Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #262

Dan Roth — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, GMC, Infiniti, Toyota

AOL Car and Truck of the Year, new GM pickups, Dodge Caliber all done

Episode #262 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, and Zach this week. Topics include the first-ever AOL Autos Car and Truck of the Year, speculation about what the next generation of General Motors pickup trucks will have in store for us, and the end of the Dodge Caliber. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #262:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Toyota 4Runner Trail
2012 Toyota Yaris
2012 Chrysler 200
2012 Infiniti QX56
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 01:28:45

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #262

Autoblog Podcast #262 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE

Dan Roth — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Chevrolet, Dodge, GM, GMC

We record Episode #262 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #262

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge won't call its new small car Hornet

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Dodge

Dodge has been wise in reviving old nameplates to inject some excitement into its contemporary model lineup. Recent products like the Challenger and Charger - both named after classics from the brand's past - have drummed up a considerable amount of enthusiasm where names like Stratus and Intrepid could not. But don't expect that formula to be applied to everything Dodge puts out.

Contrary to rumors that the upcoming replacement for the Caliber would bear the name Hornet, a report from The Detroit News suggests that it will not. The nameplate originates from the Hudson Hornet that was built by the American Motors Corporation in the 1950s and the AMC Hornet that followed in the '70s before the company was subsumed into Chrysler. The original re-appeared as Doc Hudson in the computer-animated Pixar film Cars, and was revived off-screen for a concept car (pictured above) which Dodge showed in 2006.

The new production compact, set to compete against the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, will fill a critical role for Chrysler, which currently lacks a viable competitor in that vital segment. Whatever it's called, it's being jointly developed with Fiat and is expected to bow sometime early in the new year. We'll just have to wait to see what they call it.

Dodge won't call its new small car Hornet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Caliber headed to Big Crusher In The Sky come November

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Dodge

Chrysler had a real hit on its hands (at least initially) when it launched the Neon in 1994. And though it was plagued by early quality issues, it actually had a waiting list to buy one when it first came out. The Caliber, however, has been less of a market success.

In replacing the ubiquitous Neon in 2006, Dodge went with a pseudo-SUV shape to create a more rugged aesthetic on the Caliber. Quality, unfortunately, wasn't much better, and the slushy CVT and interior were widely panned - attributes which, as we found in our recent test drive, were enough to keep the Caliber from being a real success.

Now, five years after its launch, a new report from Allpar says that the Pentastar's econo-ute won't see another new year. The model, according to reports, will be phased out by the end of November. Its replacement is widely expected to come from Fiat underpinnings, but whether that will come in time for the Caliber's discontinuation - or for that matter, beat its nagging deficiencies - remains to be seen.

Dodge Caliber headed to Big Crusher In The Sky come November originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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South Africa gets Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition. Lucky them.

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

South African Chrysler fans has a new special edition vehicle coming their way. Described by Chrysler as a way to "satisfy the boy racer in all of us," the Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition is a blacked-out hatchback rolling on 18-inch powdercoated alloy wheels.

Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's been juiced up courtesy of a cold-air induction kit and an upgraded manifold and exhaust system, and the mill is paired with a manual transmission. The Caliber Mopar Edition is dropped two inches, wears Mopar decals and gets a unique hood as well.

Priced at 259,990.00 Rand, the Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition will set you back a bit over $37,000 at current exchange rates. We understand that car cost is a hard thing to directly translate, and if you ditch the stripes it's not half bad looking, but that's still a ton of money for a tarted up Caliber... and it's a far cry from the long-lost turbocharged SRT4. Check out the South African press release after the break.

Continue reading South Africa gets Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition. Lucky them.

South Africa gets Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition. Lucky them. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Dodge version of Alfa Giulietta coming for 2012

Dan Roth — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rumormill

Alfa Romeo Guilietta - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the latest reports, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta will serve as the basis for the Dodge Caliber's successor, and it's set to arrive in late 2011 as a 2012 model. USA Today credits Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, with the proclamation that some form of Giulietta will wind up as a Dodge. Considering last year's five-year plan that shows the Caliber discontinued after 2011, Chrysler will need something to fill its place in showrooms.

