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Big Day for the new Chrysler

August 6, 2007 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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As Chrysler pulls the wraps of some new signage at the Chrysler world headquarters in Auburn Hills Michigan, employees are greeted to a First Day celebration on the front lawn by Tom LaSorda and new Chairman Bob Nardilli. That’s right, there is a new chief in town. In fact, there is a lot of new happenings at Chrysler these days as the automaker tries to reinvent itself under the new ownership of Cerebus Inc.

This morning’s festivities included vehicle displays and state of the union type speeches from LaSorda and Nardilli. Perhaps more important then the motivation of thousands of employees in attendance are the actual changes that have been announced.

First off, the brand is returning to it’s roots visual, by resurrecting the Pentastar that identified the company from 1962 until 9 years ago. The new Chrysler has a lot riding on the heritage of the old Chrysler and they are hoping this will bring on some fond memories from consumers.

It was announced yesterday that Nardilli, ex of Home Depot will take over as Chairman and CEO, while LaSorda will stay on board as Vice Chairman and President.

In keeping with the rebuilding the brand theme, a new ad campaign is being launched today. The New Chrysler: Get Ready for the Next Hundred Years ties in strongly with the recent news of a lifetime powertrain warranty.

These are obviously exciting days for anyone in the Chrysler world. There is little question that many consumers who might not have given Chrysler products a second glance will be making a trip to their local Chrysler showroom. With that warranty, why wouldn’t they?
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Miami renters rejoice: First 08 Sebring ragtop comes off the line

June 6, 2007 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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That’s right folks, pretty soon Bubbe & Zaidy will be able to cruise their fave Miami hot spots in a shiny new 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Thanks to Chrysler’s flexible production line in Sterling Heights Michigan, the first new Sebring convertible is now being produced on the same line as the hard top Sebring and Avenger cousin.

Full press release with info on the plant and Sebring after the break
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2008 Dodge Challenger to be built right here in Ontario

February 16, 2007 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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It looks like Ontario is set to become the muscle car capital of North America. Following The General’s decision to build the next generation Camaro in Oshawa, Chrysler has announced that it’s new machine will be built at it’s Brampton plant. When production begins in the summer of 2008, that will bring the total models built in Brampton to 7. It’s a good time to be an autoworker in Ontario these days.

For someone who spends a good chunk of time reading automotive stuff, I missed the fact that Chrysler is about to lay off 2000 people at Brampton. Perhaps not such a good time to work for Chrysler, even with exciting products coming down the pipe.

Chrysler press release after the break
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AMG to offer hi po packages for track hounds

August 31, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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Mercedes-AMG is offering significant performance packages for select AMG models whose owners want a more serious track day car. Working on the premise that these cars already have more than enough power, the packages focus on upgrading brakes and suspension. Of course no track pack would be complete without new rims and tires. Packages are available for the SLK 55 AMG, CLS 63 AMG and SL 55 AMG models.

DaimlerChrysler press release and more pics after the break

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Smart Fortwo bows out with a red mist

August 31, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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It’s hard to believe that over the last few years they have built and sold over 750,000 of the Smart Fortwo. Really, it is actually more like 8 years, but we’ve only had them here in Canada for 2 or 3 years. Smart designers are seeing red at the end of the current model’s production run and have decided to offer the Edition Red.

Set to be released at next month’s Paris Motor Show, the Edition Red offers a bunch of upgrades, available in any colour you like, as long as it’s red. The interior is treated to Leather and Alcantara with some fancy stitching, air conditioning and an mp3 interface and aluminum pedals.

On the performance side, this micro is a veritable beast. The stock engine has been replaced with a 75 bhp BRABUS unit coupled to a sport exhaust.

DaimlerChrysler press release and lots of pics after the break

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Mika Hakkinen becomes ambassador for MobileKids

August 23, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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Two time Formula 1 World Champion and two time dad Mika Hakkinen and DaimlerChrysler have teamed up with a new project called MobileKids. Aimed at kids and teens, MobileKids teaches kids how to be smart on the road, from seatbelt use to helmet use when riding a bike. This is a great program, now if they can just figure out a way to get all those parents out there to teach by example, all of our kids would be safer.

another pic and the press release after the break

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Could Challenger be built in CANADA?

July 4, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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With news coming last weekend that DaimlerChrysler has given the new Challenger concept the green light, plant workers all over North America must be drooling at the thought that they may get to build the beast. The blogosphere is alive with the news and so is traditional media. Over at Leftlane News, they have reported that the Brampton, Ontario plant will built the Retro Rocket, but hold on a minute there bucko. They’ve actually misread the Globe and Mail article they are quoting from. The globe reports that the Brampton plant is the leading contendor in the race to win the gig. Their production numbers, along with the fact that the other models on the same platform are built here. As sales on the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300C have dropped, the extra 30-40,000 Challengers would allow the plant to add another shift.

Now, if GM would just announce that Camaro production will come back to Oshawa, all will be right in the muscle car world.

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Maybach – Fit for a King

May 23, 2006 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

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On Sunday afternoon, King Juan Carlos I of Spain accepted delivery on his new wheels, a “Cote D’azur” blue Maybach Saloon. His time with the car began with a heck of a test drive. His Majesty, joined by DaimlerChrysler head honcho Dr. Dieter Zetsche, took the 612 hp monster on a tour of the Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya.

This event allows the Maybach brand to continue the tradition of supplying vehicles to Royals that spans back to the 1920’s. The catch in this case is the happy coincidence that this Royal is a known automotive enthusiast. He will spend the next few months driving the car and reporting his opinions back to the factory.

The interior of this particular car is adorned with special silver ornaments on the shifter, center console and ash trays, made by london silversmith Patrick Mavros.

Source: DaimlerChryslerAG

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