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Before Cerberus took over Chrysler, the Auburn Hills-based automaker announced that it would build a new axle plant in Marysville, MI as part of a broader plan to spend $3 billion on infrastructure upgrades. The new plant is under construction and scheduled to open in 2010, but the three headed dog’s keen eye(s) on cash preservation has lead to talks with transmission maker ZF to somehow share the facility. It is unclear at this point what ZF, which is known for its transmissions but also produces axles for Mercedes, would get out of the deal, but the supplier would likely run the plant and get to build and sell axles for Chrysler, as well as other automakers, at the facility. The move to share the Marysville facility with ZF makes sense for Chrysler from a cash standpoint, and it could supply axles for one of the Pentastar’s many collaboration projects with other automakers like Nissan. Regardless of whether ZF or Chrysler ends up owning the facility, the plant would still use the union workforce being abandoned from the soon-to-close Detroit Axle plant.

The 2009 Dodge Journey carries the size and shape of a typical crossover, and it has seating for seven and all the amenities you could possibly ask for at $30,000. On paper, the Journey has a plenty of things in its favor, yet we had our doubts.

First off, it looks a lot like the Dodge Caravan, which works against the Journey when considering that many crossover buyers want to avoid the minivan stigma. It’s also based on the less than impressive Chrysler Sebring platform, which we have found to be just awful. Then there is Chrysler’s corporate 3.5L engine, which is less powerful, refined and efficient than similarly sized engines from its competition. Chrysler’s recent track record for vehicles that are less than class competitive also lent support to our notion that the Journey might be a letdown. Regardless, we tried to clear our minds of these things when the Journey arrived for a week-long stay in the Autoblog Garage. Hit the jump to see how Chrysler’s new crossover fared.

Our well equipped Journey R/T FWD finished in Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat Dodge came equipped with a sunroof, leather seating surfaces, a navigation system, second row DVD screen, and MyGig multimedia system among its many options. We basically got the “works” package, which tipped the price up considerably from the $26,785 base price of the Journey R/T to $32,375.

On the outside, the Journey has clean, straight lines and an athletic stance. The design also holds true to the main design themes of Chrysler’s crosshair division. Our R/T model came equipped with large 19-inch chrome wheels that are shaded by the vehicle’s bulging wheel arches. The minimalist corporate crosshair grille helps keep things simple up front, yet doesn’t help the Journey make a memorable impression in the very crowded CUV segment. True story: on two occasions we walked right by the Journey while trying to find it in a parking lot. That doesn’t happen when you’re driving Nissan’s new Murano, for instance.

Chrysler has struggled with interiors over the past several years, and the Auburn Hills-based automaker worked hard to get things right with the Journey. Materials are considerably better than they are in the Dodge Avenger, for example, with soft-touch surfaces on the dash and a more comfortable center console. Unfortunately, the improvements over other Chrysler interiors just aren’t enough. For instance, while designers provided a flat surface for the driver’s left arm to rest on the window sill, it’s made of hard plastic and made our arm sore. The arm right below that’s built into the door has a little give to it, but it’s too low for a short arm to reach. The Journey’s seats are also stiff and lacking in proper thigh support for long drives.

One thing Chrysler excels at is adding nifty features that make life easier for both the driver and passengers, and the Journey excels in this area. There is a storage area under the front passenger seat, a place above the glove box to keep your beverage cool, and gaming ports for the LCD screen. Oour personal favorite is the integrated child safety seats, which can be accessed by simply pulling a cord. As the father of two five year-olds, it’s nice not switching car seats between my wife’s car and mine. The integrated safety seats also mean I don’t have to haul around two thoroughly stained pink booster seats that just get in the way when the kids aren’t in the car.

We were left scratching our heads, however, with Dodge’s decision to put seven seats in a space that can only comfortably fit five. The third row is so small that my 12-year-old and her friend had their knees up to their chests because there was no leg room. To make room for the ill-fitting third row, Chrysler also had to move the second row forward, which has far from class-leading leg room as it is.

While the crossover segment isn’t where you’d expect to find a well-heeled, athletic chassis, the segment overall has improved greatly in this area over the past couple years. Given that the Journey is based on the floating, ponderous Sebring platform, we didn’t have high hopes for it. Fortunately, our bias was easily stripped as the Journey was surprisingly capable on the open road. A trip to Chrysler’s Chelsea proving grounds showed that the Journey could take hard cornering with relative ease and not a scary amount of body roll, and the Journey felt solid and in control on rough pavement.

