DaimlerChrysler has said that all of its future vehicles will be available with an optional hybrid powertrain. DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche told German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport that hybrids are “very important” due to new European and U.S. regulations on CO2 emissions.

DaimlerChrysler’s first hybrid will be a hybrid version of the Dodge Durango, which will use the two-mode transmission currently being developed in conjunction with BMW and General Motors. Zetsche said the first Mercedes-badged hybrid vehicle will arrive for the 2008 model year.

## Source: Auto Motor und Sport ##

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With February sales of its Ram pickup down 4 percent and the Durango SUV off by 43 percent, Dodge has announced that March will be “National Truck Month.”

As part of the “National Truck Month” marketing campaign, Dodge will give buyers the option to get the Ram 1500 or Dodge Durango with the 5.7L HEMI V8 at no-extra-charge. The HEMI engine is normally a $1,930 option on the Dodge Ram 1500.

Back in January, we reported that Chrysler would would offer Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep trucks equipped with the HEMI for no additional charge. It appears Chrysler has decided to start with its Dodge products.

## Source: Dodge ##

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Dodge has added another clip to its collection of promotional videos (and here) for its Dodge Demon Concept that the automaker will debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

This video focuses on the car’s design and offers insight into the interior and exterior designers thoughts during the design process.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Chrysler ##

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Following up on its first video, Dodge has posted another preview video of its Demon Concept on YouTube ahead of its unveiling next week at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The Demon Concept is Dodge’s take on a challenger to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice.

GM’s business case for its Kappa roadsters seems to be working. Now the question is: Can Dodge make a business case for the Demon? And if so, will it see the production floor?

Video after the jump.

## Source: Chrysler ##

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The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board today finally signed off on the limited partnership between the Chrysler Group and Chery to develop small vehicles. Under the agreement, Chery would build vehicles to be distributed under the Chrysler brands, primarily in North America and Western Europe. While DaimlerChrysler’s press release says “the Chrysler brands,” we assume it is talking about Dodge, as it is the only Chrysler brand that makes sense for a small car.

Back in December, Chrysler announced a preliminary agreement with Chery to build a new small car in China for worldwide export. At that time, Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda said the automaker was not considering a production version of the Dodge Hornet concept, but rather it would a Dodge-branded Chery model. Word on the street is that Chrysler is now considering a production version of the Hornet, because of quality concerns of Chery vehicles.

While DaimlerChrysler has signed off on the deal, it’s still contingent upon approval of the Chinese government.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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Chrysler is considering having Chery Automobile build a new Chrysler-designed vehicle, not a car based on a Chery design, due to quality concerns. Back in December, Chrysler and Chery announced plans for Chery to build a new small car in China for worldwide export. Originally, Chrysler was considering a Chery model and not a car based on the Dodge Hornet concept, but it’s now considering building the production version of the Hornet, according to AutoWeek.

The likely reason for the change would be due to quality concerns. Chery is known for low-cost production, including the low price of components, and the cheap components often come at the expense of quality. Under the new plan, Chery would be responsible for purchasing of car parts, but Chrysler will oversee supplier selection.

Chery spokesman Wang Wei would not confirm whether or not the Hornet was being considered, but said, “we will definitely cooperate with DaimlerChrysler, but the specifics of the agreement are still under discussion.”

“We don’t even have a signed contract with Chery yet. Product-specific announcements are still out in the future,” said Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff.

When the original announcement was made, we assumed that Chery would build the Hornet for Chrysler. While it didn’t look like it at the time, it now appears to be more likely that the Hornet will see production.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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The Chrysler Group has announced that it will recall some 2006 model year Dodge Ram pickup trucks because there may not be enough grease in their front-wheel bearings. The recall affects up to 86,333 2006 Ram models built between Nov. 7, 2005, and April 27, 2006, said Chrysler. Dodge dealers will had more grease to the front-wheel bearings. If not addressed, the problem can cause noise and vibration, and can eventually lead to a loss of control and a crash.

No reports of loss of control or injuries have been reported due to the defect.

## Source: Detroit News ##

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Following up the preview of the Dodge Demon Concept ahead of its unveiling at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Chrysler has posted two promo videos of Dodge’s answer to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice.

The first video features glamor shots and driving video of the Demon concept, while the second video is a computer animation of the concept.

There’s no sound to either video — so crank up your favorite music, sit back and enjoy.

Videos after the jump.

## Source: Chrysler ##

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The Chrysler Group announced that it will unveil the production version of the 2009 Dodge Challenger in one year. The production Challenger will unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show next February.

The Dodge Challenger Concept premiered at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. Chrysler finally announced last summer that the concept would go into production next year. A countdown clock will follow the Challenger Concept to every auto show this year. The clock will count down the days, minutes and seconds remaining until the production vehicle’s debut.

