“The major banks that loaned Chrysler LLC about $7 billion have agreed to significantly reduce that debt, according to the Treasury Department, a move that could save the struggling automaker from having to file for bankruptcy later this week.

“The agreement from Chrysler’s principal banks is an exceptional accomplishment in line with the President’s firm commitment that all stakeholders sacrifice to make this deal succeed,” said an administration official Tuesday.”

Chrysler still needs to complete it’s alliance with Fiat and have it’s agreement with the UAW pass an official vote before Thursday’s deadline.  The debt reduction was generally thought of as the largest and most difficult step in the process, so there is still is hope for the auto manufacturer.

“Ailing car maker Chrysler is close to filing for protection from creditors as soon as next week under Chapter 11 of U.S. Bankruptcy laws… The move will come whether or not it reaches a buyout deal with Fiat SpA, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the companies.”

Chrysler issued this response:

(from the Chrysler Media Site)

“On March 30, the Administration recognized the viability of Chrysler LLC and its products, in combination with a Fiat alliance.
Chrysler has consistently said that its viability will be enhanced through an alliance with Fiat, as it represents a change in the Company’s business model that expands its global competitiveness.
As we move forward in this process, we believe it’s important to keep all options open. Chrysler will continue to work through the end of the month, based on the direction given by the Presidential Auto Task Force, to secure the support of the necessary stakeholders and reach a successful conclusion that the Administration and U.S. Treasury deems appropriate.”

We’re not sure how this will play out, but we have no doubt that Jeep will soldier on regardless!

“Off-Road.com picked up the Paris-New York Expedition in late February when they had just reached Russia. We were anticipating that the team would be crossing into Alaska in early April. On paper it looked good, but as the days progressed and Mother Nature took her toll—the journey proved to be much more challenging than imagined. Our dreams to greet the team in Alaska soon slipped through the sands of time. Due to extreme snowstorms and numerous mechanical failures in Siberia, the team was delayed over one month. This decreased the chances of them crossing the frozen Bering Strait and the western coast of Alaska during winter. The team will now have to wait until fall/ winter 2009/2010 to pick up in Egvekinot, Russia where the team made its last stop.”

Hats off to Matthias Jeschke and the crew from Extrem Events for chasing down such a great adventure in an age where there isn’t much of that kind of thing left.  (Not to mention in a Jeep).   Good on ‘ya boys.

Click here to read the entire article and view some awesome pictures and video clips.

MILAN (AP) — Automaker Fiat Group SpA will walk away from a deal to take a 20-percent stake in Chrysler LLC if the U.S. automaker’s unions don’t agree to major cost cuts, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in an interview published Wednesday.

Fiat and Chrysler are up against an April 30 deadline for Fiat to take a stake in the failing U.S. automaker in exchange for small car technology, but Chrysler first needs concessions from creditors and unions to ink the Fiat deal. If the Fiat alliance isn’t finalized by then, the U.S. government has threatened not to provide any more aid and let Chrysler be sold off in pieces.

“Absolutely we are prepared to walk. There is no doubt in my mind,” he said. “We cannot commit to this organization unless we see light at the end of the tunnel,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in an interview published in the Toronto Globe and Mail.

A Fiat spokesman confirmed Marchionne’s statements. Marchionne was attending a shareholders meeting of the Swiss bank UBS in Zurich on Wednesday.

Marchionne said there is a 50 percent chance the deal will fail because of lack of progress in labor negotiations in both the United States and Canada.

Read the full article here.

“The biggest news we’ve received is the high-po Jeep will receive the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 with anywhere between 505-525 tire burning horsepower and roughly 510 ft-lbs of torque, all driven through a revised AWD system…

the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be a subtle beast with lowered, sportier suspension, beefy SRT 5-spoke wheels, larger diameter rotors with grippy multi-piston calipers, revised front and rear fascias, a functional cold air induction cowl hood and a larger spoiler out back. “

Click here to see the sketches.

It’s an interesting concept, but we’re unsure if they can pull it off under the current economic conditions.  Keep your fingers crossed!

For your Jeep Grand Cherokee Accessories needs, visit our website www.JeepWorld.com

“Auburn Hills-based Chrysler LLC sold 101,001 vehicles, marking its first month since September that it sold more than 100,000.

“Breaking the 100,000 number was really important to us,” said Chrysler Vice Chairman Jim Press. “We asked dealers to rally behind that.”

The Jeep Wrangler was one of the few Chrysler models that saw sales increase, by 16 percent. Chrysler said it applied more incentives to the Wrangler, but a new four-door model appeared to be driving sales.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To read the full article at the Toledo Blade click here.

This post is brought to you by JeepWorld.com, home of all your Jeep Wrangler Accessories needs.

