Chrysler Group to Boost Ad Budget by 70% to $2.9 Billion in 2011

As the Chrysler Group continues its product renaissance with new or facelifted models, the Auburn Hills automaker is now looking to boost its marketing presence in the United States by increasing its advertising budget nearly 70 percent this year, from $1.72 billion in 2010 to around $2.9 billion in 2011.

The increase is even greater when compared to 2009, when Chrysler had just come out of bankruptcy and joined forces with the Fiat Group. According to the SEC filing, the Detroit firm spent just $677 million on advertising in the second half of 2009.

However, promoting the firm’s new models isn’t the only reason behind Chrysler’s decision to boost its advertising expenditure as the automaker also wants to convince investors that the company is on the right track ahead of an initial public stock offering expected later this year

"No matter how good or bad the new products are, it is all about perception now," analyst Ricardo de la Blanca, chief executive of DLB Group in Miami, told Detroit News. "It is safer to buy a competitor's vehicles, so the challenge is to engage consumers. If they do it right, they will be able to create hype," he added. "It is critical because they also need to satisfy investors and the government."

Source: Detroit News

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Chrysler Group Recalling 248,000 Crossovers and Minivans Over Engine Shutoff Risk

More than 248,000 Dodge Journey crossovers and Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2010MY are being recalled because of a defect that could allow the ignition key to move from the run to accessory position while driving and cause the engine to shut off.

In a notice on the government safety agency's website, Chrysler said there are approximately 32 customer complaints and 465 warranty claims for the affected vehicles alleging inadvertent engine shutoff while driving, adding that the company is aware of 2 alleged rear-end collisions related to this problem.

The recall affects 2010 Dodge Journey and Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2009, through June 17, 2010.

The safety recall is expected to begin during in April.

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Zagato TZ3 Stradale: A Dodge Viper ACR Dressed as an Alfa Romeo

We don’t know if Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s future plans for the upcoming, next generation of the Dodge Viper include the development of a corresponding Alfa Romeo model based on the underpinnings of the muscle car, but famed Italian coachbuilder Zagato has given the formula a try with its new TZ3 Stradale.

You see, Zagato’s TZ3 Stradale is an Alfa Romeo bodied sports car based on the platform and mechanical hardware of the track-conquering Dodge Viper ACR, which features the same 600HP 8.4-liter V10 engine as the standard Viper SRT-10 along with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a race-spec suspension. All parts of the TZ3 Stradale’s carbon fiber body are new with the cherry topping being the classic Kamm-tail (K-tail) layout.

The TZ3 Stradale is Zagato’s second and final tribute to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo (1910-2010), which started in 2009 with the presentation of the 8C Competizione-based TZ3 Corsa that won the Villa D'Este Design Concept Award in 2010.

Unlike the TZ3 Corsa, which was a one-off commissioned by Alfa Romeo Zagato collector Martin Kapp, the TZ3 Stradale will be built in a limited number of 9 units with the first example having already being delivered to US Alfa Romeo and Zagato collector (and Saratoga Automobile Museum's board member) Eric King. The TZ3 Stradale No2 and No3 will be delivered in Japan and Europe.

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Kowalski Approved: Dodge Dealer Creates Nouveau Vanishing Point Challenger Based On 392 Inaugural Editions

The 1970s spawned some pretty cool car movies. Gone in 60 Seconds, Two-Lane Blacktop and Vanishing Point were all born in the decade of big collars, flared trousers and microwave dinners. The last of these three movies is considered to be somewhat of a classic. In it, a man named Kowalski (Barry Newman) makes a bet that he can drive a white 1970 Dodge Challenger from the dealership in Colorado to a customer in San Francisco in just 15 hours. The inevitable series of street races and confrontations with The Man ensue. Now, forty years after the film premiered, New Wilmington Dodge dealer and long-time fan Bob Frederick has unveiled a special edition model to celebrate this genre classic. All of the “Kowalski Edition” cars are based on the 2011 392 Inaugural Edition Challenger SRT8, as white was not available for standard SRT8s.
Frederick explains: “I met with the team and told them what I wanted: 2011 Challenger SRT8 392, six-speed manual, Bright White, stripe delete, Dark Slate SRT seats, WP3 Alcoa SRT aluminum [sic] 20-inch wheels, 730 Nav and SRT Option Group II…. I reminded them that the paint was already in the plant and that the unique SRT8 parts were already there in white as well, so it seemed logical that it could be done.”
Along with the usual assortment of custom stickers and a uniquely numbered interior plaque, the Kowalski cars come with a wood grain Hurst Pistol Grip shifter that this writer thinks should be standard equipment. Sadly, just ten of these cars are planned to be built, and all have already been spoken for. At least you have our gallery to check out.
By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Hemmings & RedletterDodge

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Ram Unveils New 1500 Express Pickup Truck for Younger, First-Time Buyers

Ram's new version of the 1500 pickup truck, formerly known under the code name the “Adventurer”, has finally received an official designation. The Ram 1500 Express targets younger customers and first-time buyers and comes with a starting price of $23,830 (€16,677), including a $975 destination charge.

The truck is fitted with a standard 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that delivers 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque (552 Nm) and posts an average fuel economy rating of 20 mpg (11.76 l/100km). Available as a regular cab short-bed model, with either a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain, the 1500 Express comes in a monochromatic paint scheme, with body-colored grille, front fascia and rear fascia and a total of eight body colors available.

A grille with black honeycomb inserts, chrome-tipped dual exhausts, fog lamps and five-spoke 20-inch aluminum wheels are also part of the package.

Standard features include a locking tailgate, 160-amp alternator, 26-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 700-amp battery, heavy-duty front and rear shock absorbers, power steering, heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling and a full-size spare tire.

The interior of the 1500 Express gets a heavy-duty vinyl 40/20/40 split-bench seat, with buyers being able to choose between vinyl or carpeted floor covering. Other features include air conditioning, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, six-speaker audio unit with CD and MP3 player, automatic headlamps, behind-the-seat storage bins, power accessory delay and tinted glass windows. Safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESP and tire pressure warning lamp.

The options list is extensive and includes two rear-axle ratios (3.21, 3.92), anti-spin differential, engine block heater, trailer brake controller, Mopar chrome tubular side steps, Mopar chrome steel bed rails, folding and heated trailer-tow power mirrors, spray-in bedliner and under-rail bedliner.

For the interior, buyers can outfit the 1500 Express with a cloth split-bench seat, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a Sirius Satellite Radio. Finally, Mopar will offer more than 300 accessories for those who want to customize their ride.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Geiger Cars Brings Limited Edition 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 to Germany

Geiger Car’s love affair with Detroit muscle continues with the German market launch of the limited run 2011 Dodge Challenger ST8 392 Inaugural Edition, of which only 1,492 examples are to be built. There is no word on how many cars Geiger Car’s managed to secure for the German market, but the starting price has been set at €55,000, which comes to around US$77,800 at the current exchange rates.

Under the hood of the latest Challenger SRT8 392 lies a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 delivering 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, matched to either a standard five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick or an available Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual gearbox. Dodge says the most powerful version of the Challenger series has an estimated top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) and can complete the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in the high 4-second range, and quarter mile in the high 12-second range.

On top of the standard SRT8’s features, the ‘392’ gains exclusive exterior and interior content including 20-inch wheels, Mopar quad exhaust tips, aero parts and a two-tone leather interior. Buyers will have the choice of two colors -Deep Water Blue with Stone White stripes or Bright White Clear Coat with Viper Blue stripes.

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