Autoblog

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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Goodbye, Routan? VW minivan reportedly not long for this world

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Volkswagen Routan - Click above for high-res gallery

That the Volkswagen Routan has been a dismal failure is probably one of the worst kept secrets in the industry, but until now, few have taken stock of just how poorly the badge-engineered minivan was selling.

The idea was fairly straightforward, if a tad ill-conceived: take a Dodge Caravan, slap on a fresh face and a VW badge and give it an unpronounceable name. The minivan is built alongside its Chrysler and Dodge counterparts at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, plant... or at least it was until Wolfsburg asked Auburn Hills to stop production. Apparently, not a single Routan has rolled off the assembly line since last December, and there are no immediate plans to resume production.

Nor should they, necessarily: Of the 22,037 Routans produced between its introduction in September and the cessation of production just a few months later, only 5,582 (less than a quarter of those made) have actually been sold. With that much back-stock, Volkswagen Group of America has been offering some attractive incentives, and dealers are likely super-motivated to sell, but the Routan's retail price is still a couple grand higher than a Dodge Caravan's, part of which goes towards recouping Brooke Shields' paycheck for that ridiculous advertising campaign. And with no sign of the remaining Routans' value going anywhere but down, there's little motivation for VW (to ask Chrysler) to resume production, much less green-light its replacement.

If there's a bright spot here, it's that the Routan actually isn't a bad minivan, particularly now that good deals are available. It's been said that it is the best-driving Chrysler minivan (with the best interior of the bunch), and that's probably true - even if the name, marketing and idea that this is a proper VW has never managed to resonate with consumers.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Goodbye, Routan? VW minivan reportedly not long for this world originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Caravan, Suburban would move to Lambda platform

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, SUV, Crossover, Chevrolet, Dodge, GM, Rumormill

We reported last month that General Motors could move the next Cadillac Escalade to its Lambda platform that's currently used by the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse, and now GM Inside News is reporting via an inside source that the Suburban/Yukon XL may also get the unibody treatment. With replacements for the smaller Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Escalade reportedly cancelled, we think all signs are pointing to each GMT900-based SUV moving over to the Lambda platform with some of the current slow-selling Lambda-based models being cut altogether.

But the craziness doesn't end there. GM Inside News also reports an even more surprising vehicle could get moved to the crossover platform: the Dodge Caravan, assuming of course that the General follows through on talks to purchase Chrysler from Cerberus. You may recall that GM abandoned the minivan market earlier this year in favor of its Lambda-based crossovers.

The Lambda platform must be extremely modular if it can be stretched enough to accommodate the size of the Suburban along with the people- and cargo-carrying capacity of a Dodge minivan. Also on the rumormill menu is a possible Chevrolet version of the minivan. These changes are supposedly set to take place by 2014, and plenty of things can and will change by then. In other words, talk this all with a grain of salt.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Rumormill: Caravan, Suburban would move to Lambda platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler ekes out additional 2 mpg on 2009 minivans

Michael Harley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Green, Chrysler, Dodge

With moms now actually reading EPA fuel economy figures on the window sticker before trying out the dozen cup holders found in most modern minivans, Chrysler went back to the engineering lab and knocked out a few more miles per gallon for its 2009 minivan offerings. Bragging that no other minivan offers better fuel economy than the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the automaker is boasting EPA figures of 17 city / 25 highway for the minivans when equipped with the automaker's 4.0L six-cylinder engine and minivan-first 6-speed automatic. Considering that the original 1984 Chrysler Town and Country achieved 18 city / 21 highway with a 2.6L four-cylinder and three-speed transmission, we've clearly come a long way. To squeeze out the extra miles per gallon, Chrysler tweaked the large 4.0L V6 engine and then changed the ratios on the transmission. With a higher ratio first gear, and smaller steps between the new ratios, the minivans are quicker off the line and the engine doesn't loose as much speed between shifts. The result is a fuel economy improvement of about 8 percent or about 2 mpg. Now, if the engineers could just do something about that minivan stigma...