Steering was another area where the Journey surprised us based on our exposure to the Sebring, as it provides good feedback of the road beneath your feet. While the Sebring’s lifeless steering wheel is downright scary, the Journey’s actually communicates the road to you and isn’t so overly assisted that it feels like a wet noodle in your hand.

Chrysler’s 3.5L V6 is the top shelf engine offered in the Journey, and while it provides adequate grunt to get you going, this ancient mill is still far from similar engine offerings by Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford and GM. With 235 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, It’s missing too much twisting force off the line and during highway passing situations. After driving other CUVs with 3.5L and larger V6 engines, the Journey gives the impression that there’s an even smaller engine under hood. The six speed-automatic transmission, however, felt smoother than one we tried in the Sebring, which felt choppy and ill-calibrated. We would have liked the slush box to hold its gears a little longer during spirited driving, but Chrysler did provide a manual shifting mode. The Journey averaged a ho-hum 20.6 mpg during our time behind the wheel, which is almost exactly what we got in the much larger and more powerful Ford Flex.

While our one week with the Dodge Journey R/T was anything but exciting, Chrysler’s newest crossover did perform beyond our expectations. Unfortunately, our expectations for the Journey were low, and this segment is filled with machines that virtues more appealing than the Journey. Chrysler has done a great job differentiating the Journey from its competition with neat features like storage bins and integrated child seats, but the issues we have with it are much more fundamental. While not quite good enough to stack up against the best vehicles in its class, the Dodge Journey R/T should find a few buyers who are enamored by its tricks.

Chrysler has unveiled a few plans for the future and, rather than using past successes to carve the path, will adapt its course according to the changing market. While speaking at the recent Western Automotive Journalists’ dinner, Chrysler President Jim Press touched on the need to generate brand identity amongst Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler. While each brand currently has a core theme, Jeep – off-road, Dodge – volume and performance, Chrysler – affordable luxury, there have been many recent deviations, such as the conglomeration that is the Jeep Compass. Press hopes to put an end to that trend and focus the company’s aim at the automotive enthusiast. Toyota can keep the automotive appliance title, Press wants Chrysler to appeal to drivers rather than consumers.

Nevertheless, actions speak louder than words and Press backs up his claims through the current curtailing of vehicle production and the scheduled release of seven new vehicles come 2010. Like other manufacturers, Chrysler is aggressively pursuing alternative powertrain configurations, particularly electric drive. In case no one has noticed yet, 2010 will be a big year for the American automotive industry. It will be the point when the roller coaster ride reaches its end and some folks end up with motion sickness while others get a rush of adrenaline. Hopefully Chrysler can find themselves in the latter category.

Trevor Creed resigned from the position of Chrysler’s head of design, and as of today is succeeded by Ralph Gilles, the man who designed the 300C. Since every change at the top comes with a “new sheriff in town” speech — or at least one-liner — this is what Gilles had to say: “It’s definitely time for a new aesthetic at Chrysler. … We’re done with the ‘edge’ look.”

Gilles says he wants the Pentastar’s cars to look more “organic.” This being art, however, that could really mean anything. For concrete examples and practical considerations he mentioned the Dodge Zeo and Chrysler Ecovoyager, and said that he wants to design “sexy” cars that will appeal around the world. Intriguing statements from the gent known for a car that epitomizes the American muscle sedan, but we are all in favor, and we say “aye.” The only question is how soon will they start the redesign, and what will organic look like?

While everyone is aware of what GM, Honda and Toyota have been up to when it comes to fuel-saving technology, Chrysler has been playing it close to the chest. The Auburn Hills-based automaker, however, will show its dealers three new all-electric cars at the end of this month that are said to be production capable. Jim Press, the Chrysler exec who came from rival and current hybrid-leader Toyota, added that Chrysler’s future platforms were being designed with electrification in mind and that is still has access to technology from its previous owner, Daimler.

Like General Motors, Chrysler seems convinced that its EVs need to have plug-in capability. The goal, says Press, is 300 miles of range. To make that a reality, a very good set of batteries will be necessary – likely lithium-ions – and Press assures us that his company is working with multiple suppliers. Will any of the production-ready models be anything like the concepts shown off last year in Detroit? We’ll see.

