Last December, the Detroit carmaker had also revealed that it would invest close to $850 million in the plant’s new paint shop and stamping facilities in Sterling Heights and Warren. The latest investment ups Chrysler’s total investments in its US factories to $3.5 billion since June of 2009 .
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The recall covers 11,351 vehicles and affects certain 2011 model year Dodge Journey crossovers, Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler 200s, Chrysler 200 Convertibles, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Nitros, Jeep Liberty SUVs, Dodge Calibers, Jeep Compass crossovers, Jeep Patriots, Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.
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“This is a purpose-built vehicle with collaborative parts from Magneti Marelli and Mopar,” said Dino Maggioni, CEO of Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. “We selected Magneti Marelli and Mopar parts, adapted them to the Dodge Avenger and made them unique. The result is a fascinating blend of these two iconic brands.”
The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.
You can read the full details in the press release after the jump, but for those that want the skinny, here are the starting prices for the new models:
New Durango from $29,195; Charger SE with the new 292HP 3.6-liter V6 from $25,170; refreshed Journey crossover with 283HP V6 $22,245; Grand Caravan from $24,995; Avenger from $19,245 and Challenger from $24,670. Also, the new limited edition 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 with a 470HP V8 starts at $42,555.
Unlike its Chrysler 200 brethren, the 2011 Avenger receives only a few minor exterior tweaks and in particular, the new signature Dodge Brand "split crosshair" grille and a redesigned bumper up front, plus new LED tail lamps at the back.
The big styling changes are found inside where the Avenger gets a brand new interior with a far more contemporary design and higher-grade materials that Dodge claims are "more pleasing to the touch but also to the eye".
Is the U.K. auto market in such a bad condition that dealers are being forced to make supermarket-style 'two for one' offers in order to make a sale? Apparently yes if we are to believe a report that originated from the British newspaper Daily Mail and has swept the web, U.K. market Dodge dealers are offloading hundred of Avengers at a huge loss through price comparison websites such as 'Broadspeed.com'. Since it was mentioned in the report, we visited the site and indeed both the Avenger and the Caliber were significantly discounted.Though we never actually found any of the alleged "two-for one" offers on the website, for example a new Avenger 2.0 SE was priced at £9830 from £15005. Even if the actual price may be higher once you finish signing papers, still that's a huge markdown.
Broadspeed.com managing director Simon Empson told the British newspaper that due to the ongoing crisis in the industry some manufacturers have got five to six months of unsold stock. 'The motor trade is beyond desperate - it's in crisis. There's no doubt it's a great time to buy if you have the money," said Empson.
"The very first call I had was from a father who was going to buy the two cars, have one himself and give the other to his son," he added.
AA spokeswoman Vanessa Guyll said: "In 23 years in the industry I have never seen anything like this - it's almost unbelievable. You expect this kind of thing with washing powders in supermarkets, not cars which are such a major purchase. Many within the industry will react with shock and horror at this."
According to the SMMT, October auto sales in the U.K tumbled a hefty 23% to 128,352 units from 166,797 a year earlier - read more about this story by clicking here.
Via: Daily Mail
