chrysler

Are you really buying American?

GM and Chrysler's troubles seem to have quieted the crowd that consistently suggests buying anything other than American cars is not patriotic, at least temporarily, but a new tool put online by the New York Times shows the concept of an American car is muddy, at best. Your truck may sport a bow-tie, but that doesn't mean it wasn't built in Mexico. And although your sedan's hood might be adorned with a stylized T, its major parts and final assembly may have as little to do with Japan as Texas barbecue.

The New York Times' tool … Read more

U.S. Chamber of Commerce to keep tabs on GM, Chrysler

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued a strong statement today warning Congress of the potential downfall of too much government and union influence in production, product, workforce, and management decisions.

"If members of Congress, along with government officials from the United States to Germany to Canada, are allowed undue influence over management's decisions, then you can write this down: These companies will not return to profitability and their survival will be seriously challenged. The global talent that exists in the automotive sector must be allowed to do its job and be paid … Read more

Taking the Dodge Circuit prototype electric sports car for a spin

Autoblog Green takes the Dodge Circuit prototype electric sportscar for a spin through downtown Detroit. Chrysler's John Myers says the says the company is developing "several" electric vehicles, but didn't reveal any details.

Connect a Dodge Viper to your computer

Still sleep in a race car bed? Then Road Mice is for you. These mice are faithful replicas of cars such as the Chevy Corvette and Ford Mustang. The company behind Road Mice, Four Door Media, just announced three new models, the Dodge Viper, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Chrysler 300C. Considering the financial threats to Chrysler's existence, those models might not be around long as actual cars, so the mice may prove to be collectors' items.

From a functional point of view, these are wireless, optical mice, with a scroll wheel that might mar the car's design just … Read more

116: Get 80+ mpg from your hybrid!

The big week comes for Chrysler: bankruptcy and a shotgun marriage to Fiat, how you might get 80 mpg out of your current hybrid, and are four-cylinder engines on the way back for Mercedes and BMW?

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• BMW 650i convertible review and video

• 81 mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid--You can, too!

• Scosche SolChat solar Bluetooth speakerphone

• Cobtra BT-200: Bluetooth for the wet and muddy

• Some heavy duty hybrid trucks

115: 100 mpg in a Hummer

Chrysler days away from bankruptcy? The 100 mpg Hummer H3, the Peapod car uses the iPhone for just about everything, and we soak up the fumes trackside at Laguna Seca.

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• CNET's day at the track

• Watch the Scuderi split-cycle engine at work

• Chrysler's Peapod car turns on with an iPhone

• Good roundup of ways to connect your iPod in the car

• 100 mpg in a Hummer H3

Chrysler's Peapod car uses iPhone as a car key

A new electric car from Chrysler called the Peapod sounds cute, but it may be surprisingly innovative. According to Chrysler, the car's included iPhone docking station turns your iPhone into a key, too.

According to a report on Autobloggreen, "simply dock your iPod for a fun, cutting edge way to start up. Exclusive software designed exclusively for Peapod turns your iPod into a key. Both options are interchangeable and secure." Sound familiar? The Rinspeed concept car was first to suggest the iPhone-as-key trick at the 2009 Geneva auto show.

The Peapod will be the first production car … Read more

Automakers keep big SUVs alive in New York

Astronomical gas prices last year seemed to kill the SUV market, but automakers at the New York auto show disagree. Mercedes-Benz rolls out a hybrid version of its ML-class, offering a high-tech power train in a luxury SUV. Jeep tries to make a case for its continued survival with a modern-looking Grand Cherokee featuring an impressive cabin tech roster. And GMC shows off the Terrain, an all-new model to add to its large line of SUVs.

Chrysler selects A123Systems for EV vehicles, first one to appear in 2010

Chrysler announced that it selected lithium ion battery manufacturer A123Systems to produce the energy storage systems for Chrysler's first-generation ENVI extended-range electric vehicles and all-electric vehicles.

Chrysler's plans to produce Dodge Circuit EV, Jeep Wrangler EV, Jeep Patriot EV, Chrysler Town & Country EV, and the Chrysler 200C EV concept showcased at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company's first production electric vehicle is expected to hit the market in 2010, but the company won't say which one.

"Government and society are calling for the introduction of a variety of advanced … Read more