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The new GM mid-sized pickups are not based on the Trailblazer, as we wrote earlier, but on an Isuzu platform. Isuzu also worked with GM on the current large-pickup diesels. The GM pickups should be good - Bob Sheaves worked on their suspensions (he also was a designer for the current Dakota suspension). (Thanks, Dan Minick.)
The SRT-4 has started to ship, with the first batch built in late 2002. Production may be nearly tripled to 7,000 units per year.
A Chrysler representative has confirmed that the Mopar Speed Shops, including weekend seminars in performance, will be a part of many dealers showrooms.
Chrysler will also be putting up contingency money for SCCA rally, road, and solo races. There may also be a future Dodge presence in weekly series, perhaps with Hemi-powered vehicles.
The Dodge Dakota, the first mid-sized pickup and for a long time the only mid-sized pickup, is soon to be facing competition from a GM pickup based on the Trailblazer (which, when introduced, stole many sales from the Durango mid-sized SUV). Now, Honda has announced that it will sell a mid-sized pickup in the United States, spelling potential problems for sales of the Dakota.
Dodge was working with the Army to sell a fleet of hybrid-powered Durangos, but it appears they have competition. General Motors is presenting a relatively fuel-efficient military truck to the army, which may be buying up to 30,000 new vehicles by the end of the decade. While the Dodge has advantages, it would not be impossible for GM to counter them - especially given GM's alliance with Toyota, the world's pioneer in hybrid-electric cars.
Detroit firefighters have new lifesaving tools as a result of a special presentation on Monday, Jan. 6, when the Chrysler Group provided a new Dodge Ram pickup truck and trench rescue equipment to the city's Fire Department. As part of the event, a $25,000 check was also presented to the Detroit Fireman's Fund, to assist widows and children of fallen firefighters.
The Chrysler Group presented the Fire Department with a new Dodge Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickup with dual rear axles and high-output Cummins diesel engine, based on the department's needs for equipment hauling. The trench rescue equipment, the first-ever for the department, includes chainsaws, helmets, digging and pumping equipment, low-pressure air bags, and pneumatic jacks and dividers to assist firefighters in rescuing victims of cave-ins.
Toyota, which introduced the world's first mass-production gas-electric hybrid car, introduced its second-generation hybrid technology yesterday. The auto giant took a leaf from Dodge's hybrid book - a book which has been written, but not yet published, so to speak - by coupling the electric motor with a 3.3 liter V6, for V8 performance, so that the new Toyota SU-HV SUV will be fun for speed enthusiasts to drive; this aims it at a somewhat different market than the Prius. The vehicle has a continuously variable transmission.
Thanks to the way Toyota designed the hybrid system, the SU-HV is in the highest tier of ultra low emission SUVs, and has compact-class gas mileage. The vehicle has electronically controlled four wheel drive and an electrically controlled braking system. Toyota also showed a second generation of fuel cell vehicle.
Meanwhile, Nissan launched a salvo at the American automakers' sacred cow - the full-size pickup. This is the only area where GM, Ford, and Chrysler remain essentially unchallenged. The Nissan Titan seems to have been designed to appeal directly to the macho-feeling needs of casual pickup buyers. The Titan King Cab’s has rear doors that open nearly 180 degrees for excellent interior access, a factory-applied spray-in load bed liner, a lockable water-resistant bedside storage compartment, and a 5.6 liter V8 with over 300 horsepower and more than 375 lb-ft of torque. The standard automatic transmission has five speeds, and the towing capacity is up to 9,400 pounds, while gas mileage is reported to be relatively good for the class. The Titan may spell trouble for sales of the new Dodge pickups, especially with the redesigned F-series coming at the same time.
Nissan has redesigned the Quest minivan, and isn't sharing it with Mercury this time. The revised van has softer curves and a longer hood than other vans, with sunroofs that extend over all the passengers and a modern, unusual instrument panel. It is the first van to offer head curtain airbags, and, perhaps more significant, will use the Maxima's V6 to outpower competitors with 235 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque. Both the second and third rows of seats fold flat for a massive cargo area, aided by the longest wheelbase in its class. Like the redesigned Maxima, which boats 265 horsepower and 255 lb-ft torque, the Quest will be available in 2003 as a 2004 model, and will be built in a new, nonunion plant in Mississippi.
