Autoblog

Kentucky couple accused of swapping '99 Dodge Dakota for newborn

Scott Burgess — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:57:00 EST

A Kentucky couple face up to 20 years in jail for trading their used pickup for a baby.

The couple, Jeremy and Jamie Brown, pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges Friday after they allegedly traded a 1999 Dodge Dakota to Heather Kaminsky for her newborn in January. Jamie Brown and Kaminsky were childhood friends.

Police told the media that Kaminsky had her two previous children taken away from her home by Social Services in Florida, and they believe that's why she moved to Kentucky to have this child. But after having the child, Kaminsky decided to trade the baby boy for the pickup.

She then sold the pickup for $800 and some meth, according to police.

"I honestly believe they had the best intentions," said Lt. Rodney Van Zant of the Laurel County Sheriff's Department. "But the way they went about it was the wrong way."

The child was reported in good health. Kaminsky remains at large.

Scroll down to watch a video of the news report.

Continue reading Kentucky couple accused of swapping '99 Dodge Dakota for newborn

Kentucky couple accused of swapping '99 Dodge Dakota for newborn originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marchionne: "Better than 50% chance" next Ram Dakota going unibody, diesel Durango coming

Zach Bowman — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Work, Chrysler, Dodge, Diesel, Ram

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has big plans for the Ram Dakota. Inside Line spoke with Marchionne at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, and the besweatered executive said there is a good chance the next-generation Dakota will likely ride on a unibody chassis. That would mark a serious departure from the vehicle's past, as well as the rest of the models in the compact pickup segment (save the at-the-margins Honda Ridgeline), but ditching the frame could give the vehicle a fuel-efficiency edge. If that wasn't a large enough bombshell for you, Marchionne also made mention of the kind of powertrain we can expect to see from the new Dakota.

According to the executive, it only makes sense for the next-generation Ram Dakota to come equipped with a diesel engine. With the Jeep Grand Cherokee set to receive an oil-burning powerplant of its own, spreading the cost of engine development across multiple models only makes sense. We like the sound of a small, lightweight, diesel-powered pickup.

Meanwhile, Ward's Auto reports the Dodge Durango may receive a diesel engine of its own. Marchionne reportedly stressed that Fiat knows diesel technology, and that since the Grand Cherokee is being engineered for a diesel engine in European markets, it wouldn't seem to be that much of a stretch to translate the work into the Durango.

Marchionne: "Better than 50% chance" next Ram Dakota going unibody, diesel Durango coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #244

Dan Roth — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:47:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Cadillac, Dodge, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Volkswagen

Toyota-Ford tie-up, Mazda RX-8 and Dakota cancelled, VW Up!, Cadillac ELR

Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Chris and Dan are joined by Zach Bowman, fresh off vacation. Topics we cover include the Ford and Toyota partnership to develop hybrid truck powertrain, the cancellation of both the Mazda RX-8 and the Ram Dakota, Volkswagen's reveal of the Up! production fuel-sipper and the production confirmation of the Cadillac ELR. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, 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 #244:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude
2011 Chrysler Town & Country

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:20:32

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #244

Autoblog Podcast #244 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #244 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Dodge, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Electric

We record Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop Chris, Dan and Zach 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, too. 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 #244

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast and hear your questions asked:
[UStream] Interact LIVE at UStream - 10PM Eastern on Monday, August 15, 2011
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #244 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to end Ram Dakota production on Tuesday

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Dodge, Ram

Chrysler is officially killing the 2011 Ram Dakota this week, which the UAW fears may lead to nearly 150 hourly positions getting the chop. The move has already spelled the end for 39 temporary positions at Chrysler's Warren Truck Plant.

Chrysler brass say they still haven't figured out who's getting cut, but if says if there are layoffs, the workers would likely be reassigned to another operation.

According to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Dakota will likely be replaced with a "lifestyle vehicle." Chrysler sold a scant 13,000 Dakotas last year. By contrast, Dodge moved 177,000 of the midsize pickups in 2000.

Chrysler to end Ram Dakota production on Tuesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler considering new name for Ram trucks [UPDATE]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

Chrysler is apparently still trying to iron out some of the kinks in its new pickup naming structure. The company recently decided to separate its popular line of pickups from the rest of the Dodge fleet by putting them under the Ram banner. The only problem is not every vehicle in the Pentastar pickup family has a history of boasting a billy goat on the hood. Example? Look no further than the successor to the Dakota throne. According to PickupTrucks.com, Chrysler is currently struggling to find a suitable nomenclature for the mid-size pickup.

So far, an early front runner is the Ram 100, though going with that system may mean that the Ram trucks will undergo yet another name change. Chrysler may shift its pickups from the 1500, 2500 and 3500 system it now uses to a 100, 150, 250 and 350 structure. There is some precedent for this tack, as Dodge employed the triple-digit badges for its 1981-1993 trucks.