[Source: Chrysler]

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Chrysler ekes out additional 2 mpg on 2009 minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things that never were nor ever should be, Part II: the Dodge Caravan "CarCamel"

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Dodge, Canada

Click above for gallery of the Car Camel

You need something to carry a car, but you don't want just any old pickup truck or SUV because anybody could do that. And since you do have that vintage Dodge Caravan lying around... why not grab the chainsaw and make something really special?

Allow us to officially introduce the Car Camel. Apparently plying the highways of Ontario, Canada, it's a shortened minivan with a car hauler stuck to its backside. It ain't pretty, and it probably ain't too fast, but we have to admit that it is pretty neat... if you're into that kind of thing. Have a look at the gallery of images below, but if any of you get the idea to make a Car Koala... please, don't. Thanks for the tip, Zak!

UPDATE: Jackpot! Autoblog reader Paul H found the owner's personal blog on which he explains how, and more importantly why, he built the Car Camel. Also check out more pics of the Car Camel, including it actually carrying a car, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Car Camel

[Source: Photobucket]

Things that never were nor ever should be, Part II: the Dodge Caravan "CarCamel" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotted in Illinois: Dodge Caravan "hybrid"

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:45:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge

Click the image above for a high-res view.

An eagle-eyed reader has spotted a hybrid Dodge Caravan in the Chicago, Illinois area. Don't get your panties in a bunch, though, as this hybrid is not the sort consumers have come to know and love as of late. This Caravan has no electrical propulsion system, but rather two front ends. Before Honda and Toyota forever tied the hybrid term to gasoline-electric drivetrains, it was used to describe vehicles constructed out of various donor parts, such as this one. After all, no one has yet marketed a better name for dual front fascia automobiles. Now obviously this Caravan looks nothing like the one in which your mom carpooled you to soccer practice. Especially since hers probably had a rear end. However, that might be where the differences end, at least from what we can tell. Besides the obvious exterior alterations, there are no hints at what other tricks the minivan might have up its sleeve. It makes for a pretty clever advertisement for an alignment shop though. Nothing quite screams we're good at getting the wheels straight more than a vehicle equipped with two steering racks. Not to mention the fact that the paint happens to be the color of the Incredible Hulk. Although, as far as utility goes, we can't image it would make a good shop runner since chopping off the rear hatch looks to have significantly reduced available cargo space. Be sure and check out the lime green Dodge Caravan that couldn't help but catch a reader's eye in the gallery below and judge for yourself. Thanks for the tip Bdubb!

Gallery: Dodge Caravan "Hybrid"

Spotted in Illinois: Dodge Caravan "hybrid" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans

Dan Roth — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge

Think of what the automotive landscape looked like nigh on 25 years ago. Mentioning "family car" in 1983 would have conjured a station wagon. Some of us dig wagons, while others think we're daft because of the stigma they still carry. There's no denying that a wagon is an excellent way to transport kids and stuff, but those beasts of yesteryear often led to yearnings for an alternative. We all remember getting carsick while sitting in the rear-facing third row torture chamber, cut off from the rest of the family and their future-looking vantage point. The tailgunner position was a great way to test out new hand gestures on following motorists, though.

When the Chrysler minivans were revealed to the world in 1983 as 1984 models, they were a revelation. The Caravan and Voyager were not the first vans based on compact chassis, but they were such a successful combination of the elements that sales took off and imitators sprang up only after Chrysler had firmly established its status as the segment trendsetter. Continued after the jump.

Gallery: First Generation Chrysler Minivans

Continue reading Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans

Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge in danger of losing #1 minivan title

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, Honda

The moral of a certain African tale is: no matter whether you're the lion or the gazelle, when you get up every morning you better be ready to run. That counts for rams, as well. One of Chrysler LLC's most profitable divisions is getting run down in a historically dominant specialty: minivans. The Dodge Caravan (and Grand Caravan), specifically, is in danger of losing its best selling minivan title to the Honda Odyssey.

