Chrysler recalling 2011-2012 Chargers and 300s

Chrysler Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 119,072 U.S.-market 2011 and 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans built prior to December 20, 2011..

The cause of the recall is a plastic insert surrounding a fuse that may be subject to distortion caused by thermal expansion and contraction. Such distortion could interrupt power to the ABS/ESC control system and temporarily suspend its function.

If the condition occurs, the ABS/ESC warning lamp will illuminate. However, basic brake function is still fully available.

Recalled vehicles will be fitted a new fuse which also will be relocated.

“Despite a small number of incidents, we concluded it was in the best interest of our customers to repair the vehicles and eliminate the potential for this condition to occur,” said David Dillon, Head of Product Investigations and Campaigns, Chrysler Group LLC.

Chrysler Group LLC is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Chrysler production hikes

Chrysler’s April 2012 production report shows increased production for both cars and trucks in the U.S.,  Canada, and Mexico, the sole countries where they are made.

Chrysler 200 production is up 1,800 units, with sedan outnumbering convertibles by around 10:1 — a steeper ratio than last year, due to an increase in sedans coupled with a decrease in convertibles. So far this year, though, both styles have increased.  Caliber’s gone from production but Avenger put on around 2,800 cars, so that U.S. Dodge car production fell by around 1,200 units overall.

As for the Canadian cars, Chrysler 300 shot up from 5,924 made last April to 9,121 made this April; Challenger likewise rose from 2,904 to  4,358. Charger fell slightly.

Chrysler apparently expects minivan demand to increase, because many more are on the schedule: 16,695 Caravans and 11,021 Town & Countries, both large increases from last year’s 11,835 and 7,629, respectively. Just 720 Cargo Vans were made, along with 517 Volkswagen Routans, a drop from last April’s 796; for the year, Routan is less than half the production it was in 2011.

Ram saw a decline in US-built trucks from 27,659 to 22,358, likely reflecting a drop in light-duty pickup demand, since the Mexican side also saw a drop, from 2,332 to 1,624. Heavy Duty Rams are doing better, with an increase from around 9,700 to around 11,240.  Jeep is shooting up in production, from 49,134 to 63,442. Journey also shot up by around 3,000 units, to around 9,200.

On the Fiat side, Chrysler made 614 Flavia Cabrios (200 Convertibles), and just one Lancia Thema (Chrysler 300); so far this year, 916 have been made. The Grand Voyager is the most popular faux Lancia; 702 Lancia Voyagers were made last month, and 2,601 were made in 2012. Fiat Freemont outdoes them all, with 3,989 made in April and 19,275 for the year.

The Fiat 500 sedan, for domestic North and South American consumption, fared better, with 6,656 made — just 944 of which were convertibles. (Year to date, 500 sedans outnumber convertibles by 10:1).

Minivan replacement postponed? (Corrected)

Earlier today, a story described how the next generation of minivans may have been postponed. However, as recently as Monday, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne  said that the minivans will be on  a new platform by 2014, and a source within the plan said that the retooling downtime remains on the schedule for calendar year 2013.

Even if the story leaked earlier, presumably as part of CAW contract negotiations, was true and the minivans were not due for a complete replacement until 2017, the minivans could be upgraded dramatically within their current basic structure. Observers expect the Chrysler Town & Country and, if reports of the Grand Caravan’s demise are not accurate, its Dodge sibling to get substantial upgrades, including a nine-speed ZF automatic which would raise gas mileage and acceleration; further interior upgrades; sheet metal changes; and updates to the electronic infrastructure to allow the next-generation UConnect systems and other improvements. Many expect the minivans to get the new 3.2 liter Pentastar V6 when it arrives, possibly replacing the 3.6 and possible joining it. Hybrid versions and sports editions have been mentioned as possibilities, albeit unlikely ones, along with using a VM diesel (as European Chrysler Voyagers do). These upgrades would not depend on a move to a new platform.

Chrysler has had the sales lead in minivans in the US and Canada every year since 1984, albeit in one year only by adding the Chrysler and Dodge versions together. In most years, both (or all three) Chrysler vans were the sales leaders. Recently, Honda and Toyota have made inroads, but have not taken over despite Chrysler’s cutbacks (cutting the short wheelbase version and moving to a shared suspension tuning in 2008, and using a single engine starting in 2011).

Many expect the Dodge Grand Caravan to be dropped from the American roster in 2013 or 2014. Sergio Marchionne has talked about going with one minivan and one Pacifica-like minivan-based crossover; in Canada the Grand Caravan is a perennial favorite, while in the US customers have flocked to the higher-priced Chrysler version.

Chrysler plants: no summer break

Chrysler announced today that several plants are not being shut down for the traditional two-week summer break. These plants are Jefferson North, Detroit (Grand Cherokee, Durango); Belvidere, Illinois (Dart, Compass, Patriot); Toluca, Mexico (500, Journey); and Toledo Supplier Park, Ohio (Wrangler).

Two more will only close for one week rather than two: Sterling Heights, Michigan (Avenger and 200) and Saltillo, Mexico (Ram).

Other plants are taking the usual two-week break: Brampton, Canada (300, Charger, Challenger); Warren, Michigan (Ram); Windsor, Canada (minivans); and Toledo North, Ohio (Liberty).