Chrysler Group: Many Positive Milestones in Year 1

Nov. 4, 2009, is a big day in Chrysler Group history. That’s the day CEO Sergio Marchionne and other group execs laid out a five-year plan for the company and the vehicle brands.

During the presidential visit to one of our Kokomo, Ind., facilities in November, Marchionne told a reporter, "We're a long way from fully achieving our plan. We're at step one of a five-year plan."

It is a long process – but Chrysler Group is headed in the right direction.

As Marchionne said an email to Chrysler Group employees and contractors this month, “This has been a foundational year for the company….Every day, pride is being restored and confidence in the future is being rekindled.”

That’s true not only within the company but outside as well. Many people in the various online communities are rooting for Chrysler Group to succeed.

So, with 2011 sprouting in a few days, let’s take a look back at what came to fruition in 2010:

Products
In May, the 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee rolled off the line at Jefferson North Assembly Plant (Detroit). Since then, the Grand Cherokee has earned numerous awards, including the Texas Auto Writers Association “SUV of Texas,” “Four Wheeler of the Year” Award from Four Wheeler magazine, “Best Buy” in the Full-size/Luxury SUV Category by Consumers Digest magazine, and The Detroit News’ “Truck of the Year.”

After the Grand Cherokee, the brands continued the momentum to replace or refresh 75 percent of their product portfolio – with 11 launches in the fourth quarter.

The new Pentastar V-6 engine also launched – and earned its share of recognition.

And, Chrysler Group has begun production on the 1.4-liter, 16-valve Fully Integrated Robotized Engine (FIRE), which is set to launch in 2012 Fiat 500.

Sales
In the U.S., through the end of November, Chrysler Group has eight consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains, and total 2010 sales (again, through the end of November) increased by 17 percent compared with 2009.

Chrysler Canada has had 12 consecutive months of sales growth, and grew total 2010 sales by 28 percent through the end of November.

Since June, sales in Mexico have been up every single month, and international sales increased 3.6 percent over the period on a year-to-year basis.

Finances
Chrysler Group exceeded its forecasts through the first three quarters of 2010. It posted an operating profit of $565 million, net revenues of $31.2 billion and a reduction in net loss to $453 million. Cash on hand was increased to more than $8.2 billion at the end of September, up from $5.9 billion at the end of 2009, which brings total available liquidity to more than $10.5 billion, including $2.3 billion that remains available to draw under our loan agreements with U.S. Treasury and Canadian and Ontario governments.

Company management is still considering an initial public offering in the second half of 2011 – if market conditions are favorable.

Investments
Chrysler Group announced nearly $3 billion in total investments during 2010. This included adding more than 2,000 new jobs to support two additional shifts at assembly plants and additional production at our Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance facility in Dundee, Mich.

Manufacturing
The implementation of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) is playing a key role in improving safety, efficiency, quality and flexibility in Chrysler plants.

Dealers
The 2010 Dealer Announcement Show in September attracted more than 2,400 dealers from around the world. In November, they announced the selection of 130 U.S. dealers and 58 Canadian dealers to represent the Fiat brand in its return to North America.

While Year 1 looks good, there are four more to go to finish off the plan – and continue beyond.

Dodge and Mopar® Announce “No-cost Maintenance Plus” Plan for Durango Citadel and Journey Lux Buyers

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel

Dodge and Mopar® are wrapping customers in a worry-free ownership experience. In addition to a load of standard luxury features, the Dodge brand’s all-new Durango Citadel and Journey Lux models also feature Mopar’s new “No-cost Maintenance Plus” plan, a 3-year or 36,000-mile maintenance plan designed to make lives easier and vehicle ownership hassle-free.

“The new Dodge Durango Citadel and Journey Lux models are loaded with features and content typically found on competitor vehicles priced tens of thousands of dollars more,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “This new no-cost maintenance plus plan gives our loyal customers, as well as customers who are discovering the Dodge brand for the first time, unparallelled peace of mind.”

“Our mission at Mopar is to add value to our customer’s experience with our vehicles and our brands,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO – Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “With this specific no-cost maintenance plan, we are offering an added benefit to those customers who check all of boxes on their all-new Durango or Journey. In addition, we are helping these customers build a long-term relationship with their local dealer.”

