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While the factory that makes the LH series will be shut down for retooling in September 2003, we understand that the official launch of the rear wheel drive full-size LX cars will be in January, 2004. Confirmed are an LX, LXi, 300N, and Allsport model - no Charger and no Dodge (well, maybe that's the Allsport). The Allsport is basically a modified station wagon, as far as we can tell. No details are available on the content of the LX or 300N.
Memory of Mopar squads must be strong and favorable, because we understand that 5,500 of the new Intrepid patrol vehicle have been ordered - most to be built in calendar year 2002. Not bad for a first-timer, especially given its good-but-not-exceptional results in the Michigan State Police tests.
Hyundai is currently sparking a bidding war among states and cities as it plans to build a new plant in the US - presumably ignoring any idled or shuttered plants that already exist.
Jonathan Browning, who led Jaguar's highly successful resurgence (based on putting classic Jaguar styling around modern Ford-Europe platforms), left Ford as the consolidation of Ford's United Kingdom empire (Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin) was being announced. He will be General Motors-Europe's vice-president of sales, marketing and aftersales. Browning is currently 42 years old.
Dodge Motorsports and Bobby Hamilton Racing today announced that Bill Lester will join the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Manufacturers title-winning Dodge factory racing program for the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS). Lester will drive the No. 8 Dodge Dealers Ram 1500 for Bobby Hamilton Racing.
Following is a Chrysler press release.
By saving more than $100 million, eliminating more than 60 million pounds of waste and reducing emissions, DaimlerChrysler employees are demonstrating that environmental responsibility makes good business sense.
These cost savings and benefits are quantified by 10 employee teams who were honored by DaimlerChrysler with this year's Environmental Leadership Awards (ELA). The ELA is an annual competition sponsored by DaimlerChrysler for its employees and supplier partners. The 10 finalists were chosen from 108 entries representing eight countries around the world. The awards recognize and reward employees and suppliers for innovative ideas that achieve one of the fundamental corporate objectives of DaimlerChrysler - environmental responsibility.
"DaimlerChrysler is a big company, with operations and facilities all over the world," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer of the Chrysler Group. "We believe that with our great size comes great responsibility - to our employees, our customers, our shareholders and our neighbors. DaimlerChrylser acts on its commitment to the environment because it's the right thing to do, and it makes good business sense."
Following are descriptions of the five winning entrants.
* The Chrysler Group worked with Gage Products and Valvoline to develop a process to redistill and then use recycled engine coolant at its 11 U.S. and Canandian assembly plants. Through this process, more than 60 million pounds of used ethylene glycol (EG) is not released into the environment for each model year that the extended life coolant is used. The use of this redistilled coolant also saves 10 cents per gallon, and encourages the collection of used coolant. As a result of this project, newly developed standards for extended life coolant are being considered by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
* In Sindelfingen, Germany, employees and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) developed the process to use natural fibers locally-found in South Africa for fiber reinforced rear shelves for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The product contains 70 percent natural fibers of locally produced sisal and cotton. Originally implemented in 1994 in Brazil, this project was further developed in Germany as a replacement for glass fibers, which improves environmental compatibility for production and natural fiber consumes only about one third of the energy that is required for glass fiber production.
* Over an eight year period of time, the Chrysler Group, PPG Industries and BASF Coatings Division made significant changes to paint materials and processes at Belvidere (IL), Warren Truck (MI), Jefferson North (Detroit, MI), Sterling Heights (MI), Newark (DE), St. Louis (MO) and Toledo (OH) assembly plants. These changes reduced the emissions of hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, toxic release inventory substances and hazardous waste, resulting in improvements in air quality in the communities near our plants. This innovation also saved $70 million and was recognized by the Council on Economic Priorities, SAE Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award and Governor's award.
* The Chrysler Group created a solvent management partnership along with its supply partners to create a group-wide process to manage solvents and cleaners in the paint shops of all 11 U.S. and Canadian assembly plants. The process created a single point of accountability for materials and control of regulated emissions, resulting in significant reductions in waste, volatile organic coumpound emissions, and reduced costs for solvents and cleaners. This project also was recognized by SAE Environmental Excellence in Transportation Award.
* In partnership with suppliers, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programs/Global Environment Facility, DaimlerChrysler developed a clean air initiative in Brazil. This project involved two initiatives, the first being fuel cell buses for urban transportation in Latin American cities. The second was a program that focused on reversing the deterioration of urban air quality resulting from rapid urbanization, increased vehicle transportation and industrial production by bringing together the efforts of leaders from the various disciplines. These efforts have improved air quality and can be used as a model for expansion into other countries. This has also resulted in the development of a clean technologies resource which will provide comprehensive information on cleaner vehicles and fuel technologies.
The Jeep Liberty won Popular Science's top award, the Design & Engineering Award, largely for its innovative new suspension which provides strong off-road capability while delivering good traction and a comfortable ride on the street.
In keeping with Daimler-Benz's decree that Chrysler must focus only on its "home market" of North America, Chrysler is abandoning its highly - even incredibly - successful LeMans efforts, including the backing of Viper-racing Team ORECA.
To quote Chrysler, "The program originally produced two Chrysler brand-sponsored, Mopar V-8-powered Le Mans Prototype-class sports cars for participation in the 2000 French road-racing classic. In the 2001 event, the program expanded to three entries. Team ORECA -- Chrysler's Signes, France-based development partner -- fielded the racing prototypes....The Mopar engine, developed by John Caldwell, will be offered by Caldwell's California-based company, CDI. The 6.0-liter aluminum V-8 engine block is sold through DaimlerChrysler's Mopar Performance Parts division. An alcohol-burning version of it will continue to race in the Pennzoil World of Outlaws, where it powers the 1999 series champion Mark Kinser. The Mopar engine, developed by John Caldwell, will be offered by Caldwell's California-based company, CDI. The 6.0-liter aluminum V-8 engine block is sold through DaimlerChrysler's Mopar Performance Parts division. An alcohol-burning version of it will continue to race in the Pennzoil World of Outlaws, where it powers the 1999 series champion Mark Kinser."
Chrysler said it was redirecting its efforts to creating the next-generation Viper, including the Competition Coupe.
Some time ago, we noted the J.D. Power initial quality results, and a few days ago, we brought up 1997 model year long-term reliability survey results. We thought it may be a good time to briefly revisit J.D. Power's 2001 model year initial quality findings. Chrysler had 137 defects per 100 vehicles, slightly more than Honda (135) but less than Saturn (139), Audi, or Mercury, among others. Not surprisingly, Lexus was the leader overall, with Toyota beating all non-luxury brands (121). Mercedes actually had a good showing (129), but was beaten by Cadillac (126) and Toyota! Plymouth was better than average (145) and, for that matter, better than many GM brands and better than Ford or Lincoln. Dodge was below average, possibly due to the inclusion of trucks and SUVs. Jeep was also below average.
We believe the next round of survey results is due in May 2002.
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