What you see above is the recently announced Dodge Challenger set to race in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series. The car will actually race in 4 different races in the 2010 series; Daytona, Michigan, Richmond and Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

As you can see, Dodge Motorsports made it very easy to tell the vehicle is based on the Challenger, keeping the front of the car looking very production like.

We’ll keep you posted as more information is revealed about this vehicle and the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

via autoblog

Tags: Challenger, Dodge, motorsports, nascar, nationwide series

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Chrysler may be the worst off of all the big three–not only were they smaller going in than GM, and both were much worse off financially than Ford, but Chrysler is the one you don’t hear from.

But now, some fresh news has emerged that should surprise some people–Chrysler’s Dodge brand is now essentially two businesses  in one.  Both divisions are overseen by their own CEO, but one branch will focus exclusively on cars, the other on trucks.

On the surface this seems like a good idea.  Specialization allows a company to take advantage of economies of scale, though I’m not sure how good an idea it was to hire TWO CEOs, considering how big a drain on resources a chief executive officer can be.  Of course, as long as the board of directors keeps executive pay at an even keel, this may not be too bad a move.  Get the economies of scale without the huge CEO pay package?  I’ve heard worse myself, and from Fiat, that’s especially surprisingly lucid.

Tags: brand, brand split, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat

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Chrysler got a new lease on life some months back with regards to its current financial standing. Now it seems that they have totally forgotten how to redeem itself from their poor showing as the company is still mum on what it plans to do with their current product line. There has been no word on new vehicles that would be coming out and yet we are nearing the close of 2009. Has Chrysler totally lost it?

Unlike Ford which has put much of its weight on their electric car, the Volt, Chrysler has not leaked or shown any new car models to look forward to. Rather they are providing customers with perks like car leasing and specialized features. How long can they do that? Unless they start getting their act together they are better off closing the company or perhaps selling it to someone else. They do have plans of a brand makeover but time is essential. Apparently Chrysler forgot all about that.

Tags: auto chrysler, available resources, car industry, car leasing, car models, Cars, Dodge, doors, economic turmoil, electric car, Ford, makeover, market position, models, new blood, new car, new direction, new lease on life, new vehicles, quick time, rebates, signs of life, special offers, trucks, Volt, waste of time

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Sending your kids off to college would normally point towards getting them the right vehicles to drive around campus. But before giving them the car that they want, you can be assured that they will have preferences and a guide to which car they have in mind will surely be something useful.

AutoWeek Magazine enumerates the possible cars for teens heading off to campus. And admittedly, they are cars that will surely give you problems since all of them are dream cars that teens would surely love.

The recommended cars:

• 2009 Hyundai Elantra Sedan
• 2009 Honda Civic
• 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
• 2009 Ford Escape
• 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid
• 2010 Kia Soul
• 2009 Dodge Caliber SE
• 2009 Ford Focus
• 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan

(Source) Press

Tags: autoweek, autoweek magazine, best cars, Chevrolet, chevrolet cobalt, Dodge, dodge caliber, dream cars, ford escape, ford focus, honda civic, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi lancer, sending your kids, toyota prius

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Hyundai was the first one to honor the cash for clunkers program and it looks like the gamble is paying off. Out of all the cars that were preferred by car buyers after the trade-in, Hyundai Elantra stood tall. The Elantra topped the likes of other cars such as Ford and Dodge. Hyundai accounted for 41% while Ford 32%.

Apparently the price disparity had a bearing here. After the trade-in, they Hyundai Elantra ran a total cost of $8,620. Remember, though many people are hesitant on what car to get after the car rebate program, they will always consider the cost of the new vehicle. Though there will be exceptions such as brand preference, hard times means wiser buying.

Ford ran second but it still had quite a number of buyers. So if other car manufacturers should follow, who knows which other car would make the grade? Again, it depends on the price after discount, something which for now, points motorists to the Hyundai Elantra.

(Source) Press

Tags: brand preference, car buyers, car manufacturers, car purchases, car rebate, Cars, disparity, Dodge, exceptions, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, motorists, new car, rebate program

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Call it a marketing gimmick, but the best way to guide motorists on how it is to save fuel is through an actual vehicle the proves to be fuel-efficient. This promotion comes right in time for the summer when people are expected to do a lot of traveling.