“Anyway, what does catch our eye is the way the roofline takes a dive as it heads toward the back of the vehicle–a sign that the new Grand Cherokee will adopt a bit more of an aerodynamic look. The new Grand Cherokee rides on a new platform–shared with the Mercedes-Benz M class–that was developed with Daimler before the companies divorced last year.”

To see the Spy Pic for yourself, click here.

For all your Jeep Grand Cherokee Accessories needs, visit us online at: www.JeepWorld.com

Scott Burgess, the Auto Reviewer for The Detroit News recently gave the 2009 Jeep Patriot rave reviews stating that,“it puts the first draft to shame.”

It’s quite capable. My test vehicle, the high-end Limited, was powered on the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine. It pounds out a respectable 172 horsepower and 165-pound-feet of torque. (That’s an upgrade over the base 158 horsepower, 141-pound-feet torque 2-liter engine.)

To read the full review, click here.

For all you Jeep Patriot Accessories needs, like floor mats, seat covers, or air deflectors come visit us on the web at www.JeepWorld.com, your online Jeep Accessories specialists.

“The five-passenger Wrangler Unlimited EV is powered by a 200 kW (268 hp) electric motor that sources its energy from advanced lithium-ion batteries. This combination delivers a 0-100 km/h time of about nine seconds and a reduced top speed of 145 km/h. More significantly however, the Wrangler Unlimited EV can run 64 km solely on electric power before continuing on for an estimated 580 km on a relatively small tank of gas.

Outside of the high-tech drivetrain, the Wrangler Unlimited EV has a basic chassis with solid front and rear axles. This Jeep has a go-anywhere feel to it with high 44.4 and 40.5 degree angles of approach and departure, respectively. Given high levels of torque from the electric motors (and adding in all-wheel-drive), this zero-emission-capable Jeep may be the best yet for being one with nature.”

The author also takes a moment to remind us that the transition from gasoline to electricity will not be a smooth one, but highlights the importance of heading in the right direction.

“From an energy standpoint, even if the Wrangler Unlimited EV became available tomorrow at your local dealership, it will still have its draw-backs; it will still use gasoline, and, if plugged in, may rely on non-renewable, unclean energy sources. Furthermore, the technology’s reliability and recyclability stand in question. Regardless, the ENVI products represent a major stepping stone towards where consumer motoring should be.”

Click here to read the entire article at Auto123.com.

]]> http://jeepworld.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/automakers-pile-on-incentives-to-fight-poor-sales/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:34:35 +0000 jeepworld http://jeepworld.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/automakers-pile-on-incentives-to-fight-poor-sales/ With the continuing recession, automakers are pulling out all the stops to clear out their inventories.  Chrysler in particular is now offering an average of $5,566 in incentives per new vehicle.

Read the full article at USA Today.com.

It also appears Chrysler is now leaning hard on it’s dealers to purchase more units even though the average Chrysler vehicle is now sitting on the lot for a whopping  130 days.  In the meantime, Chrysler’s overall sales dropped -54.8% during the January sales period.

]]> http://jeepworld.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/chinese-automakers-to-buy-chrysler-gm/ Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:24:08 +0000 jeepworld http://jeepworld.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/chinese-automakers-to-buy-chrysler-gm/ This one shocked even me this morning:

“Chinese carmakers SAIC and Dongfeng have plans to acquire GM and Chrysler, China’s 21st Century Business Herald reports. LINK A National Enquirer the paper is not. It is one of China’s leading business newspapers, with a daily readership over three million]. This newspaper cites a senior official of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology– the state regulator of China’s auto industry– who dropped the hint that “the auto manufacturing giants in China, such as Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and Dongfeng Motor Corporation, have the capability and intention to buy some assets of the two crisis-plagued American automakers.” These hints are very often followed with quick action in the Middle Kingdom. The hints were dropped just a few days after the same Chinese government gave its auto makers the go-ahead to invest abroad. And why would they do that? “

Full Article Here from The Canadian National

“A-segment Jeep: This one is a bit of a surprise, but we believe Chrysler will make a mini off-roader based on the four-wheel-drive Fiat Panda Cross sold in Europe. Jeep fans should expect to see this little guy in 2011.”

There is currently no official word on this from Chrysler, so as for now we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds.

Read the full article from Car & Driver here.

Fiat Panda Cross

Here’s a better idea: Let them die a slow death, with the emphasis on slow. Tell workers (management always seems to land on its feet) that they have a fixed amount of time to look for new jobs. Government will help them with training and education, but government cannot prop up companies that no longer make products people want to buy in large enough numbers for them to remain profitable.

There are many reasons the car companies are in trouble, all of which have been reported in the major media, but that is the past and it is way too late in the game to do much about guaranteed pensions and health care that ended up crippling GM, even after the company successfully negotiated with United Auto Workers members to decrease retirement benefits – which, honestly, is a little like quitting smoking after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

To read the rest of this opinion piece, click on this link to the Baltimore Sun.

