Autoblog

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee launch threatened by parts dispute?

Chris Shunk — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Click above for high res image gallery

Chrysler and Daimler have been divorced for nearly three years, but the two automakers are still very much entwined when it comes to product. The Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger use a platform and several components sourced from Daimler. Chrysler's short-term product plans include more Daimler DNA in the the Mercedes-Benz M-Class architecture that forms the basis for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango underpinnings.

Unfortunately for the Pentastar, Daimler doesn't seem to want to play parts pimp for its former underling, as it is shorting the company of vital components required to continue operations. In August, Chrysler filed suit against Daimler because the German automaker was withholding parts like torque converters and steering columns. That suit has reportedly been settled, but now Chrysler alleges that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee launch is now in jeopardy. As such, Chrysler has filed a second suit to force Daimler to provide rear axles and other components in a timely fashion, stating that the company needs the parts to build new Grand Cherokee models for testing in advance of the vehicle's May launch.

Daimler spokesman Han Tjan reportedly told The Detroit News that his company feels the situation could be handled outside the courts, but Chrysler doesn't seem inclined to agree. It appears Chrysler is trying to hedge its bets by filing suit, as company spokesman Michael Palese told the News that the company needs the parts in the next 20 days and the company wants Daimler to finalize the contract to supply the parts. Palese added, "Chrysler has too much at stake to take a chance. These are important vehicle programs at a critical point in their launch cycle. We can't afford any delays."

This parts battle is part of a larger war (so to speak) between Daimler and Chrysler over diesel engines. Daimler wants $80 million from Chrysler to cover expenses the former incurred when Chrysler didn't purchase as many diesel engines as expected from Daimler to service the overseas market. Daimler wants the $80 million as a make-good for the lost volume. Chrysler says its recent bankruptcy shields it in this particular conflict, saying that the process resolved any lingering contract disputes, and that its new master, Fiat, isn't on the hook for the money. Ultimately, it boils down to this: Auburn Hills wants the courts to rule that all past contracts are still in effect -- ensuring a parts supply flow from Daimler for the affected new vehicle programs -- and that the Detroit automaker doesn't owe the Germans any money. If things don't go Chrysler's way, it looks as if life could get really ugly for Fiat's new ward.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Source: Detroit News]

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee launch threatened by parts dispute? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nardelli confirms Chrysler hard at work on new Durango, 300 and Charger

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler

Chrysler chieftan Bob Nardelli sent a letter to "all employees, dealers, suppliers and other stakeholders" to explain what's happening at the smallest of the Detroit trio. Everything done now falls under one of three umbrellas: enhancing the core, which is improving products, quality, and dealer and customer relations; extending the business with new products or by growing existing products into new areas; and expanding the market with global alliances to fill gaps in the product portfolio.

At the bottom line, Chrysler has lowered its fixed costs by more than $3.4 billion, and has also saved money by achieving the lowest warranty claim rate in the company's history over the past 12 months. Some of that savings - and the bridge loan - are being poured into product renewals: Chrysler plans 24 new vehicle launches from now to 2011, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger and Durango, and the Chrysler 300.

The push into technologies and segments will commence in part with Chrysler's ENVI electric vehicle program, the new Phoenix V6 engine, and the potential tie-up with Fiat. The Pentastar aims to have one electric car in production by 2010, four in production by 2013.

The Fiat tie-up would give the Italian company a 35% stake in Chrysler in return for Chrysler getting access to Fiat's small car platforms. The deal is still pending some serious due diligence, but no money would change hands, and Nardelli reassures his readers that none of the taxpayer money would go to Fiat. Nardelli also mentions that the union would also give Chrysler a jedi tutor in the area of restructuring, since Fiat only recently turned itself around. Follow the link for the rest of Nardelli's words.

[Source: The Scoop]

Nardelli confirms Chrysler hard at work on new Durango, 300 and Charger originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler offering even more incentives to close out July

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Earnings/Financials

The automotive sales sector is in a major state of flux as consumers continue to run from SUVs and pickup trucks into smaller, more fuel efficient cars. One manufacturer hit especially hard by this transition is Chrysler, a company that recently posted the worst fleet average fuel economy numbers of all major automakers in the U.S. due to its truck-heavy lineup. Still, the automaker has built up a large supply of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep utility vehicles that they have got to get off dealer lots somehow. To ease consumers into the fuel-thirsy utes, Chrysler has introduced new incentives of zero-percent financing for 72 months on the 2008 Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen and Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander.

While the lack of any financing charges will certainly impact the bottom line, it is nothing compared to the losses the automaker has been hit with over its past lease deals. In fact, truck and SUV residuals are so bad these days that Chrysler Financial has gone so far as to completely cut leasing out of its available portfolio starting August 1. The financing deals announced today are scheduled to continue through Thursday, July 31.