Name-calling aside, we do know a little about the Dakota successor. Pickuptrucks.com says that the vehicle may be a unibody creation based on the bones of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. With the death of the Ford Ranger on our shores, Chrysler may be hoping to position itself as the sole company with a genuinely new small-truck offering. Sounds good to us no matter what you call it.

UPDATE: David Eslhoff, head of media relations for the Ram brand, has stepped forward to officially deny that the company is considering changing the naming convention of its trucks. Elshoff tells us,

Yesterday afternoon an automotive blog, citing two unnamed sources, claimed that Chrysler Group was considering a name change for its Ram pickup trucks.

Rest assured, such is not the case.

There have been no discussions whatsoever, nor any consideration given to changing the names of our incredibly successful and award-winning Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks nor our 3500, 4500 and 5500 Ram Chassis Cab trucks.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Report: Chrysler considering new name for Ram trucks [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ram still considering small unibody pickup

Michael Harley — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge

2008 Dodge Dakota - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is dropping more hints about an upcoming unibody pickup that would be positioned below the Dodge Dakota. You may recall that first word of the new small truck came back in November when Fred Diaz, CEO of Chrysler's newly-created Ram brand, dropped tidbits about the company "considering" a Dakota replacement. We speculated that it could be built on a platform derived from the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee/Dodge Durango architecture.

Interviewed at the National Truck Equipment Association's Work Truck Show in St. Louis this month, Joe Veltri, Chrysler Group vice president of product planning, touched on the subject once again. "We're thinking of something that will separate itself from the full-sized truck more than what happens today, both in capability, price and size," said Veltri. While the automaker has reportedly shelved the idea of developing a mid-size truck on a unibody platform (the segment is currently owned by the Honda Ridgeline - its sales plummeted 51 percent between 2008 and 2009), the company feels there is a need for a smaller and more fuel efficient pickup without the unnecessary size or capabilities. According to Veltri, buyers still want pickup trucks but they want better fuel economy. "Everybody has gotten the formula wrong," he adds. Well, everyone except Ford and the ancient-though-still-small Ranger.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Dakota

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Ram still considering small unibody pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #156

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Aston Martin, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Editor Chris Paukert has apparently been bitten by the podcasting bug, and he once again joins Shunk and Roth for Episode #156 of the Autoblog Podcast. We dive right in to reminiscence about the recently finished Los Angeles Auto Show. Moving on from there, we talk about Audi's new A7 Sportback and its extreme gorgeousness, as well as the new A8 and all its massive awesomeness. Speaking of awesomeness, Shunk thinks that the $199,950 Aston Martin Rapide is one very attractive four-place supercar. Going to the other end of the spectrum, rumors about Volkswagen's upcoming Jetta replacement gets some head scratches from us before we moved on to prognosticating about a unibody Dodge Dakota replacement. We wrap up a chewy hour-and-forty-five minutes by addressing some of your questions and calling it a night.

Don't forget to check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #156

Autoblog Podcast #156 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chrysler still considering unibody Dakota replacement

Chris Shunk — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

The Dodge Dakota -- as we know it today -- will go away in 2011, but looking at current sales of the mid-size pickup, it may as well be dead already. Chrysler has only sold 10,000 Dakotas this year, with an anemic 663 units cleared in November. But while the Dakota is selling poorly (it's not helped by being too close in price to the much more capable Ram), it doesn't necessarily mean that the enigmatic pickup won't live on in another form.

Coinciding with earlier reports, the Detroit News says Chrysler is contemplating a unibody Dakota to replace the current model. A more fuel efficient car-based platform could yield better efficiency, especially when paired with a turbocharged four cylinder with direct injection. The car-based truck probably wouldn't be a hauler but it would still have a functional bed similar to the Honda Ridgeline, and AWD would likely be an available option. Fred Diaz, the new head of the Ram brand, told the DN that the Pentastar is looking both at Fiat and from within its own stable of vehicles for any platforms that could help make the unibody Dakota a possibility, adding, "The emphasis is going to be on getting a vehicle that is still true to the Ram brand image and also gets excellent miles per gallon rating and at an attractive price point." Chrysler was reportedly already working on a unibody Dakota when money troubles forced the idea to the back burner.

While we like the idea of a fuel efficient pickup that can do most of the things that a body on frame truck can do, we're wondering if the truck-buying public will embrace the idea. The best example of a unibody pickup, the Honda Ridgeline, has been anything but a massive commercial hit and midsize trucks are already a dying breed, with only five percent of the overall vehicle market. But if Chrysler wants to make Ram its own brand, we're guessing that the Pentastar's truck company is going to need more than one vehicle.

