"Hello. my name is Ed Dancel. I've been selling cars for Southfield Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram since 1997. Yup, that long. I really love this dealership and what I do here. In fact I still find it very excting when I see my customers drive off in their brand new cars with big smiles on their faces. It's amazing how many relationships I've made over the years just selling cars. My customers know and trust me and they come back to me again and again. My job is to make sure that they get the best possible service, the best possible deal and to make sure that their buying experience is fun, easy, painless, quick and convenient."
Get your latest and greatest news and information about me, my dealership, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram here. I'll be updating this site regularly...so please visit often.
Chrysler Group LLC plans to kill the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, but will continue production of the Dodge Caravan, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The company already announced that it would produce only one of the vehicles, which share a common architecture, going forward. But Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne had previously suggested the Caravan would be the one getting the bullet in 2014.
Now, Marchionne has told Automobile magazine that production of the Dodge version will continue at the company's factory in Windsor, , while the Town & Country will be replaced by a new Chrysler crossover. The decision was confirmed Tuesday by a company source.
Marchionne decided to keep the Caravan because it was the first minivan, launched by former Chrysler boss Lee Iacocca himself in 1983. Since then, minivans have gone from being heralded as utilitarian phenoms to the much-maligned butt of many jokes. But these successors to the station wagon remain prized by the Pampers and playdate set.
"Frankly, when you have a family, there are few alternatives that have the utility of a minivan," said Aaron Bragman, senior analyst at IHS Automotive. "You can't push a button and open the rear doors on a crossover like you can on a minivan. It's a big market still."
In fact, 472,398 minivans were sold in the United States last year.
And while other automakers — notably Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. — replaced their minivans with more curvaceous crossovers years ago, Chrysler has remained a major player, vying with the likes of Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. for dominance in the segment.
Dodge and Chrysler combined sold 200,000 of their minivans in 2011: 110,862 Caravans and 94,320 Town & Countrys.
"I don't really see an advantage one way or another, but there is more upward room with a crossover," Bragman said, adding that creating a new Chrysler crossover probably makes more sense as part of Marchionne's global strategy.
He is also the head of Fiat SpA, which includes the more upmarket Lancia brand. And Bragman sees some real opportunities there.
"The international market for the minivan is limited. Having a larger crossover, on the other hand, could be an advantage — particularly for Lancia. They are looking at it on a global stage."
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a strange Jeep indeed. It is more at home on the race track than on the Rubicon Trail. Think of it more as a all wheel drive tarmac tearing machine instead of an off-road worthy SUV. We recently had the chance to interview the Chrysler's SRT Brand CEO and designer Ralph Gilles about the design of the new Jeep SRT8.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The top stories from Chrysler Group LLC for the week of May 25, 2012: Stories include: Sergio Marchionne Belvidere visit, Dodge Dart Global Rallycross, Grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and No Payments for 90 Days promotion.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Learn the story behind the 2012 Mopar Wrangler Apache and the new 392 HEMI conversion kit including time lapse footage of the build!
Jeep enthusiasts have been asking for a V-8 powered Jeep HEMI Wrangler, and Mopar came through. Debuted at the Easter Jeep Safari was the new Mopar 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine conversion kit specifically for the Jeep Wrangler. Producing approximately 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels, the Mopar V-8 conversion kit gives Jeep enthusiasts an unprecedented blend of power and capability.
Available this summer, the Mopar Wrangler V-8 conversion kit initially will mate to Chrysler Group's W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission, and eventually to the six-speed manual transmission that drives the 2012 production Wrangler.
Other performance parts on the Jeep Wrangler Apache are Mopar Pro 60 5.13 front and rear axles, a 4.5-inch Stage 3 long arm lift kit and off-road bead-lock wheels. Aesthetic and functional modifications include high-clearance flat fenders, rock rails, front and rear half-door kits, a Stinger front bumper, a Warn 9.5ti XP winch, Katzkin leather seats, a locking center console box and a Mopar branded interior.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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This video features quick highlights from Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne's tour of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois today. In addition to meeting plant members, seeing World Class Manufacturing in action, and celebrating the production of the all-new Dodge Dart, Marchionne also addressed employees and answered media questions later during the event.
Published on May 24, 2012 by PentastarVideo
Speech by Chrysler Group LLC Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne to employees at the Belvidere (Illinois) Assembly Plant on May 24, 2012.
2013 Dodge Dart. Coming soon to a Chrysler Dealership near you.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
Visit the Happy Car Salesman, Ed Dancel at Southfield Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon can both venture off-road into the Colorado Rockies, but one of these vehicles is certainly more capable of taking on the rough stuff, and of course of these vehicles is better on the road, and of course one of these cars is faster 0-60. So which one is the better, faster, on-road and off-road. We put these two cars to the test in the 0-60 Off-Road Mashup Review. Check out this video. You mighty be surprised by the results.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The 2013 Dodge Dart is all new and available with three different engine choices, five different models and hundreds of different configurations. But how does it stack up in a very crowded market segment that includes some of the most popular cars sold around the world? We had the chance to compare the 2013 Dodge Dart (head to head) against the best selling Honda Civic, the Ford Focus, the Chevy Cruze, the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla to see which of these cars offers the most value, performance and features in this unique TFLcar mashup review.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Nancy Anderson, a realtor from Las Vegas, test drives a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the National Association of REALTORS Conference and Expo. Nancy talks about what she needs in a work vehicle and why she likes the Grand Cherokee.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Chrysler Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne deliberately kept expectations low at the beginning of this year.