If the rendering is to be believed, the next Grand Cherokee will sport a flatter face with Jeep’s seven-slat grille gaining wider chrome bars. The headlight clusters shrink to create a look that’s much more modern and aggressive than the old quad bug-eye design. The lower intake moves to the bottom of the smoother front fascia, further reducing the visual chunkiness of its predecessor. The squared-off fender flares of the old GC become more subtle, and smaller door handles add to a sleeker overall shape. The glass portion of the rear liftgate appears to be more upright.

The Jeep looks as if it will carry its newfound exterior refinement to the inside. A simple-looking gauge cluster and center stack will greet the driver. Wrap-around wood trim lines the dash and doors, and we expect higher-quality and softer materials to be found throughout the cabin. Given the three-row Commander’s impending demise, we wouldn’t be shocked if the new Cherokee were to grow to allow for an optional third row of seats.

For the full article click here.

The alliance, to be a key element of Chrysler’s viability plan, would provide Chrysler with access to competitive, fuel-efficient vehicle platforms, powertrain, and components to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. Fiat would also provide distribution capabilities in key growth markets, as well as substantial cost savings opportunities. In addition, Fiat would provide management services supporting Chrysler’s submission of a viability plan to the U.S. Treasury as required. Fiat has been very successful in executing its own restructuring over the past several years. The alliance would also allow Fiat Group and Chrysler to take advantage of each other’s distribution networks and to optimize fully their respective manufacturing footprint and global supplier base.

As a consideration for Fiat Group’s contribution to the alliance of strategic assets, to include: product and platform sharing, including city and compact segment vehicles, to expand Chrysler’s current product portfolio; technology sharing, including fuel efficient and environmentally friendly powertrain technologies; and access to additional markets, including distribution for Chrysler vehicles in markets outside of North America, Fiat would receive an initial 35 percent equity interest in Chrysler. The alliance does not contemplate that Fiat would make a cash investment in Chrysler or commit to funding Chrysler in the future.

35% is a pretty big chunk and this is only an “initial investment”.  We’ll see how this progresses from here.

More on the subject at MSNBC.com.

For more on Jeep, Jeep Parts, and Jeep Accessories click here.

From the Chrysler Media Site:

Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Tom LaSorda on Wednesday strongly denied reports and rumors that the company is in discussions to sell its Jeep brand, any manufacturing plants or the tooling for an existing vehicle.

LaSorda also addressed rumors regarding deals with specific companies, such as Magna International Inc. or the automotive partners Nissan and Renault.

Chrysler LLC Chief Executive Officer Bob Nardelli said the automaker is not looking for a buyer or a merger partner, and the company is working on getting another $3 billion in loans from the federal government.

The additional loans would be part of the $7 billion that Chrysler told Congress it needs to keep itself in business through 2012.

When asked if the company is looking for an acquisition or a merger, Nardelli said, “We don’t think we need that. There are no merger discussions on the table.”…

…Nardelli stressed that the automaker is looking for alliances, similar to its deal with Volkswagen to build minivans for the German automaker and with Nissan to build a pickup. Nissan plans to build a small car for Chrysler.

“We’re looking for global partnerships where we share to win,” he said.

That’s despite skepticism throughout the industry that Chrysler needs a buyer or merger partner to make it through the year and ultimately to produce the lineup of electric-drive concepts the company featured at the North American International Auto Show on Sunday.

Read the article in it’s entirety here.

Jeep Patriot EV World Debut – Detroit – January 11, 2009 – Chrysler LLC unveils the all-new Jeep® Patriot EV at the North American International Auto Show today. A Range-extended Electric Vehicle, the Jeep Patriot EV has a range of 400 miles including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions and all-electric operation.

Chrysler may be hitting hard times, but the Michigan automaker hasn’t stop development of new products. A new Jeep Grand Cherokee is in the works, and our spy photographers have just spotted the new ‘ute for the first time while testing in the wild.

Design wise, we’ve been told by sources that have seen it sans camo that the Grand Cherokee “looks a lot like the Trailhawk concept, but with somewhat sharper lines.” We can certainly see a 7 slat grill through the camo that reminds us a lot of the Trailhawk grille. Beneath the camouflage, we think the doors have a similar stamping to the Trailhawk concept.

Click here to see the pics.

UPDATE: 2/19/09- Car & Driver reveals 2010 Jeep Cherokee Pictures!

This post brought to you by your online source for Jeep Grand Cherokee Accessories, JeepWorld.com.

For all of 2008, Jeep sales dropped -30% from the previous year.  Patriot sales are up 38% for the year.  The Jeep Liberty & Wrangler were the next “best” performers with only a -27% & -29% sales difference.  Grand Cherokee sales fell -39%, while the not-so-fuel-efficient Commander saw it’s sales drop -56% on the year.