The Detroit Free Press reports that year-to-date, Dodge has sold 154,824 Caravans, which is a 21.4-percent decline from last year. Part of that has been explained with the arrival of a new model and the elimination of the cheaper, short wheelbase version. Honda meanwhile has sold 158,139 Odysseys so far this year, which is only a 2.3-percent decline from last year. Honda also has a new version of the Odyseey this year, introduced in August, and has outsold Dodge for the past six months -- which means the new model picked up where the old one left its marker.

Follow the jump for more.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Caravan

Gallery: 2008 Honda Odyssey

Continue reading Dodge in danger of losing #1 minivan title

Dodge in danger of losing #1 minivan title originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge-based VW minivan caught on dealer TV - too little, too late?

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge, Volkswagen

After teasing fans with a modern interpretation of the classic Type 2 micro-bus a few years ago, Volkswagen decided it wasn't an economically viable project. It ultimately decided to strike a deal with DaimlerChrysler to use the Caravan/Town and Country minivan platform as the basis for a VW van. Unfortunately for VW, the minivan market is shrinking as they finally get their own unit to market.

A poster on the VWVortex forums has reportedly caught the first image of the new Chrysler-based VW van on a VW dealer TV screen and had his camera phone ready. No one should be surprised that from the rear quarter angle it looks like a 2008 Dodge Caravan with Touareg taillights. The question remains whether or not by the time it appears in VW dealerships in the summer of 2008, will anyone still care?

In addition to the new van, the dealer TV system also gave timing for some other new products, most of which we already know about. VW had previously confirmed that the Jetta TDI and Tiguan were coming in the first half of 2008 and the Touareg diesel was coming in the fall of 2008. What hadn't been confirmed previously was the Passat coupe also coming in the fall of 2008.

Thanks for the tip, Matt!

[Source: VW Vortex forums]

Dodge-based VW minivan caught on dealer TV - too little, too late? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler prices 2008 minivans well below outgoing models

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge

While it's hard to argue with the industry minivan leader, the new-for-2008 Chrysler minivans had us scratching our heads a bit. Their styling appears to take a page from the Chevy Venture book of design, which had us wondering if Chrysler could could keep them on top. Well, it looks like the Chrysler Group might have a few tricks up its sleeve to keep the crown, like offering better vehicles with more standard features for a lot less dough. They just announced the U.S. pricing for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country and the new minivan kings appear to be incredible values.

According to the press release, the new vans will start arriving in dealerships in the fall "...with 35 new or improved features," along with the new 4.0L V6, six-speed transaxles, standard all-row side curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all for about two grand less than the outgoing models. The Grand Caravan SE will start at $22,470 and the Grand Caravan SXT at $27,535. Over at Chrysler, the Town & Country will be $23,190 for the LX, $28,430 for the Touring, and $36,400 for the Limited.

Full press release with more details can be found after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler prices 2008 minivans well below outgoing models

Chrysler prices 2008 minivans well below outgoing models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors

John Neff — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge

The Detroit News is reporting that DaimlerChrysler has recalled 270,000 units of the 2005 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minvans to fix airbag sensors that could corrode and fail to activate. The recall, however, only affects minvans that were sold in 20 states and Washington D.C. where lots of salt is used on public roads to melt ice and snow. Apparently these UF sensors have brass bushings that may corrode from road salt and crack, allowing to water to reach the sensor, which causes it to fail and illuminate a warning light on the dash.

So if you own a 2005 Dodge Caravan and live in Florida, you're probably safe. If you live in Buffalo, NY, however, you might want to visit your local Dodge dealer this weekend. The number of vehicles affected includes as many 270,958 minivans built from April 24, 2003 to February 2, 2005. We've included a list of the 20 states affected after the jump along with the recall report from the NHTSA. DaimlerChrysler will notify owners in each state and replace the brass bushings with steel ones to prevent the sensor from failing in the future. If you live in a different state than one on the list, DCX will offer you lifetime free replacement of any UF airbag sensor that fails on your minivan. If you have more questions, you can contact DCX at 1-800-853-1403.