The “No-cost Maintenance Plus” plan has a retail value of $1,100. Features include:

* Benefits of 3 years or 36,000 miles
* $0 deductible
* Oil, oil filter changes and lubrication (3-month/3,000-mile service intervals)
* Scheduled and recommended maintenance (6,000-mile intervals)
* $35/day car rental allowance (car rental allowance for any overnight dealership mechanical repair, 5-day maximum per occurrence)
* $35/first day rental (car rental allowance or taxi service for any dealership mechanical repair or maintenance service [includes bodywork])
* $100 “Sign-and-go” towing and roadside assistance
- Benefits include towing, flat tire change (with existing good spare) battery jump, out-of-gas fuel delivery (maximum 2 gallons), and lockout service (i.e. keys locked in vehicle or frozen lock), as much as $100 per occurrence
* $1,000 trip interruption coverage. Provides as much as $1,000 for lodging, meals and car rental expenses if:
- The vehicle is inoperable due to a component failure covered by the factory warranty AND
- The failure occurs more than 100 miles from home

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel
From high-style to high-tech, the Dodge Durango Citadel is loaded with luxury. Standard features include 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, seven-passenger Nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, perforated leather heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot/rear cross-path detection, forward-collision warning, sunroof, Garmin navigation radio, High-intensity Discharged (HID) headlamps.

2011 Dodge Journey Lux
The 2011 Dodge Journey Lux standard features include seven-passenger seating, Parkview® rear backup camera, ParkSense® rear park assist system, Uconnect Touch 8.4N, heated leather seats, universal garage door opener, premium instrument cluster, premium speaker group and 19-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.

The “No-cost Maintenance Plus” is available on 2011 model year Dodge Durango Citadel/Journey and Lux vehicles covered by an active 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty at the time of sale.

Chrysler SUVs make finalists for 2011 North American Truck of the Year

Two Chrysler SUVs were named as the most outstanding cars and trucks of the year, according to a panel of the nation's top automotive journalists who are voting on this year's North American Car and Truck of the Year.

The Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee, both built in Detroit off the same truck platform, as well as the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt and all-electric Nissan Leaf were among six finalists for the award.

The North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are different from other industry awards because they are given by a jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists from Canada and the United States.

Winners of the contest will be announced Jan. 10 at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This year, the jury considered more than 50 vehicles. Of those, the jurors voted to put 14 cars and 14 trucks on the ballot.

Here is a closer look at the two Chrysler finalists:

—Dodge Durango: While the Durango is built on a unibody platform, rather than a SUV's traditional body-on-frame platform, the stout truck pulls 6,200 pounds with a V-6 engine and 7,200 pounds with a V-8.

Pricing for the three-row SUV starts at $30,045 for the Express model with rear-wheel-drive and at $32,045 for the all-wheel-drive version, including an $850 destination charge.

—Jeep Grand Cherokee: Introduced in July, sales of the redesigned Grand Cherokee have surged. In November, for example, sales increased 256 percent compared with the same month a year ago. Critics have applauded the Grand Cherokee for its vastly improved interior and new engine.

The folks at Ram Trucks like to tune a 5.7-liter Hemi® V-8 engine to crank out 390 horsepower and over 400 pound-feet of torque all-day–long. But, tuning a guitar is another issue all together.

They also love some good country music, which is exactly why they’re kicking off the first-ever “Battle of the Bands.” You read that right! If you’ve got a toe-tapping country group, which we know there are plenty of in these parts, submit your country music video starting today on the Ram Truck Facebook page. Voting kicks off on Jan. 3, 2011 and wraps up on Feb. 13, giving fans over a full month to pick their favorite video.

The top 10 videos with the most votes will move on to the Ram Truck panel of judges. Our judges will pick their top two videos; who will perform live at next year’s Rodeo Austin. The first place winner will take home a full $5,000 and the second place winner will go home with $2,500 in their guitar case.