And the person tasked to head the cause is Penske Racing driver Sam Hornish Jr., who will be driving a special no. 77 Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11.

The event will also highlight a retail promotion in which consumers can receive a $10 rebate when they buy five one-quart bottles or one five-quart jug of Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy. The promotion runs from May 18 to August 31, 2009.

(Source) Press

Tags: chicagoland, consumers, Dodge, fuel economy, gimmick, jug, lifelock, marketing, mobil 1, motorists, nascar, quart bottles, retail promotion, right in time, sam hornish jr, speedway, sprint cup

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With 15 years tucked under its belt, the 2009 Dodge Ram continues to uphold tradition as being the top truck to get as far as consumer preference is concerned. This is backed by Strategic Vision’s 2009 Total Quality Index, where the Dodge Ram leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.

“Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is rated by owners as the best truck ever built,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. “It is a game-changing, class-leading truck that is second to none. This award confirms that we are making significant changes and improvements, which enhance the overall ownership experience and are being recognized by our customers.”

One of the highlights of the 2009 Dodge Ram include its highly touted RamBox cargo management system. This includes a versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins; pickup bed dividers; a two-foot bed extender and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats.

(Source) Press

Tags: 2009 dodge ram, bed extender, cargo management, chrysler group, Dodge, foot bed, ownership experience, quality chrysler, quality index, second to none, storage bins, strategic vision, truck interior

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Chrysler received only one serious bid of $5.5 million for the Dodge Viper business and assembly plant last week and that was from Devon Motorworks (DMW). Devon hoped to use the plant to build its very own supercar, the GTX. While not very much is known about the GTX, buying the Viper business would have permitted DMW to base the car around the famous Viper platform.

This August a GTX prototype is scheduled to be revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours. However, a first look at the car will come this July when the company will attempt to break the world lap record for a production car at the Nurburgring. What is known so far is the the car’s design is being handled by known Swedish designer and former Ford employee Daniel Paulin.

Tags: bid, Devon Motorworks, DMW, Dodge, GTX, Supercar, viper

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We may be in recession but car lovers are still looking for sports cars. According to carmax.com, car shoppers searching online for sports cars increased six percent in April from the previous month. Online sports car searches are up eight percent over January’s figures.

The No. 1 searched car on carmax.com for April was the popular Ford Mustang sports car. This was the first month it landed the top spot in searches in the last several years.

Three other sports cars ranking in the top 20 online searches for April were:

• 13th position – Infiniti G35
• 14th position – Dodge Charger
• 17th position – Chevrolet Corvette

“Whether customers are searching for that ‘instant classic’ or just a fun ride for the summer, carmax.com is the best place to find a car of any vehicle type that matches their needs,” said Ann Yauger, director of carmax.com. “Within the CarMax inventory there are thousands of vehicles of all makes and models for customers to choose from.”

(Source) Press

Tags: car buffs, car lovers, car shoppers, carmax, Chevrolet, chevrolet corvette, Dodge, dodge charger, Ford, ford mustang, fun ride, last several years, makes and models, other sports, recession, Sports Car, Sports Cars

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With a rocky state as far as finances are concerned, the ENVI is as good as gone. This was revealed as Fiat has practically overtaken the whole assembly line of Chrysler. The reason for the move is that Fiat thinks that the project may prove to be costly.

ENVI was scheduled to deliver its first electric-vehicle in late 2010 with lithium-ion battery packs supplied by A123Systems. The division had created a total of five vehicle concepts but never confirmed which of those five concepts would make it into production. However, last month CNNMoney said that Chrysler’s first production ENVI would be the Lotus Europa based Dodge Circuit.

“The Europa-based Dodge Circuit electric car has been killed by the credit crunch,” reports AutoCar. Nonetheless, insiders say that Lotus is now talking to European OEM to setup another electric-car program like the Tesla Roadster.

