Overall, FCA US saw sales fall by 12% year-to-date from 2021, from 1,365,881 to 1,199,407 vehicles sold. Chrysler was the only brand with a net gain, thanks entirely to the Pacifica—which rose from 59,502 to 75,902 sales (including Voyager). The Toyota Sienna, which was on track to clobber the Pacifica, saw its sales falter and drop … Read more
Chrysler Canada posted a hefty 15% increase in sales for the third quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. Year to date, Canadian sales rose by 7% to 130,729. Year to date, every Dodge car still in production rose—but Dodge sales overall fell by 25%, because the former best seller, the Caravan, … Read more
FCA US sold 385,665 cars and trucks in the third quarter, a decline of 6% from 2021—despite gains by Chrysler and Dodge. Year to date, FCA US is down by 12%. Chrysler’s two vehicles, Pacifica and 300, both rose, with Pacifica up 46% and 300 up 17% vs the third quarter of 2021; the Pacifica … Read more
There has been a lot of speculation about what exactly Stellantis is up to with the Mopar brands we’ve become attached to—given rumors of the end of Hemi V8s and L-platform cars, what some see as the impending doom of an electrification takeover, chip shortages, hybrids, and such. Perhaps it’s time to breathe for a … Read more
Earlier this week, I had a chance to drive the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L with the new Hurricane 3.0-liter twin turbocharged inline-six engine. We aren’t allowed to share our drive impressions with those big SUVs until next month, but in the meantime, I wanted to share my pictures of the … Read more
For 2023, the Jeep Renegade has a number of package upgrades—which are different in the US and Canada. Canadians simply get a Detonator Yellow paint option and a Trailhawk Elite Group with leather, eight-way driver’s seat, LED exterior lighting, and the towing package. Americans get the same yellow paint option, as well as: Adaptive cruise … Read more
Today at the State Fair of Texas, Ram unveiled a 2023 surprise—the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel. The Ram Heavy Duty Rebel will have a choice of the 6.4 Truck Hemi or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel; either way, buyers get a unique off-road suspension, rear limited slip differential, and rear electronic locker. A factory-installed 12,000-lb. … Read more
When enthusiasts look at the future of the Chrysler brand in particular, and Mopars in general, they may be somewhat dismayed by the heavy use of the term “electrified.” It may conjure up images of expensive, poorly made Teslas on one end, and golf carts on the other; or the Toyota Prius in between, a … Read more
The Brampton plant which makes Dodge and Chrysler sedans and coupes has shut down due to a parts shortage. The situation must be fairly serious, because Dodge is also postponing its final Last Call car—originally scheduled for a debut at the SEMA show on November 1-4. Dodge announced, “When product and supply challenges have been … Read more
Mopar has won two places in the coveted Ward’s Ten Best Engines and Propulsion Systems list. The latest Mopar arrival is the Hurricane twin-turbo straight-six, for the moment used only in the Grand Wagoneer but also coming to the Grand Cherokee. The 4xe plug-in hybrid system is on the list for the second year. The … Read more
Ram’s second installment of “Built to Serve” limited-edition models geared towards first responders is aimed at Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers. Ram’s leader, Mike Koval, Jr., noted, “The Ram 1500 ‘Built to Serve’ EMS edition is our way of honoring and expressing deep gratitude to the frontline heroes who serve or have served our country.” … Read more
When Dodge introduced the first details for the 2023 model year of the Challenger and Charger at Speed Week, Tim Kuniskis showed us the Challenger convertible, body-in-white and Drag Pak Rolling Chassis, along with the promise of seven additions to the lineup over the next few months. Now that the six buzz models have been … Read more
Some time ago, Chrysler recalled Pacifica minivans for stalling caused by bad crankshaft position sensors. Now, the company has apparently settled a lawsuit around the same issue. The legal time handling the case doesn’t mention that the sole cause of the problem was the crankshaft position sensor, but it seems obvious from the details on … Read more
FCA’s Brampton, Ontario plant builds the Dodge Charger and Challenger along with the related Chrysler 300; it has been the only home of the Chrysler LH and Lx cars. Now, with the end of all three cars coming in 2023, a series of special interest editions has spiked interest—including a final run of 2,200 Chrysler … Read more
New Mopar accessories are available for the 2023 ProMaster vans. Some of these can be pre-installed by the factory: Cargo floor (option CT1, $975-1325): anti-slip surface, integrated rails, carriage bolts, D-Ring hardware Crew van (option AAF, $6,495): rear bench seat for three people, which keeps the cargo area available; includes a safety partition between the … Read more
Chinese electric-car pioneer Nio, which set records on the famed German Nürburgring track, is setting up battery-swapping stations in Europe. The idea is that you can buy a Nio without a battery; a 75-kWh battery pack costs $8700 but can be leased for around $135 per month. The company is planning to set up 1,000 … Read more