Jeep Mopar
December 15, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Aftermarket , SUV , Jeep Jeep enthusiasts have been asking for a Wrangler pickup for years, and 2011 is the year they finally got their wish – at least in kit form . The only thing that could keep the JK-8 Independence kit from being a success is the $5,499 price, which doesn’t include assembly. But it appears that the serious Jeep fans are all-in, and Mopar is stepping up to meet demand. Wards Auto reports that Mopar’s original estimate of 200-300 kit sales was trumped by 400 dealer orders. Team Mopar is reportedly stepping up to meet the demand, as President Pietro Gorlier tells WA that more kits are on the way. Gorlier adds that Mopar continues to be cautious about sales expectations in part because the kits are so large and difficult for dealers to store in any real numbers. Early demand for the kits, which is also available for the Wrangler Unlimited , also shows Chrysler that a next-generation Wrangler truck could take the market by storm. Gorlier points out that Jeep President Mike Manley has gone on record as saying that the next redesign of the Wrangler could include a pickup option, though no definite plans have been announced. Mopar pickup kit for Jeep Wrangler a hot seller, coming early originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
2013 Dodge Dart
December 8, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Hatchback , Chrysler , Dodge Dodge might have teased us with a few images and some initial powertrain details on the 2013 Dart , but Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has provided even more in an interview with Reuters . According to Marchionne, the Dart is one piece of a larger puzzle for Chrysler in 2013, and the all-new Dart – based off a widened and stretched Alfa Romeo Giulietta – will hit 40 mpg thanks to a host of new engines and transmissions. As previously reported , the turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir fitted to the Fiat 500 Abarth will grace the top of the Dart range, but Dodge also plans to fit modified versions of the 2.0 and 2.4-liter World Gas Engine, comically rebranded as the Tigershark. When the Dart debuts, a Fiat-sourced six-speed dual-clutch transmission will feed the front wheels, but later in 2013 Dodge will reportedly offer a nine-speed automatic gearbox supplied by the ZF Group and manufactured in South Carolina. ZF officials claim fuel economy will be boosted between 10 to 16 percent over the dual-clutch ‘box, and that should put it handily in the 40 mpg range. And that last bit is important, as Fiat will receive its final five percent of Chrysler stock from the feds when it produces a vehicle with a 40-mpg rating. Marchionne: 2013 Dodge Dart will have optional 9-speed auto, hit 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
2012 Passat Alltrack
December 7, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler , Ford , GM , UAW/Unions According to a top researcher, labor costs for salaried employees at Chrysler , Ford and General Motors will surpass those of workers represented by the United Auto Workers for the first time next year. A report in Automotive News says the calculation was performed by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), and made public at a recent conference. Sean McAlinden, chief economist for CAR, explained the math like this. The Big Three’s 66,000 salaried employees make an average of $122,500, or just over $8 billion in wages. That’s a little more than the $7.9 billion that 115,000 hourly workers will take home at roughly $69,000 each. Until 2009, McAlinden said, hourly employment had a decisive edge in total compensation, but plant closings and a paring down of the blue collar workforce have left salaried employees accounting for about 37 percent of the Big Three’s American workers. Is this just another sign of a shrinking UAW, or something more significant? It’s hard to say, but the article hints that salaried workers could be the next targets for cost-cutting: “McAlinden said a recent pledge by General Motors CEO Dan Akerson to cut vehicle platforms by half and consolidate advertising with fewer agencies recognized that salaried labor costs are mounting.” White collar salaries to overtake UAW labor costs next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
New 2013 VW CC
November 2, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Aftermarket , SEMA Show , Convertible , SUV , Videos , Jeep Considering how long the Jeep Wrangler has been in production, we’re surprised that nobody thought of this sooner. The Jeep enthusiasts at Omix-Ada Inc. have designed what they’re calling the world’s first power folding soft top kit for the beloved Wrangler, which can be fitted to any 2007-2012 model year four-door model. (The company says a kit for the two-door Wrangler is expected to arrive later in 2012.) The Rugged Ridge package comes complete with a vinyl top, power top frame, hydraulics, wiring harness and installation pack, and the top itself includes a zip-out, removable, tinted rear window. Omix-Ada says the whole kit comes ready to install with “no fuss or mess.” We can’t help but notice that the top looks sort of flimsy during operation, but nevertheless, it’s a neat aftermarket tweak to one of the most iconic off-roaders ever to grace our roads (and trails). We’re not sure how well the hardcore purists will receive something like this, but there are plenty of people buying four-door Wranglers as lifestyle vehicles, too. Check out a pair of videos after the jump showing the power folding top in action, along with Omix-Ada’s press release. Continue reading Jeep Wrangler power folding top kit debuts at SEMA Jeep Wrangler power folding top kit debuts at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Special Edition MW3 Jeep : Call of Duty Modern Warfare
September 28, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Jeep and Activision have partnered up once again, this time to produce a new special edition Wrangler designed to commemorate the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition is set to land on dealer lots on November 8 in conjunction with the launch of [...]