The Dodge Circuit EV is (or was) a pure electric-car that carries a 268-hp electric-motor allowing it to travel 150 miles to 200 miles on a single charge. 0 to 60 comes in under 5 seconds with a top speed of 120 mph.

(Source) EGM Car Tech

Tags: assembly line, car program, car tech, Chrysler, Dodge, electric car, electric vehicle, ev, Fiat, hp electric motor, lithium, lithium ion battery, Lotus, lotus europa, tesla roadster, top speed

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One of the most recognized and revered names in automobile history, Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced the legendary black and gold colors are once more available on the Hurst/Hemi-Challenger. The legendary colors offered on these beautiful cars pay homage to the original Hurst Muscle Cars which were produced in white and gold and in some rare cases, black and gold. “Over the last 50 years Hurst has been a player in almost every segment of the automotive “go-fast” industry with the best shifters and some of the coolest cars ever,” said Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to continue the Hurst legend with the black and gold colors. I can’t wait for each of you to see this car…it’s so cool I personally bought one for myself.”

The black and gold and the white and gold Challengers are available in performance stages. The Series 2 vehicles are available through participating Dodge dealers, although Series 3, 4 and 5 vehicles are only available from Hurst Performance Vehicles.

Tags: Challenger, Dodge, Hurst Peformance Vehicles

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2009 Dodge ChallengerR/T really comes alive when taking off from a dead stop thus reveals its drag racing lineage. This car a relatively wide, long and heavy and when you get behind the wheel you feel the plain largeness of it. Once inside, the car is likewise big and bold, though it lacks some the character of the exterior. However the front seats are have some of the most comfortable you’ll find.

Unfortunately the rear seats leave a lot to be desired for those with long legs but they would perfectly suitable for children and smaller adults. On the road the Challenger is not going to navigate the twists like a sports car, but it’ll go as fast as you’ve got the guts to push it. There’s not much in the way of the car’s equipment and features to report on, but honestly it’s a muscle car just drive it.

Tags: Challenger, Dodge, R/T

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Another truck is history truck lovers! In case you wanted a Mitsubishi Raider pickup you should have gotten one in advanced. Right now the Raider has been canceled as both Mitsubishi and Chrysler have confirmed that the truck’s contract won’t be renewed. On the other hand why would you want the Raider since it’s not that great a truck either. Only 3,000 have been sold last year and this year might have been even worse. Will Mitsubishi design a replacement? Not right now since it will focus on small, fuel efficient cars, hybrids and electric vehicles according to CEO Osamu Masuko.

via Detroit Free Press

Tags: Chrysler, Dodge, Mitsubishi, Raider

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Dodge introduced a new class of ram chassis line for its 2010 Dodge Ram enhancing its commercial vehicle presence. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.

The Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs compete within the Class 3-5 segments with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 to 19,500 lbs. and are targeted at small-business tradesmen, fleet customers and traditional chassis cab users.

Towing and hauling capacity is what these trucks are all about, and they offer substantial capabilities in that regard: the 3500 HD offers 18,500lbs towing and 5,110lbs payload.

(Source) Press

Tags: chassis, chassis cab, chassis cabs, crew cab, Dodge, dodge ram 3500, small business

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Looking for a great deal on a new car? Consider the Dodge Caliber or the Chrysler 300, the two worst selling Chrysler cars on the lots. The Dodge Caliber, a mid-sized crossover vehicle that looks quite a bit like almost every other midsized crossover vehicle in America, gets a decent EPA fuel economy rating of 24 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway (for the 5-speed, the automatic version gets a bit less), and comes with some nice perks even at the entry level, such as a 60/40 split folding rear seat for added cargo capacity, cloth seats, and an AM/FM radio and CD player with MP3 capabilities.

A brand new 2009 Dodge Caliber starts at just over $15,000, and a 2008 starts at whatever you can torture the dealer into offering you. A leftover 2008 Chrysler 300 (and there are lots of them) will set you back a bit more. 2008 Chrysler 300s start at just over $25,000 and have an EPA mileage rating of 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.  Sales of both models fell over 70% in January 2009 compared with January 2008.

Tags: Caliber, Chrysler 300, Dodge

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