Refreshes will carry the venerable LX cars, and the Sebring has been transformed into the more promising 200, but those moves are mere stopgaps. Without a small car to sell against its domestic rivals, Chrysler and Dodge will be at a significant disadvantage. Fiat has expressed its desire to expand its stake in Chrysler beyond its 20 percent level, and the only way that's going to happen is if the automaker succeeds Stateside. Enthusiasts have looked longingly across the Atlantic at the Giulietta, and if the car connects as well with the public at large and carries the right blend of quality and verve, it could be a boon for Chrysler.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Dodge version of Alfa Giulietta coming for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge stops selling Nitro, Caliber in UK

Dan Roth — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, UK

2010 Dodge Caliber - click above for high-res image gallery

Here in their homeland, the Dodge Caliber and Nitro can't get much lovin' from critics, but parent Chrysler has gone and kicked the two models right out of the UK altogether. Hitting up Dodge.co.uk shows but a single vehicle, the Journey, for sale in Blighty. Even the seven-passenger MPV, seemingly well suited to the UK market, has been struggling to find buyers, and the model has had its lineup rejiggered with more standard equipment added to entice addtional prospects.

Try as it might, Chrysler just hasn't been able to close enough sales of the Nitro and Caliber in the UK. Things must be slightly better on The Continent, as consumers can still find the two exiles available on Dodge's websites for such far-flung locales as Russia, France, and our favorite, Italy's Dodge.it. Company officials tell Autoblog that the "Caliber [is] still sold in most all continental European markets, Nitro [is] for sale in most major markets there."

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Caliber

[Source: Autocar]

Dodge stops selling Nitro, Caliber in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruh-Roh: NHTSA investigating 2007 Dodge Caliber for sticky pedals

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Dodge

According to Chrysler, several owners of 2007 model year Dodge Calibers have reported problems with sticky accelerator pedals, causing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch a full-on investigation. (This sounds familiar, doesn't it?) And because of the recent high-profile Toyota recall surrounding this very same problem, it only makes sense that NHTSA would seriously consider any sort of similar issue.

Chrysler says that the vehicles in question were built during a five-week period in March and April of 2006, right at the Caliber's launch. However, the automaker cites that the problem has nothing to do with electronics or mechanics, and that an issue with a parts supplier is what's causing the problem. No official recall has been issued as of yet, and Chrysler intends to fully cooperate with NHTSA on the investigation.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ruh-Roh: NHTSA investigating 2007 Dodge Caliber for sticky pedals originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Chrysler Sebring to be built in Italy?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Fiat

If ever there was a model in the Chrysler line up that needs updating, it's the Sebring. While the car was a perfectly capable competitor when it debuted way back in 1995, subsequent generations have left it as nothing more than rental-fleet fodder. But if a report from Automotive News is to be believed, that may change significantly when the next iteration of the sedan debuts in 2013. According to AN, Fiat has its eyes on producing a new mid-sized four-door in Turin, Italy just for the Chrysler brand, with the new sedan being sold exclusively in the U.S.

While it may no longer carry the Sebring name once it hits our shores, the car will likely be a spiritual successor to the company's Camry-fighter. Beyond that, details are scarce as to what will be under the hood, what gearboxes will be offered or how much it will cost.

Fiat also made mention of the fact that starting in 2012, the company will build a new small sedan here in the Land of the Free that will be sold under the Chrysler banner. That may mean the company is looking toward sending the near unlovable Dodge Avenger out to pasture or eying a replacement for the Dodge Caliber. Either way, Chrysler is getting a much needed infusion of new metal sooner rather than later.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Next Chrysler Sebring to be built in Italy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Chrysler production plans reportedly leaked

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Chrysler, now led by Sergio Marchionne and the rest of the management crew brought in by Italian automaker Fiat, has big plans in place that will replace just about every single vehicle the American automaker currently offers. Judging from the purported list of new vehicle launches secured by the Mopar fanatics at Allpar, it would seem that new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles will be hitting the market all through 2010 and well into 2011.

