Autoblog

Future Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Fiat product plans revealed?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rumormill

Alfa Romeo Kamal concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to automotive consulting firm IHS Global Insight, the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep lineups are going to look drastically different over the next few years under Fiat control. No surprises there, but the report goes on the forecast which current Chrysler vehicles will be dropped and which ones will be transferred to new platforms. We've already heard that the next Alfa Romeo 169 sedan will be built atop Chrysler's LX platform in Ontario, Canada and that the Fiat 500 will be built ASAP in Toluca, Mexico, but that's only the beginning.

If IHS is right, joining the 500 in Toluca will be the Jeep Panda, which, as you may have guessed, will be a version of the Fiat Panda wearing Jeep's trademark seven-slot grille. Furthermore, Alfa Romeo may get two new SUVs that would be built in Jeep factories in Jefferson, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio - one midsize 'ute called the GTX that's based on the WL platform that underpins the Jeep Grand Cherokee and a smaller one built on Fiat's C-EVO platform, which will also underpin the next Jeep Liberty. That leaves the unloved Jeep Compass and its somewhat more likable brother, the Patriot, to die slow and inglorious death.

Fiat's C-EVO platform will also spawn the next-gen Dodge Journey, Chrysler Sebring (and presumably the Dodge Avenger if it survives past its current form), and Dodge Caliber. Moving downward in size a notch will (finally) be the Dodge Hornet, which will forgo Bad Chrysler's old deal with Nissan in order to share its Fiat 199 platform with the Alfa Romeo MiTo, both of which will be assembled in Belvidere, Illinois sometime in 2011. Thanks for the tip, Dad!

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Kamal concept

[Source: Global Insight]

Future Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Fiat product plans revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to restart seven North American plants by end of month

Chris Paukert — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Hot on the heels of news that the Dodge Viper's Conner Avenue facility would be the first Chrysler plant to fire up after the company's bankruptcy proceedings/Fiat tie-up comes official word that the automaker will resume production at seven plants the week of June 29. In addition, Chrysler will bring the supporting powertrain and stamping plants online that supply the assembly factories listed below with parts.

According to Ed Garsten, Chrysler's manager of electronic media communications, the following assembly plants will resume production as part of a "phased production ramp-up" -

Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, MI) - Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger
Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, MI) - Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota
St. Louis North Assembly Plant (Fenton, MO) - Dodge Ram
Toledo Supplier Park (Toledo, OH) - Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Brampton Assembly Plant (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) - Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger
Windsor Assembly Plant (Windsor, Ontario, Canada ) - Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan
Toluca Assembly Plant (Toluca, Mexico) - Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser

Despite the start-ups, all Chrysler plants will again idle for two weeks in the second half of July as part of a previously scheduled summer break.

Source: Chrysler | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Chrysler to restart seven North American plants by end of month originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler considering four-day work week at Toledo Jeep plant

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Dodge, Jeep, Earnings/Financials

Jeep sales are down. They're way down, in fact, posting a 44-percent drop in their daily sales rate last month. Though the larger 'utes are really dragging down sales, even the once-untouchable Wranger has been feeling the sting of escalating fuel prices, as its blocky shape and 3.8-liter V6 engine conspire to deliver awful fuel mileage. Also selling rather slowly are the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro, which are assembled at the same plant in Northwest-Ohio. In an effort to save costs, Chrysler officials are considering reducing the work-week at the Toledo plant from the normal five days down to four and allowing its workers to stay on for ten-hour shifts. While that total still equals the forty-hours from a five-day, eight-hour per day work-week, Chrysler believes it can save on energy and fuel costs by shuttering the plant for an extra day.

[Source: 13abc.com]

Chrysler considering four-day work week at Toledo Jeep plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No more home turf advantage - Kia sales outpacing Jeeps in Toledo

Dan Roth — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia

It looks like residents of Ohio's Lucas County, home to Jeep's Toledo HQ, aren't buying into the hype, even if they're the ones building the things. Part of it is that Kia plays in more segments than Jeep, so while the brands do compete, Kia has an edge. We're not saying we want to see a Jeep minivan. In fact, we wish that the money spent on the Compass would have gone into making the Patriot's interior better, or at least not so cheap, rather than trying to deliver a Jeep for every taste.

The fact remains that registrations of new Kias jumped 20 percent in the last year, versus Jeep's near stagnant sales numbers. Kia's price-leader status likely has a lot to do with that growth. Jeep's premium airs and SUV/CUV specialization also don't do the brand any favors when it comes to appealing to Toledo buyers. The desire for an affordable fuel-efficient vehicle, not necessarily in the SUV form factor, makes a good argument for buying a Kia. It would be interesting to see a more apples to apples breakdown, though, as the numbers are merely brand totals, not broken into segments. If you were to examine total sales of the parent companies, rather than just divisions, Chrysler crushes Hyundai/Kia in Toledo.

