Last December, the Detroit carmaker had also revealed that it would invest close to $850 million in the plant’s new paint shop and stamping facilities in Sterling Heights and Warren. The latest investment ups Chrysler’s total investments in its US factories to $3.5 billion since June of 2009 .
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The recall covers 11,351 vehicles and affects certain 2011 model year Dodge Journey crossovers, Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler 200s, Chrysler 200 Convertibles, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Nitros, Jeep Liberty SUVs, Dodge Calibers, Jeep Compass crossovers, Jeep Patriots, Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.
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“This is a purpose-built vehicle with collaborative parts from Magneti Marelli and Mopar,” said Dino Maggioni, CEO of Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. “We selected Magneti Marelli and Mopar parts, adapted them to the Dodge Avenger and made them unique. The result is a fascinating blend of these two iconic brands.”
The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.
You can read the full details in the press release after the jump, but for those that want the skinny, here are the starting prices for the new models:
New Durango from $29,195; Charger SE with the new 292HP 3.6-liter V6 from $25,170; refreshed Journey crossover with 283HP V6 $22,245; Grand Caravan from $24,995; Avenger from $19,245 and Challenger from $24,670. Also, the new limited edition 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 with a 470HP V8 starts at $42,555.
Unlike its Chrysler 200 brethren, the 2011 Avenger receives only a few minor exterior tweaks and in particular, the new signature Dodge Brand "split crosshair" grille and a redesigned bumper up front, plus new LED tail lamps at the back.
The big styling changes are found inside where the Avenger gets a brand new interior with a far more contemporary design and higher-grade materials that Dodge claims are "more pleasing to the touch but also to the eye".
Is the U.K. auto market in such a bad condition that dealers are being forced to make supermarket-style 'two for one' offers in order to make a sale? Apparently yes if we are to believe a report that originated from the British newspaper Daily Mail and has swept the web, U.K. market Dodge dealers are offloading hundred of Avengers at a huge loss through price comparison websites such as 'Broadspeed.com'. Since it was mentioned in the report, we visited the site and indeed both the Avenger and the Caliber were significantly discounted.Though we never actually found any of the alleged "two-for one" offers on the website, for example a new Avenger 2.0 SE was priced at £9830 from £15005. Even if the actual price may be higher once you finish signing papers, still that's a huge markdown.
Broadspeed.com managing director Simon Empson told the British newspaper that due to the ongoing crisis in the industry some manufacturers have got five to six months of unsold stock. 'The motor trade is beyond desperate - it's in crisis. There's no doubt it's a great time to buy if you have the money," said Empson.
"The very first call I had was from a father who was going to buy the two cars, have one himself and give the other to his son," he added.
AA spokeswoman Vanessa Guyll said: "In 23 years in the industry I have never seen anything like this - it's almost unbelievable. You expect this kind of thing with washing powders in supermarkets, not cars which are such a major purchase. Many within the industry will react with shock and horror at this."
According to the SMMT, October auto sales in the U.K tumbled a hefty 23% to 128,352 units from 166,797 a year earlier - read more about this story by clicking here.
Via: Daily Mail
Chrysler is recalling 102,042 MY 2007-2008 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines. The engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector which can cause an electrical short circuit resulting in an engine compartment fire. Chrysler dealers will inspect the connector for contamination or damage, install a wiring harness overlay, and replace the fan motor. The recall is expected to begin in the forthcoming weeks. 
Dodge will showcase the Avenger Tuner – Stormtrooper concept at this year’s SEMA show and to be frank, we like it’s aggressive but relatively mature styling a lot. According to Dodge, the exterior bodywork is inspired from the Stormtrooper costumes from the Star Wars movies. Painted in a custom pearl white color (we love white), the Stormtrooper gets a full bodykit complemented by 20-inch alloy rims in Michelin 245/35R20 Pilot Sport PS2 tires.
Press Release: Dodge Avenger Tuner - Stormtrooper
The Dodge Avenger Tuner – Stormtrooper is a sophisticated sedan designed to appeal to an adult tuner with an appreciation for technical superiority, exhilarating performance and unbridled luxury and style. The technical, yet organic nature of the Stormtrooper costumes from Star Wars inspired its execution. The Avenger Stormtrooper represents the holistic fusion of technology, racing, comfort and performance.
Smooth power is unleashed by the digitally-tuned 4.0-liter V-6 engine – that packs the punch of a velvet hammer. It features an all-wheel-drive powertrain and six-speed automatic gearbox with AutoStick steering wheel paddle shifters and KW custom coil-over suspension that is tuned for ride-height and damping. Its custom exhaust is from Borla. The large 20 x 9 custom Alcoa Forged rims come with die-sub custom graphics and Michelin 245/35R20 Pilot Sport PS2 tires. It also features a StopTech six-piston front and four- piston rear big-brake package, Xenon HID projector head lamps, Umnitza Predator halo lighting and Challenger fuel filler cap.
Exterior custom modifications on the Avenger Stormtrooper include:
Painted a custom pearl white, the Avenger Stormtrooper’s story continues on the inside.
The Alcantara suede-lined interior features four black and white Dodge SRT8 bucket seats with red stitching and stripes to carry the driver and three lucky passengers for the thrill ride of their lives in style. The instrument panel, doors, headliner and pillars are swathed in this performance material. The custom Dodge "rim-shell" steering wheel and shifter paddles are constructed of black leather, white suede and red accent stitching and centering stripe. The centerstack/console features triple gauge pod and glossy pearl white finish.
Revolutionary technology abounds for the sophisticated tuner. There are two Azentek mobile PCs installed with 1.8GHz Intel Core Duo processors and two gigs of ram – one unit is in the front dash and one is in the rear seat center console. With the touch of a finger, the driver is “master of the vehicle network domain.” ETAS’ INCA software digital interface to the engine controller could allow the driver to have the capability to control its tuning and read vitals. The owner could even order parts or download engine calibrations through Mopar Performance Parts and could communicate with engineers and other Dodge owners in Web logs and chat rooms. The driver could adjust fuel maps (as opposed to static flashing) and even download Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) from a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership as he or she drives by.
Entertainment – Internet, gaming, music and video – is also controlled. Sync Bluetooth® links to any devices: phone, iPhone and Zune. Heart-pounding sound is provided by KICKER® Audio. It also features a Mopar Performance gauge pack with red accent LED lighting.