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The 300M Special is reportedly outselling initial projections, leading to hopes that, with proper marketing, the new 2002 Intrepid model - which will sell at a lower cost - will do better than the ill-fated performance version of the full-size LH.
The new, enlarged, more powerful Camry took Car of the Year, and we suspect it deserves the title - the Camry has been one of the two best selling cars in America for years, and the new version addresses many of the problems with older models. Some of the other choices are, to us, more debatable. Chrysler did not gain a single entry - (and this is one of the debatable choices to us) - the sole minivan was a Honda.
Ed Wallace, a radio show host who has made some accurate predictions in the past, has said that Daimler is preparing to split off the Chrysler Group. One indication is that after saying there would be no competition between Chrysler and Mercedes products, Mercedes is now going to market a minivan in North America. Another is the sale of plants to raise cash that can be funneled directly to Daimler. (Thanks, Gary, for the info). Note: we have been updating the rumors and rants page.
While closing plants across the world - including a brand new Chrysler operation in Brazil - DCX has announced the creation of a jointly operated (50/50) DCX/Mitsubishi engine plant in eastern Germany. (Mitsubishi is 34% owned by Daimler and is largely controlled by Daimler, with a Daimler-selected CEO). The venture, named MDC Power Gmbh, will make powertrains for both Mitsubishi and Smart branded cars - though, to be fair, this will be the same basic car, the Mitsubishi "Z-car" which will form the basis of the four-seater Smart. These vehicles may never make it to the US.
While closing plants across the world - including a brand new Chrysler operation in Brazil - DCX has announced the creation of a jointly operated (50/50) DCX/Mitsubishi engine plant in eastern Germany. (Mitsubishi is 34% owned by Daimler and is largely controlled by Daimler, with a Daimler-selected CEO). The venture, named MDC Power Gmbh, will make powertrains for both Mitsubishi and Smart branded cars - though, to be fair, this will be the same basic car, the Mitsubishi "Z-car" which will form the basis of the four-seater Smart. These vehicles may never make it to the US.
A military version of the Dodge Ram pickup features a state-of-the-art hydro-pneumatic suspension system able to negotiate severe off-road terrain.
This unique suspension replaces the front coil springs and shock absorbers with hydro-pneumatic cylinders; the rear leaf springs and shock absorbers are replaced with a mult-link suspension and hydro-pneumatic cylinders.
The vehicle was developed by Dodge in conjunction with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) - National Automotive Center (NAC). The suspension is currently installed on a conventionally-powered Ram, but will be included in a hybrid diesel-electric version of the vehicle being developed for the Army's Commercially Based Tactical Truck (COMBATT) program.
Among the features of the hydro-pneumatic suspension are:
The suspension is controlled by computer, so proper operation is not dependent on driver familiarity with the system. Vehicle controls permit driver/operator to specify the type of terrain being traversed.
The diesel-electric hybrid COMBATT truck, also equipped with the hydro-pneumatic suspension, will be delivered to TACOM early next year. The vehicle is based on the Dodge Ram HEV that will be sold commercially beginning in 2004.
Did you know there was an Intrepid R/T? Apparently, most people did not, and the model is reportedly about to be cut and replaced by a cheaper variant of the highly rated, but not high-selling, full-size sedan.
Pontiac just introduced the Vibe, which is essentially their version of the PT Cruiser - complete with 180 horsepower and all wheel drive.
DaimlerChrysler will finally start eliminating jobs in Germany, cutting its workforce by 5,000 to 6,000 people by the end of next year. This move reflects a slow recognition of the slowdown in the commercial truck and bus business on which the current management has placed its bets. DCX has eight commercial vehicle plants in Germany.
Unlike the Chrysler and Mitsubishi cutbacks, Daimler is relying on attrition only. At Chrysler, 26,000 jobs are being cut, with six or seven plants being closed and, it seems, many others being sold. Freightliner has lost 700 jobs. Truck and bus sales, overall, are projected to fall from about 550,000 last year to about 490,000 this year.
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