Happy go lucky Chrysler Group LLC hourly and salaried workers will be getting a profit-sharing and performance bonuses on Friday – that’s just nine days after the Auburn Hills automaker reported a $183 million profit for 2011.

The 23,000 hourly workers will get an average of $1,500 each while salaried bonuses will obviously vary.

Earlier this month, Chrysler said it posted a net profit of $225 million in the fourth quarter and $183 million for the year on total annual revenue of $55 billion.

Damn – things are good in Auburn Hills. Doesn’t seem like there’s a halftime there.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoNews

Right before the second half of Super Bowl XLVI kicked off, Chrysler Group LLC aired its much anticipated commercial.

Titles ‘It’s Halftime in America,’ the ad featured none other than Clint Eastwood talking about the hard time the United States is going through.

“It’s halftime in America, too,” Eastwood said in the commercial. “People are out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.”

The commercial ends with a boost of confidence for Americans and Chrysler Group with Eastwood saying: “This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.”

Check out the commercial after the jump

- By: Omar Rana

The pace for U.S. light vehicle sales rose by 11 percent last month and was set by a few major automakers including Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group and Hyundai/Kia.

All major automakers posted sales gains last month except General Motors, which fell 6 percent from a strong January 2011. The automaker sold a total of 167,962 vehicles with Chevrolet being the main highlight as sales for the brand were up 13 percent.

“Chevrolet drove our performance once again and sales of our fuel-efficient new cars were especially good,” and Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “The strength that the economy and the auto industry showed in the fourth quarter carried into January, so we believe the year is off to a good start.”

FoMoCo sold a total of 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent increase. Ford as a brand sold 131,589 vehicles in January, making it the best January sales month for the Ford brand since 2008.

Chrysler shined the most out of Detroit automakers with U.S. sales coming in at 101,149, a 44 percent increase compared with sales in January 2011.

Toyota sold a total of 124,540 units – up 7.5 percent. Honda sold 83,009 units a increase of 8.8 percent. Nissan was up 10.4 percent after selling 79,313 units.

Korean’s Hyundai was up 15 percent with total sales coming in at 42,694.

Germany’s Volkswagen Group sales were up 40 percent to 36,681 units. The sales were led by a 48 percent increase for the VW brand and 20 percent increase at at Audi.

- By: Omar Rana

The well-received, recent release of the Dodge Dart already has a variant underway to follow it up for the SRT4 performance version.

No details or specs have been released for the SRT4 yet, but some solid theories can be made on what the SRT team has in store. Given the Dart’s platform is rooted in that of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the SRT is likely to borrow again from the Giulietta Cloverleaf variant for the SRT4. The six-speed, dual-clutch transmission found in the Cloverleaf should be the same on the SRT4.

Power for the Cloverleaf won’t be enough to match the competition, and considering the last generation Caliber SRT4 made over 285hp, this SRT4’s power should exceed that. This could be done using a motor based on the model’s current 2.0-liter with a larger displacement, or the pricier option of the Alfa Romeo 4C’s 300-hp motor.

Click here for more news on the Dodge Dart.

Styling and aerodynamics could be borrowed from what has been used on other Dodge and Chrysler models, such as rear deck spoilers and vents, and suspension upgrades could easily follow suit with stiffer springs and dampers, and upgraded wheels and tires.

Since the Ford Focus ST will be the Dodge Dart SRT4’s biggest competitor, pricing should fall in the same $30,000 range.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Motor Trend

Power for the Mopar ’12 300 comes from a 5.7 liter HEMI V8 making 363-hp – it also features four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology that helps you save some money at the pump. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic, which Mopar says will get you from 0 to 60 mph in the low 5 second range.

Handling has also been taken care of  with a second-generation E-segment architecture performance-tuned suspension with 42 percent stiffer front and 23 percent stiffer rear spring rates compared to the Chrysler 300 models with touring-tuned suspension.

Click here for more news on the Chrysler 300.

Visually, the Mopar ’12 300 gets a blacked-out appearance with Mopar’s Black Chrome seven-bar grille and grille-surround, black-accented headlamp bezels and fascia accents. It also features a Mopar Blue A-line body-side stripes, 20-inch by 8-inch Mopar forged-aluminum wheels in Gloss Black. Celebrating the brand’s 75th anniversary are ‘Mopar 75′ badges.

Inside the black and blue theme continues with heated-front sport seats, blue accent stitching and French-seamed stitching at the perimeter and a black/blue two-tone leather combination. The Mopar ’12 300 also comes with Chrysler’s Uconnect Touch 8.4 inch touchscreen display  and an Alpine 9-speaker premium audio system

The Mopar ’12 300 will be available this summer with prices starting at $49,700. Production will be limited to 500 units.

- By: Omar Rana

Joining the Dodge Dart GTS 210 and the Fiat 500 Stinger this morning to celebrate Mopar’s 75th anniversary was the Jeep Compass True North model.

Created by Mopar, the package improves the off-roading capabilities of the Jeep Compass. The package will be available to order from Mopar in the fall.