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

Chrysler offering even more incentives to close out July originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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7-year-old heeds Dodge marketers, "grabs life"...and grandma's Durango

Alex Nunez — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Dodge, First Drive

Dodge's marketing slogan is "grab life." Apparently, the message has resonated with the youth demo in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where a 7-year-old swiped grandma's car keys and commandeered her Durango while she was unawares. An unplanned demolition derby on the streets of the Florida enclave immediately ensued. His eight-minute joyride saw him take out a pair of mailboxes, hit two parked cars in a Costco parking lot, and then two more moving vehicles at an intersection before he drove into a street sign and broke the right front wheel off the truck, ending his impromptu cruise through the neighborhood. Miraculously, no one was hurt throughout all this. The obvious quote of the day comes from PBG police officer Ellen Lovejoy, who noted that the kid's actions constituted "unusual behavior for a seven-year old." Maybe he was just getting himself amped up for this week's impending Grand Theft Auto IV release.

[Source: Palm Beach Post]

7-year-old heeds Dodge marketers, "grabs life"...and grandma's Durango originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Press: Chrysler to cut its SUV offerings in half

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

It's no secret that Chrysler has some overlapping models in its lineup. Case(s)-in-point: it's hard to make a rational argument that Jeep should be offering both the Compass and Patriot (not to mention Dodge selling the Patriot's platform sibling, the Caliber) or the Grand Cherokee and the Commander. The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango barely pretend to be different vehicles and there's no reason to sell both the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro when they're basically the same machine. This revelation is as obvious to Chrysler's new management as it is to us, and Chrysler President Jim Press, says as much. "We're going to stop overlapping, we're going to bring everything under one roof. By doing that we will have more products in the markets we are not covering."

Also marked as redundant by Press are the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, but as easy as it may be to pinpoint overlapping models, fixing that problem may prove more difficult. Dealers will need to begin offering the whole Chrysler line of vehicles if this strategy of "bringing everything under one roof" is to succeed. Expect to see drastic changes taking place in the next four to five years.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Press: Chrysler to cut its SUV offerings in half originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler announces Aspen Two-Mode hybrid

John Neff — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Green, Chrysler

Considering that the Aspen is nothing more than a rebadged and gussied up Dodge Durango, it should come as no surprise that today Chrysler has announced a hybrid version of its ute to accompany the Dodge Durango Hybrid on the market in 2008. Both the Durango and the Aspen will feature a Two-Mode hybrid system - the one developed jointly with General Motors and BMW - paired with a 5.7L V8 HEMI engine featuring cylinder deactivation. Overall fuel economy should increase by 25%, while Chrysler predicts each utility vehicle will see their fuel economy in the city rise by some 40%. Each SUV will be wearing the above badge to indicate their greenness.
We're eager to see this Two-Mode hybrid system in action, and expect the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid to be the first on the market. AutoblogGreen has got some seat time scheduled with one in the near future and will report back with a full evaluation of how this technology works hauling around these behemoths.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Chrysler announces Aspen Two-Mode hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge offering free HEMI for trucks in February

John Neff — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Dodge, Earnings/Financials

After a soft sales month in February, Dodge is planning to bounce back with a new "National Truck Month" campaign for March. As part of the campaign, customers buying a Ram 1500 or Dodge Durango can opt up to the 5.7L HEMI V8 for free, an option that normaly costs about $1,700. In anticipation of the campaign, Dodge dealers have reportedly stocked up on Rams and Durangos equipped with the popular engine.

We're still compiling all the sales numbers reported by each automaker for the month of February, but can tell you that the Chrysler Group was off about 8% last month, with Ram sales down 4% and sales of the Durango off 43%.

[Source: Dodge]

Dodge offering free HEMI for trucks in February originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler Aspen sports Trailer Sway Control

Erin Mays — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 10:52:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Chrysler

The headline of Chrysler's press release pretty much says it: "Chrysler's First SUV is Industry's First Full-Size SUV With Trailer Sway Control." Many automakers have loaded up their SUVs with ways to make hauling trailers easier and safer, like General Motors' Quadra-Steer technology (which unfortunately went by the wayside starting with the 2006 model year), but Chrysler claims that this innovation is the first of its kind.

Like Electronic Stability Control, sensors monitor a driver's intended path and compare that with what the vehicle is actually doing. When the trailer following the vehicle starts to sway, the sensors gauge whether the sway is as a result of the driver's intended steering input, and if not, engages the opposing front brake to counteract the sway. When the sway continues on the other side of the vehicle, the other front brake is applied, eventually eliminating the problem.

The Aspen hit the floor of the North American International Auto Show earlier this year with mixed reviews -- many critics thought the beast was ugly and represented a bad move for Chrysler as SUV sales tanked thanks to high gas prices. Chrysler dealers were clamoring for an SUV, however, and the sharp interior, distinctive Chrysler styling (complete with Crossfire-esque ridges on the hood) and high level of utility may go a long way in giving Chrysler the edge it needs to make a profit comeback for the second half of the year.

Trailer Sway Control will also be extended to the Aspen's stable mate, the 2007 Dodge Durango.

[Source: Chrysler]

Chrysler Aspen sports Trailer Sway Control originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Photos: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

Erin Mays — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van

KGP Photography caught these shots of what looks to be a surprisingly muscular 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, likely souped-up to compete with a full slate of new Asian minivans. The lines appear reminiscent of the marque's own Magnum and Durango, losing the overtly-rounded aesthetic that has long been its trademark. With the Asian competition bearing down, expect this one to have a more powerful engine and more safety features compared to the current model.

Oh, and remember the agreement between DCX and Volkswagen? What you see here may be the foundation upon which VW builds its new people-carrier.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

Spy Photos: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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