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2011 Chrysler 300 photos hit the web

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler

2011 Chrysler 300 teaser – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our friends at Kicking Tires stumbled upon a series of teaser images from Chrysler showing off the revised-for-2011 Chrysler 300 sedan. Yes, our intrepid spy shooters have already offered up some pretty darn good photos of the car as it was being shot for marketing purposes, but it’s always good to focus in on details like the new corporate-style grille, headlamps, taillamps and the sleek new winged Chrysler logo.

From what we can see, the next Chrysler 300 will continue the brand’s march to the top of the upscale American sedan ladder that it first ascended way back in 2004 as a 2005 model. Yes, it’s been that long since the boxy, gangsta-style machine hit the market – “due for an update” would be a serious understatement.

Expect the 2011 300 to come equipped with both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and be available with either standard rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. We’re counting on a full debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in January, but in the meantime, feel free to peruse the image gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 300 teasers

2011 Chrysler 300 teaser

[Source: Kicking Tires]

2011 Chrysler 300 photos hit the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler’s Francois has a lot of answers for brands, but not yet for Chrysler

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Fiat

In-flight wireless Internet access and e-mail is both a boon and a curse to Chrysler chief marketing officer Olivier Francois, who says he already works 20 hours a day running marketing for both Chrysler, as well as five of Fiat’s brands. His frequent flight time was his last refuge to write and think through other work on the nine brands he manages without endless meetings or putting out fires.

And his email can be intriguing. On Nov. 11, he was flying Delta from Detroit to San Francisco. In flight, he received an email from Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win advising him that Burmese pro-Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi would soon be released from prison in part, read the email, because of the public pressure Fiat had generated through an ad in Europe last year that went viral spotlighting her imprisonment.

Good news, to be sure. But the email meant that Olivier spent the rest of the flight dictating edits by email from 35,000 feet on another ad he ad he commissioned for the cause, shot in Hiroshima, Japan at the 11th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates only days before with the Dalai Lama climbing out of a Chrysler 300 (the 300 is not in evidence, but he shot it in case he wants to run the ad in the U.S.) The new ad, featuring Lancia vehicles, which broke this week on European TV and the Internet, had to be changed to celebrate the political dissident’s release (watch it after the jump).

Francois, a self-assured French-born executive whose job is running Fiat’s marketing, Chrysler’s marketing, as well as serving as CEO of all aspects of the Chrysler and Lancia business as CEO of those brands, appears supremely confident in every thing he touches. And that encompasses a lot: from selecting ad agencies – six in the last year – to actually writing ad copy, composing music for ads and chasing down celebrities he wants photographed next to his cars.

But there is one brand task that Olivier admits is starting to get the better of him: fixing the Chrysler brand messaging. “It is a wonderful brand with great American roots, but finding the idea to reintroduce it…very difficult,” says Olivier.

Continue reading Chrysler’s Francois has a lot of answers for brands, but not yet for Chrysler

Chrysler’s Francois has a lot of answers for brands, but not yet for Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: U.S.-spec Fiat 500 right at home in Chrysler’s hip new LA dealership

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Yesterday, we told you about the grand opening of Chrysler’s swanky new Motor Village dealership in downtown Los Angeles – the first North American dealership to sell the Fiat 500. As part of its big opening-day ceremonies, Chrysler unveiled the U.S.-spec 500 ahead of its official reveal at this week’s LA Auto Show. A variety of colors and trims were on hand, and being surrounded by all of these 500s at once only makes us more eager to get some seat time in the diminutive little Italian Job.

