Yesterday, Ford announced that its revenue had fallen by just 5%, while its third-quarter profit fell 24%, to $1.8 billion. Ford also restored the dividend it had suspended due to COVID, and announced that its full year profits would be much higher than expected—$10.5 to $11 billion. How did Stellantis, parent company of the former … Read more
Earlier this month, we brought you the news of the first Ram 1500 TRX in the 9-second range, owned and driven by Billy Weber. Weber and his record-setting half-ton were back at the track this past weekend and with cooler air came better times. When Weber first ran in the 9s, with a 9.90 at … Read more
This morning, the Dodge brand announced an orange-themed appearance package and a black-themed appearance package for both the Challenger and Charger. These simple orange-and-black appearance packages were announced just in time for both Halloween and National Black Cat Day – although neither package is available for ordering until later this year. “The HEMI Orange and … Read more
The ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with a global microchip shortage has left many automakers with unplanned production stoppages and the lowest inventory levels that the industry has seen in the modern era. This year also saw the introduction of the closest thing to a real competitor to the Wrangler in the ford … Read more
Stellantis is planning to end up with just four platforms: Small, Medium, Large, and Frame. But what’s the timing, and where are they coming from? First, the timing: Carlos Tavares is engaged in a ten year plan, at this point. By 2030, little will remain of the current platforms. For the moment, anything that was … Read more
2021 and 2022 Ram pickups and chassis cabs powered by Cummins diesel engines are being recalled because the intake heater grid relay on some trucks may overheat and cause a fire. To date, there has been no injuries or crashes. Ram has advised owners to avoid parking their trucks indoors, despite the very low risk … Read more
For the 2022 model year, police buyers can get a choice of pursuit-rated Chargers and Durangos, or opt for a special service Ram. So far there are no pursuit rated Rams, though Ford has a pursuit-rated F-150—a vehicle with a low top speed and brakes that a civilian car would be ashamed of. The Durango … Read more
Earlier today, we looked at the pricing information for the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX based on the RamTrucks consumer website. After speaking with some folks who ordered a 2022 TRX, who also shared their invoices with us, we found that there were some differences between the Ram Trucks website and the pricing at the dealership. … Read more
The 2022 Ram 1500 TRX is now available in the Build & Price section of the Ram Trucks website and there are few changes, other than pricing. Buying one of the 702-horsepower half-ton pickups will cost you more for 2022, with the increase ranging from just over $2,000 on a “base” build to just over … Read more
Last week, a Ford representative who had an issue with comments by Jeep brand VP Jim Morrison told the Stellantis executives to “Stay classy”. Based on dictionary definitions of the word classy – which relate to an item or person being of high quality or the best of its type – the Jeep Wrangler did … Read more
The Windsor Assembly Plant, sole maker of Chrysler minivans, is cutting its second shift on April 17, 2022. Due mainly to parts shortages, the plant has been idle for some time this year. Most observers expected the plant to be making one of three alternative cars as well as the minivans by now—a production version … Read more
According to Automotive News, Stellantis is hedging its LG bets by forming an alliance with fellow South Korean battery-maker Samsung SDI; both will make batteries for North American Stellantis vehicles. Samsung SDI makes EV batteries in South Korea, Hungary, and China; it counts BMW and Ford as clients. The plant location is still under review, … Read more
The Don Schumacher Racing Dodge Charger Hellcat funny car drivers came into the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Tennessee holding the top two spots in the championship race with just three events left on the schedule. Matt Hagan sat first, 33 points ahead of Ron Capps, while non-DSR Dodge Charger driver Cruz Pedregon was third, … Read more
LG, whose batteries are perhaps best known for causing a $2 billion GM recall, is Stellantis’ joint venture partner for a North American battery plant. The well-publicized LG gaffe may have helped Stellantis negotiators quite a bit. The new plant is to start pumping out car batteries in early 2024, with an annual capacity of … Read more
Whether due to market forces or shortages, Jeep Cherokee production has been down quite a bit, and Stellantis has apparently decided that the second shift is not coming back. The company recently sent around 1,100 letters to employees at the Belvidere plant, offering relocation at other facilities, including Toledo, according to local station WREX. Employees … Read more
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica is getting more features and small price hikes, while the value-leading Voyager is moving to fleet-only, at least for now. The main reason for this is likely lack of supply, allowing Chrysler to target more affluent customers. The 2021 Pacifica Touring model starts at $36,245; the 2022 model will start at … Read more