Dodge released an illustration to go with “24 months of muscle,” featuring both events and products; some of them have already been filled in, e.g. the $150,000 per year product ambassador role dubbed “donut maker,” and the launch of Direct Connection. What are the other programs: They are not placed based on date; some events … Read more
In another sign that the semiconductor shortage isn’t ending any time soon, partly due to damaged fabrication plants in Texas and Asia, Stellantis is cutting 400 more jobs at the Belvidere plant in Illinois, starting January 14. The company will try to provide jobs for the laid off workers as they become available in other … Read more
Late last month, James Golden piloted his F8 Green Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye down the track in just 7.904 seconds, making it the first 7-second quarter mile pass by a Redeye car. Of course, Golden’s Challenger Redeye is heavily modified, as is any production road car that has been massaged to run in the … Read more
Yesterday, Tim Kuniskis unloaded a ton of information on the Mopar world as part of the Never Lift Business Plan and we briefly talked about each program, with special emphasis on the return of factory performance packages. We mentioned that these packages would be marketed under the Direct Connection name through Power Broker dealerships, but … Read more
How to name a retail shop where you can buy new and used cars, arrange for service, rent a car, or buy aftermarket parts, for Peugeots, Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, Citroëns, Opels, and Jeeps? Obviously, it seems, stellantisandyou.com is the perfect name for Stellantis’ retail services, at least in 11 countries in Europe and in … Read more
This morning, Tim Kuniskis introduced the world to the Never Lift program, which included the first details of the reborn Direct Connection program. Back in the 1970s, Direct Connection provided high performance parts for Mopar owners who wanted to go faster than they could in stock form. Back then, the Chrysler Corporation helped Dodge owners … Read more
During the media preview day for the 2021 Roadkill Nights event in Metro Detroit, Dodge boss Tim Kuniskis briefly teased the “Never Lift” plan. Back then, Kuniskis explained that the Never Lift plan would be based on a calendar which would essentially preview the brand’s big news over the course of the next two years, … Read more
Michigan’s Department of Environmental Protection has released a page with details on the-former-Chrysler’s plant permits and violations. Some plants have recent violations, including the Detroit Assembly Complex née Jefferson North (pictured below from 2017) and Mack Engine I and II (combined recently into Mack Assembly). Violation notices were issued in September, October, and November related … Read more
An explosion and fire yesterday at the Windsor Assembly Plant, which makes Pacifica, Caravan, and Voyager minivans, has been confirmed by police, who said it appeared to be intentional. Arson investigators found a “suspicious package that detonated,” according to the CBC. A Stellantis spokesperson said that the space has been cleared, and work appears to … Read more
When NASCAR officially told manufacturers they could no longer directly support racers, a prohibition that was only lightly observed by GM and Ford, Chrysler sought a new series to test their mettle and gain publicity. They chose the new Daytona Continental road race, and built up a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere with the 426 Hemi dual-carb … Read more
In the 1960s and 1970s, people who wanted to race their Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler cars could buy the parts Chrysler Corporation supplied to professional racers—through the aptly named Direct Connection, Mopar’s way to directly connect Joe Sixpack to race-equipment engineers. Chrysler started taking racing seriously a little late, but then 1962 Max Wedge engine … Read more
For 2021, the coolest Moparized vehicle on display at SEMA is this 1967 Kaiser Jeep M275 Concept – an antique military ambulance which has been transformed into a slick trailside service vehicle, complete with coolers, beer taps and modern Hemi power.
Jeep just released the official list prices for the 2022 Grand Cherokee line. These are very likely the prices people will pay, at least until the new-car shortage eases up. There are two surprises…
The Jeep Wagoneer swept its categories in the Texas Truck Rodeo, winning the top prize (SUV of Texas) as well as the Full-Size Luxury SUV and Full-Size SUV categories. Perennial winner Ram 1500 took Full-Size Pickup Truck, while Ram 2500 Power Wagon walked off with Heavy Duty Pickup Truck. The Ram TRX nabbed both Luxury … Read more
The rumors are true: Stellantis is offering buyouts to a large number of salaried employees in the United States. The deal is being offered to employees who are eligible for pensions; they must be at least 55 years old, with 30 years of experience at the companies, for 58 years old with ten years of … Read more
Stellantis has finalized its purchase of First Investors Financial Services Group and renamed it to Stellantis Financial Services US Corporation. The move provides Stellantis with a foundation for a full-service captive finance arm, which historically has been more profitable than actually making cars.