Stoneridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Dublin

Today's summary includes these reports:

• Dart among hottest new cars at the Detroit auto show
• 2012 Dodge Charger R/T: Quality performance
• 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Plus - America's bad-boy sedan goes to finishing school
• Dart among Detroit auto show hits
• Auto show atmosphere more positive; Chrysler leads Houston new-car sales growth

Dart among hottest new cars at the Detroit auto show, Vanity Fair, Jan. 23
o Vanity Fair picked the hottest and the not-hottest cars at the recent auto show in Detroit, and Dodge Dart ranked among the hottest. This is the best-looking "small" Chrysler vehicle since the original Dart died 40 years ago, Vanity Fair said. Better yet, it's built on the grippy underpinnings of the Alfa-Romeo Giulietta, which were inherited from the brand's new Italian overlord, Fiat, the magazine said. Our version is widened and softened, though, for wider and softer Americans; also: it has a cool digital dashboard, the article said.

2012 Dodge Charger R/T: Quality performance, Sympatico.ca, Jan. 20
o The Dodge brand puts a lot of pride into its flagship, the 2012 Dodge Charger, Sympatico.ca said. With confident cornering, smooth braking and effortless acceleration, this was easily the nicest Dodge we've ever driven, the Canadian website said. The interior is simple and well laid out, soft touch surfaces are everywhere, the controls are all intuitive and the large 8.4-inch touchscreen is easy to see and responds quickly - even hooking up a Bluetooth phone is simple, the article said. Overall the Charger appeared to be solidly built: Seams between body panels were all tight, the cabin was quiet at high speeds and the ride was surprisingly composed, the article said. The Charger is an affordable, well-rounded vehicle with a performance edge, Sympatico.ca said.

2012 Dodge Charger SXT Plus - America's bad-boy sedan goes to finishing school, Automobile magazine, Jan. 23
o The Dodge Charger exists in a class of one: Its attitude, style and rear-wheel drive distance it from an otherwise bland segment, Automobile magazine said. With the 2011 redesign, Dodge addressed every major complaint levied against the previous Charger: The interior achieves unseen levels of quality; the new 3.6-liter V-6 measures up to the competition; most critically, the five-speed automatic can be replaced with an optional eight-speed, the magazine said. While the Charger's styling is as bold as ever, the road manners have evolved into something much more civilized, Automobile said.

Dart among Detroit auto show hits, Auto123.com, Jan. 20
o The 2013 Dodge Dart made the "hit" list at the auto show in Detroit, Auto123.com said. Besides the big Dodge-style grill, the Dart is top-shelf ? modern, funky interior and great powertrain pieces, the website said. If it drives as well as its specifications suggest, it should be a great contender in very competitive segment, the article said.

Auto show atmosphere more positive; Chrysler leads Houston new-car sales growth, Houston Chronicle, Jan. 24
o The atmosphere at the 2012 Houston Auto Show will be more positive as a result of healthier 2011 new-car sales, which grew 11 percent in Houston last year, according to Edmunds.com, the Houston Chronicle said. The research found that Chrysler was the fastest-growing automotive brand among new-car buyers in Houston - the Detroit brand grew a staggering 109 percent from 2010 to 2011, the article said. "Ever since it debuted its 'Imported from Detroit' ad during last year's Super Bowl, Chrysler has seen its popularity surge among car shoppers not just in Texas, but across the country," said Jessica Caldwell, Senior Analyst at Edmunds.com, the Chronicle said. Chrysler's Jeep® brand climbed 58 percent thanks in part to sales of the newly redesigned Grand Cherokee, which soared 202 percent in the market last year, the chronicle said.

Today's summary includes these reports:

• Jeep® gets most-improved title in owner loyalty study
• 2012 Fiat 500 Sport: The luxury of more space
• Chrysler Group Automobility Program displays minivans at Detroit auto show
• Dr. Dre gives Dodge Charger tight, tight sound
• Practice makes perfect for this minivan
• Enjoying a smooth Journey with Dodge
• 
  Jeep® gets most-improved title in owner loyalty study, USA Today, Jan. 17
  o The new brand loyalty study, which J.D. Power skipped in 2011, charts customer-loyalty rates by vehicle brand, looking at who remains loyal in later buying and to which automaker, USA Today said. For 2012, the industry brand loyalty average is 49 percent, the paper said. Winning the most-improved title is the Jeep® brand - its retention rate jumped from 34 percent in 2010 to 51 percent in 2012, the article said. The study, which also looks at age- and gender-related buying trends, found that women and younger consumers are the hardest to retain within a brand, the article said.

2012 Fiat 500 Sport: The luxury of more space, Edmunds Inside Line, Jan. 12
o This isn't a small car at all - it actually creates more space wherever you go, Edmunds Inside Line said of the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport. Every parking spot is one of those wide ones, as if it had been designed for a big rig truck; on the highway, the other cars are miles away in the lane next to you, nowhere close enough to worry about brushing outside mirrors; other cars don't even follow too close, the website said. When you're driving a small car, seems like you're always enveloped in an extra-large bubble of space, the article said. There's more space, not less: It's the ultimate luxury, and you don't have to pay extra for it, either, Edmunds said.

Chrysler Group Automobility Program displays minivans at Detroit auto show, Sacramento Bee, Jan. 13
o Chrysler Group's Automobility Program debuts at the 2012 North American International Auto Show with two minivans equipped with ramps for wheelchair accessibility, the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee said. The Automobility Program will display a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country equipped with a side-entrance ramp and a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with a rear-entrance ramp, the Bee said. When consumers buy or lease any new Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram or Fiat vehicle from a participating dealer, Chrysler Group will provide a cash reimbursement to help reduce the cost of installing the adaptive driver or passenger equipment, up to a maximum of $1,000, the article said.

Dr. Dre gives Dodge Charger tight, tight sound, cnet.com, Jan. 13
o At Chrysler's UConnect booth at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a leather clad woman wearing aviators turned up the Dodge Charger's volume and the sounds of "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga came blasting out of the speakers, cnet.com said. As she increased the volume, the sound never became painful - mostly due to the Beats by Dre audio system in the car, which pumped out extremely tight, controlled sound, the website said. As the volume rose, I detected no distortion, and even the Charger's door panels seemed unaffected by the sound pressure issuing from the woofers, the article said. It was designed to make us feel like we were sitting front row at a concert, and that design worked well, cnet.com said.

Practice makes perfect for this minivan, Vancouver (Canada) Sun, Jan. 13
o A trip along southern California freeways demonstrated the comfort and handling of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, the Vancouver (Canada) Sun said. There was certainly more than enough room to stretch out inside the spacious seven-seater, from the large and well-bolstered front seats through to the third row bench, made all the easier to access thanks to the patented Super Stow ' N' Go second and third row seating, the Sun said. There's more than enough power, the handling is excellent, and the interior is well-suited to carrying kids and gear from one attraction to another, the Sun said.

Enjoying a smooth Journey with Dodge, Montreal Gazette, Jan. 12
o The Journey's appearance, thanks to Dodge's split crosshair signature front grille, comes together and looks nice, the Montreal Gazette said. Modifications to the front and rear fascias in 2011 were improvements over the original design and work well with the grille to give the Journey a design that stands out, the Gazette said. The pronounced fender flares also lend to a sportier appearance and stance, further enhancing the Journey's look, the article said. Dodge keeps things simple and clean in the center stack, so all controls are easy to find and operate, the article said. The Journey is one of Canada's best-selling mid-size crossovers and looks to keep up the pace in 2012 and beyond, the Gazette said.

Media Relations Weekly News and Activities Update

Olivier Francois brings hip-hop vibe to Chrysler, San Francisco Chronicle

Inside autos: Time (Magazine) salutes auto comeback, Detroit Free Press

Chrysler 200 Reviews: "New 200 LX rides smoother than the previous 2004 Sebring?steering is very quick and precise," CarSurvey.org

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 offers impressive luxury, Scripps Howard News Service

Chrysler revives Dodge Dart as it aims for youth market, Chicago Tribune

? The Dart makes a comeback, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

? Chrysler to call Fiat-based compact the Dodge Dart, Indianapolis Star

? Ram, "Hell On Wheels? Tie a Blast From the Past, One of its vehicles will be featured in a new commercial that also uses scenes from the show, Broadcasting & Cable

? KBB Announces Best Resale Value Awards with 2012 Jeep Wrangler Leading the Way, Torque News

? Jeep?s Great Big Beast of Solid Grace, 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Wall Street Journal

? Chrysler revives the family convertible ? 2011 Chrysler 200 convertible: "It does have some uniqueness to make it stand out in what is probably the toughest segment in the market," Sarnia Observer (Ontario, Canada)

? VH1 Produces "Pop-Up Video? Version of Fiat Commercial, "Seduction? spot gets bubble treatment, Adweek.com

? Attention-getting Fiat video goes viral, Torque News

? Fiat spot getting star treatment, Oakland Press (Michigan)

? For Chrysler brand boss Chehab, it?s all about good visuals, Automotive News

? Chrysler?s strategy for powertrains, Automotive News

? 2012 Truck of the Year Contenders Revealed ? Which One?s Your Pick? (Includes the 2012 Ram Heavy Duty Laramie Longhorn), Motor Trend

? Ohio Jeep plants will hum at holidays, Automotive News

? Dodge Releases Teaser Images of 2013 Dart?s Interior, Promises Plenty of Tech and Upscale Features, Car and Driver

? 2013 Dodge Dart: For once I am excited about a Dodge, ShiftAndDrive.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart Interior Teased Ahead Of 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Motor Authority

? Dodge decorates Dart interior with high-tech fashion, AutoWeek

? 2013 Dodge Dart Compact Sedan: First Official Shots of the Interior, Carscoop.blogspot.com

? New Dart?s interior promises to dazzle, Dodge offers array of customizable combos, Detroit News

? Dart?s Dash, Detroit Free Press

? Dodge teases two new interior images for 2012 Dart Compact, Left Lane News

? Chrysler to Give Dart New Life as Compact Sedan, TheLedger.com (Lakeland, Fla.)

? Dodge Dart interior revealed, InAutoNews.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart Interior Teasers, CarSessions.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart interior teased, Mopar will offer hundreds of customizable options, egmCarTech.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart: More Teaser Photos, Now The Instrument Panel, Green Car Reports

? Chrysler revives Dodge Dart in bid for youth market, Los Angeles Times

? Dodge Dart sets new safety, interior standards, Windsor Star

? Chrysler plans to build new Viper in Detroit, Oakland Press (Michigan)

? Chrysler to reopen Conner plant for Viper production, won?t be badged as a Dodge, egmCarTech.com

? Chrysler to reopen Detroit plant, bring back Viper, Detroit Free Press

? Chrysler Reopens Conner Plant to Produce All-New 2013 SRT Viper, Sales Start Next Year, Carscoop.blogspot.com

? Chrysler to reopen Detroit?s Conner plant for Dodge Viper, Detroit News

? Chrysler confirms next-gen SRT Viper for Conner Avenue assembly, Autoblog.com

? Don?t Call It A Dodge: All-New 2013 Viper Will Be Branded A SRT, Automobile Magazine

? 2013 SRT Viper To Arrive in Late 2012, KickingTires.com

? 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: "Bottom line?One of the best midsize SUVs on the market," Washington Post

? The 300 still distinctive flagship sedan for Chrysler: "It has the quietest and most refined interior in the history of the Chrysler brand," Chronicle Herald (Halifax, Canada)

? Ram Power Wagon Gets Some Attention, RPM Magazine

? Strong Wrangler, Liberty sales prompt Jeep to keep plant running over holidays, Autoblog.com

? Jeep Wrangler, Liberty plant to run through Christmas break, egmCarTech.com

? Santa Coming Early to Jeep Pickup Enthusiasts, Ward's AutoWorld

? What We Shared: Top 10 Viral Advertising Campaigns of 2011 (Includes Chrysler: "Imported From Detroit" and FIAT: "Life Is Best When Drive"), Advertising Age

? Chrysler Gains Momentum, Wall Street Journal

? Revived Viper to add bite to Chrysler?s lineup, High-end sports car to be built at Conner plant after 2-year hibernation, Detroit News

? 2013 Viper to debut as SRT, not Dodge, Chrysler aims for more fans, Detroit Free Press

? Detroit plant to reopen for new Viper ; Super car to join lineup as a 2013 model, USA Today

? 2013 Viper To Drop Dodge From Name, Be Branded as SRT Model, Car and Driver

? Chrysler says it?s reopening Detroit Viper plant, Associated Press

? Chrysler building 2013 SRT Viper in Detroit, sans Dodge, Autos Yahoo!

