Chrysler Group LLC released pictures of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler this morning. New models will feature a re-worked interior and body-matching colored hard tops. New body colors for 2011 include: Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White.
Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began earlier this week at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.
One thing’s for sure; this isn’t your Grandad’s Jeep! – JW
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“A recent shuffle of Chrysler Group’s design team could be just what the company needs to effect a quick turnaround after bankruptcy, industry analysts say. The automaker has promoted three men from within to head design for its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands.”
“Mark Allen, 46, was promoted to head of Jeep design from his previous position of chief of Dodge and Jeep truck design.
Jeep has the most going for it in terms of design, analysts say. Allen’s prime directive will be to preserve and evolve the iconic Jeep look that makes the Wrangler a continued sales success relative to other models in the line-up. “Don’t try to make Jeep what it’s not,” Hossack says. “Don’t be selling these little crossover SUVs that won’t go over anything other than wet grass. Make a Jeep a Jeep.”
Allen is very familiar with Jeep’s design heritage, having worked on the 2007 Liberty and 2006 Wrangler. And he certainly has experience with trucks that can tackle more than a damp lawn, after helping craft the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2008 Dodge Dakota.”
“President Barack Obama said today that Chrysler LLC will file a historic bankruptcy shortly, backed by up to $3.5 billion in new government aid designed to allow a Chrysler-Fiat partnership to emerge from court in 30 to 60 days…
‘The necessary steps have been taken to give one of America’s most storied companies a new lease on life,’ Obama said…
The administration portrays its “surgical” bankruptcy of one of Detroit’s major automakers as just a legal chore, rather than the threat to Chrysler’s existence and the entire U.S. auto industry that Chrysler itself had described less than three months ago. Administration officials said Chrysler would operate as usual during bankruptcy, and that no additional job cuts were anticipated as of now.”
“The major banks that loaned Chrysler LLC about $7 billion have agreed to significantly reduce that debt, according to the Treasury Department, a move that could save the struggling automaker from having to file for bankruptcy later this week.
“The agreement from Chrysler’s principal banks is an exceptional accomplishment in line with the President’s firm commitment that all stakeholders sacrifice to make this deal succeed,” said an administration official Tuesday.”
Chrysler still needs to complete it’s alliance with Fiat and have it’s agreement with the UAW pass an official vote before Thursday’s deadline. The debt reduction was generally thought of as the largest and most difficult step in the process, so there is still is hope for the auto manufacturer.
“Ailing car maker Chrysler is close to filing for protection from creditors as soon as next week under Chapter 11 of U.S. Bankruptcy laws… The move will come whether or not it reaches a buyout deal with Fiat SpA, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the companies.”
Chrysler issued this response:
(from the Chrysler Media Site)
“On March 30, the Administration recognized the viability of Chrysler LLC and its products, in combination with a Fiat alliance.
Chrysler has consistently said that its viability will be enhanced through an alliance with Fiat, as it represents a change in the Company’s business model that expands its global competitiveness.
As we move forward in this process, we believe it’s important to keep all options open. Chrysler will continue to work through the end of the month, based on the direction given by the Presidential Auto Task Force, to secure the support of the necessary stakeholders and reach a successful conclusion that the Administration and U.S. Treasury deems appropriate.”
We’re not sure how this will play out, but we have no doubt that Jeep will soldier on regardless!
MILAN (AP) — Automaker Fiat Group SpA will walk away from a deal to take a 20-percent stake in Chrysler LLC if the U.S. automaker’s unions don’t agree to major cost cuts, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in an interview published Wednesday.
Fiat and Chrysler are up against an April 30 deadline for Fiat to take a stake in the failing U.S. automaker in exchange for small car technology, but Chrysler first needs concessions from creditors and unions to ink the Fiat deal. If the Fiat alliance isn’t finalized by then, the U.S. government has threatened not to provide any more aid and let Chrysler be sold off in pieces.
“Absolutely we are prepared to walk. There is no doubt in my mind,” he said. “We cannot commit to this organization unless we see light at the end of the tunnel,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in an interview published in the Toronto Globe and Mail.
A Fiat spokesman confirmed Marchionne’s statements. Marchionne was attending a shareholders meeting of the Swiss bank UBS in Zurich on Wednesday.
Marchionne said there is a 50 percent chance the deal will fail because of lack of progress in labor negotiations in both the United States and Canada.
The ever-knowledgeable and hooked up crew over at Jalopnik have access to some advance sketches and information on the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.
“The biggest news we’ve received is the high-po Jeep will receive the 6.4-liter392 HEMI V8 with anywhere between 505-525 tire burning horsepower and roughly 510 ft-lbs of torque, all driven through a revised AWD system…
the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be a subtle beast with lowered, sportier suspension, beefy SRT 5-spoke wheels, larger diameter rotors with grippy multi-piston calipers, revised front and rear fascias, a functional cold air induction cowl hood and a larger spoiler out back. “
Kimberly S. Johnson & Bree Fowler of the AP report:
“Auburn Hills-based Chrysler LLC sold 101,001 vehicles, marking its first month since September that it sold more than 100,000.
“Breaking the 100,000 number was really important to us,” said Chrysler Vice Chairman Jim Press. “We asked dealers to rally behind that.”
The Jeep Wrangler was one of the few Chrysler models that saw sales increase, by 16 percent. Chrysler said it applied more incentives to the Wrangler, but a new four-door model appeared to be driving sales.”
RT @CalebHadaway: @JeepWorld just hit the 204xxx mark. It's been overheating lately, but I'm going to replace the head gasket, and she will… 4 hours ago
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