Toyota Reports July 2011 Sales
August 2, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
The latest auto industry news brought to you by Larson Automotive Group! TORRANCE, Calif. (August 2, 2011) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported July sales of 130,802 units, a decrease of 19.7 percent from the same period last year on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted [...]
The new PLUS Performance Package for Prius!
July 3, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Are you looking to buy an environmentally friendly car like the award winning Prius, but aren’t ready to give up on the sportiness? Toyota has just the solution! Introducing the new PLUS Performance Package for the Prius! This new limited edition Prius includes a sportier aero kit, lowered stance, 17inch forged alloy wheels, and rear [...]
Toyota Announces Plus Performance Package for Prius
July 2, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Sure, you want to save the environment (or a few bucks on gas), so you go out and buy a Toyota Prius. Starting that day, you’ll been missing a bit of sport in your life. Toyota wants to help you out. The automaker has announced the release of the Prius Plus Performance Package, and TRD had a hand [...]
Chrysler to take next-gen Viper back to Le Mans?
June 30, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Motorsports , Chrysler , Dodge , Racing Mending a rift in motor racing is good for everybody. It was good for American open-wheel racing when the Champ Car and IndyCar Series put aside their differences to rejoin forces. And it will be good for sports car racing now that the FIA and the ACO are in the same corner . Just as Indy is set to grow with new manufacturers participating, so is it expected of the new FIA World Endurance Championship . Toyota is one of the major automakers reportedly working on a new LMP1 program, and now reports indicate that the Chrysler Group could be preparing to rejoin endurance racing with a competition version of the upcoming next-generation Viper . As you may recall, the original Viper bred the GTS-R that claimed overall wins in the N
NADAguides reveals six top auto picks based on low depreciation
June 27, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Coupe , Sedan , Performance , Crossover , Acura , Dodge , GMC , Hyundai , Toyota NADA Guides Car Buyers Market Study – Click above for high-res image gallery NADA Guides has released its Quarterly Car Buyers Market Report, and six models earned the organizations Top Recommended Buys designation. The 2011 Acura TL , Dodge Challenger R/T , GMC Terrain SLE-2 , Hyundai Azera Limited , Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 Manual and Toyota Venza I4 AWD all made the cut. While low first-year depreciation rates factor into which vehicles win out in the report, NADA Guides also evaluates vehicles based on criteria like whether or not a model is competitively priced, is available with incentives or rebates, and dealer inventory volumes. Surprisingly enough, the 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T carried the lowest first-year depreciation rate of all the vehicles on the list. With a rate of just 8 percent, the Mopar muscle car beat out the vehicle with the next-lowest rate – the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 Manual – by two percentage points. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Azera limited packed the highest depreciation rate among the vehicles on the list at 21 percent, followed by the Acura TL at 19 percent. You can check out the full report after the break . Continue reading NADAguides reveals six top auto picks based on low depreciation NADAguides reveals six top auto picks based on low depreciation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