The first round of 500s will go on sale later this year, in Sport, Pop and Lounge trim levels. A wealth of colors, interior fabrics and wheels will be available, and you can see some of what Fiat has to offer in our high-res image gallery, below.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500

LA 2010: U.S.-spec Fiat 500 right at home in Chrysler’s hip new LA dealership originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chrysler, First Drive

Sebring Successor Goes A Long Way to Address Old Ails

2011 Chrysler 200

2011 Chrysler 200 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler isn’t into mincing words about the company’s recent past. After years of corporate and product neglect, those at the helm of the smallest of the Big Three know that the company has a long way to go to regain buyer confidence. While a rash of new and revised models are hitting Jeep and Dodge show rooms over the next few months, it’s clear that the company is beginning to gain momentum under the guidance of Fiat. But the models under the Silver Wing seem to be staring down the barrel of a more uncertain future. With plenty of product overlap with Dodge and a lack of any real brand cohesiveness, Chrysler has yet to yield any clear indication of progress away from the dark days of the company’s past. As a result, buyers are having a hard time knowing what to make of the company or where it’s headed.

Still, after Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11, it was clear that wherever the carmaker was going, the Sebring wasn’t coming along for the ride. After a long, degrading life of rental car service and all out neglect from designers and engineers alike, the Sebring had mutated into a car that was a few leagues behind the competition, even when the third-generation bowed in 2007. To that end, Chrysler sent the Sebring name to the burn pile by revealing the 200 – a small sedan that rides on the same bones as its ill-fated predecessor but wears new sheet metal and a revised interior along with a slew of significantly reworked mechanical components. The result is the vehicle that Chrysler should have built in the first place – a competent economy cruiser with plenty of content even at lower trim levels. Is it enough to banish thoughts of the Sebring from our minds? We hopped behind the wheel to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200: First Drive

2011 Chrysler 200

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First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 200 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Design/Style

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

Episode #204 of the Autoblog Podcast is awesome. Not only are we joined by David “the new guy” Kiley, but wait, there’s more! Jeremy Korzeniewski got the Top Gear USA crew on the phone for a chat. After that, Chris, Dan, Zach and David talk Chrysler’s pile of revamped models, the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Pickuptrucks.com HD smackdown, Lamborghini’s new powertrain, and as always, we finish with your questions and feedback. It’s a satisfying two hours and fifteen minutes this week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines

In the Autoblog Garage:

Lincoln MKS Ecoboost
Land Rover LR4
Mazda CX-9

News Topics:

Top Gear USA Interview
LA Auto Show Primer
2011 Chryslers
Battle of the HD Pickups… Chevy Wins
Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5-liter V12
37 MPG Buick LaCrosse on the way

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, David Kiley
Runtime: 2:14:15

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #204: Top Gear USA interview, Chrysler refreshes, LA Auto Show, HD Pickups and Lamborghini Engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler announces company-owned halo dealership in LA

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat

Chrysler has unveiled a new company-owned dealership in California, called Motor Village of Los Angeles, that will sell and service the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, Fiat and Mopar brands. A five-story glass structure will house separate salons for each of these marques. This new dealership, which marks Chrysler’s return to central LA after a 10-year absence, will be used as a test bed for new ideas that could one day filter down to the rest of the Chrysler’s dealer network. Click past the break for all the details in the official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler announces company-owned halo dealership in LA

Chrysler announces company-owned halo dealership in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rattner: GM and Chrysler will be “gushing profits”

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

Pile of money

General Motors and Chrysler LLC will lead automakers to “gushing profits” when annual U.S. sales reach 15 million vehicles, said Steven Rattner, the former head of the federal government’s auto task force, on Bloomberg TV last Friday.

“This industry has been restructured to make money,” Rattner said to Bloomberg. At 15 million vehicles a year, “they will be gushing profits.” That 15 million level is expected to be reached at mid-decade, according to predictions by companies like Toyota and GM.

A pace of 15 million vehicles is needed “simply to accommodate new drivers and the aging of the fleet,” Rattner said. “It will happen, it’s only a question of when.”

Rattner recently published a book about his experience titled: Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the Obama Administration’s Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry.

Rattner also this month had to agreed to a ban from the securities industry as a result of a Federal investigation into charges he directed over $1 million in illegal kickbacks to New York State pension fund officials while he was a partner in Quadrangle Group, the post he had before being recruited by the White House.