Don’t have a band? Don’t worry. You won’t be left out in the cold. Beginning January 3, 2011,you vote for your favorite video of the bunch and enter for a chance to win the weekly sweepstakes. Each week, one lucky person will win a Ram Music Themed prize pack, including an iPod®. If that’s still not enough to quench your thirst for good tunes, there’s another way to win. From the contest on Facebook, hop on over to RamTrucks.com and you’ll get an additional chance to win. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that.

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to the Ram Truck Facebook page and upload your video!

That ‘New’ 392 Hemi

The announcement that Dodge would be revisiting the legendary Hemi displacement of 392 inches for the 2011 Inaugural Edition Challenger reveals that the company is still well-coupled to its heritage. The engine would have to be special, as the original 392 was available only in the top of the line models for just two model years, 1957-58, and was the final revision of the engine architecture that had started in 1951 with the 331-inch Hemi. The 392 was a heavy-walled casting that was reserved solely for the Chrysler New Yorker, 300, and Imperial models; it disappeared into the sands of time for 1959, replaced by the new lighter, larger 413” wedge engine. With twin Carter WCFB carbs, that last first-generation Hemi was rated at 390 horses at the pinnacle of its development (in the 1957 Chrysler 300C and 1958 300D), a forerunner of the horsepower wars that would soon become part and parcel of marketing new cars in the coming decade.

Perhaps that final Hemi might have been just an aside in Chrysler’s storied engineering and performance history except that some hot rodders with names like Garlits, Karamesines, Sullivan, and Ivo figured out you could put one of those big Hemis in a slingshot-type dragster, fit it for a supercharger, tip the can of nitro methane to 95% or more, and HANG ON! The 180-, 190-, and 200-mph barriers in the quarter-mile had all fallen by 1965 as a result. The 392 fuel combination was so strong that it still was being used in the dragster and funny car ranks even after the Ramchargers team and others had gotten a firm grasp on the 426-inch second-generation revision in those applications some years later. In fact, engine builder Ed Donovan took the 392’s basic design to design and build a quite successful all-aluminum race-only version he first produced in the early 1970s and continues to build today.

The new 392 (6.4L”) HEMI is the latest street V8 for Chrysler’s performance models, and will supersede the previous 6.1L (370”) version of the engine. The latest mill to wear the legendary HEMI moniker is the same basic block architecture as its 6.1L predecessor, with the displacement rise coming from both a minor bore increase (up .9 mm) and adding more stroke (3.7 mm). However, though similar to the 6.1, the 392 block is a unique casting, featuring different machining plus changes for strength, as well as modifications to the cooling and internal breathing passages.

The basic block, painted in the traditional Hemi orange hue, is topped with aluminum heads that make use of smooth core technology; this is a casting process that utilizes a special fine sand to form the runner cores. The runners themselves have been further massaged from their previous state, while valve size has also increased from the 6.1L version’s 52.8mm intake / 40.5 mm exhaust to 54.3 mm/42.0 mm, respectively.

However, the crowning touch is the intake, which is why the torque curve was so smooth on the new engine. The SRT’s new ‘active intake’ design harkens somewhat back to the ram-tuning principles Chrysler engineers first comprehended during the late 1950s, but has greatly benefited from the computer modeling of airflow now available. Once reaching approximately 4,900 rpm, the active intake system starts physically revising the intake runner path and geometry (thus actually altering the induction tuning). This process, which was started on the SRV (Short Runner Valve) applications for 3.5L, 4.0L and the 5.7L truck engine, is for increased intake flow. That results in more power output, but the main advantage of the design is to improve low engine torque by having a longer runner available in the lower RPM level. The system uses the same internal parts as the SRV version, with cosmetic changes to its appearance and a different mount for the throttle body.

The engine is rated a 470 lbs-ft…at 2900 rpm! The same number, 470, is also the official horsepower rating, greater than any prior street-based Hemi engine. With the package appearing like an ‘an old school Hemi’ when first seen under the hood, plus the throaty sound from the well-tuned exhaust design, a displacement rich in heritage, and a powerband unlike anything to wear to ever wear that four-letter word before, my opinion is that the 392 Hemi will indeed be a Mopar milestone.

Robert D’Agostino’s survivor 1957 300C convertible. The fact the engine proved so popular on the secondary circuit is one of the reasons these classic behemoths are so scarce today; many cars were bought, had the engine removed, and were unceremoniously sold for scrap.

