World Auto News & Reviews

Less than a month before Chrysler was set to be doomed without a rescue by Fiat, the Michigan-based automaker penned a deal with Massachusetts-based A123 systems that aimed to help Chrysler play catch-up in the hybrid and electric vehicle “game.”

Now, after a consider amount of work transpired between the two companies and as the introduction of an all-electric Fiat 500 draws near, the two companies have announced the end to their partnership, according to Bloomberg. Although details are still trickling in, it appears as if A123 systems left the program, citing a “significantly diminished” program – and relationship – after a competing vendor told Chrysler that it was willing to take the business at a lower price, according to A123?s CEO, David Vieau.
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The Chrysler Group came out on top in 70% of the arbitration cases filed against it; having prevailed 73 times out of 105. Chrysler rejected 789 dealerships as part of last year’s bankruptcy, but was forced to establish an arbitration process, as was GM, in order to hear the arguments of those dealers seeking reinstatement.

Arbitrators generally deferred to Chrysler’s ‘Genesis Project’, whereby the company plans to consolidate all four of its brands in each dealership. “The decisions to select dealers for the company’s optimized dealer network were carefully considered as part of Chrysler’s Genesis Project,” the company’s statement said. “The decisions of a great majority of the arbitrators reflect the belief that the company’s dealer network decisions were not only appropriate but essential to its future success.”
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A unique 1953 Chrysler “Thomas Special” coupe with coachwork by Ghia, far bettered its pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $500,000 bringing a top bid of $858,000 at this past weekend’s RM Auctions Vintage Cars of Meadow Brook sale in Michigan.

One of Chrysler’s first “Idea Cars” of the 1950s, the dazzling coupe was designed by Virgil Exner and crafted by famed Italian coachbuilder and stylist, Ghia. Only six of these vehicles were produced for Chrysler, while Ghia built another 12 examples for themselves.
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Chrysler UK Ltd is delighted to announce a raft of new improvements to the 2010 Grand Voyager range. These improvements will add even further to Grand Voyager’s premium proposition whilst lowering the cost of ownership.

Available in three derivatives, the LX, Touring and Limited, the front-wheel drive Grand Voyager comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox and a choice of two engines; a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine and a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine.
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As reported before, Chrysler said that the last PT Cruiser will be rolling off the assembly line on July 9th – well, it’s July 9th and the last unit of Chrysler’s most successful and iconic vehicle rolled off the assembly line in Mexico today.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser, which debuted over a decade ago, sold more than 1.3 million units in sales for a vehicle that had a very daring design and targeted a certain niche.

Sales of the Chrysler PT Cruiser never dipped below 120,000 units for the first 8 years, even though Chrysler never built a second-generation model. Chrysler decided to keep interest of customers by offering a dozen variations and special-edition models over the decade.

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