Aside from the low-volume SRT Viper, there would be only one all-new major vehicle introduction: the Dodge Dart.
Even so, Chrysler's U.S. sales through April have increased by a third -- nearly triple the industry average.
Left for dead just three years ago, Chrysler has gained market share -- 11.6% for the first four months, compared with 9.6% a year ago. Ford and General Motors, on the other hand, have lost ground as Asian automakers recover from last year's tsunami.
"Now we've got the (new) products, we've got the highest quarterly earnings in 13 years," said Reid Bigland, Chrysler's head of U.S. sales.
Some brush aside the results, suggesting any improvement after a bankruptcy looks impressive. Others point to a heavy reliance on fleet sales, such as to rental companies.
But there's no denying several factors are contributing to the performance above and beyond the main competition.
• Higher quality, including vastly improved interiors, on 20 models introduced since 2009 means vehicles are retaining more value. Dealers no longer resort to big incentives and rebates to persuade buyers. And the higher trade-in values mean owners can better afford a new vehicle three or four years after the first purchase.
According to ALG, a company that tracks vehicle values at the end of leases, future predicted values of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicles are higher now than in 2007.
"The market seems to be responding positively to their products," Larry Dominique, executive vice president of ALG, said in an e-mail.
• There's also evidence that Chrysler is pursuing buyers with lower credit scores than most of its rivals, said Jessica Caldwell, analyst for Edmunds.com. She credits Chrysler for seeing the opportunity.
"If you are one of the few people in that business ... all of the sudden you have opened up yourself to a lot of new customers," she said.
She said 1 of 5 Dodge buyers in April financed their loan with an interest rate of at least 10%. In contrast, just 1 of 10 Chevrolet buyers and an even-lower rate of Ford buyers paid 10% or more, an interest rate indicating a credit score of less than 700.
Chrysler dealers say the increase reflects the financial market's willingness to provide loans at more flexible terms.
"Ally (Financial) and some of the banks are buying deeper. The FICO scores are somewhat less," said Michael Fohrman, a Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram dealer in Gurnee, Ill.
• Chrysler's mix of fleet sales is lower than Ford's and only slightly higher than GM's. TrueCar.com says fleet sales accounted for 29.7% of Chrysler's U.S. sales in the first quarter, compared with about 27.7% for GM and about 32.3% for Ford.
'Market has responded'
Some models, such as the Chrysler 200, are still benefitting from the rapid makeover Fiat put Chrysler through in 2010 and 2011, said Cass Burch, a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealer in Valdosta and Quitman, Ga.
"The average manufacturer attacks three or four cars each year. ... Chrysler did 16 vehicles at one time, so it is such a shocking improvement that the market has responded," Burch said. Armed with higher-quality vehicles and improved fuel economy, the company has cut incentives. "Now, we just put enough incentives on a car to be competitive," Burch said.
Autodata says Chrysler's incentives increased 8.3% in the first four months of this year to $3,274. Chrysler disputes the figure and says its incentives actually decreased 3% to $3,200 in the first quarter. Either way, it's less than in 2008 when incentives topped $4,000, according to Autodata.
Becoming believers
Less than three years ago, dealers questioned an ambitious five-year plan laid out by Marchionne to save Chrysler.
Now, dealers from northern Illinois to suburban Philadelphia to rural Georgia gush about the chief executive.
At Fohrman's dealership in Gurnee, Ill., sales are up about 20% this year. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wranglers are among the best-selling products.
David Kelleher, a dealer in Glen Mills, Pa., said sales are up 42% into May.
It's an irony that sales in metro Detroit are not as strong, said Dan Frost, owner of Southfield Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram. He sold 310 cars and trucks in April, compared with 312 during the same month last year.
Local metro Detroit dealers rely on Chrysler employees for the majority of sales. Frost speculates those workers who lived through Chrysler's near-collapse in 2009 still fear for their futures.
Boding well for Chrysler sales is that the most important launches this year haven't even happened yet -- the compact Dart and updated Ram 1500.
The Dart goes on sale in June and a Ram with a new engine and transmission this fall. "I would sum it up by saying it's good being a Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Jeep dealer," said Fohrman. "You could not have said that two or three years ago."
