Archive for Dodge

The Dodge Challenger was the vehicle picked by suspension specialist Eibach to display at the tuner-centric 2008 Essen Motor Show. The engine has been left as it is, a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 producing 425 horsepower and 569Nm of torque, but the suspension has been tweaked, expected as the tuner is Eibach after all.

The Eibach Challenger show car gets the Multi-Pro-R2 coil-over suspension system which has integrated independently adjustable rebound and compression damping with remote reservoir. Wheels are large 3-piece 22-inch OZ Botticelli III alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1R rubber in 265/30R22 size.

Just to spice things up, Eibach also upgraded the car’s audio system with Alpine goodies featuring the IVA-W505R 2-DIN head unit which combined a DVD head-unit with an LCD screen. This puts out audio through a PDX-5 amp which powers 6 inch R-series speakers and a 10 inch subwoofer.

The Challenger is built on the Chrysler LC platform, which is a shortened version of the Chrysler LX platform. The LX platform underpins vehicles like the Chrysler 300 and was developed when Chrysler was part of DaimlerChrysler, hence it uses Mercedes-Benz parts such as the W220 S-Class control arm front suspension at the front and the W210 E-Class multi-link rear suspension. LX platform cars also usually use the Mercedes-Benz W5A580 5G-Tronic transmission and rear differential.

Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery of the Eibach Essen 2008 car.

Click here to read the rest of Dodge Challenger tuned by Eibach for Essen 2008

Before Daimler got rid of Chrysler, there was a team in DaimlerChrysler Malaysia (now known as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia) studying the possibility of introducing the Chrysler brand here in Malaysia, and other marques within the Chrysler group. If that happened, one of the vehicles that could have found its way onto our roads would be this.

Introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Dodge Journey only went on sale to the public in March this year in the US, and soon in Europe as well. The Journey is based on an extended D-segment Dodge Avenger platform and its wheelbase measures a long 2891mm, providing excellent interior room for its three rows of 7 seats.

Under the hood is a choice of engines including the 173 horsepower 2.4 liter GEMA engine that is also found in cars like the Hyundai Sonata and Mitsubishi Outlander, a 235 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 and a 190 horsepower 2.7 liter V6.

It’s trademark Dodge muscular and boxy styling gives people an alternative to all the more sedate-looking soccer mom MPVs out there. Threatening to ruin ride comfort are large 19 inch wheels with low profile tyres. The car is front wheel driven by default but all-wheel drive is available.

Look for more hi-res photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Dodge Journey 7-seater MPV

Fans of Chrysler’s Dodge Hornet 2006 Geneva concept should be excited now as there is new indication of the company’s continued interest and intention to produce a production version of the compact car.

Chrysler vice president for international purchasing Thomas Hausch says that Chrysler is working intensely on the Dodge Hornet study, and will announce something on the car in the future. This will probably happen sometime in 2010.

The question is, will it be a Dodge or a Chrysler? Hausch mentioned that the possibility of a small Chrysler positioned below the Chrysler Sebring should not be ruled out.

Related Posts:
2006 Dodge Hornet Concept (with video)

More updates on the potential break-up of American-German automotive giant DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler recently announced it might sell off the Chrysler group, viewed by some as going back on it’s word for commitment in making the partnership work. DaimlerChrysler issued a statement to the media today saying it’s future strategy for Chrysler’s could only be decided in weeks or months.

Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda has decided to shed some light on the matter, whatever light he is able to shed without implicating himself legally of course. The full unedited email is available after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda’s email to employees

Ever since DaimlerChrysler announced that the sale of Chrysler and it’s brands (Dodge, Jeep) to another party is now an option, there has been plenty of rumours, supposed insider news as well as speculation on who the new buyer would be.

Seen as a forefront to the Chrysler purchase is General Motors, who analysts think would purchase Chrysler as a defensive move against import marques like Toyota. Analysts think purchasing Chrysler would give GM a US$9 billion value in terms of product line-up, operating efficiencies including reduced R&D and advertising costs. Stock market analysts are mixed over the issue, with John Murphy of Merrill Lynch rating GM shares as a buy, while Jon Rogers, a New York-based analyst at Citigroup Investment Research rated them as a sell. DaimlerChrysler shares remain unrated.

Some think Hyundai may be a good match for Chrysler, and Hyundai has already worked with Chrysler before on certain projects including the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance project along with an accompanying platform, as well as rebadging Hyundais as Dodge cars in Mexico. Hyundai needs more plants in the US, something Chrysler has. Hyundai currently only has one plant in the US. Hyundai needs a V8, Chrysler has the Hemi. Chrysler used to own a 10.5% stake in Hyundai. Hyundai is good at small cars, Chrysler is not - Chrysler’s good at big cars, Hyundai isn’t.

Other speculated potential suitors are the Nissan and Renault alliance, as well as SAIC and Chery of China. Chrysler and Chery already have an agreement for Chery to assist Chrysler in building small compact cars, something that Chery does best. Foreign automakers like Toyota, Hyundai and the Chinese makes are cited as one of the reasons GM would buy Chrysler, as having a foreign Korean or Chinese marque gain access to Chrysler’s extensive dealer network would be a problem - the American companies already have problems fending off the Japanese.

Anyway, whether GM takes up Chrysler or not, they are already in some form of joint venture talks now, as General Motors might give Chrysler access to it’s GMT900 platform large-SUV, something that Chrysler does not have an equivalent in it’s line-up.

Related Posts:
DaimlerChrysler might drop Chrysler Group

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Dodge will be showcasing it’s new 2-seater rear wheel drive roadster concept at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show next month. The concept aims to create an affordable sports car focusing on driving fun, open air driving, as well as powerful performance. Sounds alot like the Mazda MX-5 doesn’t it?