The original 390-horse 392 Hemi in its dual-quad configuration in D’Agostino’s car. A handful were sold with fuel injection in 1958, though they proved to be very difficult to service and tune. The carburated versions used these twins.

By the mid-1960s, the 392s were out from the fenders of finned classics and wedged down into rail dragsters, topped with a supercharger, and breathing fat amounts of nitromethane. This is Don ‘the Snake’ Prudhomme at NHRA Nationals in 1966. Ray Mann photo / quartermilestones.com archive

Even when the 426 version became popular, the 392 continued to thrive in drag racing. This is Vern Motes’ twin-engined Top Gas car being in the pits at Martin, Mich.,

A ‘grand’ new Jeep Compass

Offering unsurpassed 4×4 fuel economy and off-road capability in the compact SUV segment, the new 2011 Jeep Compass features a stunning new sophisticated design, with cues coming directly from the brand’s premium icon, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Coupled with a host of interior refinements and improved ride and handling characteristics in all conditions – courtesy of upgraded steering and suspension systems – the new Jeep Compass offers a unique blend of premium styling, capability, efficiency and value that is unmatched in the compact SUV segment.

“With the new 2011 Jeep Compass, we’ve applied the premium design cues of our award-winning new Grand Cherokee,” Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, said. “Combined with new interior appointments and refinements to the suspension and steering systems, Jeep Compass provides consumers the ultimate combination of styling, capability, fuel economy, efficiency, safety and value in the important compact SUV segment.”

Delivering the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car, the new 2011 Jeep Compass also boasts more than 30 safety and security features, including standard side-curtain air bags, electronic stability program (ESC), electronic roll mitigation, Hill-start Assist (with manual transmission), side curtain air bags for all rows and available front-seat-mounted side air bags.

Design
The new 2011 Jeep Compass has a distinct family resemblance to the all-new, premium 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.




With a new hood, new front fenders, new fascia and new headlamps as well as a new grille that has been detailed with a small dose of chrome surrounding the traditional seven slots found on all Jeep vehicles, the new face of the Compass features a more serious, yet sophisticated, appearance. Forward lighting performance is improved with the use of quad reflector headlamps, and the fog lamps are now high output projector lamps. Adding an element of muscle, the hood has been enhanced with a subtle power bulge. The result is a vehicle that projects an attitude that is much more serious and conveys the Compass’ capability in all weather and driving conditions.

New brightwork throughout the exterior lends an upscale touch without compromising the off-road performance of the Compass. A band of protective cladding has been added for 2011, serving to fend off debris when driving in challenging weather conditions or off-road and providing a new appearance.

This trend continues with enhancements to the rear of the Compass. A new rear fascia, new body-color rear spoiler and subtle, upscale touches including new LED taillamps and on the Limited model, bright trim on the step pad and a chrome exhaust tip adorn the new 2011 Jeep Compass. Topping it off, a new set of roof rails were designed with a slimmed down appearance and a small amount of brightwork. The 2011 Compass sports new, standard 17-inch aluminum wheels, and 18-inch aluminum or chrome-clad wheels are available on Limited models.

Interior upgrades for the 2011 Jeep Compass include new soft touch front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface; a new center armrest; a new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, available handsfree phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; new cloth interior with premium cloth bucket seats in the front; standard speed control on all models; new backlighting of door switches, door locks, windows and power mirror controls.

Compass interior
The new 2011 Jeep Compass offers an array of clever features consumers will appreciate whether commuting to work, driving in challenging weather conditions, exploring new trails or out-of-the-way places. Uconnect media center with iPod interface, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link, power sunroof, a premium audio system with nine Boston Acoustic speakers, illuminated cup holders, liftgate speakers and fold-flat rear seats are some of the available cool features that make the Compass the perfect compact SUV, enabling consumers to enjoy any adventure.




The 2011 Jeep Compass is packed with standard features that provide value and convenience for drivers and passengers. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power/heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry, aluminum wheels, fog lamps, cruise control and sunscreen glass.