The Challenger will be the first coupe built on Chrysler Group’s LX platform, which underpins the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Magnum. Earlier this week, Chrysler announced the Challenger will be built alongside its LX platform-mates at the company’s Brampton, Ontario plant.

## Source: Chrysler Group ##

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DaimlerChrysler announced today that it will build the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger at its Brampton Assembly Plant near Toronto.

“It’s good news that the Dodge Challenger will be added to the Canadian production line-up,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – DaimlerChrysler Canada. “Quickly bringing desirable new products such as the Dodge Challenger to market is critical to keeping our plants humming and our dealerships busy.”

The Brampton plant also produces Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum, which are based on the same LX platform that will underpin the Challenger. It makes sense for Chrysler to build the low volume Challenger at the same plant as its LX siblings.

Press release and high resolution images after the jump.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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Chrysler will debut the Dodge Demon Concept at the next month’s Geneva Motor Show in March. Dodge is targeting its roadster to compete Mazda MX-5 and with GM’s popular Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. While the Demon concept is a bit shorter than the MX-5, its is wider, taller and heavier.

“While the iconic Dodge Viper is a dream car for many, the Dodge Demon is designed to be an attainable dream car,” said Jae Chung – Dodge Demon Principal Exterior Designer, Chrysler Group. “The exterior design is simple yet bold, featuring an energetic combination of curves and intersecting planes.”

The Demon is powered by DaimlerChrysler’s 2.4L World Engine delivering 172-hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual, which sends power to the rear wheels. While the concept is powered by the 2.4L engine, the Demon could be powered by several other engine, including the 300-hp four-cylinder also used in the Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

Full press release and high resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Dodge ##

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The Chrysler Group announced it launched production of the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger at its Sterling Heights, Mich. Assembly Plant. The Chrysler Group unveiled the prodcution version of the Dodge Avenger at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

The all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger is based on the same platform as the Chrysler Sebring and will be built alongside the Sebring Sedan, which began production in September 2006.

The 2008 Dodge Avenger will be available in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2007

## Source: Chrysler ##

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Dodge today unveiled its new Class 4-5 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs at the Chicago Auto Show. Hoping to steal some of the sales in the medium-duty truck market — from dominate player Ford, and to a lessor extent GM, Dodge expands its commercial presence with it newest chassis cabs.

The 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs will challenge Ford and GM with multiple different configurations including 2- and 4-wheel-drive versions, regular or Quad Cab bodies, four cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches), and three trim levels (ST, SLT and Laramie).

Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs feature numerous class-leading attributes including largest standard fuel tank (52 gallons), largest brake rotors (390 mm), largest caliper pistons (66 mm) and best-in-class first-gear launch for optimum acceleration on vehicle take-off.

The Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs come standard with a 6.7L Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel rated at 305 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission with Power Take Off (PTO) capability. The new Cummins engine is 50-state legal.

Full press release and high-resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Dodge ##

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The Chrysler Group today unveiled the restyled 2008 Dodge Dakota mid-size truck at the Chicago Auto Show. The newest version of the truck that invented the mid-size truck market in the 80s, features a new front end, a restyled interior, and a new V8 engine.

The new 4.7L V8 uses two spark plugs per cylinder, increased compression, improved air flow and a new combustion system to develop 290-hp and 20 lb.-ft. of torque, up 25 and 10 percent respectively. The new engine is also flex-fuel capable, and can run on E85 ethanol fuel.

The 2008 Dakota’s restyled exterior includes a newly styled hood, grille, front fascia, rear spoiler, fenders and headlamps, which improve aerodynamics and offers better fit. The hood still features the drop-fendered, signature look for Dodge trucks. The 2008 Dakota also gets a new tailgate including a new spoiler to smooth air flow over the rear of the truck for improved fuel economy.

The new 2008 Dodge Dakota’s interior includes a new instrument panel, center console and accent finishes, and several new interior storage choices.

The 2008 Dodge Dakota will arrive in dealerships in August.

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Dodge ##

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The Chrysler Group is strongly considering offering diesel-powered versions of its Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country in North America as early as 2010.

Changes in Chrysler production plans — the automaker plans to move production of its diesel-powered minivans for Europe to the United States — are helping to make case for U.S. diesels. The Magna Steyr plant in Austria built 26,867 Voyagers and Grand Voyagers for Chrysler last year.

The current diesel engine for these minivans — a 2.8L four-cylinder built by VM Motori — doesn’t meet the new U.S. emissions standards, but Mercedes is developing a new 2.2L turbodiesel. The new engine features a variable output, dual-stage turbocharger, and should meet all the new emissions standards.

With many buyers looking for the best fuel economy, it would make sense for Chrysler to bring a few thousand additional engines from Europe for sale in the States.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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