Looking over the list of 2010 production start dates, the first date to get excited about (barring the March 29th Viper production launch, of course - we're talking about for the mainstream market), is May 10th, which is when the thoroughly recreated Jeep Grand Cherokee will begin rolling down the assembly line. In mid-August, the 2011 Wrangler will make its initial appearance, and we're really hoping for a new powertrain combination for the venerable off-roader.

Towards the end of 2010, we should begin seeing the heavily revised Pentastar minivans along with the new Avenger and Sebring replacements, though the Chrysler midsizer seems likely to get a new moniker to erase memories of the current car. Finally, the three LX-based cars - those being the Challenger, Charger and 300 - will go into production in November, followed closely by the North American 2012 Fiat 500. Keep it together, Chrysler.

[Source: Allpar]

Future Chrysler production plans reportedly leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge announces upgraded lineup for 2010 including Nitro Detonator

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler, Dodge

2010 Dodge special edition models - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few weeks ago, everyone, including us, was wondering when The Chrysler Group was going to have anything new to show us at next week's Detroit Auto Show. You can look at the latest news about potential Ram models, Chrysler's special editions and Dodge's just-unveiled offerings either as wheezing gasps, or signs of pointing in the right direction. Since it's a new year, we're going to give Chrysler (and Fiat) the benefit of the doubt... for now.

Dodge says it "has taken 'base model' out of its vocabulary" by moving heaps of kit from the Options column to the Standard column on cars like the Journey, which for 2010 will automatically receive 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, sunscreen glass, body-color mirrors, floor mats and passenger grab handles. It has also added "Heat," "Hero," "Crew," and "Uptown" packages to the Journey's options list for those who like trim names that sound like they came from an SNL skit.

To match its Chrysler 300 siblings, the Dodge Caliber gets a restyled interior "executed with premium materials and detailed craftsmanship" alongside its new instrument panel. Not left out of the marketing brainstorm, the Caliber wears a number of new trim monikers as well, including "Express," "Mainstreet," "Heat," "Uptown" and "Rush."

Four of Dodge's other models - the Nitro, Avenger, Challenger, and Viper SRT10 - get their loving spoonfuls as well. You can read all about them in the Pasternak-length press release after the jump, and check out the Nitro Detonator and Viper ACR in the high-res gallery of photos below.

Gallery: 2010 Dodge special edition line-up

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge announces upgraded lineup for 2010 including Nitro Detonator

Dodge announces upgraded lineup for 2010 including Nitro Detonator originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chrysler rehiring white collar workers to get new product out fast

Chris Shunk — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat

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

The new product picture at Chrysler appears to be mighty thin, as the only new products scheduled to come out of the Pentastar over the next year are redesigns of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Ram Heavy Duty and the Chrysler 300. As you may recall, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne recently said that he was surprised to see how little has been done in the way of product development over the past two years, which is hardly a ringing endorsement from the new boss.

Marchionnne and his management team are now putting the final touches on a new plan to reverse Chrysler's fortunes, and the key to the company's renaissance will be new product. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Marchionne's plan includes quick turnarounds on the refreshing of the Town & Country and Grand Caravan minivans, the Dodge Caliber, as well as the Jeep Patriot and Compass. According to company sources, the PT Cruiser is also scheduled to be redesigned in a compressed time frame, with the expectation of a mid-2011 arrival.

To execute the aggressive plan, Marchionne is reportedly calling for design and engineering workers to work overtime, and some workers who took packages or were separated involuntarily will be hired back on a contract basis. Beyond the refreshes already mentioned, Fiat has already committed to build the hot little 500 in Mexico by mid-2011, and the Pentastar will also complete the launch of its Phoenix V6 engine program.

Marchionne is scheduled to deliver his latest proposal to overhaul Chrysler to the Obama Administration's Auto Task Force by next Wednesday. It looks like there is finally going to be some serious action in Auburn Hills, MI, and we're hoping that Fiat and Chrysler can buy two years' time to bring the greatly-needed product to fruition.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

REPORT: Chrysler rehiring white collar workers to get new product out fast originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New for Chrysler in 2010: Not much

Chris Shunk — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler's in a tough spot right now. The beleaguered automaker survived the Daimler fiasco only to be picked up by an indifferent Cerberus team before ultimately ending up in bankruptcy court. Chrysler came out of those proceedings with a new dance partner in Fiat, and while the new company has a healthier balance sheet, a lack of funding has left the Pentastar with a nearly empty cupboard when it comes to new 2010 products.