2012 Dodge Charger SRT8. MotoMan meets the CEO of Chysler's new SRT brand, Ralph Gilles to learn about its mission. While circling Willow Srings, they discuss SRT's latest product, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, as well as design, engineering and hint at future products.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Chrysler has come out of the box with high performance cars across their model lineup range. The SRT8 series of cars gives Fiat a higher profile. Chrysler is forecast to out perform Fiat's profits, excluding the Ferrari and Maserati line.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The top stories from Chrysler Group LLC for the week of May 18, 2012. Stories include: Automobility program event, Wards Autoworld honors Dodge Dart and Chrysler 300 interiors, Michigan governor Rick Snyder visits Chrysler Group headquarters, and Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Both the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 300 Luxury were honored with Ward's 10 Best Interiors Awards. The awards were presented to Klaus Busse, Head of Interior Design, Chrysler Group LLC, Larry Williams, Head of Interior Engineering and Jon Gaudreau, Interior Design Manager - Chrysler 300 at the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference in Dearborn, MI.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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May is National Mobility Month. The Chrysler Group held an event this week called Automobility in the Auburn Hills Tech Center for employees to learn more about the company's efforts in working with suppliers and upfitters to make vehicles across our brands accessible to people with disabilities.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
Visit the Happy Car Salesman, Ed Dancel at Southfield Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
Watch the live reveal of the all-new 2013 RAM 1500. From Best-in-Class Fuel Economy to Class-Leading Technology, the 2013 RAM 1500 sets the bar for what's to come. Fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, innovation without sacrificing reliability, comfort without sacrificing capability -- Guts, Glory, RAM.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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On this episode of The Downshift, we head to the 2012 Easter Jeep Safari to check out Jeep's Mighty FC Concept. Watch this rock-ready concept conquer the Moab terrain alongside its military forebearer, a 1964 Jeep Forward Control.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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Bob Hegbloom, Director of the Ram Truck Brand, discusses the technology features of the new 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Most notably, this brand new edition to the RAM lineup introduces the technology of downloadable apps to the truck market. No one else in the industry has this type of technology.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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What is ESC? Electronic stability control, or ESC, uses the speed sensors on each wheel and the ability to brake individual wheels that are the basis of antilock brakes. ESC adds a control unit that monitors steering wheel angle and vehicle rotation around the vehicle's vertical axis. This unit uses the steering and rotation information to detect that the vehicle is about to travel in a direction different from the one indicated by the steering wheel position. Then ESC automatically brakes the appropriate wheel to help the driver maintain control. In many cases engine power also is reduced.
How ESC helps drivers maintain control: A driver loses control when the vehicle goes in a direction different from the one indicated by the position of the steering wheel. This typically occurs when a driver tries to turn very hard (swerve) or to turn on a slippery road. Then the vehicle may understeer or oversteer.
When a vehicle understeers it turns less than the driver intended and continues in a forward direction because the front wheels have insufficient traction. When it oversteers it turns more than the driver intended because the rear end is spinning or sliding out. ESC can prevent understeering and oversteering by briefly braking the appropriate wheel. In many cases engine power also is reduced.
Eleven 2012 Chrysler Group LLC Models Named Top Safety Picks by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named 11 models from Chrysler Group LLC as Top Safety Picks for 2012. The 2012 models include the Chrysler Town & Country, 300 and 200; Dodge Grand Caravan, Durango, Charger, Journey and Avenger; Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Patriot and the Fiat 500. The IIHS annually recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover and rear crashes based on a “good” rating in a series of tests conducted by the Institute.
Additionally, the vehicles must be equipped with standard electronic stability control systems.
Following their introduction last year, both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger return again after achieving the highest ratings. Both models received ‘good’ ratings in all four categories.
Also returning to the list are the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and Chrysler 200. The three models were introduced last year and received top marks from the institute too. Dodge Avenger and Journey have been named Top Safety Picks by IIHS for four consecutive years.
Recently, the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, along with the 2012 Fiat 500, were named Top Safety Picks. Both minivans offer more than 40 standard or available safety features. The 2012 models of Town & Country and Grand Caravan received strength-to-weight ratio ratings of 4.51, among the highest of the minivans tested and above the IIHS requirement of 4.0. The U.S. government’s minimum requirement is 1.5.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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On this episode of Ignition, Carlos Lago gets rained-out at the test track, and decides to head out on the open road in search of adventure in the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The Street and Racing Technology (SRT) performance engineering team builds upon the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan already executed for a world-class luxury experience, to deliver Chrysler's most powerful and best handling model ever.
Performance numbers include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds, top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.
The return of the 300 SRT8 to the Chrysler lineup in 2012 evokes a strong comparison to the original high-performance production car of its time -- the 1955 Chrysler 300. Known for simple, strong lines, excellent engineering, high levels of luxury and outstanding performance with the first modern American V-8 engine to produce 300 horsepower, the first Chrysler 300 (C-300) was styled by Virgil Exner, who radically redesigned the entire Chrysler line and created what they called "The Forward Look" in 1955. Without much chrome on the sides, his designs were simple, but strong. Exner is credited with creating the illusion of fast, forward movement.
The Chrysler C-300 won on both the road course and the "flying mile" at Daytona in 1955. In 1956, the Chrysler 300B model won both events again. In fact, the Chrysler 300s dominated NASCAR competition in 1955 and 1956, taking the overall championship in both years. A legendary and luxurious performance car was born. The "letter cars" quickly became the most desirable of the Chrysler lineup and became known as the "Beautiful Brutes."
Awe-inspiring powertrain
Under the hood of the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, the new 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 makes its debut in the Chrysler brand product lineup delivering 470 horsepower (351 kW) and 470 (637 N•m) lb.-ft. of torque, up 45 horsepower and 50 lb.-ft. over the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces.
The improved torque output -- including an additional 80 lb.-ft. at 2,900 rpm -- allows for inspired standing starts and improved straight-line performance while new, performance-tuned motor mounts improve idle stability and ride control at any speed. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power.
Even with the elevated power numbers, an estimated 25-percent fuel economy increase on the highway is achieved by use of a new-for-2012 active valve exhaust system that allows the standard Fuel Saver Technology (four-cylinder mode) to engage over a wider rpm range. The new active exhaust system also allows for straight-through mid and rear mufflers for a throaty exhaust note under engine load.
The proven five-speed automatic transmission features new, standard steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that join the center console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the race track. Both methods give the driver the ability to manually select specific gears on the transmission.