? 2013 SRT Viper Drops Dodge Name, Motorward.com

? Chrysler To Resume Production at Viper Plant, CBS Detroit

? Chrysler reopens Conner Avenue plant to build 2013 SRT Viper, Torque News

? Another 2013 Dodge Dart teaser surfaces on Facebook, Torque News

? 2013 Dodge Dart Interior Teased, Motorward.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart full dashboard revealed, WorldCarFans.com

? Chrysler Teases 2013 Dodge Dart Interior, Motorlogy.com

? Top 10 Holiday Car Deals for 2011 (Includes 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab ST and 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport), Kelley Blue Book

? Jeep Wrangler Having Huge Holiday Season, JK-8 Independence Pickup Sales Exceeding Expectations, Truck Trend

? Fiat sees Chrysler 2012 operating profit at $3 bln, Reuters

? 2013 Viper Joins SRT Brand, V10-powered sports car will shed Dodge name to become a product of Chrysler?s standalone performance division, SpeedTV.com

? 2013 SRT Viper to Drop Dodge Name, Autoevolution.com

? Dodge Viper returns as 2013 SRT Viper, to be built at Conner Ave Plant in Detroit, CarBuzzard.com

? Chrysler confirms next-gen SRT Viper for Conner Avenue assembly, AutoBlog.ca

? Detroit plant to reopen for new Viper, Denver Post

? Mopar pickup kit for Jeep Wrangler a hot seller, coming early, Autoblog.com

? 2013 Dodge Dart interior details revealed, AutoBlog.ca

? 2013 Dodge Dart: first shots of the interior, The heir to the Caliber looks quite promising, Auto123.com

? Dodge Dart Amenities In Tune With Consumer Demand, Ward's Auto World

? Chrysler plans classy interior for new Dodge Dart, USA Today

? Dodge Charger: "Roomy, comfortable, stylish and highly competent on the road," Hartford Courant (New Haven, Conn.)

? Journey wins over Chrysler stablemates: "Winner in the category of SUV/CUV under $35,000 is the 2012 Dodge Journey," Edmonton Sun (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

? Gallery: Fiat 500c by Gucci, SimplyRides.com, http://simplyrides.com/gallery-fiat-500c-by-gucci/

? Jeep Wrangler Pickup Conversion Kit Exceeds Mopar?s Sales Expectations, Automobile Magazine

? Chrysler CEO expects $3B ?12 profit, Detroit Free Press

? Jeep Pickup Kits Wildly Popular With Customers, Autoguide.com

? Chrysler?s SRT vehicles on Speed Channel?s Test Drive this Sunday, Torque News

? 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 First Impressions, Bigger HEMI Proves Worthy, Auto123.com

? Two new interior teasers of the 2013 Dodge Dart appear online, Torque News

? 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Blacktop review: Sinister six with an 8-speed, CarBuzzard.com

? Jeep Wrangler: New heart, same soul, Palm Beach Post (Florida)

? 2012 Jeep Wrangler: New mechanics, The Car Guide (Canada)

? Chrysler Group Gives DTE Test Fleet Of Hybrid Trucks, CBS Detroit

? Chrysler to Deliver Fleet of Plug-in Hybrid Ram Pickups to Detroit Energy Company, Truck Trend

? Chrysler Tests Plug-In Electric Hybrid Trucks, Autoguide.com

? Chrysler to deliver test fleet of PHEV pickup trucks to DTE Energy, Automotive Business Review

? New Minivans Keep Passengers Safe During Rollover: Town & Country, Grand Caravan, Routan join Odyssey, Sienna as Top Safety Picks, Houston Chronicle

? Pomigliano serves as a "blueprint? for future Fiat-Chrysler plants, Automotive News

? Chrysler Group reports December 2011 and year-end sales ? Jan. 4

Under the Pentastar: New interior images of the 2013 Dodge Dart, the announcement of the reopening of the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit where the Viper is built, the Pentastar V6 Engine named as one of Ward?s 10 Best Engines, and the delivery of 10 plug-in hybrid Ram pickups to DTE Energy

Jeep® Wrangler is rough but ready
Best 'special edition' vehicles
Jeep® Wrangler convertible plows snow, digs dirt
2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon impressions

Jeep® Wrangler is rough but ready, Car Review Soup, Nov. 28

o Today's Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4 is a far cry from that original 1941 buckboard, but it'll still go way off road to conquer whatever hazards stand between driver and destination, Car Review Soup said. There is only one Jeep® and if that is what you hanker for, the four-door Rubicon will carry your rucksack, tent and a family of four on a rugged outdoor adventure, the website said. Chrysler/Fiat has given the Wrangler's 3.6-liter V6 engine about 10 percent more power for 2012, and even around town, the Jeep feels peppy as you accelerate from a stoplight, and the five-speed automatic does a good job of using the power to move this vehicle, the article said. Jeep is unique, so if you want rough-and-tumble looks, this is the way to go, the review said. While you give up some comfort and quiet with the Unlimited model, you get decent on-road manners and the ability to let the sun in for everyone once summer arrives, the article said.

Best 'special edition' vehicles, Autonet.ca, Nov. 28

o The Canadian website, Autonet.ca, selected 12 favourite "special edition" vehicles, all of which add a ton of style to what are already head-turning rides, including:

Jeep® Wrangler convertible plows snow, digs dirt, Bloomberg, Dec. 1

o The word iconic gets thrown around way too often, but in the case of the Jeep® it qualifies, Bloomberg News said. Its boxy shape is virtually imprinted with a go-West-and-find-adventure spirit, and that undiluted design is deeply desirable, the news service said. Both the two- and four-door models were surprisingly forgiving on three-hour highway drives; road noise was significant but tolerable; and it tracked down the road confidently, the article said. While a lot of customers buy a Wrangler for the attitude and tough looks, many others really do rely on its go-anywhere ability, the article said. And the latest interior is far easier to live with, the article said. The most glaring foibles have been worked out, and its pure design remains undiluted, Bloomberg said.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon impressions, Wine Foot.com, Nov. 29

o The latest Wrangler Rubicon features the things that are cool about a Jeep®, yet integrates many modern conveniences in a way that should be palatable to both the long-time fans as well as new ones, Wine Foot.com said. Wranglers have an amazing ability to fit into areas larger vehicles can't go ? this is in part due to the shorter wheelbase as well as the physical body dimensions, the website said. If the Wrangler were a bottle of wine - call it an Australian Shiraz ? it's a huge, in-your-face, off-road experience, the website said. If you're looking to have tons of fun off-road, then I'd highly encourage you to test drive one, the article said.

• 2012 Chrysler 300 review
• Quietly confident and comfortable, Dodge Ram 1500 is a big improvement on trucks of old
• 2012 Fiat 500 challenges Denver snow
• Durango rebuilt from the ground up
• Chrysler 300 builds on the original
• 2012 Dodge Charger review

2012 Chrysler 300 review, Car Connection

o Riper and more mature, the latest Chrysler 300 has classically handsome looks and in the right versions, big rear-drive fun, the Car Connection said. The most satisfying Chrysler sedan you can buy, the 300 returns for the 2012 model year with better performance at the entry level and the top end, and with more tech and luxury features, the website said. It's a swaggering hulk of a sedan, and the redesign it received last model year made the Chrysler 300 a more appealing luxury machine in almost every sense, the article said. The 300 is one of the more spacious sedans in its class; the front seats have good bolstering and great head room, even when a sunroof is fitted, the article said.

Quietly confident and comfortable, Dodge Ram 1500 is a big improvement on trucks of old, The Province (Canada), Nov. 11

o The current RAM 1500 continues the trend of improving fuel consumption with each new model, The Province in British Columbia said. This vehicle drives very well for a full-sized truck, the cab is roomy, and the back seats can handle two full-sized adults, the article said. Sight lines are good with very little blind spots, the review said. Dodge has come a long way, the article said.

2012 Fiat 500 challenges Denver snow, Examiner.com, Nov. 9

o This car oozes personality - that's the thing about the Fiat 500, it's fun, said Examiner.com, a local news website. In a lovely Denver snowstorm, the Fiat 500 prevailed, the article said. In heavy snow, the Fiat 500 literally scampered over the thick stuff and felt secure through the slush, the article said. Even when driving a manual, the traction was quite good - and the manual is cheaper, easy to shift and allows you to extract every last rev from the engine, the article said. With a base price of $15,500, you get a surprisingly well equipped machine, the website said.

Durango rebuilt from the ground up, Edmonton (Canada) Sun, Nov. 11

o The new Durango is a solid SUV from top to bottom, the Edmonton Sun said. The 2011 Durango never feels underpowered; any time you need to pass on the highway, it answers the call, the article said. Another point worth noting is that the Durango's V6 is more powerful than many competitors' offerings, the article said. This vehicle is more about comfort and convenience than anything else, the review said. The interior get a big upgrade - lots of soft-touch materials and a clean, easy-to-navigate design go well with the fancy new technology the vehicle can be equipped with, the article said. The Durango is still a pleasure to drive and be driven in - showing itself capable of doing double duty as both a city-dweller and a cottage haunt, the Sun said.

Chrysler 300 builds on the original, Vancouver (Canada) Courier, Nov. 11

o The Chrysler 300 builds upon the bold design and powerful stance of the original 2005 version, with refreshed styling that maintains its unique place in the sedan market, the Vancouver Courier said. The real difference is in the attention to detail that dramatically improves the overall experience, the paper said. The engines are still big and powerful, but Chrysler would rather focus on the cutting-edge eight-speed transmission, fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive system and dramatically improved interior, the article said. The 300 has more in common with super-luxury sedans such as the Audi A8 and Lexus LS, looking as if it was carved from a block of iron, the article said. The 300 is upright and solid, but has a surprisingly trim figure thanks to the clean lines and subtle creases running the length of the vehicle, the article said. The designers have done an amazing job, conveying a sense of power and strength without making the car overly muscular, the article said. The handling is direct and predictable, while the ride quality remains smooth and easygoing, the article said. In addition to looking good, the cabin is highly functional, with loads of passenger and storage space, the article said.

2012 Dodge Charger review, Car Connection

o A big family sedan in the classic Detroit mold, the 2012 Dodge Charger keeps getting better with each new model year, the Car Connection said. This year's Charger adds a new eight-speed automatic to boost gas mileage over the 30 mpg mark, while it also blows the doors off hot domestics, the website said. The current Charger's gone overboard to play up its American bona fides - it's a commanding shape that looks as ready to attack the road as any supersedan, the article said. The emotional styling of the Charger doesn't compromise its utility very much: The roofline's tall, the front seats are wide and lightly bolstered and the doors are cut widely to make the Charger as functional as possible, the article said.

• 2012 Sport Utility of the Year contender: Dodge Durango
• Chrysler reaches 1 millionth CPO sale
• 2012 Jeep® Wrangler - 'A new heart, the same soul'
• Ram Outdoorsman among amazing gadgets for fall hunting
• 2012 JK Wrangler
• Truck sales continue to grow; Ram leads

2012 Sport Utility of the Year contender: Dodge Durango, Motor Trend, Oct. 12

o The Dodge Durango is a new breed of crossover ? one whose metamorphosis from body-on-frame to unitized construction has brought an increase in the mainstream V-6's towing capacity from 3750 to 6200 pounds, Motor Trend said. Even better news: A 19 percent reduction in aero drag and the Pentastar V-6's quantum efficiency improvement help boost EPA ratings to 16/23 mpg, the magazine said. (V-8s also eke out an extra highway mpg, the article said.). This Durango feels solid, and our judges had near-unanimous acclaim for the steering, the article said. Design takes a significant step forward with pleasing lines outside and in, the article said. If the intended function of a big crossover is carrying people and stuff, the Durango deserves big points, the magazine said.

