Belvidere to see Fiat reps

A large group of 30 Fiat representatives will be at the Belvidere plant on Monday May 4th, according to our correspondents. Rumors are circulating that the Fiat people may want to bring a new SUV or other vehicle to the flex-capable plant, which was set up to make the Patriot, Caliber, Compass, and one unrelated [...]

Chrysler sales plummet in November; Dodge still strong brand

Chrysler sales plunged 47.1 percent in November as tight credit and consumer concerns about the economy took a toll on the entire industry. Compounding the matter was buyer uncertainty about the future of Chrysler and the other American automakers. In its loan request to Congress, General Motors cited a study by CNW Marketing Research that [...]

Chrysler Canada polishes up Jeep Patriot and Compass

In Canada, the Jeep Patriot and Compass boast best-in-class fuel economy of 40 (Imperial) mpg (8.9 L/100 km city 7.1 L/100 km highway) and starting prices of less than $17,000 for Patriot and less than $18,000 for Compass. As in the US, they feature a redesigned instrument panel, door trim panels and centre console with [...]

All Belvidere employees offered buyouts; plant to stay open

Detroit News just broke the story: Chrysler is offering buyouts to all 2,600 employees at the Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois, along Route 80. Chrysler’s Ed Saenz said all 2,400 union and 200 administrative employees would be offered voluntary separation packages. The plant, which makes the closely related Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Compass [...]

Correction: Plymouth Road Office Complex still in use

Last week, two sources claimed that the Plymouth Road Office Complex (PROC), currently home to part of Jeep/Truck Engineering, was being vacated, after over 80 continuous years of use by Kelvinator (as an appliance factory), AMC, and Chrysler.
This turned out to be wrong – the second time in a brief period such disinformation has been [...]

Chrysler reports 35% decline in sales, in line with industry

Chrysler announced that its October 2008 sales in the United States were 94,530 units, a 35% drop from October 2007. By comparison, GM sales dropped 45%, Toyota 23%, and Ford 32%.
Jim Press, Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President, commented that, “…despite this marketplace downturn, our critically important Dodge Ram launch is on schedule and our [...]

Jeep Compass Overland concept for Europe

Jeep Compass Overland

 
The Jeep Compass Overland prototype takes the Compass upscale with safety, connectivity and audio features, and exterior styling cues from the Overland models of Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Inside are a redesigned interior and unique, embroidered seats designed for additional comfort.

The interior includes redesigned instrument panels, center consoles and door trim [...]