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
Europeans could be receiving diesel Cadillac
November 29, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Chevrolet , Chrysler , GM , Jeep , Kia If you ask us, this 25 Hottest Products for 2011 list in Advertising Age isn’t exactly packed with automotive excitement. But with Dove soap, Malt-O-Meal, and Goldfish crackers also claiming spots, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s a Chevrolet Cruze , rather than a Camaro headlining the “America’s Hottest Brands” issue. Besides the Cruze, the venerable sister pub to Automotive News points out the Kia Soul and Jeep Wrangler , seemingly more for their marketing campaigns than anything else. Kia’s hamster ads are legendary, while Jeep’s marketing deal with the Call of Duty video game franchise has proven successful. The Cruze, on the other hand, is an actual hit for General Motors – topping 200,000 sales through October, and ranking as the company’s top-selling car. While that certainly makes the Cruze worthy of recognition, sales have begun to cool now that its newness is wearing off. While GM’s marketers can give themselves a brief pat on the back for making the list, clearly they still have work to do if they want to land on the 2012 version of the Ad Age list. Cruze, Soul and Wrangler among America’s 25 Hottest Products for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Porsche to build housing tower
November 23, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Car Buying , Etc. , Audi , GMC , Jeep , Lexus , Subaru , Volkswagen ALG has released its annual Resale Value Awards. For 2012, Subaru took home the home the honor of being the top mainstream brand, while Lexus nabbed the top luxury automaker designation. ALG says that once again, Japanese automakers have performed better than their American and European counterparts when it comes to resale. Of the 21 total ALG awards, 11 went to Japanese manufacturers, though Audi bucked that trend by being the single automaker to take home the most awards. Domestic manufacturers, meanwhile, are scarcely represented in the honors. Only the GMC Acadia and Jeep Wrangler received nods for 2012. ALG weighs each vehicle based on past performance, industry trends and segment competition. There were some surprises for 2012 – interestingly enough, ALG skipped the Toyota Prius in the hybrid/alternative powertrain segment in favor of the Volkswagen Golf TDI , and the Subaru Legacy took home the nod in the mid-sized category instead of either the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry . Hit the jump for the full press release. Continue reading Subaru and Lexus top ALG 2012 Residual Value Awards Subaru and Lexus top ALG 2012 Residual Value Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Special arctic Jeeps
November 17, 2011 by Larson Automotive Group · Leave a Comment
Filed under: LA Auto Show , SUV , Jeep Jeep may not have anything big to show us here in Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean the automaker has arrived empty-handed. New for 2012, Jeep has released special Arctic Editions of both the Wrangler and Liberty SUVs, and the icy duo make their debut here at the LA Auto Show . On both models, the Arctic package adds semi-gloss wheels – the Wrangler receiving 17-inch rollers while the Liberty makes due with 16s – as well as special paint, Arctic badging and a decidedly tacky Yeti footprint decal. Inside, there are some minor aesthetic tweaks, including white accent fabrics, orange piping on the seats and, of course, more badging. Check out both of the special Jeeps in our attached high-res image gallery. 2012 Jeep Wrangler and Liberty Arctic Editions chill out in sunny SoCal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