In "Drive," the transmission controller will automatically shift the vehicle. The aggressiveness of the shifting is defined by the mode chosen -- either "Normal" or "Sport". Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain more responsive while minimizing harshness.
In "Manual," the shift method is defined by the driver choosing to use either paddle shift or Auto Stick. The "Sport" mode adds a hold function to the calibration in all gears, allowing the driver full control of the shifting schedule.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the benchmark in automotive performance testing circuits. With well over 30,000 laps on the 'ring to her credit, Queen of the 'ring Sabine Schmitz pilots the capable Grand Cherokee SRT8 around the Green Hell.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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DETROIT — Automakers are turning to buyers like 64-year-old Martin Friedman for the same reason Willie Sutton robbed banks.
That’s where the money is.
Friedman, who retired three years ago, recently leased a 2012 Cadillac SRX. He’s happy because he’s driving a comfortable new luxury vehicle. His dealership is happy because, God-willing, Friedman will be back in 24 months when his lease ends to get another car.
Baby boomers’ retirement savings may have taken a hit during the financial crisis. Their inheritances may have shrunk as their parents may be living longer and in need of expensive care. But they’re buying new cars like never before.
Those age 50 and older are buying more than three of every five new vehicles sold, or about 62 percent, according to a new study from J.D. Power and AARP. That’s up from 39 percent in 2001 when Power began tracking the data.
For the Detroit Three, boomers now account for 67 percent of all sales.
“The amazing thing is the retirees. They’re coming in waves,” said Dan Frost, owner of Cadillac of Novi and Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram dealerships in Southfield and Taylor, Mich. “They used to be cash buyers. Now we’re getting them into leases so they come back in a few years.”
The flip side of the research: Those between 18 and 34 make up just 13 percent of the market, down from 24 percent in 2001.
“Boomers can afford to buy new vehicles. Millennials cannot. The numbers don’t lie,” said Mark Bradbury, director of integrated marketing at AARP Media.
Charles Ballard, Michigan State University economist, said “a substantial portion of it has to be a result of income shifts ... The Great Recession has visited a lot of pain upon those who are early in their careers.”
Demographers define baby boomers as those born between 1946 and 1964, and generally as the crush of children born post-World War II. Millennials are the generation born anytime after the late 1970s.
The research raises the question of whether automakers’ vigorous efforts to reach younger buyers through social media or targeted reality shows, such as Ford’s “Escape Routes,” are generating much return. There are older consumers spending significant time on social media and watching shows aimed at their children.
But until the incomes of more millennials stabilize and grow, the question will persist.
“You can’t build any loyalty among people who are not paying attention,” said AARP’s Bradbury.
To be sure, Americans older than 50 already make up a larger percentage of the population, about 42 percent, up from 37 percent in 2000, census data show. But from 2000-2010, the over-50 crowd’s new vehicle purchasing increased at a much faster clip than the percentage population increase in that age group, making their purchasing power disproportionately stronger.
Conversely, 18- to 34-year-olds are much less likely to buy a new car, though their portion of the population has remained steady — 23.2 percent in 2010 vs. 23.8 percent in 2000.
Charles Ballard, Michigan State University economist, said “a substantial portion of it has to be a result of income shifts ... The Great Recession has visited a lot of pain upon those who are early in their careers.”
AARP’s Bradbury said the median income of those 50 and older is $67,537 compared with $55,856 for the 18-to-34 demographic.
Boomers on average have investments that are worth $107,833, roughly four times the $23,490 value of a millennial’s portfolio.
“The average price of a new vehicle is slightly over $30,000. We tend to forget that,” said Tom Libby, senior automotive analyst with R.L. Polk in Southfield. “For a 22-year-old, that’s a lot of money.”
By Greg Gardner - The Republic
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The top stories from Chrysler Group LLC for the week of May 11, 2012: Stories include: Dodge Dart Job One, Sergio Marchionne named Michigan Manufacturer of the Year, Brad Keselowski wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and Kokomo, Ind., employees volunteer in their community.
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The sedans of the 1970s were boring. The vans of the same decade were behemoths. The station wagons were, stylistically speaking, dated in the 1970s. At the dawn of a new decade, Chrysler converged all three into a vehicle that revolutionized the auto industry.
When the company introduced the minivan at the end of 1983, it had an instant success on its hands, one that helped rescue it from the brink of bankruptcy.
In his new book, “Engines of Change,” Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Ingrassia calls the Chrysler minivan one of the 15 most influential vehicles in automotive history. That influence, though, wasn’t exclusive to Chrysler’s recovery, or the auto industry in general, for that matter.
The minivan both shaped and reflected changes in American culture.
The minivan “would help define the lifestyle of a generation, or at least the lifestyles of baby boomers who were into painting the nursery instead of painting the town,” Ingrassia writes.
“All this would signal a shift in America’s love affair with the automobile from sleek cars to tall and burly trucks, a change that would resonate with America’s restless national psyche in the last two decades of the twentieth century.”
By the end of their first full year in production, Chrysler sold 210,000 minivans. Over the course of nearly three decades, the company alone has sold more than 12 million.
Three decades later, Chrysler still leads the industry in minivan sales. But it has competitors that have copied it and even bested it in some cases. Here is our take on Chrysler's competition.
by Pete Bigelow | AOL Autos
Southfield Chrysler
28100 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
248-354-2950
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The Dart is back, and although its face looks very much like a Dodge, this sporty and economical compact sedan has an Italian accent.
