chrysler

DETROIT--The nearly 200 students in Wayne State University's electric vehicle engineering master's program may have taken different routes to get here, but they have the same goal: capitalize on the auto industry's growing need for EV engineers.

About half are returning to school. Alan Dry, 63, for instance, was laid off from his job as an engineering supervisor at parts supplier International Automotive Components Group. Dry wants to rejoin the industry in the EV sector.

Chrysler engineer Kevin Snyder, 40, was transferred to the automaker's electrified hybrid power-train group in May. Snyder said the Wayne State … Read more

Could you have predicted in 1965 that a $3,000 Mustang would be worth $50,000 today? Or in 1960 that a $5,000 Corvette could go for $100,000 in 50 years? There are certainly many cars from the past that are gone and forgotten, that will never attain anything like classic status. Trying to predict classic cars is harder than picking soybean futures.

Nevertheless, the editors of Car Tech decided to give it a try. Looking at cars from the last decade, we came up with 10 that seemed like they should stand the test of time. Most of the cars we picked had niche interest or a limited production run, ensuring some rarity in the future. A car like the first-generation Toyota Prius heralds the beginning of a new trend in the automotive world, while the Pontiac G8 marks the end of a brand. … Read more

WASHINGTON--A federal plan to require automakers to standardize keyless ignition systems in the wake of Toyota's unintended acceleration problems is likely to mirror industry guidelines issued in January, an automaker group said.

Large automakers except Toyota said they already comply with the guidelines crafted by SAE International or plan to do so.

These "recommended practices'' seek to counter the variation, driver confusion, and safety problems that have ensued since automakers started installing push-button ignition in luxury models.

The number of models offering keyless ignition has more than quadrupled to 189 in the 2011 model year--including the Hyundai Elantra … Read more

Ford and Chevrolet seem to have bounced back from the financial crisis of 2008-2009, but we've been eagerly waiting to see how Chrysler's new generation of vehicles would emerge from the economic downturn. Recently, we found ourselves behind the wheel of one of the first of these new vehicles, the 2011 Chrysler 200.

Sharp-eyed readers and astute enthusiasts will notice that the new 200 looks a lot like the old Sebring. That's because it is the old Sebring, but with a fairly extensive redesign. The sheet metal has been massaged into a vehicle that's a bit … Read more

One has to feel bad even bringing up the derision that followed the Chrysler Sebring around. It wasn't *that* bad a car, but some mediocre cars just get ganged up on. Well, that's largely history now as the Sebring morphs into the 200 and still isn't a bad car. Brian Cooley takes you for a drive to check the tech.

I don't know about you, but my first thought is that it must have been Eminem.

He appeared in a highly visible (and, to some, risible) Super Bowl ad for Chrysler. He swears a lot. Perhaps they didn't pay him on time. Perhaps he's just in a bad mood.

In any case, some wise soul, employee or associate of Chrysler (or not), managed to tweet the following on Chrysler's official Twitter feed: "I find it ironic that Detroit is known as the #motorcity and yet no one here knows how to f***ing drive."… Read more

By rebranding the Dodge Grand Caravan as the Ram cargo van, or Ram C/V, Chrysler has paved the way to expand in the commercial van segment.

The U.S. automaker has more than 25 years of minivan engineering and promises the Ram C/V will meet the needs for small and large businesses.

The Ram C/V is a Class 1 commercial vehicle that offers a 1,800-lb. cargo payload and up to 3,600 lbs. in towing capability. It also features 16-inch steel wheels, a 160-amp alternator, 20-gallon fuel tank, and it runs on a 3.6-liter Pentastar … Read more

At the 2011 Geneva auto show, this Dodge Journey sported Fiat badges on the grille and wheels. It seems that Fiat has discovered badge-engineering, using it to bring Chrysler group cars to Europe. Fiat acquired Chrysler in 2009.

Under Fiat, the Journey goes under the model name Freemont, which is intended to evoke the freedom of the open road, and is also a homonym for a name associated with the American West.

By European standards, the Freemont is a very large vehicle. It comes with third-row seating, so it can handle seven occupants, and still carry cargo. That third row … Read more

The 2011 Chrysler 200 convertible and the 2012 Acura TL are among the vehicles that will be unveiled this week at the Chicago Auto Show. Chevrolet, Dodge, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Chrysler's Ram division also are planning world debuts.

While Toyota will not have a world debut, the automaker is touting its display, which it says will be the largest the Toyota brand has created for a U.S. auto show, covering 45,000 square feet.

As part of the display, an indoor road course will feature Toyota pickups and SUVs. The public will be able to ride in the … Read more