Rattner, 58, led President Barack Obama’s auto task force from February 2009 until July last year, after GM emerged from a bankruptcy backed by $50 billion in government aid.

General Motors is expected to launch its initial-public offering of stock as early as next month, while Chrysler is expected to to take itself public some time next year.

[Image: aresauburn[TM] | CC 2.0]

Rattner: GM and Chrysler will be “gushing profits” originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the crème de la Chrysler

Filed under: SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Dodge

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler made waves earlier today when it announced the company would have an armada of 35 vehicles on display at this year’s SEMA show, but the star of the shindig is likely to be the new 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.

While no one has ever accused the Challenger SRT8 of being light on grunt, Chrysler engineers have taken things up a notch or two with a new 6.4-liter V8 that produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, all while delivering 15-20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing 6.1-liter V8 in the 2010 Challenger SRT8. The big V8 uses variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation to help keep consumption low.

The Challenger SRT8 392 also employs a reworked suspension with even firmer shocks, a quicker steering ratio and more negative camber than before, all of which are supposed to help the hefty muscle bruiser tackle the corners with a little more finesse.

Up front, there’s a unique chin spoiler that helps channel air to the vehicle’s radiator and provide additional downforce at higher speeds. It also just looks pretty dang sharp.

Chrysler says it will build just 1,492 inaugural editions of the Challenger SRT8 392, and that the cars will be available to buy right after Thanksgiving. Hit the jump for the full model-specific press release.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

[Source: Chrysler]

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2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the crème de la Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat reportedly set to raise stake in Chrysler

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Fiat

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, has reportedly indicated that the Italian automaker is interested in raising its stake in the Auburn Hills automaker. Currently, Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler and it wants to raise that figure to 35 percent by the end of 2011. Fiat has had a strong third quarter, earning around $236 million.

According to the Detroit Free Press, in order to increase its ownership stake by 15 percent, Fiat has to hit three specific targets that are worth five percent apiece. The first goal is to launch the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine being built at Chrysler’s plant in Dundee, Michigan. That engine is slated to go into the upcoming Fiat 500.

Second on the task list is for Chrysler to produce a car that achieves 40 miles per gallon. Marchionne believes this vehicle will enter production towards the end of 2011. It will be a compact hatchback branded as a Dodge.

The final five percent will be earned when Chrysler increases its sales outside of the US. Specifically, it will focus sales efforts to increase volume in South America. Per Marchionne, this last objective will prove the most difficult because of the way Brazil regulates its dealer networks. In fact, Fiat is looking for alternative ways to earn the final five percent stake it seeks from Chrysler.

Thirty-five percent is a hefty piece of the Chrysler pie, but much more can be made available in the not-too-distant future. Once Chrysler is able to repay both the Canadian and U.S. governments for the $8 billion in loans it received, the Italian automaker will be able to raise its stake to 51 percent.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Massimo Pinca/AP]

Fiat reportedly set to raise stake in Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler, Volvo announce new recalls

Filed under: Recalls, Chrysler, Volvo

Both Chrysler and Volvo have announced fairly sizeable recalls. Chrysler is bringing a total of 26,397 cars, trucks and vans back to dealers to replace a faulty power steering line the company says could cause an engine fire. The hoses have been found to separate from the crimped end thanks to a change in the type of materials used in the hose’s manufacturing process. The Detroit News reports that as of right now, Chrysler isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries that have arisen as a result of the problem. The recall covers the 2010 Chrysler Sebring and 300 as well as the Dodge Charger, Challenger, Avenger and Journey as well as the 2011 Ram.

Meanwhile, Volvo is recalling 9,746 vehicles due to faulty airbags. Certain 2010-2011 S80, XC60, XC70 and V70 models have been found to have faulty wiring connectors attached to the clock spring in the driver side steering wheel. That fault may cause the vehicle’s airbag to fail to deploy properly. Workers will repair the problem with a metal shim.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Chrysler, Volvo announce new recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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