Chrysler has been expected to release a version of the Caravan with its 250 horsepower, 3.5 liter engine, but that has not yet materialized.
(See our earlier sales analysis for details)
Bill Cawthon reported: "All of the final results are in. Chrysler is in better shape than Ford, but not as good as GM. Chrysler did come out with a 13%-plus share of the market for 2002 and a comfortable lead over Toyota. For those who insist on adding Lexus to Toyota, I will happily add Mercedes-Benz to Chrysler (or vice-versa).
"In overall combined sales, the Dodge Ram was #6 in 2002. The Caravan was #11 and the Grand Cherokee was #15. In individual market segments, the Ram was #3 in trucks, the Caravan was #1 in minivans and the Grand Cherokee was #3 in sport-utility vehicles. Best finish by a passenger car was the Dodge Neon at #39 overall and #16 in cars. The Intrepid also made it to the Top Twenty among cars.
"To give you an idea of what that means, sales figures were reported for 272 light vehicle models. This included 150 different car models and 70 SUVs."
For 2002 GM posted a 1 percent decline in light vehicle sales, Ford lost 10 percent in sales, and Chrysler lost 3 percent in sales. All three relied heavily on steep incentives and zero-percent financing. For comparison, GM sold 4.8 million vehicles (excluding Saab), and Ford sold 3.4 million (Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury).
Jeep debuted a limited-production line of 'Freedom Edition' Jeep Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee vehicles with unique exterior features and popular options. A version of the Freedom Edition Jeep line will also be available outside the United States as the Rocky Mountain Edition in Canada, and the Red River edition outside North America.
Building on the recently introduced 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Freedom Edition features a silver front fascia accent, bright silver roof rack and tubular side rails and chrome tow hooks. Complementing the exterior, outlined white letter P235/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler SR-A all-terrain tires mount on 17-inch graphite painted cast aluminum wheels. Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition has MicroTech instrument panel accents, Dark Slate Gray cloth seating, front floor slush mats and a molded cargo tray.
This model is available with the High-Output 4.7-liter V-8 engine pumping out 265 horsepower (198 kW) at 5,100 rpm, and 325 lb.-ft (447 Nm) of torque at 3,600 rpm. A 4.0-liter Power Tech I-6 engine is standard. Available in both two- and four-wheel drive, four-wheel drive models come standard with the Selec-Trac® full-time four-wheel drive system.
The 2003 Jeep Liberty Freedom Edition has a graphite painted grille, front and rear fascia, and "bolted-on" wheel flares, as well as body color side moldings. Black sidewall P235/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler SR-A all-season tires mount on 17-inch graphite painted cast aluminum wheels. Inside, the Jeep Liberty Freedom Edition features a two-tone appearance incorporating Dark Slate Gray and Light Taupe trim to give it a unique, sporty look. Power windows/locks/mirrors and an AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and changer controls are standard. In addition, unique Mopar equipment was designed to complement this vehicle including a graphite painted front brush guard, side rock rails and tail lamp guards.
The 2003 Jeep Liberty Freedom Edition is powered by the 3.7-liter Power Tech V-6 engine rated at 210 horsepower (157 kW) at 5,200 rpm, and 235 lb.-ft (319 Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Freedom Edition Liberty vehicles are available with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Available in both two- and four-wheel drive, four-wheel drive models come standard with the Command-Trac® part-time four-wheel drive system.
The Freedom Edition of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler is distinguished by body colored fender flares, a soft-top with full metal doors, fog lamps and tow hooks. Outlined white letter P225/75R15 Goodyear all-terrain tires mount on 15-inch chrome wheels. Inside, the Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition comes with air conditioning, Sentry Key® theft-deterrent system, easy access Fold-and-Tumble rear seat and a choice of Dark Slate Gray vinyl or cloth seating. Under the hood is the legendary 4.0-liter I-6 engine pumping out 190 horsepower (142 kW) at 4,600 rpm, and 235 lb.-ft (319 Nm) of torque at 3,200 rpm with a five-speed manual transmission. Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition features the Command-Trac® part-time four-wheel drive system.
The entire Freedom Edition Jeep line will be available in red, silver, blue and black. In addition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition will also be available in Graphite Metallic.
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