Chrysler reaches 1 millionth CPO sale, Auto Remarketing, Oct. 14

o Chrysler celebrated a landmark sale in its certified pre-owned program last month when a Chicago-area woman became the 1 millionth Chrysler CPO customer, Auto Remarketing said. In September, Jessica Taskay, a kennel manager, bought a certified 2010 Jeep Patriot Sport at Bettenhausen Motor Sales Inc., the article said. She came back to the dealership ? along with Chrysler CPO management ? to commemorate the sale and the 10th anniversary of the automaker's certified pre-owned vehicles program, the article said.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler - 'A new heart, the same soul,'

The Epoch Times.com, Oct. 12
o Jeep® has increased its share of the SUV market to a commanding 15.8 percent and there are several reasons for the increase, The Epoch Times said. Horsepower is up to 285, an improvement of 40 percent; torque has increased 10 percent to 260 lb-ft of thrust; the engine roars from a stand-still to 60 mph in only 8.4 seconds, the article said. To drive the heavy-duty Rubicon model up cliffs where goats feared to tread was an exuberating experience, the article said.

Ram Outdoorsman among amazing gadgets for fall hunting, Fox News.com, Oct. 13

o Fox News listed the latest advancements in hunting technology that will help hunters this fall. The 2012 Ram Outdoorsman is meant specifically for hunting -- there's a minimal amount of chrome siding to reduce glare that can scare animals away, the tires and 4x4 features are designed for pushing through deep mud, and there's a side box specifically for storing rifles and other hunting gear, the article said. Tow hooks are available for pulling logs and debris out of the way or retrieving a stuck ATV, and the Outdoorsman can tow a large duck boat, dual-ATVs on a trailer or a full camper, Fox News said.

2012 JK Wrangler, 4 Wheel Drive and Sport Utility, Oct. 11

o The 2012 JK Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is a great improvement over earlier models, 4 Wheel Drive and Sport Utility said. The real star is the W5A580 5-speed automatic - the transmission is a gem, the article said. The new Wrangler never has a problem finding the right gear; manual shifting is easy; ledge climbing and crawling is accomplished without a whimper, the article said.

Truck sales continue to grow; Ram leads, Transport Topics, Oct. 13

o Despite the drop in consumer confidence and less-than-glowing economic reports in September, sales of medium-duty trucks continued to grow at a steady pace, Transport Topics said. Truck makers reported selling 240,356 new medium-duty (Classes 3-7) trucks through September, 24 percent more than over the same time last year, according to figures released Thursday from WardsAuto.com, the article said. Ram is the leader with 31 percent of all sales in Classes 3-7, thanks to its dominance in Class 3 where it captured 50 percent of the sales through September, Transport Topics said.

• Chrysler leads truck-driven auto sales that top estimates
• Chrysler sales up 27%
• U.S. vehicle sales soared nearly 10% in September despite economic gloom
• 2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman is the most powerful truck in the segment
• Fiat makes dent in big-city market with tiny, stylish 500
• Ram expands RamBox lineup, lowers pricing
• Upgrades galore for Grand Caravan
• 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: The executive's muscle car

Chrysler leads truck-driven auto sales that top estimates, Bloomberg, Oct. 3

o Chrysler Group LLC, boosted by deliveries of Ram pickups, led September U.S. auto sales gains that exceeded analysts' estimates, Bloomberg said. General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. also beat estimates on Silverado and F-Series trucks, the article said. Chrysler sales climbed 27 percent, the article said. Deliveries by Chrysler beat seven analysts' average estimate for a 20 percent increase, the article said. Chrysler results included a 45 percent increase in Ram pickup sales; deliveries of the new Durango sport-utility vehicle rose to 4,923, the article said.

Chrysler sales up 27%, Edmunds Auto Observer, Oct. 3

o Chrysler's September sales soared 27 percent over a year ago, Edmunds said. September Chrysler sales overall were the best since 2007, with some brands and models posting their best sales for the month since the year before the recession and Chrysler's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the article said. Last month marked the best September for the Jeep and Chrysler brands: Jeep Compass soared 306 percent, the Jeep Wrangler set a new September record, Chrysler 200 sales were up 87 percent, the new Chrysler 300 sedan posted 50 percent hike, and Chrysler minivans posted double-digit percentage sales increases, Edmunds said. Ram sales were up 45 percent, the pickup's best sales month this year and best September since 2007, the article said. A 50 percent hike in Chrysler's retail sales is a positive sign as it accomplished those higher sales to individual customers with incentives lowered from August, Edmunds said.

U.S. vehicle sales soared nearly 10% in September despite economic gloom, New York Times, Oct. 4

o Auto sales defied a downcast economy in September, climbing 9.9 percent to their highest level in five months as new models arrived at dealerships and inventory shortages eased, the New York Times said. All three of the Detroit automakers reported gains, led by a 27.2 percent year-over-year increase for Chrysler, which outsold Toyota for the fourth time this year, the Times said. Toyota and Honda again trailed the rest of the industry, even though September was the first month since the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan that all of their plants were running at full capacity, the Times said. The industry's seasonally adjusted, annualized selling rate rose to 13.1 million, the first time since April that they had exceeded 13 million, the Times said. "The automakers might be convincing some consumers who may not be so eager to spend their money to buy a car because the product is so compelling," Jesse Toprak, vice president for industry trends and insight at TrueCar.com, said.

2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman is the most powerful truck in the segment, Torque News, Oct. 3

o The Chrysler Group has rolled out the changes to their 2012 Ram Truck brand lineup and the big news is the 2012 Ram Tradesman Heavy Duty which offers best in class towing and hauling numbers in a low cost package that is easier for small businesses to swallow, Torque News said. The new Tradesman HD can produce towing and hauling numbers that have never before been seen from the half-ton full sized truck segment, the article said. The Ram 1500 Tradesman HD is the king of the hill among the half ton pickup segment, the article said.

Fiat makes dent in big-city market with tiny, stylish 500, Calgary (Canada) Herald, Sept. 30

o The mini Fiat 500 is winning over drivers in the country's big cities who are drawn to the car for its stylish look and the nostalgia factor, the Calgary Herald said. Fiat has sold more than 11,000 units since March, mainly in major cities in California and on the U.S. east coast; nearly 3,900 cars have also been sold in Canada, the article said. Pricing and continued high gasoline prices should work to Fiat's advantage, the article said.

Ram expands RamBox lineup, lowers pricing, The Car Connection, Sept. 30

o The RamBox, launched by Ram in 2009, converts the previously unused bed sides into lockable storage; the compartments are weatherproof, and, better yet, they're large enough to hold things like golf clubs, tool boxes, shovels and kayak paddles, The Car Connection said. For 2012 Ram pickups, the Chrysler division has expanded the RamBox lineup to include 76-inch bed models, boosting RamBox storage capacity by 18 percent, the article said. Better yet, RamBox pricing has dropped by 32 percent, the article said. The RamBox is now available on 80 percent of Ram pickups, the Car Connection said.

Upgrades galore for Grand Caravan, Albuquerque Journal, Oct. 2

o For 2011, Dodge gave its Grand Caravan a number of upgrades, tweaks and revisions to better face off against the complete redesigns of competitors from Toyota, Honda and Nissan, the Albuquerque Journal said. These changes have increased the GC's appeal, the paper said. Immediately noticeable is the updated styling, its more aggressive front end and lowered ride height adding a welcome suggestion of aggression, the article said. Seating throughout has received improved padding for greater comfort, and one of the Dodge's neatest feature ? the unique Stow 'n Go second-row seats ? are now even easier to fold 'n flop into their floor storage compartments, the article said. Overall, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is much more competitive with its rivals than last year's model, the article said.

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: The executive's muscle car, MotorAuthoity, Sept. 30

o The new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is the muscle car for grown-ups, MotorAuthority said. From the rear deck lid-mounted spoiler to the large tailpipes peeking out from the rear bumper, there's no question this four-door sedan means business, the website said. The 300 SRT8 sports small changes that give it the aggressive appearance it needs, while maintaining an under-the-radar persona, the article said. Inside the seats are, in a word, fantastic; around town you will be more than comfortable, and they can definitely handle a track day on the weekend, the article said. While it SRT8 isn't magical, it's damn good, and with a price tag just under some of the competition, we think the SRT team might have just hit their mark, MotorAuthority said.
 

• Durango - too cool for school
• 2011 Town & Country Limited blends luxury with practicality
• Compass moves in the right direction
• Hispanic Business Magazine honors Chrysler Group
• Leasing returns from exile
• U.S. fleet sales perk up

Durango - too cool for school, Car and Driver, Sept. 18
o Car and Driver spent a few days and more than 300 miles driving three SUVs - cool alternatives to minivans for families - and Dodge Durango took first place. It starts with the driver's relationship to the controls and the ease with which the 2011 Dodge Durango Crew AWD drives down the road, the magazine said. Underneath, the Dodge feels quieter, more solid, and consequently more refined than its rivals, the article said. Durango nearly matched the Ford and Honda competition in passenger-carrying ability while offering the best interior materials, an easy-to-use radio and nav-system touch screen, intuitive controls, and elegant interior and exterior designs, the magazine said. The Dodge feels like the most-expensive vehicle here; it feels like the better value; and it feels nothing like a minivan, which consequently makes it feel like a winner, the magazine said. It's cooler than cool, Car and Driver said.

2011 Town & Country Limited blends luxury with practicality, Ridelust.com, Sept. 19
o For 2011, Chrysler has introduced a heavily revised version of the Town & Country, and the changes are dramatic, Ridelust.com said. The interior is both more stylish and more comfortable, the review said. The 2011 Town & Country is adept at both in-town and long-haul journeys, the review said. The redesign for 2011 really shines in the dash, which is considerably more upscale, the article said. Thanks to the revised suspension, the 2011 Town & Country handles much like a big sedan, the article said. The ride quality is never objectionable, even on poorly paved roads, the article said.

Compass moves in the right direction, Toronto Sun, Sept. 18
o Jeep® has set the 2011 Compass on a new course and for the most part the new direction is a good one, the Toronto Sun said. Handling is responsive and steering is fairly light in traffic, and the new suspension system handles highway imperfections and rough cottage roads with equal aplomb, the article said. Jeep is all about four-wheel drive capability, the article said.

Hispanic Business Magazine honors Chrysler Group, Auto Business News, Sept. 20
o Hispanic Business Magazine has added Chrysler Group to its list of Diversity Elite 60, Auto Business News said. The list includes organizations that promote and model diversity in the workplace and in the community, the article said. The company has been added to the list for the third consecutive year, the article said.


Leasing returns from exile, Ward's Auto World, Sept. 15
o Vehicle leasing now is a financing option offered by nearly all captive automotive lenders and many other financial institutions as the '12 model year kicks off, Ward's Auto World said. Leasing is resurging under better times, tighter controls and greater participation among auto makers, the article said. The upbeat mood swing for leasing's future involves all brands and lending segments, including subprime and near-prime, Ward's said. Leasing in the U.S. represented nearly 19 percent of all vehicle transactions last year, according to Polk, the article said. Today's leasing centers on putting the right customer in the right car, as opposed to desperately trying to move the metal to offset plant over-production, an auto industry sin of the past, Ward's said.

U.S. fleet sales perk up, Automotive News, Sept. 19
o Fleet sales perked up in August, growing slightly faster than retail volume: Fleet sales by the top seven groups rose 9 percent last month; retail volume grew 7 percent compared with August 2010, Automotive News said. Overall, through August, retail sales for the seven largest groups are up 12 percent, and fleet sales are up 2 percent, the paper said. General Motors and Chrysler Group are reducing dependence on fleet sales as their retail sales boom, the article said.

