Mopar, GM, Hyundai, BMW, Honda, Daimler challenge Tesla charging (updated)

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BEV charger

Only last week, it seemed as though Tesla was set to permanently dominate the American car charging scene, as one automaker after another agreed to use its cables and set deals to use its charging network.

Today, though, a large group of car companies announced that they were getting together to blast the country with new chargers, directly challenging Tesla, which is the current (so to speak) charging leader.  Resisting Tesla’s 18,000-charger network with their own capacitance for charging may change the future of the game. 

STLA reports high profits during union talks

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Stellantis financials - earnings - dollars

Despite stockpiling huge numbers of cars, reportedly in anticipation of a strike, Stellantis reported—using its words—“robust profitability and cash flows,” and “strong growth in net revenues.” The margin, 14.4%, was near a record high; industrial free cash flow reached €8.7 billion (€1 = US$1.10, so €8.7 billion = $9.6 billion).

Introducing the Limited Edition Mopar ‘23 Challenger and Charger (Updated)

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Mopar 23 Challenger and Charger

The 2023 model year is packed full of limited edition models as the Dodge brand says goodbye to the current generation of the Challenger and Charger, and the folks from Mopar are getting in on the action as well. Starting back in 2010, Mopar has offered a uniquely branded-and-outfitted vehicle almost every year since then … Read more

Next battery plant slated for Kokomo

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2024 Ram EV

Stellantis has announced a second United States battery plant, a joint-ventury facility which can build 34 GWh in batteries per year. It will be a joint venture of Stellantis and Samsung SDI, with full production starting in 2027.The new plant will join one already announced for Kokomo, Indiana, a region which has benefited greatly from … Read more

JPP Debuts 2-inch Lift for Wrangler, Gladiator with Bilstein Shocks

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Jeep Wrangler Lift

One of the aspects of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator that make them so popular is the ability to outfit them with all sorts of upgraded components via the Jeep Performance Parts line. Although the Wrangler and Gladiator are the most off-road-capable vehicles in their respective segments, many owners want items that make it even … Read more

Saft, Stella, and France create “smarter, more efficient” battery

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new battery technology saft

Stellantis, Saft, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research unveiled a new prototype battery today. Unlike many recent unveilings, this battery is not showing off a different battery chemistry; instead, each module has its own charger and inverter through electronic conversion cards. This cuts the system’s cost and reduces the space it needs. Researchers also said it was more reliable than current setups with external chargers and inverters. (Inverters turn direct current, or DC, into alternating current, or AC.)

New Fiat 600 may or may not be first STLA use of safer, cheaper batteries

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New Fiat 600 / 600e

Fiat’s latest car looks like the new 500, but it’s larger—the Fiat 600. Sold in both battery-electric (600e) and hybrid-electric versions, the 600 is instantly recognizable as an updated Fiat.

The Fiat 600e was strongly rumored to use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, which are safer than standard lithium-ion batteries but have less energy density. That means the batteries, reputedly sourced from experienced Chinese automaker BYD, would be heavier than lithium-ion units of the same capacity, but far less prone to fires. However, …

Any color, as long as it’s white: Jeep, Ram, and Dodge’s oddly pricey color options

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pricey paint - Jeep, Dodge, Ram

Henry Ford famously said that buyers of the Model T could have any color they wanted, as long as it was black—because black paint was cheap and (mainly) because it dried quickly.

Today, if you want a Ford Bronco, you can get white, black, gray, red, green, or blue, all free even on the base model (though there is an $1,895 charge for bringing the car to your dealership, which is $200 more than Jeep charges).

At Dodge, black is the only free color on the Hornet, whether you get a base model or an R/T Plus at over $45,000. Every other color is $495 or $595.