Choosing them for their portrayed image of “strength and power,” officials in Kuwait have ordered 150 Dodge Chargers to be modified as police vehicles. As the Charger is the leading volume vehicle for Chrysler LLC in the Middle East, the choice doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Delivery of the cop cars, however, isn’t expected to take place for another couple months. In the meantime, the lot of them are heading to Canfield Equipment Service in Michigan where they’ll be fitted for their new Kuwaiti roles in traffic, security, and emergency response. (Here’s hoping none of our readers get a chance to check them out from the back seat once they’re in service).

The 2009 Dodge Journey carries the size and condition of a common crossover, and it has seating for seven and all the luxuries you am able to probably ask for at $30,000. On paper, the Journey has a heaps of Times in its favor, yet we had our doubts.

First off, it appears a lot as if the Dodge Caravan, that operates against the Journey when getting ready to so most crossover homeowners would like to prevent the minivan stigma. It’s as well centered on the dwindled as opposed to amazing Chrysler Sebring platform, that we own discovered to be merely awful. Then there is Chrysler’s corporate 3.5L engine, that is lessened powerful, refined and compact as opposed to similarly sized engines from what i read in its competition. Chrysler’s the latest track peak for vehicles overly are ebbed as opposed to course competitory as well lent substantiation to our idea this the Journey should be a letdown. Regardless, we tried to obvious our minds of these types of conditions when the Journey arrived for a week-long remain in the Autoblog Garage. Hit the jump to see how Chrysler’s new crossover fared.

The last-generation Chrysler Sebring may have been described by many as “lame,” but when you took off the roof, you had a convertible that was mildly attractive and relatively affordable. The new Sebring, although questionably styled, is likely better than the outgoing model, but again, the all-new convertible version is much, much cooler than its fixed-roof sibling. Plus, you can choose between a soft-top and hard-top.

Chrysler has released pricing information on the soft-top version of the new Sebring convertible, and prices have actually dropped from last year’s model. You can get a four-cylinder model for $25,470, which is about $700 less than the outgoing model. Add a V6 engine and the price comes to $28,070 and when you tick the boxes for 18-inch wheels and a premium sound system, the price gets a bit high at $31,670. While we like the price of entry for the new convertible, we got a bit worried when there was no mention of the 3.5L V6 model, equipped with the hard-top option. A $35k+ Sebring of any kind would be a very hard pill to swallow.
[Source: KickingTires]
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knew critics of Chrysler’s $2.99 Gas Guarantee would crawl out of the woodwork before too long, and here they come. Automotive News reports that The Union of Concerned Scientists has called Chrysler’s program a “cynical deal”, noting that at today’s current average price of $3.61/gallon, a customer would save about $400 a year under Chrysler’s program. Being the smart folk they are, the scientists also pointed out that customers could save the same amount from a 3 mpg bump in fuel economy over 15,000 miles or a year of driving, and that better fuel economy also continues saving the customer money after three years. Damn, scientists are so smart with the math.

The criticism hasn’t stopped Suzuki, however, from announcing its own free gas deal. For vehicles purchased between May 1st and June 30th, Suzuki is offering 0% financing and three months of totally free fuel in its “Free Gas for Summer” program. Buyers will basically get a stored-value credit card that’s charged with a different amount of money depending on the model purchased.

These incentive programs are nothing but promotions designed to grab headlines and make buyers feel like they’re getting more money back than they actually are. Playing off the media’s hysteria over high gas prices, Chrysler (and Suzuki) is betting buyers will feel that paying $2.99/gallon for three years is more valuable than a $2,000 cash back rebate. Trust the math, it’s really not. Nevertheless, it will likely sell more Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles than a boring $2,000 rebate would.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req’d]

Chrysler’s over-sized dealer-body has been struggling with the Pentastar’s shrinking market share, but that’s not stopping Chrysler brass from asking them for donations for the newly non-profit Walter P. Chrysler museum. Dealers are being asked to contribute $5,000 apiece to help keep the museum up and running, and in turn Chrysler is changing the museum’s name to the Walter P. Chrysler Founding Dealers Society. Dealers that participate in the program will get their name added to the Founding Dealers Society Donor Wall.

While it’s well-known that Chrysler is working hard to shrink non-core costs, the 70-vehicle museum only has six full-time employees, which doesn’t meaningfully impact the bottom-line. The program is strictly voluntary as well, so no dealers will be unwillingly hurt during the funding of this museum.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]