In fact, Chrysler's new-product roster for the coming model year can be counted on one finger. The heavy duty 2010 Dodge Ram arrives with new sheetmetal, a significantly improved interior, a new crew cab configuration, and upgraded gasoline and diesel engines. It'll eventually be followed by commercial versions, with model designations ranging from 2500 to 5500.

As for the rest of the lineup, Chrysler did the most it could with its limited resources. Among the running changes for the 2010 model year are an improved Dodge Caliber interior, an updated, smooth-hooded Chrysler Sebring (as if anyone's going to notice) and plenty of fuel economy-related updates. The Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty and light-duty Ram receive a fuel cutoff feature during deceleration. The Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot add entry-level 2.0L four-cylinder models that deliver nominal fuel economy gains (2 mpg in the Dodge, 1 mpg in the Jeeps). The 3.5L Dodge Journey, a car that we'd all but forgotten about, will also see tweaks that will allow it to pick up an additional mpg as well.

Finally, Chrysler hopes to entice buyers by making previously optional equipment standard for 2010, while also adjusting pricing. The Dodge Caravan cost of entry has been lowered by $2,180 to $21,800, giving families a budget-priced option in the minivan market. Oh, and one last thing -- a limited edition Dodge Challenger SRT8 will be offered in Plum Crazy for 2010. Now that sounds genuinely interesting.

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

[Source: The Detroit News]

New for Chrysler in 2010: Not much originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Caliber SRT4, we hardly knew ye?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Dodge

Dodge Caliber SRT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Today, we mourn the passing of a fallen pint-sized performer. If reports from Inside Line's Straightline blog are accurate, it seems that the Dodge Caliber SRT4 will no longer be offered after the 2009 model year draws to a close, and that's something of a shame.

As we've already covered, the 2010 Caliber is blessed with a significantly improved interior that brings the car much closer to its intended competition, a development that could have put the SRT4 on a few more shopping lists. Plus, if the Caliber is going to be filling Dodge showrooms anyway, enthusiasts and brand loyalists would surely prefer the option of a performance model. Of course, we're not sure how good a business case the small-volume SRT4 ever made for itself, so perhaps it's been a money loser from the get-go and Dodge didn't want to risk investing in any further model-specific interior updates. We'll probably never know.

Unfortunately, this news means that the 285-horsepower turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission from the SRT4 will never be mated up with the interior the Pentastar should have put in the Caliber from the very beginning. Oh well, hot hatch fans still have a few good options to choose from here in the States, including the brand new 263-horsepower 2010 Mazdaspeed3 that we recently sampled for the first time. Rest in peace, SRT4.

Gallery: Dodge Caliber SRT4

[Source: Straightline]

Dodge Caliber SRT4, we hardly knew ye? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Dodge Caliber gets reworked interior for 2010?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Dodge

According to a post on Caliber Forums, Dodge's hatchback is finally getting some love from the Pentastar in the form of a revised interior. Since it first went on sale in 2006, one of the biggest complaints from owners and reviewers alike has been the expansive black plastic surfaces covering every square inch of the car's dash, center console, armrest and door panels. Having spent plenty of time in a multitude of Calibers over the years, we can say with confidence that its interior has a decidedly low-rent look and is thoroughly uncomfortable to the touch - especially the bits where elbows often come into contact with hard plastic.

Included in the 2010 Caliber interior refresh are a new instrument panel, soft-touch center armrest, restyled vinyl-wrapped door panels and revised HVAC controls. It also appears that the A/C vents have been relocated to the upper dash panel and are now round. Click here for a glimpse at the current interior. Overall, this upgrade looks to be quite an improvement, and one sorely needed if Chrysler expects the Caliber to last for a few more years on the market before its (likely Fiat-based) replacement is ready. Thanks for the tip, Glenn!