The Dodge Demon has Dodge’s trademark muscular look and cross grille, 19 inch wheels, and a 2.4 liter engine (likely the same 2.4 liter unit in the Dodge Caliber 2.4), making 172hp at 6,000rpm and 224Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.

Video after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Dodge Demon to be unveiled at Geneva

DaimlerChrysler today announced that it is open to the possibility of dropping the loss-making Chrysler group from it’s organization structure, or finding new partners for the American automotive group. Previously, DCX stood by Chrysler with a long-term commitment since it’s merger in 1998, but perhaps a predicted operating loss of more than US$1.31 billion foreseen by analysts - the third full-year loss since the merger is just too much for DCX to take. This loss will be offsetted by an earnings rebound at premium passenger car division Mercedes Benz and solid results from its market-leading truck manufacturing division.

The announcement pushed Chrysler stock up by more than 5%, up to it’s highest level since June 2002 - peaking at US$67.43 per share. DCX CEO Dieter Zetsche is expected to announce that an investment bank has been hired to review strategic options for the group. However, divesting the two groups is easier said than done, as cutting apart the two companies would cost an estimated US$34 billion, eclipsing DaimlerChrysler earnings, which is expected to be US$1.92 billion for the Q4 of 2006.

I find it funny that such an announcement should be made, announcing the possible separation of two lovers that were never meant to be on Valentine’s day.

Source: AutoNews

After news of talks between Chrysler and Chery surfaced in May last year, Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda has finally signed a letter of intent with Chery Automobile Co to develop a small car for the group, but this is pending approval by DaimlerChrysler supervisory board, which will meet this month to discuss the matter. Other partners which were considered were Mitsubishi Motors Corp, and Hyundai Motor Co Ltd, but it is Chery who managed to clinch the deal in the end.

The collaboration is expected to be approved by the DCX board, and manufacturing will soon begin, according to Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines. It is not known for now Which badge under the Chrysler group will appear on the grille of this new small B-segment car, but the logical choice would be Dodge, the group’s value brand. Chrysler previously exhibited a concept small car, the Dodge Hornet, an aggressive-looking muscular small car, but the new compact from the Chery-Chrysler collaboration will not be the Dodge Hornet.

The car is expected to be built in China, as Chrysler says it cannot profitably produce a small car in the US. Chrysler has been in talks with Chery for nearly a year before this agreement was reached. More details will be released in a month’s time or earlier. The new small car will compete against the Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa in the United States. It will also be sold in Canada, Mexico, Europe and possibly China. While this is a start for Chery’s involvement in the US market, but it is still keen to export it’s own cars under it’s own brand to the US as the small car will not be Chery-branded.

2006 was not a good year at all for Chrysler dealers in the US. The company kept cranking out minivans, medium to big cars and SUVs throughout the whole summer despite warnings and suggestions by dealers against the move. Chrysler just went on and on with overoptimism fueled by the success of the Chrysler 300. Despite employee pricing sales incentives and other promotions, dealers choked on inventory and floorplan bills skyrocketed with dipping sales. The Chrysler group posted a US$1.48 billion loss in the third quarter 2006. Will this new small car give Chrysler and it’s dealers a much needed boost? And even if so, what is Chrysler going to do with it’s sales bank of unsold cars? Instead of slowing down production when demand dropped, production was kept at full capacity, and now unsold Chrysler cars are just lying around in storage areas. Sound familiar?

Check after the jump for an interview with Tom LaSorda.

Related Posts:
2006 Dodge Hornet Concept
Dodge Attitude

Click here to read the rest of Chrysler and Chery sign small car letter of intent

Among concept vehicles like the Avenger at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, Dodge also displayed it’s production models, like this 2007 Dodge Caliber crossover. The car is a 4-door hatch similiar to the likes of the Toyota Matrix - somewhat like a crossover between a sporty hatchback and a station wagon?! It was introduced this year to replace the Dodge Neon, and was based on the DCX/Mitsubishi GS platform which also spawned the likes of the new Mitsubishi Outlander and the next generation Lancer.

Engine options are a 1.8 liter, 2.0 liter and a 2.4 liter, and you can mix these with choices of a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic - either front wheel drive or all wheel drive traction is available. There is also a Dodge Caliber SRT-4, featuring a turbocharged 2.4 liter engine making 300 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual. In the European market, the Dodge Caliber is also available with a 138hp, 310Nm 2.0 liter turbodiesel sourced from Volkswagen AG.

One more photo after the jump, thanks to Ben Corley, and as usual enlarged versions are also available.

Click here to read the rest of 2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Dodge Caliber

Some news regarding collaboration between DaimlerChrysler and Chery. Previously it was reported that Chrysler will name it’s subcompact car partner by the end of 2006, with talks currently on-going with a few partners. Subcompacts which are known for frugal fuel consumption - important in these high fuel price days - account for 1% of the overall US market currently, but it is expected to double in amount next year.

DaimlerChrysler is said to be in final talks to build cars in China and export them to the US under the Dodge brand to take advantage of the cheaper costs there. This move will follow Honda Motor Co’s recent recision to export vehicles built in China. However, DaimlerChrysler is keeping mum on the issue, and it is said that this collaboration is very controversial within DaimlerChrysler, with opponents questioning whether cars produced in China by Chery can meet quality standards.

Other partners being considered are Mitsubishi Motors Corp, and Hyundai Motor Co Ltd. “We know we can’t do it alone. The capital expense alone would be very high, said Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda.

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