From Freep.com:

“GM’s decision opens the door for other automakers to look at a deal for Chrysler — with Renault-Nissan potentially reemerging in that scenario — although Renault-Nissan’s chief executive has indicated a reluctance to spend in this economic climate.”

At this point it’s safe to assume that Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler will be split apart in some capacity.  To what degree we’re not sure of yet.  Hyundai Motor Co. has no entered the ring;

“Hyundai Motor Co. emerged as a possible suitor for Chrysler late Friday. Reuters reported that Cerberus has had talks with the South Korean automaker about a potential deal to acquire Chrysler’s Jeep brand and other assets. Hyundai reportedly denied interest, saying it lacked the capacity for such a deal.” (Freep.com)

According to NDTV Profit, things could shake out a little differently:

“Hyundai has shown some interest, though only in the Chrysler brand- which is where the idea of splitting the portfolio originated.”

NDTV has a lot to say about the possibility of Indian Company Mahindra & Mahindra buying Jeep & Dodge together.

“There could be another global acquisition brewing in the auto industry…with an Indian player in the fray.  Jeep and Dodge are the target and NDTV has learned that Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) could be in the mood to buy…  In the heels of collapse of merger talks between Chrysler and general Motors, M&M is likely to make a bid for parts of the Detroit based automotive giant Chrysler.  However sources indicate that M&M will most likely bid for the Jeep or Dodge lines of business as it would strengthen the Indian company’s UV capability.” (NDTV)

These dismal totals bring Jeep sales down 105,017 units sold for a -27% drop in volume moved on the year.

This blog entry is brought to your online source for Jeep Accessories, Jeep Parts, and other cool Jeep Stuff, JeepWorld.com.

“Litre-Beaters are a range of cars which are so economical to run that they can potentially save the owners up to £100 per month on fuel,” comments Stan.

“Motoring costs are a highly topical and emotive subject. Motorists, who, like the rest of us are incurring increased costs across the board are starting to calculate the amount of time they must work simply to fund the cost of running a car”.

“We empathise with the financial burden people are encountering and fully understand the difficult position they are in; we wanted to offer some way of easing that burden and research showed there was likely to be a huge demand for more economical vehicles. Hence, the introduction of our ‘Litre-Beaters’ range which has already proven to be a great success. The Seat Ibiza is not only very economical to run, but the carbon emissions are so low that the road tax is zero” added Stan.

Chris Rushton, 55 of Lower Pilsey made a decision to buy a Suzuki Swift from the Litre-Beaters range on the basis of fuel costs. “I was driving a 4×4 and decided to buy a Suzuki Swift because I had bought one for my wife’s’ 50th birthday and was really impressed with it. My eldest son also had a Suzuki Swift Sport so it was my turn! I am more than happy with the Suzuki, I travel 28 miles to and from work every day and I only need to fill the tank up once every three weeks; it’s brilliant, a really great car.”

Mark Foulkes, 46 of Chesterfield is one of many customers now turning to Autoworld’s more economical and environmentally friendly range. “I recently invested in a Citroen C1 from Autoworld’s Litre-Beaters range because of astronomical rising fuel costs,” he says. “I replaced my Astra 1.6 as I have to do a three mile journey every day to Walton Hospital where I work. I walked in to the showroom and fell in love with the car which looked great in red with a white stripe. It used to cost me £50 to fill up the Astra and I would get about 260 miles from a full tank. The Citroen from Autoworld costs me just £32 to fill up and I now get over 450 miles from a full tank. I can tax and insure the Citroen for £84 as the road tax is only £35. It is imperative that we carefully control our motoring costs, as we have to run a second car as well; if the family all go out together we need a larger vehicle, hence we have two vehicles purely out of necessity.”

Stan Walker says that “the upsurge in sales means Autoworld can demand better deals from the manufacturers – which in turn means even better deals for customers. In addition to cutting the cost of motoring for customers, if this trend continues Autoworld will need to expand further and take on more staff,” he concluded.

The Litre-Beaters range spans the spectrum of franchises at Autoworld, on Brimington Road North in Chesterfield. Seat, Citroen, Kia, Suzuki, Alfa Romeo and Fiat all have a presence in the range, offering consumers an excellent choice of both style and function.

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. is feeling a big bite from the imploding U.S. auto market. Global sales slumped 4 percent in the July-September quarter and have barely pulled into positive territory for the first nine months of the year, the company said Oct. 24. The three-month downturn marked the first time in seven years the Japanese carmaker’s global sales have fallen on a quarterly basis.

Toyota sold about 2.236 million vehicles worldwide in the three months ended September 30, down 4.3 percent from 2.336 million a year earlier, according to an e-mail from the company.

General Motors, the world’s largest carmaker, will release its third-quarter sales figure on October 29.

Toyota fell 6.4 percent to 3,200 yen at the 3 p.m. close on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.