• Civility and ability - Grand Cherokee all but unstoppable
• 2012 Jeep® Wrangler accentuates civility but remains rugged
• Fiat taps Jennifer Lopez for media partnership, including music video, TV spot
• Dodge Durango ? very well done
• 2012 Chrysler 300 first impressions

Civility and ability - Grand Cherokee all but unstoppable, Winnipeg Free Press, Sept. 9
o The 2011 Grand Cherokee is a radically different ride from its predecessors, but it still boonie-bashes with the best of them, the Winnipeg Free Press said. The difference is it now does it with so much more refinement; the interior has more in common with a luxury car than an SUV, the paper said. The use of soft-touch materials, bright accents and a fit and finish that's as good as anything offered transforms it to positively swanky, the article said. The Grand Cherokee also boasts a surprisingly quiet ride, the review noted. As for the off-road side, the Grand is as solid as ever, the article said. The latest Jeep® Grand Cherokee is better than any that went before it; not only does it have better on-road manners and the same off-road tenacity, it now comes with a V6 (Pentastar) engine, the article said. All of this means the Grand Cherokee remains the benchmark in its highly competitive segment, the Free Press said.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler accentuates civility but remains rugged, Summit (Colo.) Daily, Sept. 10
o Chrysler has crafted a Jeep Wrangler that's comfortable to drive on the pavement and is also thoroughly car-like on the inside, the Summit (Colo.) Daily said. The 2012 Wrangler will appeal to a larger crowd of folks who'd always liked the idea of a Jeep but didn't feel that the austere interiors and rough ride on the highway were their cup of tea; the new Jeep is a more civilized beast, the article said. The 2012 Wrangler is pretty nice on the inside; the four-door Unlimited version, which makes up 60 percent of Wrangler's sales, becomes suspiciously SUV-like in its character, the article said. The ride is much smoother, even on giant off-road tires, and those who never leave the confines of pavement will find it a much more pleasant experience, the review said. The good news is that Wrangler's off-road character has not changed in the least, and the hearty Jeep's extra boost of power makes it a more capable machine out on the trail, the article said.

Fiat taps Jennifer Lopez for media partnership, including music video, TV spot, Ad Age, Sept. 12
o Chrysler's Fiat is tapping Jennifer Lopez as part of a multipronged partnership that includes the singer's new music video and a coming TV campaign, Ad Age magazine said. A 30-second trailer for Ms. Lopez's new "Papi" video, which features the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio, was scheduled to premiere during "Monday Night Football" on ESPN last night, the article said. The trailer will be available on Fiat's Facebook page and You Tube channel, the article said. Ms. Lopez will also appear in a series of commercials for the 2012 Fiat 500 later this year, the article said. Fiat is in the second month of its first major U.S. advertising push in nearly three decades, the article said.

Dodge Durango ? very well done, Los Angeles Daily News, Sept. 12
o The Durango returns after a complete makeover, with a vastly improved ride, more interior space for passengers, and improved fuel economy, the Los Angeles Daily News said. We liked the Durango at first glance - it looks as if it's sculpted out of a chunk of granite, a solid connected mass, a bit macho, with good proportions, the Daily News said. The cabin has been vastly improved; the new interior styling blows away most of the competition with elegant touches, a well-styled dashboard layout, first-class materials and excellent fit and finish, the article said. But it's in the driving that the Durango shines brightest: The Durango drives smaller than it is with a confident feel, well controlled in all driving circumstances, the article said.

2012 Chrysler 300 first impressions, Auto123.com, Sept. 8
o After driving the reworked 2011 300, I came away impressed by the vastly improved cabin, Auto123.com's reviewer said. Trading its distinctive character for a more refined appearance has somehow made it less edgy, more mainstream, the reviewer noted. The big news in the 300 sedan line-up is the new 8-speed transmission available on all V6 AWD and RWD models, an industry-first for a domestic automaker, the article said. It's certainly smooth, the review said; the extra gear sets enable the sedan to cruise effortlessly, yet conserve fuel by keeping the RPMs low.

• Ram Power Wagon: Hard working and hard playing
• Dodge hides Journey crossovers in new contest
• New Cars 2012
• Cute? Yes!
• Chrysler 200 commercial wins Creative Arts Emmy
• 2012 Jeep® Wrangler review

Ram Power Wagon: Hard working and hard playing, Four Wheeler, Oct. 1
o The beauty of the Power Wagon is its dual-purpose nature: Comfortable and spacious enough for family getaways, but adept enough to get the job done?whatever that job happens to be, Four Wheeler magazine said. Hauling, towing, wheeling, commuting ? the Power Wagon is up for anything, the report said. The major change to the Power Wagon for 2010 was the Crew Cab body style, the first time that a "true crew" has been available on this model, the article said. The Power Wagon continues to live up to its predecessor's reputation as a tough and multi-talented pickup - and we can't say we mind its more civilized nature, the magazine said.

Dodge hides Journey crossovers in new contest, Detroit Free Press, Sept. 9
o Chrysler is rolling out a new marketing campaign for the Dodge Journey that includes a real-life version of hide-and-seek and a lower starting price for the 2012 model, the Detroit Free Press said. Television and digital spots starting Friday will position the 2012 Dodge Journey as the "Search Engine for the Real World," and a perfect vehicle for outdoor adventures, the Free Press said. The automaker has hidden three Dodge Journeys across America and will provide clues about the locations in its new commercials, the article said. The contest ends Sept. 27, the article said. The Journey was overhauled in 2011 with an improved interior and a new Pentastar V6 engine, the article said. "The Dodge Journey is the 'Swiss Army knife' of vehicles," Reid Bigland, president and CEO ? Dodge brand said in the article. "America's most versatile crossover is also now the most affordable in its class."

New Cars 2012, Automobile Magazine, Sept. 8
o Five Chrysler Group vehicles are among the new arrivals shaping the automotive world for 2012, according to the editors of Automobile Magazine.

Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8: The SRT8's acceleration and shocking levels of grip are enough to make any driver question reality, but the Jeep®'s off-track performance is perhaps most incredible. The 2012 model flawlessly bridges the gap between track-day terror and daily driver. It may be a niche vehicle, but it's a niche worth being in.

Dodge Charger SRT8: Like its greatest ancestors, the SRT8 packs serious Hemi power. Wide tires provide great grip, adaptive dampers help keep body roll in check, and the car is more receptive to midcorner corrections than previous SRT8s.

Chrysler 300 SRT8: Want the aptitude of the Charger SRT8 but not the attitude? Turn to Chrysler's 300 SRT8. Subtler sheet metal and softer damper tuning lend the 300 more of a relaxed feel, but it's definitely no slouch.

Jeep Wrangler: The Wrangler - even the four-door Unlimited - distinguishes itself well from the typical mid-size SUV - especially since the typical mid-size SUV can't drive right off the showroom floor and conquer the Rubicon Trail.

Chrysler 200 commercial wins Creative Arts Emmy, Detroit News, Sept. 11
o Detroiters weren't the only ones who fell in love with that soulful and moving Chrysler 200 commercial starring hometown hero and rapper Eminem, the Detroit News said. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was also smitten and rewarded the agency that made the TV spot, which debuted during this year's Super Bowl, with a Creative Arts Emmy Saturday, the News said.

2012 Jeep® Wrangler review, Kelley Blue Book, Sept. 7
o "Iconic" may be an overused descriptive, but the 2012 Jeep Wrangler SUV wears it well, Kelley Blue Book said. Civilians continue to embrace the same basic recipe of affordable four-wheel drive, despite the Jeep's increased size, capability and wide-ranging window sticker, the publication said. The Jeep Wrangler has never been more off-road capable or - over the road - more comfortable, the article said. If you enjoy outdoor activities, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler is your round-trip ticket to the trailhead, ski slope or beach, the article said. And if you enjoy the Jeep-specific pursuit of boulder hopping, this newest iteration of the Wrangler ? and newish iteration of the four-door Unlimited SUV ? won't disappoint, the article said. The best part about the 2012 Jeep Wrangler is that it remains ? in the end ? a Jeep, the review said. Jeep's Wrangler continues to be the most democratic of off-road SUV choices, with a base price of under $23K, the article said. To the Wrangler's credit, it enjoys historically high resale value, with three-year-old examples projected to return almost 60 percent of their original window sticker, Kelley Blue Book said.

• First drive: 2012 Jeep® Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited
• 2012 Jeep Wrangler
• 2012 Jeep Wrangler first drive
• 2012 Jeep Wrangler: Power to the people
• 2012 Jeep Wrangler: New heart and capable as ever
• Driving Chrysler's high performance SRT8
• 2011 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4

First drive: 2012 Jeep® Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, Left Lane News, Aug. 21

o It took only a few seconds behind the wheel to appreciate the Pentastar V6's added power, Left Lane News said. Combined with the far more sophisticated five-speed automatic, the new powertrain motivated the Wrangler with authority, the website said. Where they shine the most is off road, the article said. Combine this newly civilized, more muscular powertrain with the greatly improved dashboard, center console and door panels that Wrangler netted last year and it is becoming difficult to find fault with Jeep's most capable ? and amazingly livable ? off roader, the article said.

2012 Jeep Wrangler, Road and Track Magazine, Aug. 22

o Within moments, you'll feel that the new 3.6-liter Pentastar is a much more refined engine, much quieter than the 3.8 and able to power the Jeep® up to highway speeds without working hard, Road and Track said. Off road, the Wrangler is as capable as ever, the magazine said. All told, the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler is an impressive vehicle, an icon that's as capable as ever but much easier to live with on a daily basis, thanks to the added refinement of the new engine and the 2011 interior upgrade, Road and Track said.

2012 Jeep Wrangler first drive, The Car Connection, Aug. 22

o Jeep has always had a certain swagger with respect to off-road activities ? especially in the iconic Wrangler ? but this year, thanks to the second part of a surprisingly thorough mid-cycle refresh, Chrysler's rugged, outdoorsy brand has nothing to be ashamed of on the road and in the city, or well past where the pavement ends, The Car Connection said. Last year, Jeep brought the Wrangler's interior up to modern tastes without at all ruining its authenticity, the report said. Out on the trail the appropriate word was one that we caught ourselves uttering frequently: Wow, the article said. The Wrangler, can perform off-road feats that will have you wide-eyed in disbelief, the article said. Overall, Jeep has done a great job in making the Wrangler tolerable ? maybe even enjoyable for commuting ? without changing it too much, the article said. The 2012 Wrangler now has the on-road refinement and powertrain performance to match its competitors while maintaining all the off-road cred, the iconic look and the no-sacrifices tough-as-nails layout, The Car Connection said.

2012 Jeep Wrangler: Power to the people, The Detroit Bureau, Aug. 22

o For 2012, the Wrangler gets better, much better, as it is equipped up with an all-new and more powerful 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with five-speed automatic transmission that enhances the Wrangler's on-road performance without compromising any of its legendary off-road capabilities, The Detroit Bureau said. The Jeep Wrangler's ride on ordinary pavement is quieter, smoother and less harsh with better fuel-economy as well as more power and torque, the article said. The Wrangler is just as capable as ever of traversing unimproved forest trails and charging up hills through the most rugged terrain, the article said. The improvement to the Wrangler's performance created by the new engine makes it into more of an all-purpose vehicle, the article said. The Wrangler is arguably the world's best off-road vehicle but now has been given a new lease on life as an on-road vehicle as well, without surrendering any of its rugged character, the article said.

2012 Jeep Wrangler: New heart and capable as ever, AutoPacific VehicleVoice, Aug. 21.

o The new powertrain absolutely transforms the Wrangler, AutoPacific VehicleVoice said. The on-road ride is surprisingly civilized for this type of vehicle, but the real focus of the Wrangler is how it performs in the dirt, the article said. It's great to see that despite the realities of high fuel prices and upcoming strict fuel economy standards, Wrangler has kept itself not only relevant in these times, but has actually become a far better vehicle, AutoPacific said. It's far more powerful and fuel efficient, it's as off-road capable as ever, it's a win-win for everyone, and that is progress, the article said.

Driving Chrysler's high performance SRT8, Autos.ca, Aug. 23

o Driving a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, it became clear Chrysler has been doing its homework, Autos.ca said. The interior features soft-touch surfaces, elegant design and real carbon fiber trim, the website said. It all culminates in an overall sense of quality that is enhanced by the hushed cabin at speed, the article said. Overall this four-door sedan is the model of civility, the review said.

2011 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4, Automobile Magazine, Aug. 22

o The editors of Automobile Magazine comment on the 2011 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4.
Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor: The Ram's large, flat interior surfaces are almost more luxuriously trimmed than most homes, with ash wood trim, premium leather swathed across most surfaces, and an intricate stitching design reminiscent of a tribal tattoo that was also repeated on the gauges.
Jake Holmes, Associate Web Editor: Never before have I driven such an enormous, overly capable vehicle. Although the Ram is massive, it's not as difficult to drive as I expected.
Phil Floraday, Senior Web Editor: It's really incredible how far the Ram 3500 has come in the past few years. The interior has been best-in-class since this generation of truck debuted, but the diesel engine was down on power until this year.
Rusty Blackwell, Copy Editor: I'm always astounded by how quick these one-ton diesel trucks are. This Cummins really kicks, and the six-speed automatic seems very well matched to the engine. The target market for a truck like this is likely very small, but this Ram 3500 notches a direct hit on that tiny bull's-eye.
Matt Tierney, Art Director: Ram is making the best looking trucks - inside and out - of The Big Three, and it's not even close. With this 3500 Laramie, Ram did a beautiful job of simply stretching what is already a handsome truck into a crew cab with a massive 8-foot bed that subtly bulges to encompass the dual rear wheels. You get the full Laramie experience when you climb into the cabin: Attention to detail and creativity abound.
David Zenlea, Assistant Editor: Unlike other gussied up trucks I've driven, the Ram's cabin is nice enough to begin with that the extra trimmings don't come off as lipstick on a pig. It may sound paradoxical, but the Ram's enormity is more troublesome for the fact that it doesn't feel all that enormous. Puttering around town, it doesn't feel all that different from the Ram 1500, which itself doesn't feel all that different from a well-mannered SUV.