Its ancestry is clear as the first American offspring of the Fiat-Chrysler marriage. Behind that trademark Dodge crosshair grille is a comfortable and nimble Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The nasal exhaust note of one of the Darts I drove through Texas Hill Country sounded like something that might have run on the rooftop test track at Fiat's old Lingotto factory in Turin. It's no Ferrari, but its optional 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and standard six-speed manual transmission are the same as in the Fiat 500 Abarth performance edition.
On a winding road, near where the Pedernales River moseys past the ranch of the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Dart held its own against other comparably priced compact cars: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra.
And a retro marketing plan to reach a generation of buyers born after the original Dodge Dart ended its 16-year run in 1976 will bring back a broad spectrum of options to let consumers customize their own car, straight from the factory. These options include mix-and-match interior and exterior colors, cabin technology, multiple powertrains, and high fuel efficiency.
The base $15,995 Dart SE comes with very little bling. But thanks to all the options, you can add a huge 8.4 inch center console color touch screen, voice-activated cellphone connectivity or a splash of wild color like Header Orange or Citrus Peel. A heated steering wheel in a compact? Sure. How about a 152 LED lighted "racetrack" taillight that stretches from fender to fender just like the Dodge Charger?
There is no confusing this with your father's Dart, an inexpensive and dependable midsized grocery-getter with a durable slant 6-cylinder engine. The old Dart also happened to have powerful V-8 engine options that propelled the Dart Swinger and Demon models very quickly in a straight line — making them popular with street and drag racers.
This Dart is just more continental.
Italian connection
Dodge and Fiat engineers and designers toiled side-by-side to lengthen, widen and re-sculpt the Alfa Romeo hatchback introduced in Europe three years ago.
The Dart's interior is quiet and large. The ride was Americanized, softening but still offering solid handling for a U.S. compact. It was a joy to drive on the twisting roads outside Austin and it remained quiet and comfortable through rush-hour traffic on the way back to the busy state capital.
To hear Chrysler's old hands talk, this Dart was the result of the kind of cooperation promised but never brought to fruition during the carmaker's decade of partnership with Daimler-Benz. Those barriers are gone with Fiat. Designers and engineers told me these trans-Atlantic partners scratch each other's backs instead of turning them.
The underlying architecture that resulted from the Giulietta remake is called "CUSwide," and will be the basis for making more cars, both larger and smaller. The Dart is going to be sold in China with a Fiat badge and grille.
With these kind of improvements, I've got to believe management can't get this team to redesign the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger midsized cars fast enough.
But while Dart favors the Italian side of the family when it comes to driving dynamics, it comes up short on Dodge horsepower heritage. That's because the initial objective was not a muscle car, but to get an EPA-approved 40 mpg window sticker for Dart — which hasn't happened — yet.
39 mpg not enough
Although the Dart models in showrooms next month already get good mileage, Chrysler is committed to fulfilling its public vow to build a 40 mpg compact car in the U.S. Dart's Aero model, which Dodge says will get a class-leading figure of "at least 41 mpg," will be produced this summer
The standard 160 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine got an EPA rating of 25 mpg city and 36 highway. The optional 168 horsepower, 1.4-liter, turbo engine for the SE, SXT, Rallye and Limited models is rated at 27 mpg city and 39 highway. No fuel consumption rating is available for the 184 horsepower, 2.4-liter performance engine in the $22,495 R/T model, also due this summer.
The numbers all outpace the 23 city/27 highway mpg of Dodge's compact SUV-like Caliber that never managed to fill the void for Dodge when Neon production ended seven years ago.
The Dart models will have cutting-edge aerodynamics, including composite sheathing under 90 percent of the car to smooth airflow. Electronically controlled shutters open the lower grille to cool the engine at low speeds and close to ease aerodynamic flow at higher speeds.
The Aero will be even lighter, sit lower on new suspension parts, have lighter alloy wheels, and low rolling resistance tires. It will get distinctive air deflecting fairings in front of its wheel wells. Despite its all-out economy treatment, Aero promises to remain as engaging to drive as the other models.
Dart's handling is so pleasing that there's plenty of range left to support the extra horsepower promised with the later introduction of the R/T model. Dart eventually will get turned over to Chrysler's tuning brand SRT for a serious high performance upgrade.
So there's still validity in the old Dart advertisements featuring young women in miniskirts and go-go boots. Some folks are going to see this car and get Dodge Fever.
BY DOUG GUTHRIE dguthrie@detnews.com
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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Almost 30 years after the minivan was introduced, after attacks from all sides, Chrysler Group remains on top. Now, CEO Sergio Marchionne will have to decide how best to sustain the success.
So far, the moves made by Marchionne, who is preparing to merge Chrysler with majority owner Fiat, have paid off. The choice he faces now: whether to merge Chrysler's two remaining minivans into one and whether to dramatically redesign one or both. Either way, Marchionne and his dealers are committed to Chrysler's signature product.
"I don't care if the minivan market shrinks, as long as I'm King Kong in it," said Chuck Eddy, a Chrysler dealer in Austintown, Ohio. "That is Chrysler's attitude, too. The minivan is here and the minivan won't ever go away."
Just four years after a 1979 government bailout, Chrysler chief executive officer Lee Iacocca introduced the Dodge Caravan, and minivans soon joined Ram pickups and Jeep sport utility vehicles as the company's most important product lines. To some extent, Chrysler created the minivan and the minivan saved the company.
