Autoblog

Report: Fiat to up stake in Chrysler to 30 percent

Chris Shunk — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Fiat

Fiat currently owns 25 percent of Chrysler, but that stake will reportedly jump to 30 percent in the next couple weeks. Automotive News reports that the Italian automaker is weeks away from satisfying additional requirements needed to bump the ownership stake by another five percent.

Unnamed sources claim that Fiat has already met a requirement that states that Chrysler receives $1.5 billion of its revenue outside of North America. The next step is to offer Chrysler vehicles to 90 percent of Fiat's Latin American dealers. Fiat will reportedly meet that goal by rebadging Chrysler vehicles as Fiats at Latin American dealerships. One vehicle that will reportedly receive the rebadge treatment is the Dodge Journey, which will be built in Mexico and renamed the Fiat Freemont. Fiat currently holds the largest share of the emerging Brazil market, with a substantial 22.3 percent share.

Fiat will receive another five percent of Chrysler by building a Fiat-based product in the U.S. that hits 40 miles per gallon or better. If Fiat wants to increase its share to an absolute majority of 51 percent, the automaker will need to fork over $1.14 billion by the end of the year. If the automaker waits until 2012, that number will jump to $1.37 billion.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Fiat to up stake in Chrysler to 30 percent originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse

Dan Roth — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Dodge

2011 Dodge all-wheel drive commercial - click above to watch the video

All-wheel drive is available in the 2011 Dodge Charger, Journey and Durango, and with all of the widespread snow this winter, Chrysler is hoping you'll want every edge you can get.

To get the word out about its all-wheel drive lineup, Dodge is running a new TV commercial that pokes fun at the typically panicked behavior that ensues whenever the weather report calls for snow. After the local grocery stores have been stripped bare of milk and bread, you're going to have to go out of your way to restock anyway, so you might as well have a secure, confident way to do it, right? Dodge thinks its AWD offerings turn epic winter weather into little more than flurries. Does Auburn Hills have another hit on our hands from a seemingly reinvigorated Chrysler advertising effort, or is this one a dud? Check it out after the jump, then let us know in 'Comments.'

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse

Video: Dodge commercial pokes fun at Snowpocalypse originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Configurators for 2011 Chrysler models appear online

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Chrysler 200 configurator - click above to build your own

Fiat promised a slew of new models when it took over at Auburn Hills, and our Italian cousins are making good on their word. But for the eager customers Chrysler is counting on, seeing photos of the new models is one thing, actually heading down to the local dealership and placing an order is another. Before most potential buyers these days get to that point, though, they tend want to know exactly how a new model can be spec'd out. And that's where online configurators come into play.

Fortunately Chrysler has just launched configurators featuring its array of new vehicles, including the new 200 sedan, the Town & Country minivan, as well as the Dodge Durango and Journey. You may not be able to specify the color of your seatbelts like on a Maserati, or the unfortunately-named paint shades like on a Bugatti. But if you want to know how that new Pentastar will shape up the way you want it, this'll give you a pretty darn good impression. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

[Source: Chrysler]

Configurators for 2011 Chrysler models appear online originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Zach Bowman — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Durango Citadel at SEMA 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has unveiled a new no-cost maintenance program for certain Dodge Journey and Durango models. Buyers who opt for the Durango Citadel or the Journey Lux will be treated to free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles that includes oil and oil filter changes every three months or 3,000 miles as well as scheduled and recommended maintenance at 6,000 mile intervals. The program also throws in $1,000 worth of trip-interruption coverage, towing and roadside assistance up to $100 and $35/per day car rental should you get into an accident. All told, Chrysler says that the program has a retail value of around $1,100.

We're guessing that no-cost maintenance is an effort to lure buyers to deeper ends of the Durango and Journey option pools. Of course, knowing that you won't have to shell out a dime for routine work on your vehicle is likely to be a big selling point when either the newly reworked crossovers are lined up against their competitors. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Dodge Durango Citadel "Black and Tan"

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models

Dodge announces 3/36 no-cost maintenance on select Durango and Journey models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Journey

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Dodge, Quick Spins

An Also-Ran Matures Into A Real Competitor

2011 Dodge Journey - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all of the Chrysler models receiving updates both significant and otherwise, it's understandable if you've gotten a little lost in the fray. Here's what you need to know: One of the most surprising bright lights to come out of the company's refresh bender is the 2011 Dodge Journey. While the 2011 Dodge Charger and Durango may have stolen the spotlight with their new sheetmetal, the Journey has transmogrified into a small family hauler that offers plenty of horsepower, acceptable fuel economy and a massively updated interior. There's even one of the quickest and largest touchscreens of any vehicle we've come across nestled in the dash.

Given Chrysler's recently discovered love of installing much-improved interiors in its vehicles, the newfound goodies indoors should come as no surprise. But the company's engineers seem to have spent just as much time tweaking the crossover's driving character, resulting in a complete package that has turned it from being a washed-up never-was into a competitor almost overnight.

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Journey: Quick Spin

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Journey

Quick Spin: 2011 Dodge Journey originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Journey - Click above for high-res image gallery

As Chrysler continues its effort to drastically refresh the majority of its product portfolio in short order, we're seeing a raft of updated interior refinements and powertrain enhancements making their way across the full range of Pentastar vehicles. The big news for most of these vehicles is better interior quality, and no place is that more apparent than on the 2011 Dodge Journey. Have a look at the old Journey's cockpit and compare that with the new one. On face value alone, this looks to be a massive improvement.

Updated interior aside, the 2011 Journey receives revised suspension geometry, better tires and an overhauled steering system in an effort to make things more engaging from behind the wheel. In the biggest development of all, Chrysler's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is under the hood, delivering 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. V6 models also receive a more aggressive lower front fascia, 19-inch wheels and LED taillamps.

Pricing has not been released as of this writing, but we'll have those details closer to the 2011 Journey's on-sale date near the end of this year. For now, read Chrysler's own words about the updated Journey in the press release after the break and check out the high-res gallery below. Thanks to all for the tips!

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Journey

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011

Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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