• Curb APEAL, MSN Autos
• 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge review
• 2011 Dodge Charger review
• 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: Stealth bomber
• 2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione

Dodge vehicles have curb APEAL, MSN Autos

o J.D. Power and Associates' Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study for 2011 showed that car buyers are more satisfied than ever before, MSN Autos said. Dodge took the top spot in an industry-best three categories, MSN Autos said.
Midsize Sports Car - 2011 Dodge Challenger: The Challenger was especially impressive, having taken its class in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey as well. Owners reported that they liked the car's storage and space, exterior design and driving dynamics. We love the Challenger's looks.
Large Car - 2011 Dodge Charger: The Charger was one of the three most improved models in the study ? the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer were the other two. Respondents were enamored with the exterior design, and they also liked the entertainment features and interior storage space. We appreciate the Charger's new 3.6-liter V6 engine and the big step up Dodge has taken with interior quality.
Midsize Crossover/SUV - 2011 Dodge Durango: Buyers responded well to the exterior design, driving dynamics, entertainment features and visibility. We find the Durango to be one of the best 7-passenger crossovers on the market, with a comfortable, sporty ride, a high-quality cabin and a fine new V6 engine.

2012 Fiat 500 Lounge review, Auto123.com, Aug. 17

o The new Fiat 500 has been a runaway hit with Canadians; tiny, bug-eyed and boasting plenty of rounded curves inside and out, there's just no getting around it ? the Fiat 500 is cute, Auto123.com said. It's the interior that garners the lion's share of comments - there's nothing linear or minimalist about it ? the design is retro, it's bright and it's fun, the Canadian website said. The abundance of ivory, sunroof and generous headroom have the effect of creating an open and airy space in what is essentially a fairly small cabin, the review said. The Fiat 500 is delightful to drive; the tiny wheelbase allows it to navigate narrow congested city streets and perform tight u-turns with ease, the review said.

2011 Dodge Charger review, Autotalk.com, Aug. 17

o The 2011 model year still shares that special persona and allure that made the first generation so successful, Autotalk.com said. A subtle but affective redesign to the exterior has adopted a few styling cues from the most memorable Charger of all - the 1968-70 coke bottle, the article said. The Charger is quiet, calm and controlled which makes highway trips a breeze; around town, it is nimble enough that it will go anywhere with ease and is large enough to do any, every day duty, the review said. People utterly adore this car, especially in Rallye trim and Toxic paint, the review said. Not one new car in recent testing has delivered more smiles per mile than our Charger, the review said. Our test car stayed comfortable, cool and composed no matter what, the review said.

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: Stealth bomber, Motor Trend, Aug. 17

o The SRT team has done a terrific job with the current equipment, making this large sedan a sublime driver's car, Motor Trend magazine said of the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8. You simply don't expect the level of control and communication it provides, the magazine said. The 300 SRT8 remains a uniquely American sports-orientated luxury car, Motor Trend said.

2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione, Jay Leno's Garage, Aug. 15

o Fiat's bringing the Italian back to America for the first time since the early '80s with its stylish, safe and economical 500, otherwise known as the Cinquecento, a report from Jay Leno's Garage said. But the real news is the 500's 1.4-liter 4-cylinder, featuring "MultiAir" technology, the website said. To view video of Jay Leno's session on the Fiat 500, go to

• Charger is a solid family sedan that knows how to put the pedal to the metal
• Jeep® Compass proves it's what's on the outside that counts
• A quartet of amazing Detroit SRT® speedsters
• SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition is most powerful Challenger Chrysler has ever built
• Chrysler takes new SRT brand on tour
• Fiat 500 kicks off multi-city film events
• 2012 Dodge Ram 1500: A handy hauler

Charger is a solid family sedan that knows how to put the pedal to the metal, Globe and Mail (Toronto), Aug. 12

o The Charger is more than just a pretty muscle car; it's also a solid family sedan, with a secure ride, quiet and spacious interior, decent handling and, of course, loads of power, the Globe and Mail of Toronto said. Think of it as a Hot Wheel for grownups, the paper said. The Charger received an extensive makeover for 2011 that improved the car's appearance and ride, the paper said. One of the best things about the Charger is the spacious interior: The car has ample room for a family of four and can comfortably seat five with the folding rear console in the upright position, the article said.

Jeep® Compass proves it's what's on the outside that counts, Cars.com, Aug. 12

o A big change for 2011 is new front styling that takes inspiration from the larger Grand Cherokee, Cars.com said in its review of the 2011 Jeep® Compass. Said one reader of the website: "The styling puts it a new class of its own." Another big change for 2011 is the addition of a Trail Rated model, the brand's off-road badge that marks special trim levels ready for off-road use, the article said.

A quartet of amazing Detroit SRT® speedsters, Auto Channel, Aug. 11

o The four SRT® models are Chrysler's re-launched response for a group of auto enthusiasts who feel the need for speed and performance, are willing to pay for it and get good environmental credits too, the Auto channel said.
Chrysler 300 SRT8: This vehicle sets new levels of artistic success with a 4-door, near luxury sedan. It's the modern car for the modern Sunday drive with the family that likes to go really fast with comfort, but are equally good the daily commute too.
Dodge Challenger SRT 392: This is the granddaddy of high performance coupes updated and modernized with technology, engineering excellence and look.
Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8: As you slip in to the driver or passenger seat there is a palpable feeling a most unique experience awaits - and there is. It's pure SRT but still has pure Jeep® attributes including variable road surface adjustment.
Dodge Charger SRT8: The new Charger, especially in black, is going to get on the nerves when it's in your rear view mirror.

SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition is most powerful Challenger Chrysler has ever built, Winnipeg (Canada) Free Press, Aug. 12

o This is the fastest, most powerful production Challenger Chrysler has ever built, and it is one macho set of wheels, the Winnipeg Free Press said. For those of us of a certain age, the 392 is certainly one of THE cars of 2011 in which to be seen, the paper's reviewer said. Driving the 392 brought back fond memories of a time when performance and not fuel economy was paramount, the review said. But it's not the easiest car to live with on a daily basis ? "I would save this Challenger for weekends," the reviewer said.

Chrysler takes new SRT brand on tour, Detroit Free
Press, Aug. 12

o Chrysler is taking its latest Street and Racing Technology high performance models and newly formed SRT brand on tour across America, the Detroit Free Press said. The tour began at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills last Friday and concludes in November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, the paper said. "Each of these vehicles is loaded with new technologies and content that SRT customers want to fulfill their need for power, performance, contemporary luxury and safety while maintaining each of the vehicle brand's key design differentiators," Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of SRT, said, the paper reported.

Fiat 500 kicks off multi-city film events, Adweek.com, Aug. 12

o Taking a page from its current TV advertising "Drive-in," Fiat kicks off the first of its multi-city outdoor cinema showings this weekend, Adweek said. The Italian auto brand took over New York's Times Square Aug. 13 and 14 for an all-afternoon promotion that culminated in a double feature that viewers watched while sitting in 36 2012 Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio models, the article said. Events, rather than mass media, are central to the relaunch of Fiat in the U.S., the article said. Getting consumers up close to a Fiat is critical to a brand that earned a bad reputation for quality to Americans in the 1970s and '80s, the article said. Fiat will expand the scale of the event as it moves to other cities: Chicago, Aug. 19-21; Miami, Aug. 26-28; and Los Angeles, Sept. 3-5, the article said.

2012 Dodge Ram 1500: A handy hauler, carguideweb.com, Aug. 13

o A single idea can carry an otherwise pretty decent vehicle into the realm of brilliance - for the Dodge Ram, it's the Rambox storage system, Carguideweb.com said. Inside, the 2011 Ram is stupendously well designed, the article said. As a result of this excellent interior and enviable powertrain, it's a damn fine truck to drive, the article said. As the only half ton pickup truck to utilize coil springs in both the front and rear suspensions, the Ram unquestionably provides the most comfortable ride of all, with an almost car-like feel that gets better the faster you go, the article said. However, that boxy body is undoubtedly what's turning many would-be truck buyers onto the "new" Ram brand, the article said. As the single best looking truck on the market, it's big broad shoulders look perfectly the part - and when those shoulders contain the optional Ramboxes, the body of this truck is even better, the article said.

• Dodge's maximum-strength sedan is retooled with even more muscle for 2012
• 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 - teaching the elephant to dance
• Chrysler announces 'No Payment for 90 Days' program
• Last crossover standing
• 2011 Chrysler 300C review

Dodge's maximum-strength sedan is retooled with even more muscle for 2012, Edmunds Inside Line, Aug. 10
o What the (horsepower and torque) numbers don't tell you is how confident, complete and wholly American this assembled-in-Canada sedan drives, Edmunds Inside Line said of the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT®8. It's a broad-shouldered and bullying rear driver with deep roots in muscle car history - a tough guy looking to brawl, the website said. And yet it's one of the most comfortable cars Dodge has ever built, the review said. Dodge nailed the ride/handling balance this time: This Charger rides firmly but never over the top, and rolls like a limo on smooth surfaces, the review said. There are big-dollar sedans that are faster, more luxurious and carry more weight at the valet, but none of them possesses the sheer swagger of this monstrous Mopar®, the review said.

2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 - teaching the elephant to dance, Motor Trend, Aug. 10
o The big Jeep® likes to be manhandled and tossed around, Motor Trend said. The stability control, electronic center and rear differential work in conjunction to keep the big girl dancing through turns, the magazine said. There are faster vehicles out there, but the Jeep seems like a bargain, even if it can't go off-road, the review said.

Chrysler announces 'No Payment for 90 Days' program, Detroit News, Aug. 10
o Chrysler Group announced a new "No Payments for 90 Days" incentive program for all 2011 and 2012 Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck models, as part of the company's summer clearance event, the Detroit News said. Vehicles purchased through the program must be financed through Ally Financial, and the offer is only available to qualified customers, the paper said. The company also announced additional incentives on 2012 model year vehicles, the paper said.

Last crossover standing, Popular Mechanics, July
o Popular Mechanics magazine torture tested seven three-row crossover vehicles to determine those with the best balance of on-road carpooling and off-road adventure. Among the seven selected vehicles was the Dodge Durango. "Exterior styling is spot on," read one logbook comment, the article said. The Durango patrolled the sand with a tow strap permanently at the ready, since we quickly learned that the Dodge could tow other vehicles without getting stuck, the test drivers said. Its fuel economy and on-road handling were on a par with or better than the rest, and the interior, with rich materials and features such as adaptive cruise control and heated rear seats, certainly doesn't imply that it's a truck, the article said. As an overall package, nothing does a better job reconciling genuine ruggedness with daily usability, Popular Mechanics said.

2011 Chrysler 300C review, Automotive Addicts.com, Aug. 10
o The newly redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300C embarks on a journey into comfort and refinement elevating Chrysler's luxury flagship to new heights, Automotive Addicts.com said. The redesign features many improvements and enhancements putting the new 300 at the forefront of the full-size luxury car segment once again, the website said. Stepping inside of the new Chrysler 300C will put you in a state of serenity; the newly designed interior of the 300C is lavish enough to satisfy the buyers of luxury vehicles costing twice the price, the review said. Driving the new Chrysler 300C is truly a pleasure; the 300C is smooth, poised, and competent on the road, the review said. Exterior styling on the new 2011 Chrysler 300C combines elegance and a quant taste of luxury, the review said.