Check out more news on the Jeep Compass.

ON the outside, the Jeep Compass True North package adds a matte black finish on the roof, wheel flares, lower fascia, door cladding and black grille with body color inserts. Other outside touches include black-headlamp and fog-lamp surrounds, rear fog lights, custom front and rear brush bars and custom rock rails. Also included are matte black 16-inch alloy wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain tires and a 2-inch lift kit from Rocky Road Suspensions.

On the inside, Mopar added a Kicker audio system, custom center stack gauge pod that houses pitch and roll inclinometer gauges, a bright pedal kit, door-sill guards, rear-cargo tray, shift knob and neoprene seats.

- By: Omar Rana

“Adding even more style to the new 2012 Fiat 500 Sport, the Fiat 500 Stinger features Giallo (yellow) exterior paint combined with unique blackened exterior and interior appointments – all designed to amplify the hatchback’s athletic Italian styling,” Chrysler said in a statement.

Check out more news on the Fiat 500.

Stage 1 upgrades include the Fiat 500 Stinger’s signature ‘whiskers and logo’ face with circular projector headlamps that are finished in Black Chrome. It also gets the Giallo bodyside exterior door handles, mirror caps finished in Black Chrome, while larger 17-inch by 7-inch Abarth Hyper Black aluminum wheels with wider 205/40 R 17 performance tires, tinted head and taillamps and license-plate brow, and Mopar’s vinyl bodyside and roof graphics in black checker. The inside gets the dual Giallo and black feel with Mopar’s Katzkin leather seats, Alcantara trim carbon fiber panels and all that good stuff.

Stage 2 includes performance modifications that ensure the Fiat 500 Stinger delivers improved power and braking capability. That’s a nicer way of saying no crazy changes are made to the 1.4 liter 16-valve MultiAir, but it just handles and drives a little tighter.

- By: Omar Rana

Stage 1 of the whole setup includes an appearance package that offers matte-black trim pieces, a lower chin spoiler, side sills, rear spoiler and rear-diffuser panel. A lightweight carbon-fiber hood with large air scoop and 18-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy titanium-colored wheels wrap up the changes on the outside.

Check out more news on the Dodge Dart.

Inside, the red and black theme is carries over. Changes include Ruby Red leather seat fronts, door panels, center armrest and map-pocket inserts. Black accent stitching is used in the seats and armrest, Piano Black trim is used on the shifter bezel, cup holder bezel and the dash-vent bezels. Other changes include red accent stitching, Piano Black accented floating island bezel and a Ruby Red and black leather-wrapped steering wheel with red accent stitching.

Stage 2 is the most interesting and gives the Dodge Dart GTS 210 Tribute performance enhancement with maximizing fuel/air mix and spark advance, with an improved air-flow intake and low back-pressure exhaust. All that allows a bump to 210-hp from 184-hp.

- By: Omar Rana

While Chrysler or its SRT Brand CEO Ralph Gilles won’t say much about the upcoming Viper, the company did drop a teaser today giving us our very first look at the new model (which will be branded as an SRT vehicle and not a Dodge).

The new 2013 Viper will enter production at the company’s Conner Avenue Assembly plant later this year. Production of the previous Dodge Viper ended in 2010.

Check out more news on the Viper.

The new 2013 Viper will make its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April. Of course, we will be there live to bring you all the details and real-time coverage.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: SRT Facebook

“The Pentastar engine is a cornerstone of Chrysler Group’s effort to reinvent its business model with world class quality products. This award-winning engine is proof that the Company is transforming it products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “To build one million of anything, and in an impressively short amount of time, is a significant achievement. But to do it with such a high degree of quality is a testament to our skilled and dedicated workforce at both Trenton South and Saltillo engine plants.”

Depending on the type of vehicle the engine is tuned to produce 283-hp on front-wheel-drive models all the way up to 305-hp on the Dodge Challenger. In the Jeep Wrangler the engine makes 285-hp.

The engine was recently awarded the ’10 Best Engines’ by Ward’s Automotive magazine.

- By: Omar Rana

Car and Driver loves doing special features. So they’re back with their latest one for the 2012-year: the annual Lightning Lap. The competition is to compare some of the most critically acclaimed cars as of recent.

Taking place at Virginia’s International Raceway, the C/D team will compare a series of cars organized in various price classes and see who’s the fastest. The diversity includes and are not limited to the latest Volkswagen Jetta GLI, the Corvette ZR1, and for the first time, SUVs like the BMW X5 M and the hot new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8.

It really needs no explanation. And to make things more interesting, they even provided a video!

Check it out after the jump.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: CARandDRIVER

Pending 10,000 likes on Facebook, Chrysler’s SRT group has promised to release a teaser of its upcoming 2013 Viper.

Since the Viper page is already passed the 10,000 likes, well before its February 1 deadline, rest assured the pics are coming at Midnight on Monday.

No details have been released on the new Viper yet, however it has been confirmed that the model is making its debut in April at the New York Auto Show, so expect to see more information out as that date approaches.