[Source: The Detroit News, NHTSA]

Continue reading Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors

Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Chop-top Caravan

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Dodge

This is just too sick for words. Maybe it was a factory attempt at ditching the soccer mom image. Or perhaps it's a reject from an episode of that failed pilot, Pimp My Mom's Ride. Whatever the motivation, somebody took a 1997 Chrysler Co. minivan and decided to turn it into a tri-tone, one-seat, open-top lowrider. The eBay description alternately describes it as a Chrysler and a Plymouth, but the nose is definitely a Dodge. So your guess is as good as ours as to which it truly is, but it's sort of a moot point. So little of the original vehicle is left anyway.

The seller begs us to believe he isn't responsible for this creation, and says that the vehicle runs and drives, but doesn't recommend taking it on the road as is. It's really a project car that somebody started and didn't finish. This Grand Voyager comes with a 3.0 V6 (with only 127,448 miles on it) that "runs decent," but "puffs some smoke at start up." The automatic shifts fine, but the van "rides like a buckboard." Perhaps the hydraulics were never sorted properly, as the tires rub, as well. If you've always wanted your own outrageous minivan conversion but didn't have the guts to take a torch to your mom's ride, then maybe this would be $1,000 well spent to get you started and avoid getting grounded. Check out eBay auction number 290070663925 if this sounds like your kind of thing.

Thanks for the tip, David!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Chop-top Caravan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seven models for 2007 that could change everything

Erin Mays — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:51:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover

It's crunch time in the auto industry, there's no doubt about that. The Detroit Free Press' Mark Phelan paints the picture in the simplest -- yet starkest -- terms possible when he lays out the seven models that can make or break the profits of the major automakers.

Chevrolet Silverado: Chevy's best-selling pick-up accounts for a HUGE amount of sales and market share for General Motors, and despite its class-leading fuel economy, gas prices and other factors are shifting buyers away from full-size pick-ups.

Toyota Tundra: This full-size pickup supplies jobs to thousands of people in Indiana and Texas, true, but its real significance is as a market share cannibal to the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. The difference is that Toyota doesn't need the Tundra to make it, but the Big 3 need their trucks to do well in order to stabilize.

Ford Edge: It's one of just a few new Ford vehicles hitting the market this year, while other automakers like Toyota and Chrysler seem to have one vehicle after another hitting the streets and infiltrating consumers' consciousnesses. More importantly, the Edge's job is to pick up those customers leaving their Explorers and other larger trucks behind.

Honda Accord: With the new Camry out, it's easy to see that Honda must step it up with the Accord to keep its status as the better-designed, better-performing alternative to the Toyota Camry. The Koreans may not be hot on Honda's heels yet in terms of sales, but with the bold(er) design of the Camry and the less expensive Hyundai and Kia models to choose from, Honda has a tall order to fill with next year's Accord.

Nissan Altima: Nissan might have experienced a comeback thanks to risky design and impressive performance. The Altima? Not so much, at least as of late. Nissan's got a lot on its plate if it wants to put itself back on the import sedan map.

Chrysler Town and Country/Dodge Caravan: It survived the SUV craze, but can it survive crossovers? And more importantly, can it survive the import minivan craze? The Chrysler Town & Country is a pillar of strength for Chrysler, but it will be hard-pressed to stay there.

Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook: They're GM's answer to the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX330, and critics say they have the styling and fuel economy to be true contenders. Considering the importance of the segment, GM seems to be putting its best foot forward.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Seven models for 2007 that could change everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Dodge Caravan

Erin Mays — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge

Jeremy at The Car Lounge Forums managed to snap eight great spy shots of the next Dodge Caravan undergoing hot weather testing, many of them using the subtle shoot-your-rearview-mirror technique. Despite the camo, it's clear that the minivan's design takes cues from Dodge SUVs like the Durango and Nitro with a bold crosshair grille and boxy shape. Can't see much in the way of front or rear-end styling, but the buzz continues to build for this very imporant product that DaimlerChrysler hopes will keep it on top of minivan sales in the U.S. (We're also counting Chrysler Town and Country sales, without which the Honda Odyssey would be the best seller).

Check out the link for all eight photos.

[Source: The Car Lounge Forums]

Spy Shots: 2008 Dodge Caravan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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