Thanks for the tip, Tom!

[Source: Toledo Blade]

No more home turf advantage - Kia sales outpacing Jeeps in Toledo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toledo cops begin selling ads on police cruisers

Dan Roth — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:36:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Dodge

"This citation has ben brought to you by _________, for all your _________ needs. Thanks for using the Toledo PD, please drive safely and have a nice day."

The Toledo, Ohio police department needs to replace about 100 of its 140-car fleet at a time when money's tight. When budget deficits are forecast, getting funds can be a challenge, and that's what led the Toldeo department to offer cruiser sponsorships. In exchange for $15,000, the cars will have a 3 by 1 foot ad placed on the rear quarter panels. Four businesses have signed on so far, which means that two cars have been paid for. Toledo PD Chief Mike Navarre has received more negative feedback than good comments, but the bottom line is that it's going to offset the considerable annual cost of replacing all those cars. The influx of cash means the fleet gets replenished sooner while still leaving money for the many other things a police department needs. Innovative thinking in tough times is a consistent theme in America, and Toledo's not the first department to put ads on their cars. The Fire Department is keeping an eye on how the sponsorships unfold, and could roll out its own effort. We don't see what the big deal is; it's saving taxpayers money in the end. It's not like they've sold naming rights to the department or anything, so keep an eye out for new Chargers with a cop motor, a HEMI plant, cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, and an ad for Bambino's Pizza where 9-1-1 used to be.

[Source: Toledo Blade via Kicking Tires]

Toledo cops begin selling ads on police cruisers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler workers making long shot bid to buy automaker

John Neff — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Daimler, Earnings/Financials

The Detroit News is reporting that a group of 25 Chrysler employees in Toledo have formed a group called the "Employee Buyout Committee" and are actively exploring the necessary steps required to see the fate of Chrysler end up in the hands of its employees. Their proposal would give Chrysler employees a 70% stake in the automaker, with DaimlerChrysler retaining the remaining 30%. The group appears to be making all the right moves so far, having submitted its proposal first to the UAW, whose legal department is now evaluating the proposition. The employee buyout plan was also mentioned at DaimlerChrysler's annual shareholder meeting in Berlin on April, 4. The committee's apparent spokesperson, Michele Mauder, has also sent the proposal to Chrysler Gropu CEO and DaimlerChrysler CEO Deiter Zetsch, humbly requesting the employee's bid at least be given equal consideration with bids from private equity firms like Cerberus Capital Management and Blackstone Group, as well as Canadian parts supplier Magna. A Chrysler spokesperson has also commented that the proposal is expected to be reviewed by the automaker's legal department.

If allowing Chrysler's own 50,000 UAW employees to own the automaker doesn't happen, the UAW has expressed that it would much rather thow its hat in the ring with Canadian parts supplier Magna than any of the private equity firms that have offers on the table. While the employee buyout plan is a long shot, and if successful, an incredible risk for the employees, it's also inspiring that a group of workers would be the masters of their own fate. Unfortunately, it's not yet known how much the employees could offer for a 70% stake in their employer, which, in the end, is likely DaimlerChrysler's number one consideration in this sale.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Chrysler workers making long shot bid to buy automaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Toledo, Nitro is A-Go!

Joel Arellano — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Daimler, Dodge

The Dodge Nitro received the green light from DaimlerChrysler back in 2005 to be produced as a 2007 model. Now, sibling blog Blogging Ohio posts that production of the SUV has began at Toledo's Jeep Liberty plant. The Nitro will be the first non-Jeep vehicle made there since production of the Dodge Dakota ended in 1995. The American/German automaker spent $100 million to expand the plant resulting in the addition of 750 employees and 150 robots. Currently, there are no details on price, nor any information about how many SUVs will be produced at the plant.

Related:
Spy Shots: Dodge Nitro's accidental sneak peek
Chicago Auto Show: Dodge launches 2007 Nitro

[Source: WNWO-TV via Ohio News Network via Blogging Ohio]

In Toledo, Nitro is A-Go! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Dodge Nitro's accidental sneak peek

Erin Mays — Sun, 14 May 2006 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV

A lightly-camouflaged Dodge Nitro was tooling down the streets of Toledo, Ohio, when, BAM, the little 'ute struck the back of a semi after blowing a stop sign. Or so the story goes. The vehicle, which isn't available for public consumption yet, had something of an impromptu debut when it got into the little fender-bender courtesy of an engineer who was later ticketed for the incident. The Nitro's accident occurred near Jeep's Toledo plant, which will churn out dent-free examples for Dodge showrooms later this summer.

[Source: WTOL-TV]

(Thanks to Muamer for the tip)

Spy Shots: Dodge Nitro's accidental sneak peek originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 May 2006 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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