[Source: Detroit News]

REPORT: Chrysler still considering unibody Dakota replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram considering new mid-size unibody pickup to replace Dakota

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

2008 Dodge Dakota - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a rambling presentation that presented almost nothing of any value, Fred Diaz, CEO of Chrysler's newly-created Ram brand, did drop at least one little tidbit in passing. Currently the Dodge truck offerings consist of only two vehicles, the full-size Ram and the mid-size Dakota. The long-term fate of the Dakota has been the subject of much speculation but one of Diaz's slides did mention that Ram was considering a replacement. The key word was "considering."

Interestingly, the possible replacement would be based on a unibody platform which in all likelihood would be derived from the new Grand Cherokee/Durango architecture. That would be a big departure for Chrysler - jumping into a vehicle type that currently consists of only the slow selling Honda Ridgeline. If Chrysler were to build this vehicle, it would make sense to do something to differentiate it from the big Ram, and perhaps with the right styling and powertrain - perhaps something like the Rampage concept from 2006 - it could be more successful than the Honda.

The current Durango will remain in production until mid-2011 and the new truck, if approved, would not launch until at least then.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Dakota

Gallery: 2006 Dodge Rampage Concept

Ram considering new mid-size unibody pickup to replace Dakota originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:20:00 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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In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport

Chris Shunk — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, In the Autoblog Garage, Truck, Dodge, First Drives

When we first locked eyes on the 2008 Dodge Dakota at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, we were breathless. The reason for our inability to process oxygen had everything to do with the ungainly sheet metal that covered the latest iteration of Dodge's midsize truck offering. The new Dakota is boxy with an awkward, Pug-like front end, and the interior is Dodge-tastic.

Not all is wrong with the Dakota, however. It's the largest of the midsize pickups, has the only optional V8 in its class, and thus can out-tow and carry larger loads than its competition. We wanted to see for ourselves if the Ram Lite could overcome its visual shortcomings with affordability and clever packaging, so we took a blacked-out KITT look-a-like version for a week in the Autoblog Garage. Hit the jump to see how the Dakota fared.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport

In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2007 Preview: Dodge Dakota MX Warrior

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Truck, Dodge

Click the Dakota MX Warrior for a high res gallery

Dodge teamed up motocross racer Scott Waraniak to create the Dakota MX Warrior for this year's SEMA show. Scott races KTM bikes and is studying at Detroit's College for Creative Studies. In addition to providing his bike for the back of the Dakota, Scott also did the graphic design adorning its bodywork. Dodge lead designer Mark Surel explained that the recent redesign of the Dakota was intended to separate it from the Ram. Dodge considers the Ram to be more of a work truck, while the Dakota is seen as a personal leisure vehicle.

You can listen to a chat with Mark Surel here, and Scott Waraniak here.

Gallery: SEMA 2007: Dodge Dakota MX Warrior

Continue reading SEMA 2007 Preview: Dodge Dakota MX Warrior

SEMA 2007 Preview: Dodge Dakota MX Warrior originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's the small things that count - Dodge's new Crate 'N Go storage system

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Dodge

Despite "interesting" exterior designs and interiors that feel cheap, Chrysler products have scored many points for incorporating the most innovative interior features. Stow 'N Go seating, the MyGIG entertainment system, heated and cooled cupholders, flip down tailgate speakers... the list goes on. It's time to add one more to the list as the 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup gets a new storage box system called Crate 'N Go'. We're not talking high-tech stuff here, just a straightforward solution to securing cargo behind the truck's front seats. The Crate 'N Go is simply a collapsible plastic storage container that folds away neatly under the cushions of the rear seat.

To set it up, you need to lift open the 60/40-split rear seat cushions, remove a couple of sheets of plastic and then unfold the plastic crate and snap-lock them. It's so simple that it amazes us that it's taken this long for a company to figure it out and push it into production.

Product planners at the rejuvenated Chrysler plan to install Crate 'N Go and other similar features in more models. According to one product planner, the system is so easy to install on multiple models because all they need is 1.5 inches of space under a seat.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

It's the small things that count - Dodge's new Crate 'N Go storage system originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Dodge Dakota

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Dodge

Although Dodge made a few changes to the midsize Dakota pickup for 2007, it looks like bigger changes are in store for '08. With spy shots by Brenda Priddy in hand, Edmund's Straighline is speculating that the recently updated 3.7L V-6 will be replaced by Chrysler's 4.0L unit and that the existing 4.7L V-8s will simply get a few extra ponies. Besides the engine changes, this freshened Dakota features a more rounded and chrome-laden grille, new headlamps and relocated badge. Even more importantly, however, the new Dakota will see some much-needed changes on the inside as well. For a bigger version of our "after" picture, follow the Read link.

[Source: Edmund's Straightline]

Spy Shots: 2008 Dodge Dakota originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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