Three decades later, Chrysler maintains its sales lead in minivans. It's one of the longest runs atop a vehicle segment in the United States, along with the 35-year pickup reign of Ford's F-Series line.
Chrysler has kept the title despite entries from Ford, Toyota, Honda and the predecessor of General Motors. Ford and GM eventually quit the segment, and Chrysler has claimed at least 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market since 2007.
Marchionne is closing in on deciding whether Chrysler still needs two entries for the U.S. minivan market. He led a complete overhaul of Chrysler's lineup in the 19 months after its bankruptcy in 2009, introducing 16 new or refreshed models. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300 sedan have drawn praise from critics, including Consumer Reports.
With its minivans, the company is "studying all options," including eliminating one of its models and then broadening the target market for the other one, said Saad Chehab, president of the Chrysler brand. Right now, the company aims to sell the Dodge Grand Caravan for less than $30,000 and its Chrysler Town & Country, which has more equipment standard, for more than $30,000.
Marchionne would have to decide which will survive.
"If it is one, you have to look at if Dodge can go up to the upper-market world of minivans, and same thing, can Chrysler really go down to capture the markets that Dodge Caravan does?" Chehab said. "It's a difficult answer."
Toyota's Sienna goes for $33,032 and Honda's Odyssey for $32,949, according to Edmunds.com data. Grand Caravans sold for $27,151 on average.
By Bloomberg News In Print: Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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Chrysler today celebrated the production of the first production version of the Dodge Dart at its assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill.
The Dart is Chrysler’s first compact car in years and was developed from the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. As such, the car symbolizes the marriage of Chrysler and Italian automaker Fiat.
Chrysler said that the first vehicle off the line was a red Dodge Dart Rallye with a black and red interior.
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be available in five trim levels with a starting U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $15,995. The first Darts will begin arriving in dealer showrooms in June.
Belvidere Assembly Plant Manager Kurt Kavajecz, left, UAW Local 1761 President Bob Cunningham and UAW Local 1268 President George Welitschinsky celebrate with employees as the first Dodge Dart rolls off the assembly line Monday, May 7, 2012. / Chrysler
By Brent Snavely Detroit Free Press Business Writer
Published on May 7, 2012 by PentastarVideo
The first Dodge Dart rolls off the assembly line at the Belvidere Assembly plant in Belvidere, IL.
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After bringing viewers up to speed on Chrysler’s plug-in minivan program and record quarterly earnings, Jessi Lang drives the 2013 Dodge Dart on this week’s episode of Wide Open Throttle.
Much like Mini, Dodge designed the all-new Dart with personalization in mind. The compact sedan comes in five trim levels with 12 paint colors, 14 interior colors and trims, and six wheel choices. Many of the Dart’s options can be picked individually and not just in a package. An 8.4-inch touch screen for the infotainment center with voice activation and back-up camera are available.
Dodge offers customers three four-cylinder engines and three six-speed transmission options. Lang was able to drive the Rallye model with the mid-range 1.4-liter turbo-four engine—from the Fiat 500 Abarth—mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Lang says the 2013 Dart has soft-touch materials where it counts and finds the interior roomy for the class. What else did Lang think of the 2013 Dodge Dart? Check out the video below to find out and don’t miss our Dodge Dart First Drive right here!
Published on May 3, 2012 by MotorTrend
Written by: Jason Udy Motor Trend
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The 2013 Dodge Dart is expected to be in dealer showrooms in June. Does it live up to all the attention it's been getting? Digital editor Andrew Stoy gives his review while taking it for a ride in the Texas countryside.
2013 Dodge Dart review: Driving fun and value in a not-so-small car
What is it?
A funny thing has happened to compact cars recently: They’ve gotten big. Our subject here, the 2013 Dodge Dart, is a perfect example of the trend, bringing midsize interior space to a car that’s priced and classified as a compact.
It’s not just marketing gibberish either: Our first experience inside the Dart had us convinced it was as big as one staffer’s Ford Fusion, a car with larger dimensions in almost every way, and Dodge claims more rear legroom than a Kia Optima, a big midsize sedan.
There’s no shortage of technology either, and Dodge has taken the unusual step of “unbundling” options -- in other words, you can get a navigation system, high-zoot stereo or funky seat color if you want it on most trim levels without having to buy an option package that may include things you don’t want.
Outside, the Dart doesn’t break any new styling ground, preferring to stick with a fairly conservative sedan design unlike some of its competitors, particularly the European-inspired Ford Focus and swoopy Hyundai Elantra. With its full-width rear taillights and subtle cross-hair grille design, though, the Dart settles into a nice middle ground between more striking sheet metal and the nearly invisible Chevrolet Cruze.
The Dart will be available in five trim levels, four of which will be in showrooms this summer. The base Dart SE will start at $16,790 yet still comes with power windows and 10 airbags, along with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and standard manual transmission (an automatic is available).
Most customers will find the Dart SXT ($18,790) and Rallye ($19,790) better suited to their needs, thanks to standard air conditioning and the availability of popular features like navigation, Bluetooth and premium audio. The SXT is also where the available turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder makes its first appearance, as does a Dart Aero model capable of 41 mpg highway.
Finally, the Dart Limited ($20,790) and Dart R/T ($23,290) load most of the equipment and technology available on other models as standard equipment, while the R/T adds a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 184 hp -- the R/T won’t be available until this fall, however.