• New pickup trucks, vans for small businesses
• 2011 Dodge Charger Rallye V6 - some things never go out of style
• 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 - first drive
• 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 - first drive
• 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 - first drive
• Car of the Week: The Fiat 500
• Future of the auto industry
• Car-buying millennials sometimes misunderstood

New pickup trucks, vans for small businesses,
KABC-TV (Los Angeles), Aug. 5

o Those who need pickups for work are really the bread and butter of the segment, including small businesses which can be a barometer of the economy, KABC-TV in Los Angeles reported. Working people often want the basics with capability, Mike Levine, editor of pickuptrucks.com said in the report. Chrysler's Ram brand is offering up a new model called the Tradesman that has all the guts, but skips the frills for an attractive sticker price, the report said. "It is meant to do a job and it's meant to do that job very well," Levine said in the report. The plain but powerful Tradesman should be a hit with everyone from independent contractors to large-fleet operators, the report said.

2011 Dodge Charger Rallye V6 - some things never go out of style, Autoblog, Aug. 4

o There are other full-size sedans that would seemingly stack up against Dodge's latest sedan, but none of them are geared towards the enthusiast driver in quite the same way, Autoblog said. The 2011 Dodge Charger is unabashedly American and offers a unique blend of style, comfort, practicality and performance in this segment of big, boring sedans, the review said.

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 - first drive, Autotrader.ca, Aug. 5

o The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is a time machine: Although it sports modern attributes, the rumble of its 6.4-liter V8 and straight-line ability evokes the 1970s, Autotrader.ca said. For all the improvements made in the handling department, the article said, it's the straight-line performance that shines. Along with the looks: those racing stripes and handsome 20-inch alloy wheels make the car seem as if it has just driven off a movie set - it has way too much charisma to be part of everyday life, the review said.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 - first drive, Autotrader.ca, Aug. 5

o The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 offers a great blend of boisterousness and usefulness, Autotrader.ca said. With much to love and little to complain about, this is possibly the smartest choice of the new SRT halo models, the article said.

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 - first drive, Autotrader.ca, Aug, 5

o If there's one thing that goes well with a Chrysler 300, it's a big engine, and in the 2012 300 SRT8, this is the biggest it gets, Autotrader.ca said. The 300 makes a strong case for itself as a domestic executive sedan, the article said. This SRT model takes the car to an area more sporty than any previous iteration has ever been, the review said. Of the four 2012 SRT models, the 300 gets the prize for most pleasing interior, the review said. For someone who wants the most powerful 300 out there, this will fit the bill just fine, the review said.

Car of the Week: The Fiat 500, Gentleman's Quarterly

o Gentleman's Quarterly magazine will conduct a 12-month test of the 2012 Fiat 500 and report monthly on its findings. The GQ vehicle is a "Pop" model, with a five-speed manual transmission, finished in Verde Chiaro light green, with a sunroof, satellite navigation, satellite radio, ambient interior lighting and upgraded audio system. Fiat seems to be taking the proper lesson from its success half a century ago with this bite-sized, overeager puppy of a car, GQ said: "Engineering and economy will win over our sensible selves, but the secret to making small stick is a big, heaping dose of charm."

Future of the auto industry, The Auto Channel, Aug. 8

o After four days of meetings at the annual Management Briefing Seminars in northern Michigan last week, The Auto Channel raved about "the best speech of the week by far" ? the confidence-inspiring talk by Sergio Marchionne of Fiat and Chrysler. "After listening to him for a couple of hours I would not hesitate to invest in any company he is running," the channel's correspondent said.

Car-buying millennials sometimes misunderstood, Ward's Auto, Aug. 5

o More than 20 percent of young consumers, so-called millennials age 22 to 30, plan to purchase a car within a year, according a national survey by communications firm Capstrat, Ward's Auto said. A total of 64 percent of female millennials already have bought a vehicle, compared with 44 percent of males, the article said. In the poll of 400 respondents, most millennial car shoppers research third-party sites, and a majority think their purchase should reflect their status, but most also say they need a co-signer, the article said. The millennials, also known as Generation Y, flex annual buying power of more than $2 trillion, the article said. Some of their elders rap them as reluctant to dive into the real world, but, in fact, they often are just taking time to make important decisions in their lives, such as buying a car, Capstrat says, the article reported. "Millennials are going to overtake baby boomers in terms of spending power by 2018," says Capstrat President Karen Albritton in the article.

• All-new Durango Citadel is truly refined
• Chrysler Group to deliver 14 plug-in hybrid Rams to San Francisco
• Fiat unveils ad campaign for 500
• Fiat 500 offers over 150 accessorizes with Mopar®
• Chrysler to train suppliers in production system

All-new Durango Citadel is truly refined, Chicago Sun Times, July 25

o The 2011 Durango shares a version of the architecture of the much-lauded 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, the Chicago Sun Times reported. The interior is well thought out, from its clean instrument panel to its flexible passenger and cargo accommodations, the paper said. There is a surprising amount of room in the third row and a usable amount of cargo volume behind it, according to the story. The longer wheelbase and road-tuned suspension of the Durango offers a noticeably smoother and more settled highway ride. Sticking with a rear-wheel-drive layout and a near perfect weight balance makes it actually fun to drive, the Sun Times said.



Chrysler Group to deliver 14 plug-in hybrid Rams to San Francisco, Carscoop.blogspot.com, Aug. 1


o The Chrysler Group is taking its first baby steps in the plug-in hybrid arena with the launch of an evaluation program that will see around 140 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) being supplied to selected cities and states across the USA, Carscoop.blogspot.com reported. Today, Chrysler will deliver 14 Ram 1500 PHEV prototypes to the City of San Francisco as part of a three-year assessment program, the website said. According to the article, Chrysler says that the vehicles are part of a pure demonstration program and that there are no plans for a production version of the PHEV Ram 1500 truck at this time. Aside from the Ram pickup truck, the Detroit automaker is also developing a similar fleet of 25 Town & Country minivans with plug-in hybrid technology for demonstration and evaluation purposes, the story said.



Fiat unveils ad campaign for 500, USA Today, Aug. 1

o Italy's Fiat is launching its first big advertising campaign (Monday), portraying its little 500 fun car as "simply more," USA Today reported. It marks the first big advertising campaign since the car was introduced earlier this year, the paper said. The TV commercial, which started airing Monday, features the 500 at a drive-in theater, according to the article. Black-and-white footage of the old 500 of the 1950s flicker on the screen to Elvis' rendition of "Jailhouse Rock" to set the mood, USA Today said.





Fiat 500 offers over 150 accessorizes with Mopar®, Car Buzz.com, July 31

o Chrysler's customizing brand, Mopar, has announced they are offering over 150 different accessories for the Fiat 500, CarBuzz.com reported. The accessories range from a locking gas cap that goes for $21 to a new body kit that will set you back $1,400, the website said. Basically, there's something available for nearly every budget, the article said. For those who enjoy adding electronics, there is even a Wi-Fi option that allows electronic devices to be used as far as 150 feet away from the car, according to CarBuzz. So if you're looking to add that certain sense of style to your Fiat 500, you will have more than enough options to help get you through the process, the story said.



Chrysler to train suppliers in production system, Automotive News, Aug. 1

o Chrysler Group LLC wants to train its tier one suppliers how to adopt its production system, dubbed World Class Manufacturing, the Automotive News reported. In a pilot program, five key suppliers will study the system in Chrysler's assembly plants and introduce it in their own factories, the paper said. The system manages many aspects of manufacturing, such as minimal inventory, quality and worker safety, the story said. After the pilot program is under way for a year or so, Chrysler will expand the program to other tier one suppliers, Massimo Risi, Chrysler's chief of worldwide manufacturing, told the Automotive News.

• Chrysler tops Ford in Canadian light-truck sales
• BMW, Dodge among most appealing: J.D. Power
• Mopar unveils products to customize Fiat 500s
• The best cars for people who can't park
• Fiat's new Dodge is a sales success (in Europe)
• 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible; Love the sun, love the payment and now love the car
• The updated 300 is big and bold

Chrysler tops Ford in Canadian light-truck sales,

Detroit Free Press, July 28
o Chrysler, benefiting from demand for its fuel-efficient crossover SUVs, overtook Ford as the biggest seller of light trucks in Canada this year, the Detroit Free Press reported. Chrysler led deliveries last month for the first time since January, winning by a wide enough margin to snatch the crown for year-to-date sales, the paper said. Those gains put Chrysler within fewer than 4,000 total deliveries of becoming the overall No. 2 automaker in Canada, where a growing economy is expected to lead to a 2.6 percent increase in sales this year industrywide, according to Scotia Capital, the Free Press said.

BMW, Dodge among most appealing: J.D. Power,
Bloomberg News, July 27

o Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Chrysler Group LLC each won three segments in J.D. Power & Associates' annual study of the most appealing brands and vehicles, Bloomberg reported. The Dodge Challenger, Ford Motor Co.'s F-150 light-duty and Honda Motor Co.'s Ridgeline earned awards in both studies, the news service said. The APEAL study surveyed more than 73,000 automobile owners and lessees about positive aspects of their vehicles, the Westlake Village, Calif.-based company said, Bloomberg said.

Mopar unveils products to customize Fiat 500s, Detroit News, July 28

o Chrysler Group LLC's Mopar Division?long the purveyor of muscle car fantasies?is turning its attention to the Fiat 500, with more than 150 new accessories to customize the cute subcompact, the Detroit News reported. There is probably no better symbol of the marriage between the Auburn Hills automaker and Italy's Fiat SpA than a black Mopar mag wheel on the petite 500, the paper said. Aftermarket parts are a profitable revenue source for automakers, but Mopar's benefit goes beyond the bottom line. The more attached customers are to their vehicle, the more likely they are to buy another one from the same brand, the News said.

The best cars for people who can't park, Automobile Magazine, July 27

o Jake Holmes of Automobile Magazine rated the Fiat 500 as one of the best cars to own if the art of parking still escapes you or parking spaces themselves are a premium. The 500 takes up just 139.6 inches by 64.1 inches, which is less space than almost every other new vehicle on the road today and only three inches wider than the Smart Fortwo, Holmes noted. The cute hatchback is meant to inject a bit of personality into the small-car experience while providing excellent fuel-economy ratings of up to 38 mpg on the highway, the story said. With seating for four and 9.5 cubic feet of luggage space, it's far more commodious than the Smart. Even so, its petite waistline and tiny 30.6-foot turning radius mean even the most ham-fisted driver should be able to park the 500 without trading paint, Automobile Magazine said.

Fiat's new Dodge is a sales success (in Europe), Automotive News, July 27

o A larger dealer network plus a better diesel engine have given the Dodge Journey a new life in Europe as the rebadged Fiat Freemont, the Automotive News reported. At its June introduction in Italy, Fiat said it planned to sell 13,000 Freemonts this year, but by early July the automaker had collected 15,700 orders and it has asked Chrysler Group to increase production of the Freemont, the trade paper said. Fiat planned to sell 33,000 Freemonts in 2012, the first full year of sales in Europe, the publication said. To meet the higher-than-planned European demand, Chrysler boosted Freemont production by more than a third to 4,067 units in June by working overtime. One reason why the Freemont is selling so well is because Fiat has a larger dealer network than Chrysler did when it was operating independently in Europe, the Automotive News said.

2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible; Love the sun, love the payment and now love the car, Windsor Star, July 28

o Some like it hot, and if you do, then a two-door car that turns into a convertible is likely a cool thing, Windsor Star reviewer Malcolm Gunn wrote. The good news is that you don't have to drop big coin for a rolling hair dryer. The even better news is that this year's crop of contenders is hot stuff. Just take a look at the 2011 Chrysler 200, Gunn wrote. The car has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes of what was better known until recently as the Sebring. And although the basic structure has been carried over, there have been a number of significant upgrades to improve the mid-size model's overall performance and create a more elegant appearance, both inside and out, Gunn said.

The updated 300 is big and bold, Vancouver Sun, July 27

o The Chrysler 300C isn't about following the trends; it is about charting a unique path that gives owners a chance to drive something big and bold, Zack Spencer wrote for the Vancouver Sun. This 300C might look like a throwback to another era, but the updates it received for 2011 make it a thoroughly modern version of the classic family sedan, Spencer said. The interior looks very good by day and fantastic at night, he added. What makes the 300C appealing is the 363-horsepower Hemi engine, carried over from the last model, Spencer said. The exterior, interior and ride all come together to make a fine luxury sedan, the Sun reviewer wrote. It's not likely that the Chrysler 300C will enjoy the mass appeal it did back in 2005, but for those that like a big sedan, this $39,995 V8 sedan commands attention, he said. Well deserved, because this is a lot of car for the money, Spencer concluded.

