburetor or twin single-barrels (Twin-H Power).

Jeep Submarine: Woman saved after hours under water

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underwater Jeep Wrangler submarine

A woman listed as “missing” with the police was found under water, protected by a Jeep Wrangler.A fisherman in Marion County, Texas, reported a submerged vehicle around forty feet from a boat ramp to the sheriff’s office. The dispatcher sent deputies and a tow truck, and as the operators were preparing to fish the Jeep … Read more

Here is the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 8.91 Timeslip

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2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Timeslip

When the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 was introduced last month, one of the key details of the limited edition, 1,025-horsepower muscle car was that it ran an NHRA-certified 8.91 quarter mile time. That makes it the quickest production road car sold in the U.S. market, beating the Tesla Model S Plaid by a … Read more

Recall Monday: VW in the spotlight, Mopar in the clear

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exploding seat belt pretensioner

There were no “Mopar” recalls again this week, but Volkswagen had a particularly bad time with front camera heaters overheating on 2020 Q7s, surprise-opening doors on 2023 the ID 4, breaking fuel pumps on the 2022 Taos, and inoperative airbags on the 2018-21 Atlas.

Tesla recalled the 2018-19 Model 3 for separating front suspension links, and Kia is fixing 2022-23 Carnival minivans whose power sliding doors may not stop for occupants. Oh, and the 2023 Hyundai  Genesis G90’s seat belt pretensioners may explode (see robot’s rendering). 

What’s left? 2019…

Mopar brands building up big inventories

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2023 Chrysler 300C

With both Canadian plants scheduled for an extended downtime and conversion for new products, Stellantis has been pumping out massive quantities of Chrysler and Dodge cars to keep sales up while production is down. According to Cox Automotive,  Chrysler had over 130 days’ supply of cars in inventory (mainly on dealer lots); both their vehicles … Read more

Exclusive: 2025 Ram 1500 REV Coming in Single Configuration

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2025 Ram 1500 REV

When the 2025 Ram 1500 REV all-electric half-ton pickup reaches dealerships in the latter portion of 2024, it will only be offered in a single configuration. The production version of the electric Ram pickup will only be offered in the four-door Club Cab, short bed layout that has been shown, according to a Ram Trucks representative talking with Stellpower’s David Zatz during the initial media day of the New York International Auto Show.