What’s it like to live with?
We’ll deliver the punch line first: The 2013 Dodge Dart is a really good small car, offering a lot of equipment for the price even before various options are added. That holds true even on the higher-end Limited model in which we spent most of our time. Interior space is coupled with a low-set dash and ample glass all around, creating an open, airy cabin even with the all-black interior we had on our test vehicle.
For those accustomed to black, beige and gray interior options, Dodge also has a few surprises with the Dart: Depending on trim level, up to 14 different interior color and trim options are available, letting customers customize a Dart to suit their style -- a welcome change especially in the compact-car class. On the higher trim levels, leather quality is superb -- worth noting in a class of vehicle better known for vinyl-like seat textures even when leather is checked on the option box.
Taller drivers, take note: The Dart could really use adjustable pedals. Even with the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the pedals felt too high for this six-foot, one-inch driver, forcing me to bend my knees and angle my feet more than I cared to. It’s the classic Italian driving position syndrome, somewhat expected due to this car’s Alfa Romeo roots.
Those roots showed up again in the climate-control system: Italians being known for air conditioning about as much as they are for bratwurst, the system struggled to keep the black leather interior of our tester cool on a 95-degree Texas afternoon.
The Dart really shines on the open road, thanks to its quiet, roomy cabin and handling that’s nothing short of outstanding. Most Dart buyers probably won’t throw this compact around with abandon like we were able to on Texas back roads, but the car is happy to oblige should the opportunity arise. For everyday driving, it’s nice to know the Dart can zip out of harm’s way, and it’s just as confident cruising on the freeway at 80 mph.
Of the two engines offered on the non-R/T models, the 1.4-liter turbocharged I4 is better suited to enthusiasts, particularly with the six-speed manual transmission. It prefers to be revved high and doesn’t deliver a lot of punch at lower rpms. Most buyers will be happier with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder that offers a more familiar driving experience at the expense of some top-end power.
Who should consider this car?
Compact cars make up the largest single class of vehicles sold in the United States, and it’s also the fastest-growing market. That means there are lots of folks looking for good value in a small car, and they’ve had no reason to visit a Dodge showroom for the past few years. The 2013 Dart changes the equation in a big way.
Not only is the Dart a good all-around car, when pricing is factored in it becomes a veritable steal. We particularly applaud Dodge for allowing buyers to choose individual popular options without being forced into an option package, a strategy that saves consumers even more money by allowing them to get the specific features they want without having to opt for a loaded model.
Bottom line: If you’re shopping for a small car that still needs to accommodate a family, all under $22,000 extremely well-equipped, you owe it to yourself to test-drive a 2013 Dodge Dart before making your final purchase decision.
What similar cars should I consider?
Small cars have gotten very good in the past two years, and any prospective buyer should explore the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Jetta before signing any paperwork. Along with the Dodge Dart, each of these cars offers a unique take on what’s possible in small, daily transportation, and chances are one will speak to your specific needs and tastes.
Yi-hue Wen, Chrysler Group Color and Material designer, talks about the inspiration behind the many unique interior designs used throughout the cabin of the Chrysler 300 Ruyi design concept, unveiled last month at the Beijing Auto Show.
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The top stories from Chrysler Group LLC for the week of May 4, 2012: Stories include: April sales, no summer shutdown for some plants, Chrysler moves in, new Dart building wrap, and Chrysler remembers Dan Knott.
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First in a series of interviews with 2013 Dodge Dart Project Manager Cyril Benitah. Shot in and around Austin, Texas while driving a Rallye version of the Dart. In this segment Benitah talks about the initial mission in designing the Dart and its engine choices and fuel economy.
Published on May 3, 2012 by PentastarVideo
Cyril Benitah, 2013 Dodge Dart Program Manager, discusses the inspiration for, and his enthusiasm for, the new compact car with Ed Garsten, Head, Chrysler Electronic Communication, while driving the Rallye edition of the Dart in and around Austin, Texas.
Published on May 5, 2012 by PentastarVideo
Cyril Benitah, 2013 Dodge Dart Program Manager, discusses the creation of the Dart from the Alfa Romeo Guilietta platform, as he drives a Dart on roads in and around Austin, Texas.
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Chrysler said Wednesday that it will keep four plants running through July without observing the traditional two-week summer shutdown and has begun production of the Dodge Dart in Belvidere, Ill.
Belvidere, Toluca, Mexico, Toledo, and Jefferson North will stay open to keep up with demand, which for many Chrysler products continues running well ahead of the industry's overall selling pace.
The company announced earlier this week that Jefferson North in Detroit would build the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs without interruption in July.
In addition, plants in Sterling Heights and Saltillo, Mexico, will observe the summer shutdown only for one week, the company said.
Normally, the Detroit Three automakers and the UAW agree to halt production for two weeks in July because it enables the companies to balance their inventories with consumer demand and gives skilled-trades workers time to install equipment needed for new models.
But this year Chrysler needs to boost production to keep up. Its 2012 U.S. sales are up 33.4% through April from a year earlier, while industry sales have risen 10.3%.
Workers in Belvidere began framing the 2013 Dodge Dart compact car on Monday. Framing involves welding together the floor, sides and roof of a vehicle in a body shop. Chrysler invested $700 million to build a new 638,000-square-foot body shop at the factory in northwest Illinois.