Stay tuned to egmcartech.com for the SRT’s teasers.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Autoweek

A heavy $1 million starting bid has been placed on the Chrysler 300C that President Obama previously leased.

Listing the car on eBay, and the starting bid, is Lisa Czibor, who says she is listing the car for another party, and has no personal stake in the sale apart from monetary gain.

Barrett-Jackson auto auction company Craig Jackson, says that her price is way too high. “Maybe this car would be worth $50,000 to $100,000.” Jackson is speaking from experience, as he has sold presidential cars before, including a limousine Franklin Roosevelt used, and his company sold the hearse used to carry John F. Kennedy’s body.

He also adds that because the car isn’t rare or unique in any way, there is nothing else to justify its price tag, which would otherwise be around $20,000.

Czibor notes other vehicles on the eBay motors listing that have sold for large sums of money, and posses the Illinois Certificate of Title with Barack Obama as the lessee. No information is provided as to how the current owner acquired the vehicle, however this is the vehicle Obama possessed while he was an Illinois Senator, before he purchased his 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CNNMoney

“The Ram Truck brand’s greatest strengths are our commitment to listen to customers and to understand what motivates them,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand. “We’ve successfully added Ram truck models designed for outdoorsmen, tradesmen, first-time buyers and ranchers. Laramie Limited is designed to meet the high expectations of affluent pickup truck buyers looking to combine capability with elegance.”

The Ram Laramie Limited comes with many premium features such as an interior filled with plenty of leather, piano-gloss black interior trim and much more. On the outside, the new Ram Laramie Limited adopts a “street truck” look, versus the traditional workhorse looks of the standard Ram—think Ford F150 Platinum and King Ranch editions.

The Ram Laramie Limited will be available in 1500 (1/2 ton), 2500 HD (3/4 ton), and 3500 HD single- and dual-rear-wheel (1-ton) form. They can also be found with Crew Cab and Mega Cab configurations, on both short- and long-wheel base models.

Prices have yet to be announced, but Chrysler said that the Ram Laramie Limited will launch in the second quarter of 2012.

- By: Chris Chin

What’s the name of the new concept? Nothing – Jeep is holding an online contest “for consumers to name the new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept.” Whoever wins, will get a chance to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles. This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.

Based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X model the model gets an aggressive, chrome and ‘blacked-out’ look with a grille surround in Black, and mesh grille texture in Platinum Chrome, a Platinum Chrome lower fascia applique, Black headlamp bezels and a Black liftgate light-bar.

Check out more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Inside the Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept gets standard leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a 9-speaker 506 watt amp sound system with subwoofer, iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear-park assist system, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Chrysler Group’s Uconnect hands-free communications system, and more than 50 advanced safety and security feature.

On a side note, Jeep said that it sold 127,444 units of the Grand Cherokee in 2011, up 51 percent from 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

For the 2013 model year, a new Dodge Avenger, Jeep Comapss and Liberty, and a Chrysler 200 all have new versions being released. It has recently been released that they will all be sharing the underpinning of the 2013 Dodge Dart Compact U.S. Wide platform.

The CUSW platform is actually a bigger version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, and although shared amongst all the models, none will be manufactured with the Dart in Belvedere, Illinois, but in Toledo, Ohio where the Liberty is currently built.

On the positive side, one platform amongst six models is cost effective; however automakers may be met with some degree of challenge to satisfy its SUV clientele. This change also leaves the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models with undetermined futures.

The Chrysler brand is supposed to expand as well, although no details are out just yet as to how. There is a possibility for a 100 model compact hatchback, or bringing U.K. models over to the U.S. Alfa Romeo’s U.S. return is also in the works for next year, as well.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: USAToday

It has recently been confirmed by Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik that the automaker will be supplying Chrysler with the six-speed automatic transmissions for the upcoming Dodge Dart.

Check out the Dodge Dart minisite.

Given that the 2.0 and 2.4 liter engines the Dart uses are the same displacement as those used in the Hyundai Sonata, it may have been an easy move for the brand to use the Hyundai transmission. While it is unclear what may have sparked the decision, fuel economy could certainly be a large contributing factor since the four-speed transmissions previously coupled to the original motors would not have been very efficient.

Check out our original post on the 2013 Dodge Dart.

Even though Hyundai has confirmed the move, Chrysler has yet to comment on anything, and there are no details on the selection as of yet.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CARandDRIVER

Fiat has announced pricing on the new 2012 500 Abarth hatchback, which goes on sale later this year. Prices for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth start at $22,000 (not including destination).

“The Fiat 500 Abarth feels like a double shot of espresso straight to your veins,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “With its wicked attitude, it will reward adrenaline fans who no longer need to pay six figures to feel the rush of true Italian performance.”

Power for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth comes from 1.4 liter MultiAir Turbo engine making 160-hp with a maximum torque of 170 lb-ft. The 500 Abarth also features Abarth-tuned suspension, brake systems and dual exhaust, turbo-boost gauge with integrated LED shift light and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth comes standard with BLUE&ME Handsfree Communication, Bose premium audio system and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

- By: Omar Rana