2011 Dodge Durango Unwrapped!

Brand Clarification

First, please allow me to clear up an important matter: Chrysler separated Dodge and Ram by categorizing its pickup trucks as “Ram” while leaving its SUVs and other body styles as Dodge.

When Ram was pulled out from Dodge last year, I mistakenly believed that subsequent SUV models would also be called Ram. I was wrong, I now stand corrected.

Second, the Dodge Durango is back! Yes, in name only because the model going on sale in the fourth quarter of this year is nothing like the SUV it replaced. That earlier model, discontinued in 2008, was built on a truck chassis. The current iteration employs unibody construction and is underpinned by the same platform powering the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Extended Seating

But, this Dodge Durango goes beyond basic badge engineering. The Dodge has its own fascia and includes three rows of seating for as many as seven passengers. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has two rows of seats for five passengers.

Like the Jeep, the Dodge gets the all-new 3.6-liter V6 with an optional 5.7-liter V8. Available in two- and four-wheel drive, the Dodge Durango represents the first of five new Dodge models slated to appear in 2011. Yes, after a dearth of new product, Chrysler’s top-selling brand will receive some fresh new product.

Durango Goodies

What is so special about the Dodge Durango that someone might consider buying one? After all, the SUV market is crowded and people seem to be moving down to smaller models. Yet, for the person who needs room and power, the Durango offers a number of amenities including:

• Excellent towing capacity. As much as 6,200 pounds with the standard engine and up to 7,400 pounds with the V8.

• Interior flexibility. Dodge says that the Durango offers 22 seating configurations. That can be helpful especially if you need to make room for gear and other stuff.

• Safety features. Electronic stability control is standard and such features as blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection and adaptive cruise control are available. The standard side-curtain airbags will protect all three rows of passengers.

• Fuel economy. No SUV gets raves when it comes to fuel economy, but the Dodge may come close.  Even the V8 should offer 500 mile driving range due to cylinder deactivation which turns the V8 into a four cylinder at highway cruising speeds.

SUV or CUV?

Exactly what is the Dodge Durango? Is it an SUV or a CUV (crossover utility vehicle)? Technically, it is a CUV as this model loses the truck chassis and goes with unibody construction. But, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Dodge Durango performs as well as comparable SUVs, offering a lighter and much more updated platform that is certain to appeal to many.

Source: Chrysler Group, LLC

Resources

Detroit Free Press: 2011 Dodge Durango: First look from Chrysler

Edmunds.com: Chrysler Debuts 2011 Dodge Durango

As Expected, August 2010 Auto Sales Sink

All throughout the month of August, reports that the month’s auto sales would plunge surfaced time and again. This reporting was wholly unnecessary or at least overdone as an obvious factor was kicking in: August 2009 was “Cash For Clunkers” time, therefore any comparison with last year would be skewed by that federal government rebate program.

But, comparing month over month figures is how the industry rises and falls even when the numbers are skewed. One of the first to issue their sales report was Volkswagen who cut to the chase in the title of their news release: year to date sales are up by 21 percent. On closer scrutiny, Volkswagen revealed that monthly sales fell by 7.9 percent over August 2009.

Monthly Losers

Nissan went straight to the point with their news: sales fell 27 percent for the month although year to date sales are still up by 14 percent. Honda sales fell by 30 percent, but the Japanese automaker says that it is still ahead of last year’s pace though that lead narrowed to just 1.5 percent.

Toyota sales dropped by 31 percent which means that the world’s largest automaker has fallen behind last year’s year-to-date pace by 6,000 units. Blame all the recalls and bad publicity with having a net drain on Toyota whose position as the world’s largest automaker is in jeopardy regardless. Volkswagen, perhaps even GM, may unseat Toyota this year.

Fab 3

How did 2009′s winners do in August? That would be Subaru, Hyundai and Kia, the only automakers who saw their sales rise in a very depressed market.

Subaru’s sales fell by 22 percent, but they’re still up by 20 percent for the year. Hyundai reported that its sales fell by 11 percent, yet the Korean automaker is still up by 17 percent for the year and on pace to establish yet another sales record. Kia, Hyundai’s cousin, registered a 20 percent decline for the month, but they’re still up by nearly 10 percent year to date.

Detroit 3

The Detroit 3 reported mixed sales results with Chrysler sales increasing by 7 percent for the month and are now up by 10 percent for the year. Chrysler’s rise wasn’t a surprise as it basically had to sit out of  last year’s incentive programs as it recovered from bankruptcy and sought to restart production.

GM sales fell by 11 percent for its four surviving brands though the largest domestic automaker is still up by 5.4 percent for the year. Ford sales also fell by 11 percent, but the automaker is still up 18 percent for the year.

The Rest

Daimler reported sales up by 7.4 percent for the month, though when breaking things out by brand Mercedes was up 10 percent while Smart fell by 72 percent. Mercedes is capitalizing on Lexus’ woes and may regain the top luxury marque spot from its Japanese nemesis this year.

The BMW Group fell by 1.6 percent but is up 5.6 percent for the year. Mazda fell by nearly 26 percent, but they’re up by 7 percent year to date. Other manufacturers were still tabulating their figures when Auto Trends went to press with this article.

The Meaning

What does August 2010′s sales mean? Not a whole lot. Cash for Clunkers was a hard month to go up against, so a significant drop was expected. Going forward, a stale economy may keep sales down for the rest of the year, underscoring that the battered American consumer will be careful when and if they buy a car this year.

Sources: Automaker News Releases

400 Chrysler Dealers Attend Fiat Lovefest

Fiat 500 debut set for December 2010

Fiat loves Chrysler dealers. Or at least they want to love those who can help set up shop for the Fiat brand in 165 markets.

On Monday, Chrysler Group LLC played host to 400 dealers who were on hand in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to find out what it will take to join the Fiat dealer network, getting more information about the Fiat brand and history, future product plans, competition, volume expectations and related matters.

Selected dealers will continue to sell Chrysler products, but they’ll also be given the opportunity to sell Fiats beginning with the subcompact Fiat 500 later this year.

Information Packet

Dealers learned what Fiat needs in order to consider their shops and were given information packets to review. Those dealers interested in carrying Fiat will have until September 22, 2010, to present their information to Fiat North America. Selected dealers will be announced in October with the first models arriving in December.

“The Fiat brand offers our dealers the opportunity to be part of a unique experience,” said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “Our dealers will be able to interact with a group of individuals that are not part of their current customer base. These are individuals interested in Italian automotive design coupled with fuel efficient technology. Our dealers will be the key point of contact with our customers, and thereby, a crucial part of the success of the Fiat brand.”

North American Manufacturing

Despite its Italian pedigree, the Fiat 500 sold in the United States will have a distinct North American flavor to it. The car will be built in Toluca, Mexico, and the 1.4-liter engine is being built in the United States. That engine features MultiAir technology, something that will provide a 10 percent boost in power while offering a corresponding increase in fuel mileage and decrease in emissions.

Auto Trends will provide additional dealer information and a review of the Fiat 500 over the coming months.

Source: Chrysler Group, LLC