Dodge Stratus & Chrysler Sebring to be Discontinued

Chrysler and Dodge are planning to discontinue the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring hard-top coupes over the next two years due to sagging consumer interest, auto industry insiders reported.

According to Chrysler's senior design chief, Trevor Creed, DaimlerChrysler will be ending production of the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring after the 2006 model year. "If you do a two-door, people say it looks sportier, but that a four-door is more practical," Mr. Creed said. "There is no market for two doors. The decision does not affect the two-door Sebring convertible because 'impracticality' is already built into a convertible, Creed added.

Over 1000 Dodge Sprinter Vans Sold in Canada in 2004

DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. announced it had 1002 Dodge Sprinter sales reported so far this year, reaching a milestone in doing so. DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. introduced the 2004 Dodge Sprinter to the Canadian Market in January 2004.

Sales were made predominantly to commercial users via 28 Sprinter dealers throughout Canada. Comprised of Dodge cargo vans, passenger vans and the soon to be released cab chassis, the 2005 Dodge Sprinter series is designed to meet diverse transportation needs of commercial and business customers.

Dodge Sprinter runs in a 2.7L, five-cylinder CDI Turbo Diesel engine and is ranked among the most efficient light and medium duty vehicles in its class. "We are thrilled at the year-long demand from Canadian business customers," said Bernie Clement, VP of Sales, DaimlerChrysler Canada, Inc. "We knew the Dodge Sprinter was best in class and that we had a strong dealer network, but we are pleasantly surprised that the marketplace has been this strong."

According to Dodge spokesmen, one of the Sprinter's top selling features has been the advanced safety systems normally found in luxury passenger cars, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist System (BAS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBV), Acceleration Skid Control (ASR), and three adjustable headlight settings.

Dodge reports the Sprinter provides an ergonomic design with 360-degree viewing for both driver and passenger. And is available in three wheelbases - 118, 140 and 158 inches - and two roof heights, allowing up to 73 inches of interior stand-upheight. A brand new cab chassis configuration adds additional flexibility so the user can customize for specific utility purposes.

UAW Wins Dodge Neon Assembly Plant Representation in Michigan

After pushing hard for representation, the United Auto Workers announced the workers at the DaimlerChrysler Dundee, MI assembly plant, where the Dodge Neon is assembled, have organized under the UAW.

The $700 million plant, which makes 4-cylinder engines for the Dodge Neon, is expected to have around 500 employees in 2005. The plant eventually will manufacture engines for 12 Chrysler models, including replacements for the Dodge Neon and Chrysler Sebring beginning next year. Joint venture plants will supply engines for Mitsubishi later.

The UAW expects that DaimlerChrysler-Dodge management will ask the UAW to allow the Michigan plant to outsource traditional union jobs such as janitorial services, during contract negotiations in 2005.

Dodge Magnum & Chrysler 300 Brampton Plant Helps Ontario to Surpass Michigan in Output

A major reason why Ontario is poised to overtake Michigan as North America's top producer of cars for the first time this year is the DaimlerChrysler Brampton plant, which currently produces the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300.

The Brampton plant assembles about 970 vehicles per day currently. Officials have stated that it is set to add a third shift in early 2005, hoping to meet the demands for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. It will also begin producing a new Dodge Charger for 2005. The extra shift is expected to create 900 more jobs, for a total workforce of 3,900 at the Brampton plant.

DaimlerChrysler reported it sold 93,200 Chrysler 300 cars and 33,000 Dodge Magnum vehicles in the first 11 months of 2004. Brampton is an example of a growing number of plants being converted to a "flexible manufacturing" system that allows several models to be produced on a single assembly line.

At the Brampton plant, the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Magnum and soon the Dodge Charger, share many of the same basic components, such as engines, powertrains and floor panels. The three vehicles can be built simultaneously.

Chrysler-Dodge Group & SIRIUS Satellite Radio Announce Factory Install List for 2005

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the Chrysler Group recently announced the completion of the launch of the 2005 model year lineup of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. "Production rates for 2004 are on-par with our 100,000 unit goal," stated Mike Kane, Director, Feature Innovation and Advanced Technology Strategy, Chrysler Group.

Beginning with the launch of the Chrysler 300 Series and Dodge Magnum in April, 2004, the Chrysler Group has announced SIRIUS Satellite Radio factory installations on 13 production vehicle lines for the 2005 model year. They include the Chrysler 300, Dodge Ram Pickup Truck, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Stratus, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Caravan and Jeep Liberty models.

"This broad and successful factory program is very exciting for SIRIUS, as we build our subscriber base through our exclusive partnership with DaimlerChrysler," stated Doug Wilsterman, Senior Vice President of Automotive OEM for SIRIUS. "We are pleased to participate in the continuing offensive from the Chrysler Group."

Dodge Dakota Includes New Options for 2005

The 2005 Dodge Dakota has been reported as being the biggest non full size pick up truck on the market. New options include a second V8, heated cloth seats and satellite radio.

The current base two-door Dodge Dakota with front seats only will be dropped from the Dakota lineup in 2005. The Dakota Club Cab with rear-hinged access doors and two small rear seats will now be the introductory model. The popular four-door Dakota Quad Cab with regular back seats and four front-hinged doors will again be priced higher.

The 2005 Dakota “delivers full-size pickup capability in a mid-size package...offering better fuel economy and maneuverability than a full-size pickup,” said Mike Donoughe, vice president of the body-on-frame product team at DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group.

The 2005 Dakota is 3.7 inches longer than the 2004 model, for an overall length of 218.8 inches. Sources with Dodge have said they wanted to appeal to truck buyers who use their vehicles every day and "like a roomier interior and strong power." As the only mid-size truck to offer a V8 engine, now in 2005 it will be the only one with two V8s, including a high-output version of its 4.7-liter, single overhead cam, Magnum V8, generating 250-plus horsepower and 300-plus foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Available transmission for the Dakota engine is a five-speed automatic. Testing reports the V8 delivers 14 miles a gallon in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway. The best fuel economy rating for a 2005 Dakota with V6 is 17/22 mpg for a two-wheel-drive model with four-speed automatic. The V6 is available with either the automatic or a new, six-speed manual transmission, replacing the five speed from 2004.

Dodge reiterated that "no other mid-size truck offers a V8. And the Dakota's 7,150-pound towing capacity is still unrivalled. Dodge officials also said 60 percent of all Dakotas sold have a V8.

Safety is improved in several areas, including the addition of a center shoulder belt for the middle person in the back seat of the Quad Cab. The additional length of the vehicle contributes to a longer front end for better crashworthiness, and side curtain airbags are also available for the first time.

Two bed sizes are available on the 2005 Dakotas. The Club Cab is equipped with a 6-foot-6-inch-long bed, while the Quad Cab has a 5-foot-4-inch bed. The height of the bed sides is 176.1 inches.

Dodge officials report that 88% of buyers of the Dakota are men. Median age is 45, and annual household income begins at $40,000-plus.

Dodge to Recall Dakota & Durango Models Due To Ball-Joint Failure

DaimlerChrysler has announced it will be recalling 600,000 Dodge Durango Sport Utility Vehicles and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks due to a defect that can possibly cause their wheels to fall off.

The recall affects four-wheel-drive vehicles from the 2000-2003 model years. DaimlerChrysler says the company has not substantiated any reports of injuries from the defect. No injuries due to ball-joint failures are listed in government files as of yet.