• First Drive: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
• 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 first drive
• 300 sedan worthy of its heritage
• New Chrysler muscle car stirs emotions
• 2011 Chrysler Town & Country review
• 2011 Chrysler minivans review
• To Grand Canyon in a 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee
• Fiat seals Chrysler majority stake

First Drive: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT®8, Automobile Magazine, July 20

o The base Charger already bears an aggressive, muscular shape; in SRT®8 form, however, that aesthetic has been given the BALCO treatment, Automobile Magazine said. The Charger's already angry front fascia is further twisted into a menacing snarl, each part playing a role in helping the SRT8 reach some incredible speeds (drag naturally limits the car's top end to a wild 172 mph) while simultaneously remaining planted on terra firma, the magazine said. Although it packs massive power into a hefty 4365-pound frame, the Charger SRT8 proves to be remarkably agile, the article said.

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 first drive, Jalopnik, July 15

o The Challenger feels far more nimble than its predecessor, by big leaps, Jalopnik.com said. While fun to muscle around the track, the Challenger really shines on the serpentine mountain trail, the website said. On track, the Challenger is wickedly fun, the review said.

300 sedan worthy of its heritage, Victoria (Canada) Times Colonist, July 22

o The 300 is the flagship of the Chrysler line and it still looks impressive, the Victoria Times Colonist said. Its bodywork is sleeker and more contemporary, but the interior is where the greatest gains have come and shows the 300 is still at the top of its game - in a word, the interior is dazzling, the paper said. There is always a fear that the sequel to a winner can sometimes miss the mark, but there should be no such fear with the second-generation 300, the paper said.

New Chrysler muscle car stirs emotions, Canada.com, July 21

o It's nice to see some manufacturers haven't completely abandoned models that still get the heart pumping when the key is turned, Canada.com said. All four SRT vehicles are moved by the same muscle - a 6.4-litre Hemi® V8 that capitalizes on the latest engine technologies to produce the most horsepower (465 ponies) and torque (465 pound-feet) ever, while also delivering the Hemi's best fuel numbers, the website said. These new models are loaded with high-tech performance features; the Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8, for example, is capable of flashing to 96 kilometres an hour in 4.8 seconds and brakes to a stop from that speed in 35.35 metres, the article said. More impressive is this Jeep's handling, the article said.

2011 Chrysler Town & Country review, Family Car Guide.com, July 18

o The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country minivan returns with some of the same upgrades found on the best-selling Dodge Grand Caravan, Family Car Guide.com said. To minivan-shopping families, the difference is mainly in the bottom line and in features - both vans continue to offer the most flexible seating package in the segment, and safety is just as good as before, the review said. Inside, the Chrysler minivans lead the pack in flexibility, the review said. This year the interior's been dressed up nicely, too, the article said.

2011 Chrysler minivans review, auto123.com, July 21

o The pair of minivans from Chrysler LLC is evidently versatile, functional and fairly attractive, auto123.com from Canada said. Chrysler has managed to seriously spruce things up - the cabin is nice and lends credence to the fact that Chrysler did and does listen to its customers, the website said. Kudos to the large front seats, which are genuinely comfortable, and especially to the van's best feature, Stow n' Go seating, the review said. If bang-for-the-buck is high on the priority list, the Grand Caravan cannot be beat, the review said.

To Grand Canyon in a 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, GolfDigest.com, August edition

o Chrysler started from scratch - almost - for the 2011 version of the Grand Cherokee, keeping nothing from the previous iteration except the badge on the hood and serious off-road chops, GolfDigest.com said. The Grand Cherokee is wider, longer and more elegant than the version it replaces, the magazine said. The Grand Cherokee got a substantial interior upgrade with soft-touch materials and leather, and the navigation interface is elegant and easy to use, the review said. We merged from the glass-blacktopped highway onto the choppier roads up and around the red rocks with virtually no change in ride quality, the article said.

Fiat seals Chrysler majority stake, Wall Street Journal, July 21

o Italian auto maker Fiat SpA officially became Chrysler Group LLC's majority owner on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal said. Fiat on Thursday reached a deal to pay the Canadian government $140 million for its small stake in Chrysler, and complete a previously announced deal to purchase the U.S. government's larger stake in the auto maker, the Journal said. The two moves increase Fiat's holding in Chrysler to 53.5% from 46%, the article said.

• Here comes the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
• 2011 Dodge Durango more than merely 'best yet'
• Second-gen Grand Cherokee SRT8 is ready to put the hammer down with newfound decorum
• First Drive: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 first drive
• 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 first drive

Here comes the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, TFLcar.com, July 19

o This new Charger SRT8 would give the best sports sedans a run for their money, TFLcar.com said. The handling is much tighter and the undercarriage feels better connected to the road, the website said. The interior is excellent; it's one of the best looking of the SRT bunch, the review said. For the price of an entry level BMW 5 series, you can have this monster - and it's a damn good deal, the review said.

2011 Dodge Durango more than merely 'best yet,' Geardiary.com, July 19

o To say the 2011 Dodge Durango is the best yet is an understatement - Dodge engineers went above and beyond, Geardiary.com said. The new Durango is quiet, smooth, roomy, very stylish and includes an interior owners will no longer be ashamed of, the article said. Onroad manners are quite impressive, the article said. The new Durango from Dodge is impressive, the article said.

Second-gen Grand Cherokee SRT8 is ready to put the hammer down with newfound decorum, Car and Driver, July 15

o For such a big guy, the SRT8 also knows how to bob and weave with finesse, Car and Driver said. The Grand Cherokee's new creature comforts are endearing, the article said.

First Drive: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Automobile Magazine, July 15

o In terms of packing a wallop and pushing the boundaries of physics, the new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 follows in the original's footsteps, Automobile Magazine said. But engineers sought to create a vehicle that was as usable in everyday life as it was competitive on a track, the magazine said. Brash looks, beautiful interior, the article said. The 2012 SRT8 offers a sumptuous cabin that is devoid of tacky materials, blocky surfaces or gaping panel gaps, the article said. The new SRT8 may be a more well-rounded vehicle than its predecessor, but that doesn't mean it's any less engaging to toss around, particularly on a track, the article said. The new Grand Cherokee SRT8 walks the line between daily driver, family hauler, and scream machine better than many other vehicles better than many other vehicles on the market, the article said.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, AutoWeek, July 18

o Jeep's pavement-pounding Grand Cherokee SRT8 returns to the fold for the 2012 model year packing a new engine, improved ride quality and towing capabilities, AutoWeek magazine said. It's a real eye-opener to drive, the magazine said. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 hustled around like no 5,150 pound SUV should, the magazine said. While cruising, the new car isn't loud or obnoxious, but when you drop the hammer, the exhaust emits a wonderful bellow and thrust is forceful, the article said. On the track, the grip and speeds the Jeep was capable of achieving through the turn eight and turn nine rights leading onto the front straight make you chuckle. The new car's interior is much better with nicer materials, upgraded sound deadening and is comfortable, the magazine said. It's an affordable alternative to the more expensive performance SUVs on the market, AutoWeek said.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 first drive, Edmunds Inside Line, July 15

o This is a toy for hauling the family but one that is as engaging to drive as many sports cars, Edmunds Inside Line said. It's an all-wheel-drive sedan on a double dip of amphetamine with truck-like visibility and a 5,000-pound tow rating, the article said. It's not just stomping the gas that makes the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 special - its interior is a combination of leather and suede, with deeply bolstered heated and ventilated seats and a meaty steering wheel, the article said. Any Jeep capable of bristling your neck hairs like this will, we guarantee, be on the top of your want-to-have list, the article said.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 first drive, Motor Authority, July 15

o On the highway or in around-town driving, this Grand Cherokee is so sedate it would fit right in at the school pick-up line, with the exception of the scalloped hood, hot-rod styling, and burbling exhaust note, Motor Authority said. But take it to the track, flick the Selec-Trac dial into "Sport" or "Track" modes, and suddenly you're playing with the big boys, the article said. This isn't your typical Jeep rock-crawler - this is another beast entirely: A pavement-punishing Jeep for the boy racer in all of us, the article said.

• Driven: 2011 Jeep Compass 4x4
• 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn HD 3500, a new edition for the American Southwest
• Flash 'n dash in Chrysler's promising lineup
• Taking a summery yellow Fiat 500 for a spin
• Ram, Toyota tops among mass-market brands in study of U.S. auto dealers

Driven: 2011 Jeep Compass 4x4, Winding Road, July 11
o Jeep has gotten a number of things right with this new Compass - we heard more than one passerby mention just how handsome the new front end looks on this small Jeep, winding Road said. The big improvement comes in the cabin - more specifically, a noticeable increase in refinement, the review said. This is a vehicle that is much quieter on road, with a more stable ride, especially at higher speeds, the review said. The new, three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel feels genuinely pleasant to use: The leather feels nicely conditioned, and the button placement is both logical and intuitive, the review said. This is a car that is quieter, more comfortable, nicer looking and generally just better to drive than the vehicle it replaces, making it a win in our book, Winding Road said.

2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn HD 3500, a new edition for the American Southwest, Motor Trend, July 12
o It's not the truck's immense size that makes this Ram unique; it is its high-class cowboy design, Motor Trend said. The Laramie Longhorn is the new topline trim level for Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks, and it promises to give Ford's King Ranch a run for its money, Motor Trend said. Even in a truck of this size and mass, the inline-six offered plenty of pickup, and power delivery was smooth. And it was easier to park than it should've been for its size, the review said. The interior is where the Laramie Longhorn truly shines: The design and materials quality make this cabin feel closer to a luxury sedan's interior than that of a work truck, the review said. The Laramie Longhorn has the best interior of the Ram Truck line to date, and the quality in its cabin may win over some King Ranch fans, Motor Trend said.

Flash 'n dash in Chrysler's promising lineup, Windsor (Canada) Star, July 12
o Chrysler recently brought out its fleet at its Chelsea, Mich., proving grounds for the media to see and drive, the Windsor Star said. Highlights included the new eight-speed automatic transmission: This is a multimillion-dollar investment and the drivetrain upgrade will make a real difference in the performance and fuel economy of several Chrysler models, the Star said. Jeep® brand is celebrating 70 years of production this year, and a number of custom-built Jeeps were on hand, as well as several examples of new trim packages (such as the Wrangler Mojave) and Mopar®-equipped Jeeps, the Star said. The new Ram Express pickup features a 5.7-L Hemi V-8, 20-inch tires and a variety of Mopar parts that can be added at the dealership or later, the article said. It is the kind of idea Chrysler continues to promote - unique, sporty and affordable factory models for the enthusiast, the article said.

Taking a summery yellow Fiat 500 for a spin, Inhabitat.com, July 12
o A summery yellow Fiat 500C was the perfect car for the perfect summer trip: the little Fiat packs a lot of style into its 95% recyclable and economically-sized body, with a soft top that retracts all the way to the rear, Euro style looks, an adorable tiny trunk, and an interior with heated leather seats and many of the comforts of a much more expensive vehicle, Inhabitat.com said. The most amusing thing about the Fiat would have to be the attention it garners in an out-of-the-way place like northern Michigan, the website said. If you want a reasonably efficient, small car with tons of style, the Fiat 500 is your ride, no question, the article said.

Ram, Toyota tops among mass-market brands in study of U.S. auto dealers, Reuters, July 11
o Mercedes-Benz dealerships were tops for the third straight year in an independent study issued on Monday of U.S. auto dealers that uses secret shoppers to determine how customers are treated, Reuters reported. Mercedes-Benz was followed by Jaguar and Lexus, which tied for second, the news service said. Chrysler's Ram pickup truck dealers and Toyota's U.S. dealerships were best among mass-market brands in the Pied Piper study, the report said. Ford's Lincoln brand scored the worst among luxury brands in the U.S. market; Ford also fell to below the industry average, Pied Piper results showed, Reuters reported.