New for 2011, the Jeep Compass offers an All-weather Capability Group option, which includes Goodyear 17-inch all-terrain tires, all-season floor mats, daytime running headlamps, engine block heater and tow hooks.

Segment-leading Capability
The 2011 Jeep Compass offers customers unsurpassed 4×4 off-road capability with Jeep Freedom Drive II. The new Jeep Compass also boasts a retuned suspension for 2011, with higher spring and damping rates, added rebound springs and an increased diameter of the rear sway bar. Despite these numerous capability features, the 2011 Jeep Compass boasts unsurpassed 4×4 fuel economy in its segment.

Jeep Compass is available in three drivetrain configurations. In addition to the standard front-wheel-drive system, Jeep Compass also is available with Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package.

Freedom Drive I is an available full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with lock mode designed to give drivers year-round assurance with the ability to handle rough weather and low-traction conditions. This active four-wheel-drive system is recommended for daily use, including slick conditions that come with rain and light snow. Freedom Drive I also features a lockable center coupling, giving drivers the ability to put the Jeep Compass in four-wheel-drive lock mode to handle deep snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces.

The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is an available four-wheel-drive system that delivers Jeep Trail Rated® capability in Compass form. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package includes a second-generation continuously variable transaxle with low range (CVT2L) that engages when the off-road mode is activated, 17-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum wheels, a one-inch raised ride height, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat height adjuster. The available Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package is recommended for moderate off-road situations that include steep grades, occasional wheel lift and rock or log climbing.

The 2011 Jeep Compass’ powertrain is designed to deliver world-class performance in all weather conditions, fuel economy and refinement, all at an affordable, value-packed price.

Compass features a standard 2.0-liter World Engine for the Compass and Latitude models that provides 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 N•m) of torque coupled with the continuously variable transmission (CVT2), and delivers unsurpassed 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when mated to the five-speed manual transmission.

The proven 2.4-liter World Engine produces 172-horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque and is available on all models and standard on the Limited. This 2.4-liter World Engine has dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT. Dual VVT is a technology typically not available on vehicles sold in the United States in the Jeep Compass’ price class. The Jeep Compass’ 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transaxle in front-wheel drive configuration delivers unsurpassed 23 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Jeep Compass also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle on the entry-level Compass and a CVT that is available on the Compass and standard on the Latitude and Limited models. The Compass’ CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6–8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic. The Compass CVT2 also improves vehicle performance compared with a traditional automatic transaxle because of optimized gear ratios, especially in the 30–60 mph range during passing maneuvers.

The 2011 Jeep Compass also provides up to 2,000 lbs. of towing capacity.

Jeep Compass Model Lineup
The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in three configurations: Compass, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time, active 4×4 system or the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time, active 4×4 system with low-range capability.

The 2011 Jeep Compass is available in the following exterior colors: Blackberry Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Clear Coat, Deep Charcoal Gray (limited availability) and Mineral Gray Pearl Coat (late availability).

The new 2011 Jeep Compass models will begin to arrive in Jeep showrooms in December 2010.

Ram Trucks named Manufacturer of the Year

With 2010 coming to a close, a lot of publications are now announcing their "Of the Year" awards. Ram Trucks just earned the Manufacturer of the Year award from Off-Road Adventures magazine.

In its December 2010 issue, Off-Road Adventures credits Ram Trucks’ commitment to advanced design and the company’s proven powertrains in taking this honor.

And if that news isn’t enough to light your fire and confirm your standing as an extremely savvy truck buyer, Off Road Adventures magazine is offering up a free online subscription to Ram Trucks fans and followers. Visit Off Road Adventures to sign up. To check out the magazine’s digital edition, visit this page.

The 2011 Dodge Charger Police Cruiser Video

Today’s modern police cruisers are subjected to the rigors of the harsh day-to-day enforcement duties. It takes more than just a big engine, “cop tires and cop suspension” to get the job done. In September, the 2011 Dodge Charger PPV (that’s “Police Pursuit Vehicle” for you civilians) was put through a battery of tests at the annual Michigan State Police Vehicle trials. Even though there was stiff competition, the 2011 Charger PPV still had the performance and handling (along with menacing looks) that would make Jake and Elwood proud.