Three Dodge Models Top Their Segments in J.D. Power and Associates 2011 APEAL Study

 

The Dodge brand earned three awards as the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Durango led their segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study^SM.

The Dodge Charger ranked highest in the Large Car segment and was the most improved model in the industry. The Dodge Challenger scored highest in the Midsize Sporty Car class and Dodge Durango took the top spot in the Midsize Crossover/SUV segment.

The Jeep_® brand improved by 32 points and Chrysler increased by 27 points compared to the industry’s average improvement of three points.

“We’ve listened to our customers and made significant improvements across the product line, launching 16 all-new or extensively updated vehicles in the past year,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President—Quality, Chrysler Group. “We worked very hard to make our vehicles truly competitive with the best vehicles in their respective segments. It’s nice to see this effort being recognized by our customers.”

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Chrysler Group LLC Achieved Modified Operating Profit of $507 Million in Second Quarter 2011, Up 177 Percent from Q2 2010; Fully Repaid Government Loans Six Years Ahead of Schedule

Chrysler Group LLC today announced its preliminary financial results for the second quarter (Q2) 2011, demonstrating continued improvement in its operating and financial performance.

In Q2 2011, Net Revenues increased 30 percent to $13.7 billion compared to Q2 2010. The increase was primarily due to increased volumes and positive pricing and mix attributable to the 16 all-new or significantly refreshed products in the marketplace. First half (H1) 2011 Net Revenues totaled $26.8 billion, up 33 percent from H1 2010.

“There is no doubt that Chrysler Group has taken a huge step forward this quarter,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “Refinancing our debt and repaying our government loans six years early, reinforces our conviction that we are on the right path to rebuilding this Company and restoring it to its rightful place on the global automotive landscape.

“We are changing both the image and substance of our company in order to regain the faith of consumers. There is no substitute for hard work and we are committed to continuing to deliver on the business plan numbers we outlined,” added Marchionne.

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Chrysler Group LLC Manufacturing Employees Focus on Home Improvements for Community Action Day

With temperatures reaching 90 degrees, more than 100 Chrysler Group LLC manufacturing employees braved the heat Saturday to paint, build, repair and beautify The Baldwin Center, an organization that provides support services for homeless and needy individuals in Pontiac, Mich. The home improvements are part of Chrysler Group’s Community Action Day, a company initiative that encourages employee volunteerism and community involvement.

“It’s rewarding to know that in some small way the work we’re doing will help The Baldwin Center accomplish its mission to feed, clothe, educate and empower those in need,” said Frederick Goedtel, Vice President and Head of Assembly Operations, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our employees have a strong tradition of supporting the communities in which the company does business. We are pleased that our partnership with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and their community partner, The Baldwin Center,enable us to continue this tradition.” 

Projects at The Baldwin Center included the following:

• Weeding, watering and harvesting vegetables in the community garden and hoop houses. The garden serves as a youth-focused education program.
• Repairing, expanding and painting the Clothes Closet porch. In a typical year, more than 13,000 people receive clothes, shoes and small household items from the Clothes Closet.
• Cleaning and landscaping the playground.

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Chrysler Under the Pentastar

An Interview With Klaus Busse, Head of Interior Design for Chrysler Group LLC

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 / 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 – First Drive Review

 If we were to make a list of unforgettable cars of the previous decade, the first-generation Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 would be on it. They were nutso full-sizers with 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemis; aggressive looks; and chest-thumping exhausts.

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – First Drive Review

Four is the new three, as in $4 and 40 highway miles per gallon. But come hell or high gas prices, there will always be hot cars, mighty trucks, and a privileged few who don’t sweat $100 fill-ups as long as the passing lane remains open for business.

Back from some engineering R & R, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 lives for express-lane service. Like the rest of the Cherokee nation, it rolls on a new platform that began life as a Benz but was nurtured by a Chrysler team with a name that says it all. Good luck convincing apprehending officers that the SRT badge on the back of this Jeep stands for Slow, Reserved, and Timid, rather than Street and Racing Technology.

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Safe Drivers Act of 2011

The following statement on the “Safe Drivers Act of 2011” can be attributed to Chrysler Group LLC:

Chrysler Group supports the “Safe Drivers Act of 2011”, legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Carolyn McCarthy, and applauds the bill’s goal of prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving.

Chrysler has a strong history of addressing distracted driving, and we are proactively designing our vehicles and educating our customers on the importance of staying focused on the road. This legislation addresses the fact that a driver’s primary responsibility is to be in control of their vehicle; texting while driving clearly interferes with that responsibility.

In order to promote safer driving behaviors and serve as an industry example, in 2009, Chrysler became the first automaker to establish a corporate policy prohibiting texting while driving. We earned a leadership role in 2003 as the first North American automaker to introduce Bluetooth technology in vehicles, enabling hands-free phone use.

Reblogged from Chrysler Media

Mazdaspeed Motorsports Had Brilliant Weekend Of Racing

This past weekend Mazda raced at two premier racetracks in three different series with a range of models. The end results included two wins and six podium finishes.

On Saturday morning, Mazda kicked off the weekend with a one-two finish in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST class at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Mazda MX-5s piloted by Andrew Carbonell/Rhett O’Doski and Tom Long/Derek Whiti had an impressive one-two finish, helping move Mazda into the lead in the manufacturers’ championship battle.

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Mazda3 Reaches 3 Million Global Sales

The only compact car to offer a big-time helping of “zoom-zoom” agility and performance—the Mazda3—set a major production mark recently, as global sales of Mazda’s best seller topped the 3 million mark. The Mazda3 reached this impressive milestone in less than 8 years, thanks in large part to its popularity in the North American market, where nearly 1.2 million customers have taken one home since 2003.

“Mazda3 embodies the three elements of Mazda’s DNA: distinctive design, exceptional functionality, and responsive handling and driving performance,” said Hirotaka Kanazawa, Mazda Motor Corporation’s senior managing executive officer in charge of R&D. “Continued global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s most popular model, comprising a third of all Mazda vehicle sales. Since the first-generation model appeared on the market, it has responded to the major changes in the automobile industry by inheriting and strengthening Mazda’s brand DNA while evolving exceptional environmental and safety performance.”

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