• Sebring's replacement is an elegantly designed mid-sized vehicle
• Journey: An affordable, safe ride ideal for family getaways
• Challenger R/T tops list of cars holding their value

Sebring's replacement is an elegantly designed mid-sized vehicle, Vancouver (Canada) Province, June 28
o An elegantly designed midsized sedan with a supple suspension and a roomy interior, the 200 is also surprisingly affordable, the Vancouver (Canada) Province said. While the four-door sedan competes in the highly competitive mid-sized (family car) market sector, it offers interior spaciousness that's akin to what you'll find inside a full-sized sedan, the review said. The interior is definitely superior: The use of soft touch materials in key usage areas, the one-piece dash and increased use of accent lighting provide a much richer ambience, the review said. A sedate, comfortable sedan with surprising power when needed, the Chrysler 200 is a relaxing, easy car to drive with driver sight lines that are better than most in this class, the review said. It cradles its passengers from the imperfections of the highway and was a pleasure to drive, the paper said.

Journey: An affordable, safe ride ideal for family getaways, Vancouver (Canada) Province, June 28
o Anyone looking for a reasonably priced, practical midsized cross-utility vehicle is bound to be drawn to the Dodge Journey, the Vancouver (Canada) Province said. Quite simply, there isn't another utility vehicle, with seven seat capability, on the market that offers such outstanding value, the Province said. It has a chiselled look to its styling with sharp edges and an attractive side body crease that links the headlights to the tail lights, the review said. The new Dodge Journey offers modern crossover utility style, family focused safety features and a price that can't be beat, the paper said.

Challenger R/T tops list of cars holding their value, The Detroit Bureau, June 27
o According to an AAA study, you'll lose nearly $4,000 a year on depreciation with the average vehicle, much of that weighted to the first year after purchase, the Detroit Bureau said. But the folks at NADAguides stress that not all models lose their value equally - some, in fact, barely depreciate at all during the first year, the article said. The current model most likely to hold its value is the 2011 Dodge Challenger; Mopar's big muscle car is expected to lose just 8% of its value after 12 months of ownership, according to the NADAguides Car Buyers Market Report, which is compiled by the National Automobile Dealers Association, the article said. Studies have found that models that hang onto their initial longest typically have higher owner loyalty rates than those that depreciate more quickly, the article said.

Compass has enough of what matters, Postmedia News, June 17
o The styling mimics the Grand Cherokee in a good way - the aggressive, toothy front grille and large headlights work well with the blacked-out lower bumper, Postmedia News said. While Jeep's Trail Rated status is not regulated by anyone other than Jeep, the engineers don't just slap it on any vehicle - the Compass is able to handle itself in moderate off-road situations, including water crossings and basic rock and log climbing, the article said. While its not up to Cherokee status, the new Compass does have some redeeming factors now that four-wheel drive is available.

2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Review, Auto123.com, June 21
o One in every four passenger cars sold in Canada is a midsize sedan, Auto123.com writer Lacey Elliot pointed out. Buyers in this market are focused on purchasing a vehicle that is affordable, offers a lot of value and is, of course, very fuel efficient, she said. With a starting price of $17,995 for the base LX model, the 200 offers a competitive price and Chrysler is bold enough to state that it is the most affordable midsize in Canada, Lacey said. "Overall, the 200 performed very nicely, and I have no complaints at all," she wrote. "The changes to the inside have made it feel more luxurious than the model it's replacing. The fit and finish on the interior is a huge jump from last year as well." Lacey said, "Speaking of pleasant, the exterior design has also been improved with a new front grille, featuring the Chrysler winged badge with black background; new front and rear fascia; larger wheels; and projector headlamps. Though not major changes, just enough that I can honestly say has made this car much nicer to look at."

Fiat 500c is 'It!,' Houston Style, June 21
o "As I drove the Fiat 500c, the "c" stands for cabrio, through the Big Apple headed north, a phrase came to mind: This is it!," a writer for Houston's Style magazine wrote. "We had the automatic which was fine with me," the writer said. "And though our test car had a small engine, it had enough oomph to handle the traffic here. In other words, we weren't bullied on the road." The 500c had "a very comfortable cabin" and the "seats were sofa like," the review said. "Handling was precise and the suspension handled the rugged streets here without any ill effects," the magazine said. The six-speed automatic transmission up shifted smoothly and it had no trouble with gear selection on the hills. "What sets the Fiat 500c apart is its cloth convertible top which looked like leather," the story said.

Chrysler close to getting energy department loans, Bloomberg, June 21
o Chrysler Group LLC, the U.S. automaker controlled by Fiat SpA, is close to receiving loans from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Representative Gary Peters told Bloomberg. "We're close, but we're going to continue to be working with the DOE to get those loans," said Peters, a Michigan Democrat whose district includes Chrysler's Auburn Hills' headquarters, the news service reported. Chrysler's repayment of $5.9 billion in U.S. government loans last month helps the effort, he said after an event to celebrate groundbreaking on a new paint shop at the automaker's assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. "It's very clear that Chrysler is on very solid footing now" and it is "showing the financial viability that I certainly think the DOE was looking for," Peters told Bloomberg.

• 10 coolest convertibles for 2011
• Chrysler 200 - What a first impression!
• Fiat takes the lid off its take on a tiny convertible
• Our gadget of the week: Move over, Mini
• New Chrysler 300 'drives like butter'
• Ram trucks butt the trend
• A mini Grand Cherokee?

10 coolest convertibles for 2011, Fortune magazine, June 17
o The pleasures of top-down motoring are limitless: wind in your hair, sun on your face, sky over your head, and envious looks from passers-by, Fortune magazine said on its website. The magazine's list of top 10 convertibles puts the Fiat 500 Cabrio at No. 1. The 500 will be a hot conversational topic wherever it goes this summer, and the Cabrio dials up the fun factor, Fortune said. The advantage is that the top can be retracted while you are driving, and the action is fast and direct, the article said. The Cabrio will look its best on trips to the beach and at early-evening al fresco gatherings, Fortune said.

Chrysler 200 - What a first impression!, Star Phoenix (Canada), June 17
o The new 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited made a great first impression and lived up to it, the Star Phoenix in Saskatchewan said. Understated elegance might be the best way to describe the 200, the paper said. Performance is spirited, with the engine revving quickly and smoothly all the way to redline, the article said. Speed is deceptive due mostly to the very quiet interior, the article said. The 200 exhibits a fine blend of style, luxury, quality materials and a very good fit and finish, the paper said.

Fiat takes the lid off its take on a tiny convertible, Chicago Tribune, June 19
o The 500c is a great-looking car inside and out, the Chicago Tribune said. The Fiat has a tiny, 1.4-liter, 101-horsepower four-cylinder engine, adequate but not much more, the paper said. Handling is a little stiff; the ride is choppy but never intolerable; overall quality seems quite good, the paper said. Fiat should sell a lot of its 500 and 500c models to customers looking for something a little different, the Tribune said.

Our gadget of the week: Move over, Mini, Barron's, June 17
o The Fiat 500 will squeeze into just about any Manhattan parking spot, and in urban America, that's likely to be the main selling point for a surprisingly peppy car, Barron's said. On a weekend spin in the New York City environs, the 500 Sport model with manual gear shift provided plenty of driving fun, the article said. The 500's tight steering provided a nifty ability to dodge trucks, the article said. The Sport comes with a small but hard-charging engine - it's powerful enough to merge into highway traffic, Barron's said.

New Chrysler 300 'drives like butter,' Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 19
o The new 2011 Chrysler 300 is a luxurious family sedan with enough standard features to ensure a safe and pleasurable driving experience, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said. Even the base model gave a full measure of styling, craftsmanship and technology, the paper said. The 300 seemed like a car that should cost a whole lot more, the paper said.

Ram trucks butt the trend, Newsday, June 19
o Chrysler is hot these days: Three of its models made the top-four in the May 5 Kelley Blue Book's Hot Cars Report, which monitors new-vehicle purchases on a weekly basis, Newsday said. Among Chrysler products, the Ram 1500 Regular Cab ranked third and the Ram 2500 Crew Cab was fourth, the paper said. The recently announced Ram Long Hauler concept "has translated into increased interest in existing Ram models, and surely will help perceptions of ruggedness for the lineup," KBB said, Newsday reported.

A mini Grand Cherokee?, San Francisco Chronicle
o It's not inappropriate to think of this new Jeep® Compass as a mini-Grand Cherokee, particularly since its styling cues reflect those of the all-new Grand Cherokee, the San Francisco Chronicle said. The new 2011 Jeep Compass delivers pleasing fuel economy for a compact SUV, along with competent off-road capability and innovative comfort and convenience technologies, the paper said. Steering and suspension componentry have been upgraded, delivering improved ride and handling, the paper said.

• Durango is very capable
• Chrysler Foundation donates $50,000 for U.S. disaster relief
• Chrysler 200 Limited is good, not great
• 'Black Ops' Jeep® has military feel
• 500c Cabriolet - Fiat does Euro-chic on the cheap
• Chrysler presenting road show
• 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
  

Durango is very capable, Winnipeg Free Press, June 9
o The new Durango is well-made, a good value and behaves on the road like your mother is watching, the Winnipeg (Canada) Free Press said. The ride quality is excellent; the Durango's solid construction is an asset when contending with potholes and road noise, yet never a liability when forced into quick maneuvering, the article said. Drivers still benefit from the upright and commanding view of the road, the paper said. Getting in and out of the Durango is appreciably easier than the norm, the article said. All this capability is wrapped in a completely redesigned shell with a resolute handsomeness in the Durango's square shoulders and sculpted sheet metal, the paper said. If you travel with a boat and a brood, you will find this Durango much to your liking, the Free Press said.

Chrysler Foundation donates $50,000 for U.S. disaster relief, fenderbender.com, June 10
o The Chrysler Foundation donated $50,000 to AmeriCares U.S. Disaster Relief Fund to help families displaced from their homes by recent natural disasters, fenderbender.com said. The donation will help provide medical aid, bottled water, hygiene products and relief supplies to survivors of severe weather and other events, the website said. AmeriCares is a global nonprofit health and disaster relief organization, the article said.

Chrysler 200 Limited is good, not great, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 10
o The exterior and interior fit and finish seem much better, and there's no doubt this engine is solid and will help the car quickly get up to highway speeds, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said of the 2011 Chrysler 200. Ride is decent, and the car feels more solid than in the past; inside, the car is much quieter too, a combination of better sound deadening and an engine that runs smoother and with less harshness, the article said. There's plenty of room inside for four adults too, and the 200s dash is well laid out, the article said. If you're looking for inexpensive midsize family transportation, the LX model is a bargain, the article said.

'Black Ops' Jeep® has military feel, Wall Street Journal, June 10
o The Black Ops version, even with knobby off-road tires, was surprisingly comfortable on the highway, the Wall Street Journal said. The stretched four-door model has a more stable, comfortable ride than the short-wheelbase two-door model and is better-suited to highway driving, the Journal said. But the Jeep® is most at-home when running local errands or tooling around town with the top off - its combination of off-road ability and open-air convertible fun is just about impossible to match, the Journal said. Wranglers are also a lot more stylish, interesting and exciting than most cars one can buy for $22,000, the article said. They are fine examples of form following function - one look tells you what this truck was designed to do; there's no posing or pretense, the article said.

500c Cabriolet - Fiat does Euro-chic on the cheap, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), June 9
o Most impressive about the Fiat 500c is that its cheeky Euro-chic style comes with something very un-European: a reasonable price, the Globe and Mail in Toronto said. With two comfortable seats up front and another plus-two jumpers in back, the four-seat interior is surprisingly roomy, the paper said. The Fiat 500 cabriolet oozes a new twist on a recipe that cost-conscious Canadians can certainly appreciate: small, chic and cheap, the Globe and Mail said.

Chrysler presenting road show, Oakland (Mich.) Press, June 12
o Chrysler is launching a traveling showroom on 19-week journey across the United States to show the company's five vehicle bands to employees, suppliers and partners, the Oakland Press said. The tour, which began last week, is expected to make 95 stops for the mobile marketing event, the paper said. The event will include vehicle demonstrations, complimentary food and beverages, prizes, and event souvenirs, the article said. Where space allows, visitors also will have the opportunity to test drive select vehicles, while product specialists will explain special discount programs available to employees and partners, the article said.

2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Kansas Daily Star
o The redesigned surroundings raise the level of creature comfort without undermining the Wrangler's rugged nature, the Kansas Daily Star said. The company has focused on upgrading its vehicle interiors, and the changes have been most welcome, the paper said.