At this point, Chrysler LLC is unaware of any related accidents or injury regarding the liftgate.  Even still, the automaker isn’t taking any chances and will soon issue a voluntary recall on approximately 471 vans.  Both the U.S. market Town & Country and Grand Caravan models are at risk and both affected are 2012 model year vehicles.  Certified dealers will inspect the anti-pinch sensor and replace it if necessary.  The left-side sensor did not suffer the same symptoms as the right-side so it should not have to be replaced.

Source: Chrysler

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler LLC is looking into approximately 119,072 sedans.  The model years affected for the both the 300 and Charger are 2011 through 2012.  With the recall expected to begin during the month of May, owners should expect a notice fairly soon.  In order to remedy the issue, certified dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC fuse away from the power distribution center to that the overheating problem won’t show its face.  This fix will happen at no extra cost to drivers.

Source: NHTSA

According the Chrysler, four plants will not observe the two-week summer shutdown.  These include Detroit’s Jefferson North, Illinois’s Belvidere, Ohio’s Toledo Supplier Park and Mexico’s Toluca plant.  In order to meed demand on certain vehicles (such as the Jefferson built Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango), Chrysler will keep work flowing at the four North American facilities while two other shops will shut down for just one week.  The Sterling Heights, Michigan and Saltillo, Mexico plants will observe a shorter summer shutdown but soon enough, work will rage on once again.

Source: Chrysler

A big part of net income is net revenue which, for Chrysler, was an impressive $16.4 billion for the first quarter.  That figure is up 25 percent from 2011 and played a major role in earning the automaker a total net income of $473 million.  Even though the brand now has a market hold on an even larger global scale, North American sales seemed to have increased the most.  Not only was Chrysler the quarterly leader in Canada, but U.S. sales jumped up 40 percent.  Despite the positive note, the Mopar driven automaker isn’t resting easy as they look forward to even more models soon to come.

“We continue to deliver on the targets in our five-year plan and are now focused on successfully launching the Dodge Dart, a car that is a true melding of Chrysler’s and Fiat’s engineering and styling strengths,” said Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group LLC.

Source: Chrysler

Apart of a venture with the U.S. Department of Energy, the PHEV Town & Country minivans are currently for fleet use only.  They use a combination of the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6, a two-mode hybrid transmission and a liquid cooled, lithium-ion battery to power the drive motor.  With a total driving range of up to 700 miles, the 12.1 KWh battery helps deliver a total output of 290 horsepower, which can be charged in as little as two hours.  Two modes are available to refill the battery: a 220 volt Level 2 system and a 110 volt Level 1 unit.  Charging is not a requirement, but can reduce overall fuel use.  “The City of Yuma is unique due to the extreme high ambient temperature,” said Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of the Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project.”

Source: Chrysler

“When you see these specially marked Chrysler minivans on the road, you can be assured that they are being driven by City of Auburn Hills employees who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their jobs, the residents and the entire Auburn Hills community,” said City Manager Pete Auger.  Across the next two years, Chrysler hopes to garnish approximately 16,800 miles on each van.  The Town & Countrys will come with Level II EVSE Charging Stations which will be installed at the City’s Civic Center Campus.  Despite having their driving and charging experiences recorded, each PHEV minivan will get driven like any other fleet vehicle so that no ”special treatment” will get in the way of a proper evaluation. 

“This Town & Country minivan is the only minivan to boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain in combination with flex fuel capability,” said Abdullah A. Bazzi, Senior Manager of Electrified Power Train Programs for Chrysler Group.  The vans themselves came to be due to a joint venture between Chrysler LLC and the U.S. Department of Energy.  A joint investment totalling more than $25 million will help the automaker create 25 test vehicles that will be scattered across the United States.

Source: Chrysler

According to an Automotive News article, the next Pentastar will displace 3.2 liters.  Though nothing official has been said, many rumblings inside Chrysler’s Detroit union are hinting that the block will first find work under the hood of a Jeep.  There are also talks that when it hits the streets, it will put its power to the ground via a nine speed automatic.  Like the 300 and Charger’s current eight speed, the new transmission will be developed specifically for Chrysler by ZF.  While the Liberty replacement will call Toledo, Ohio home, the smaller Pentastar will more than likely be built-in Detroit. 

Source: AutomotiveNews.com

“We are opening Mopar operations in Argentina and Brazil in order to further support our network of dealers and customers in these growing markets,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.  Located in the heart of General Rodriguez, Buenos Aires, the Argentina distribution center is a 3,000 square meter facility that will send out more than 10,000 parts annually.  With 4,500 square meters to work with, the Louveira, Sao Paulo, Brazil plant will have the ability to pump out more than 20,000 parts and will serve 30 dealers.  Mopar now has an extremely extensive line of parts to offer around the globe that include anything from a WiFi hot spot to a 800 horsepower tire shredding V10 engine. 

Source: Chrysler.

Head to www.IFDstore.com and you will be greeted with a vast assortment of goodies (more than 60) all labeled with various versions of the IFD logo. Items start as low as $5.00 and continue upward to well over $100.00. All prices do include shipping and handling, so the price you see is the price you pay, helping to cut the sting from the price of some of the nicer items. Chrysler does state that all of the products are made in America, as well.

While some of the pricing may seem steep, it does help to serve a good cause. Chrysler is donating a portion of the proceeds to four Metro Detroit Charities: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Think Detroit PAL, Habitat for Humanity Detroit and The Marshall Mathers Foundation. If you are afraid of the internet, or just prefer to shop in person, Official IFD items can be purchased at The Detroit Shoppe located at the Somerset collection in Troy , Michigan.

To become a legitimate SRT Chrysler, five engineering hallmarks must be met.  Each vehicle must include “awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors; and race-inspired and high-performance interiors” before it can make it to dealership floors.  The new website takes visitors through a in-depth tour of the various factory floors where SRT operates and shows how those philosophies are manifested into the likes of the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.  Owners – past, present and future – can share stories and ask questions about any SRT generation vehicle.  They can also get up-to-date information on the upcoming return of a legend.  An entire section of driveSRT.com is dedicated to the iconic and record-breaking Viper and features history and media regarding the ultimate track snake.  When the next generation, 2013 Viper first shows its devilish face at the New York Auto Show on April 4, the site will showcase it live via webcam.

“The new site not only offers more exclusive content but it also provides unique ways to connect and stay connected with many enthusiasts groups that we’re building the new SRT brand around,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of SRT.

Source: Chrysler