truth about domestics

It appears that under the new ownership of Fiat, Chrysler has lost its ENVI electric vehicle group, and will instead use teams within each vehicle program to produce electric or hybrid electric models.  Hopefully the teams will be successful, because this is one area where Chrysler definitely trails the competition.  They have only had 2 hybrid offerings and they were killed off before more than a handful could be produced.  For more details, head on over to Reuters.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Thanks to the folks over at Autoblog, you don’t need to sift through PowerPoint after PowerPoint trying to figure out what in the heck the gang at Chrysler is up to in the next few years.  If you follow this link, it will take you to Autoblog’s breakdown of Chrysler’s product cycle plans.  If you’d like to hear (or read) it from the horse’s mouth directly, then follow this link over to Chrysler’s site.

It appears that the Fiat stable will be opened more than originally thought with several models hitting our shores in the 2012-2014 model years.  Only time will tell how successful this plan is, but for the sake of all the Americans who still work for Chrysler, lets hope this time around, Fiat is able to sell in America.

(Image source: myride.com)

Finally some potentially good news for Chrysler!  The next generation of the 300 is due out in about a year or so, where it will be receiving some major interior, exterior, chassis and powertrain upgrades.  Well, this all sounds fine and dandy to new owner Fiat, and rumor has it that they plan to use the new platform to expand their global rear wheel drive portfolio.  The platform could be used as a Lancia to replace the current Thesis sedan or as a Maserati to slot below the Quattroporte.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: WKJeeps.com)

It appears that Chrysler and Fiat have an electric car planned in their future.  In a few weeks, the 5 year plan for Chrysler will be announced and rumor has it that part of that plan is one electric vehicle, however only time will tell what that vehicle is.  For more details, head on over to The Wall Street Journal.

(Image source: Chrysler)

According to Chrysler CEO Peter Fong, the Fiat 500 will begin showing up in Chrysler dealerships instead of stand alone Fiat showrooms.  This will make the 500 the first Fiat product to cross over the pond since Chrysler and Fiat merged earlier this year.  Don’t expect to see the car anytime soon however, as production doesn’t begin in Mexico until late 2010 or early 2011.  Above is the Abarth sport edition, which actually looks pretty cool!  For more details, head on over to Autoweek.

(Image source: All World Cars)

According to recent reports, it looks like the Chrysler Sebring and its platform mate the Dodge Avenger will survive until 2012!  I have never really been a fan of the styling of these two vehicles, but at least Chrysler decided to do something different, unlike the foreign competition who’s vehicles can all be summed up as “bland.”  The vehicles will receive mild facelifts sometime around 2011 and then be replaced by something from the Fiat stable.  Lets hope this plan works out!  For more, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Chrysler and Fiat have been trying to restructure and bring customers back into the showrooms.  So they decided to set out and define what each of their brands should target.  Chrysler will become a Cadillac competitor, Dodge will focus on driving dynamics and Jeep will focus on the rugged outdoors.  Where does that leave the Ram?  Well speculation exists that the Ram will become its own brand, focusing on trucks, vans and SUVs. 

I’m not really sure why they feel the need to move the Ram to its own brand, I mean, GM and Ford sell plenty of trucks and vans without making them their own line.  Hopefully this strategy works out for Chrysler in the future, I guess only time will tell.  For more information, head on over to InsideLine.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Back in the day (which was a Wednesday by the way), DaimlerChrysler was involved in a Global Engine Alliance, designed to put forth world class 4-cylinder engines for Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai.  Several products (like the Jeep Compass above) featuring this engine are already on the market, but with Chrysler’s new partner Fiat, it looks as though Chrysler might be leaving the Global Engine Alliance.

The reason being that Fiat makes many of its own smaller engines, which would make more sense in Chrysler vehicles to help improve the economies of scale for both automakers.  Automotive news is also reporting that the Ram could get a Fiat diesel, so stay tuned for more news on that front.  For the details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Chrysler)

Chrysler has announced it will be starting up production again at seven plants in North America.  Hopefully this is a proud day for everyone in America.  Chrysler has come out of bankruptcy, it has a new partner in Fiat, and it will be building products again.  Hopefully they get it right this time around.  For the full list of plants that will be resuming production, head on over to Autoblog.

Rumors have swirled around the Internet for what feels like years now that Chrysler would be ceasing production soon of the PT Cruiser.  Well according to Inside Line the platform, which was only intended to last five years, went into production in December 1999 and could be in production until December 2010!  Eleven years with really no refresh, it’s hard to imagine there is still demand for the vehicle.  It will probably end up being a regular in rental fleets no doubt.

The Fiat 500 and Panda are slated to replace the PT Cruiser at it’s plant in Toluca, Mexico.