[Source: Caliber Forums]

Spy Shots: Dodge Caliber gets reworked interior for 2010? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to resume production at Illinois plant

Chris Shunk — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

After a five-day shutdown due to a mechanical glitch at Chrysler's Belvidere stamping plant, the facility will again be able to resume building the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot. In the short term, Chrysler will keep the assembly facility running smoothly by outsourcing stamping to other nearby plants. The shutdown came only weeks before the Belvidere plant permanently drops one shift, which will result in the indefinite layoff of 1,000 workers. With a tough economy in which automakers are struggling to sell units, it's unlikely many people will have difficulty finding a Caliber, Compass, or Patriot as a result of the temporary shutdown.

[Source: Auto News (subs. req'd)]

Chrysler to resume production at Illinois plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to idle ComPatriot, Caliber plant for two weeks

Dan Roth — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Jeep

Having learned from the sales bank debacle of the past, Chrysler is now throttling back production to draw down inventory levels. Sales of the PM/MK platform cars - Dodge Caliber and Jeep ComPatriot twins - are down roughly 23 percent compared to last year. Part of that is due to a move away from fleet sales, but whatever the cause, the 3,400 workers at the Belvidere assembly plant will get a two week vacation starting Monday. It's a great time of year to take a trip, enjoy some of the last warm days before winter tightens its grip, or just get out and rake the yard. By the time the line starts back up again, the backlog of unsold vehicles will be reduced, and the looming catastrophe of UAW contract talks will be looming.

[Source: Auto News - sub req.]

Chrysler to idle ComPatriot, Caliber plant for two weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Dodge Caliber SRT-4 in the wild

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Dodge

We just posted about this Dodge Caliber SRT-4 a couple of weeks ago and now we have some live shots to go along with the details. Jalopnik found pics of one sitting on a city street for all the world to see. Looks a lot like the photos we've seen already, but seeing one in the wild brings the reality of imminent production to a point. Chunky and mean, we can't forget that this little wagon is packing 300 hp. When we talked about the chats with the SRT team on CaliberForums.com, we were reminded that this Dodge will be a normal 2008 model year car, which means it will arrive "as the leaves change colors," according to one engineer. Unfortunately, the on-sale date can't be pinned down to a specific day this far out, so we'll have to be satisfied with an autumnal arrival. We're very eager for someone to get their hands on an SRT-4 to see how Dodge handles the torque steer issues that come with routing 300 horsepower through the front wheels. Click over to Jalopnik for several more photos in larger sizes.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Spy Shots: Dodge Caliber SRT-4 in the wild originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the UK? Drive a Caliber, get a Binky. If you're lucky.

Chris Tutor — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Dodge

You remember Binky, right? The cute little mythical creature who has a potty mouth when it comes to the Dodge Caliber? He's now travelled overseas and, with his language sanitized, has gained a following. Over there, anyone test driving (they call it trialing) a Caliber gets a Binky. Dodge ordered 5,000 Binky dolls and has already given away 3,000. A spokesman for Dodge said they are getting lots of requests from kids. And, believe it or not, searching for Binky on eBay turns up nothing relevant in the U.S. or UK. But there are several "want it now" postings.

So they have only 2,000 Binkys left until the promotion ends on March 31 and crowds of kids clamoring for a Binky. Don't know about you, but it'd scare the **** out of us.

[Source: Auto Express]

In the UK? Drive a Caliber, get a Binky. If you're lucky. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalls more than 68k 2007s

Chris Tutor — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Chrysler, Daimler

If you own a 2007 Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep listen up, because you're likely affected by Chrysler's latest recall. DaimlerChrysler is bringing home more than 68,000 vehicles to reprogram balky brake computers.

The 11 affected models are 2007 versions of the Sebring, 300, Charger, Magnum, Caliber, Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Nitro and Compass. Whew.

Chrysler says computers in the recalled vehicles' could fail, leading to a loss of antilock brakes, traction control and speedomter functions. We don't remember much from our drivers' ed class, but we're pretty sure brake failure is hardly ever a good thing. Thankfully DC says nobody's been hurt yet.

Oh, and you Sebring drivers must have broken a mirror or something. While one team of crack DC mechanics gives your car a brain transplant, another team will be reteaching it to defrost your windshield. So take a book or something. That particular recall affects about 6,000 new Sebrings.

[Source: Reuters]

Chrysler recalls more than 68k 2007s originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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