Contrary to some news media reports, both Chrysler and a UAW official said production of the Dart is on schedule and is not delayed by electrical problems.
"That's not true," said George Welitschinsky, president of UAW Local 1268, when asked about possible electrical issues with the Dart. "The first Darts should start coming off of the line on Friday or Monday."
Chrysler is hiring an additional 1,800 workers at the plant, which will employ a total of about 4,500 by the end of this year. They have hired more than 600 of those 1,800, Welitschinsky said.
Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Dodge, said in March that Chrysler plans to build about 2,000 Dodge Darts this month and another 8,000 in June. Chrysler also builds the Jeep Compass and Patriot SUVs at the Illinois plant.
The other products made at the plants that will work through the shutdown are:Dodge Journey, Fiat 500 and Fiat Freemont -- Toluca Assembly Plant, Toluca, Mexico.
Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited -- Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio.
Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger and Lancia Flavia -- Sterling Heights Assembly, Sterling Heights.
DETROIT (AP) - General Motors and Ford reported weaker April sales, hurt by lower demand for compact and subcompact cars.
Chrysler, however, posted a 20-percent rise in sales. Its top sellers included the Ram pickup, Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler 200 midsize sedan, which benefited from big rebates of $2,000 or more, analysts say.
Automakers report their U.S. April sales Tuesday. Overall, the annual sales rate likely slowed compared with the blistering pace of February and March. But analysts aren't concerned, saying April had more Sundays than March and fewer cars are sold on Sundays.
General Motors Co. said its U.S. sales fell 8 percent last month, blaming reduced sales to car rental companies. Sales of the Chevy Cruze, a hit since last year, fell. Ford posted a 5 percent fall in sales. The Fiesta subcompact, which was a hot seller when it went on sale last year, fell 44 percent as it faced new competition from the Chevrolet Sonic and Prius C.
Nissan Motor Co. is also expected to do well, although it also relied on big rebates to sell its Nissan Altima sedan, a strategy aimed to clear the model out of showrooms to make room for an all-new version.
Honda Motor Co. is expected to report a double-digit sales decline, according to Kelley Blue Book. That carmaker will be hurt by Toyota's resurgence. And Honda is losing share even though it's spending an estimated $500 more per vehicle on incentives than Toyota, says Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence at TrueCar.
Here's what The Associated Press' reporters are finding:
FORD SLUMPING
Ford sales fell 5 percent in April, hurt by trouble on several fronts.
Sales of the Fiesta subcompact dropped 44 percent from last April, a puzzling trend when gas prices remain high. The Ford Focus small car is likely biting into some Fiesta sales, and it's facing new competition from the Chevrolet Sonic and Prius C.
Ford Escape sales also dropped 20 percent, but that's because the company is clearing out old models to make room for a new Escape which goes on sale later this spring.
Last year Ford sold more than 6,500 Crown Victoria sedans as police departments snapped up the model before Ford discontinued it at the end of 2011. But Ford isn't yet making up for that volume with the new Taurus-based Police Interceptor, which sold just 547 last month.
Ford also is hurting from the decision to discontinue the Ranger small pickup. Ranger sales dropped 63 percent from last April, and the truck will soon be gone from dealers' lots. Ford will be able to move some of those buyers into its larger F-Series trucks, but some may go elsewhere.
GENERAL MOTORS STUMBLES
General Motors' April U.S. sales fell 8 percent as all of the company's brands but one reported big declines.
Buick sales were down 16 percent compared with a year earlier, while Cadillac sales were off 25 percent. Chevrolet was down 8 percent. Only GMC had an increase, and it was small at 4.5 percent.
GM's sales of just over 213,000 were led by its perennial top seller, the Chevy Silverado pickup truck, which was up 4.8 percent to almost 31,000. But the Chevrolet Cruze compact, a big seller for GM for more than a year, was down almost 28 percent to just over 18,000 cars.
GM pointed out that its sales to rental car companies dropped 25 percent for the month due to the timing of some deliveries. It also said there were three fewer selling days last month than in April of 2011. Retail sales to individual buyers were about the same as April of last year, GM said.
GM is still optimistic, though. It raised its total U.S. sales outlook for the year by a half-million cars and trucks. The company now expects Americans to buy 14 million to 14.5 million vehicles for the full year.
GM ended April with enough vehicles in its inventory to supply dealers for 79 days. That's more than the 60 days considered optimal to give customers enough of a selection. The company had 121-day supply of big pickup trucks, down slightly from March. GM is building up pickup inventory as it prepares to close factories and equip them to make an all-new pickup due out in 2013.
CHRYSLER KEEPS ROLLING
Chrysler's 20-percent sales rise is far better than the increase expected for the rest of the auto industry. The company's top-selling Ram pickup saw sales jump 19 percent last month. Chrysler also was helped at the smaller end of the lineup. It sold more than 3,800 Fiat 500 mini-cars, four times the sales from a year earlier. Jeep and Chrysler brand sales were strong. Chrysler sales rose 56 percent, led by the 200 midsize sedan.
Chrysler's outlook for U.S. sales is optimistic. The company is forecasting an annual selling rate of 14.6 million cars and trucks, on the high end of analyst predictions.
At the end of April, Chrysler had enough cars and trucks to supply its dealers for 59 days. That's just below what's considered optimal to keep a good selection for customers. And it's far better than the Chrysler of old, which often
Published on May 1, 2012 by wxyztvdetroit
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