During a routine quality inspection, automaker Chrysler, noticed that some vehicles had an improperly formed brake booster push rod retaining clip or no clip at all. Even though there have been no accidents or consumer complaints related to the problem, Chrysler feels there is potential for the push rod to separate from the brake pedal assembly resulting in loss of brakes. As a result, they will be recalling 2010 models of the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty and 2009 and 2010 models of the Dodge Ram pickup. Owners will be notified this month if their vehicles are affected, and Chrysler will replace the faulty or missing clips free of charge.
Category Archives: Chrysler
Ford Shines At The Detroit Auto Show
Based on the Detroit Auto Show, the automobile industry may be undergoing a huge transformation. There are dozens of hybrid vehicles and countless pure battery-powered cars. The market for energy alternative cars remains weak, but if strict emissions standards are imposed, demands could soar.
Ford Motor Company had a very strong showing, winning North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year Awards. The car award went to the Ford Fusion Hybrid and in the truck category, Ford’s Transit Connect van. This is the sixth win in the truck category for Ford, the most of any automaker.
The awards recognize the vehicles that are “benchmarks” in their category based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Vehicles must be new or “substantially changed” to be considered.
Some other memorable displays are: General Motors with their new Chevy Volt, Mercedes B Class pure hydrogen fuel cell car, Audis A8 which won the eyes on design and Chrysler’s Gem which has sold more than 40,000 since 1999 and reportedly owns about 70 percent of the electric vehicle market.
Chrysler to Challenge Legislation
Complaints made to Congress from GM and Chrysler dealerships has led to a House approved $1.1 trillion spending bill. This bill will give dealerships a chance to dispute their closure depending on their past success. G.M. and Chrysler proposed their own review processes last week in an effort to keep Congress from getting involved, but their proposal was rejected.
Today, Chrysler came back challenging the decision, calling it ‘unconstitutional legislation’. Sergio Marchionne (CEO of the Fiat and Chrysler Group LLC and Chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association) said that restoring large numbers of dealerships could cause havoc within Chrysler. “We are in a completely different position than G.M.” he said. G.M. has about $42 billion in cash in September, paying back $6.7 is easier than it would be for us.” Mr.. Marchionne also said G.M. was more focused on repaying the loans because the government owns 60% as opposed to 10% of Chrysler. Chrysler’s majority shareholder is the United Automobile Workers union’s retiree health care trust.
Chrysler is planning to make investments that would provide jobs and other economic benefits. Building a fuel-efficient engine with Fiat technology in the United States is one of three goals that each allow Fiat to gain an additional 5 percent of Chrysler.
Chrysler/Fiat Merger has Chrysler Awaiting New Vehicles based on Partners Technology
After receiving nearly $13 billion in federal loans and filing for bankruptcy Chrysler is struggling with products that trail the competition in quality, styling and fuel economy. Sales have been down most of the year, while last month was the highest drop of any major car company. Its market share has gone from nearly 11 percent in the months before its May 1 bankruptcy filing to about 8 percent after it.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Fiat and Chrysler will enter an alliance in which Fiat will take an initial 35 percent stake in the troubled Detroit automaker, with an option to raise its ownership stake to 55 percent at a later date. The terms of the deal do not require Fiat to pay any cash to Chrysler. Instead, Fiat will receive equity in Chrysler for investments it will make in revamping a Chrysler plant to produce Fiat models for the US market.
Some of the Fiat models Chrysler would build in the United States, would likely include:
-Fiat Grande Punto and Linea
-A new compact SUV based on the Fiat C-Evo platform
-A four-door sedan possibly replacing the Sebring and Avenger
-Alfa Romeo version of the Grand Cherokee
Toyota Will Shut Down Fremont Plant
After 93 years of major automaking plants in California , Toyota will shut down the last plant in March, 2010. This plant was a joint venture with General Motors, but GM pulled out as part of its reorganization after bankruptcy. Currently 4,700 people are employed there and Senator Feinstein has said that closing the plant could cost upward of 40,000 jobs. Corolla Production will now be done in Canada and Japan and Tacoma production will be moved to San Antonio, Texas. This will be the first time that Toyota has closed a major automobile assembly plant.
The automobile industry used to be very important to the state of California. California’s first plant was for General Motors in Oakland from 1916-1964. The Willy’s- Overland automobile factory was in Maywood, California from 1928-1954. Ford had a plant in Long Beach from 1930-1959. Chrysler had a plant in City of Commerce 1032-1971. Studebaker has an auto plant in Vernon from 1936-1956. General Motors opened another plant in South Gate 1936-1982. General Motor’s had plant number 3 in Van Nuys from 1947-1992. Nash had a plant in El Segundo from 1948-1955. Ford’s 2nd plant was in Milpitas 1955-1983. Ford’s 3rd auto plant was in Pico Rivera from 1957-1980. General Motor’s 4th plant was in Fremont 1962-1982. And then Nummi, the re-opening of the Fremont plant under both GM and Toyota from 1984-2010.
Driving a lemon in California? Call the California Lemon Law Firm of Delsack and Associates for a Free consultation. Call 888-Ex-Lemon (888-395-3666).
Chrysler and Nissan End Agreement
Chrysler and Nissan said they were not going to continue with plans to build vehicles together. Nissan was going to help Chrysler with smaller vehicles and Chrysler was going to help Nissan with larger vehicles.
Chrysler now has Fiat to help them with smaller vehicles and now plans to sell Fiat models through its U.S. dealerships. The models being discussed are the Fiat 500 minicar, which is scheduled to be assembled in Mexico and a larger compact the might be built at a Chrysler factory in the Midwest.
A different agreement between Chrysler and Nissan, since 2004, where an affiliate of Nissan builds transmissions for Chrysler will continue.
Do you think the Nissan or Chrysler you are driving is a lemon? Call the Law Offices of Delsack and Associates for a Free consultation. Call toll free 888-395-3666 (888-Ex-Lemon).
Chrysler to End Lifetime Warranties
In 2007 Chrysler introduced a lifetime powertrain warranty on their vehicles. They have decided to replace that warranty with a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty which will go into effect with 2010 models. It will have no deductibles for repairs during the five year period and the warranty can be transferred to another owner if the vehicle is sold. The new warranty will not be applicable to diesel Dodge Rams or Dodge Sprinter commercial vans.
Do you think your Chrysler may be a lemon? Call the California Lemon Law Firm, Delsack and Associates for a Free consultation. The toll free number is 888-Ex-Lemon (888-395-3666).
Car Sales for July, 2009
Cars and light truck sales were up for the month of July. The Cash for Clunkers Program is credited with giving auto makers a boost. The White House has guaranteed the program through Friday, but the continuation of the program depends on the Senate vote.
General Motors sold 187,582 vehicles, Toyota sold 174,872 vehicles, Ford sold 158,354 vehicles, Honda 114,690 vehicles, Chrysler 88,900 vehicles, Nissan 71,847 vehicles, Hyundai 45,553 vehicles, Kia 29,345 vehicles, Subaru 21,839 vehicles, and Volkswagen 20,590 vehicles.
The difference from auto sales in July, 2008 are: Subaru up 34.2%, Hyundai up 11.9%, Kia up 4.7%, Ford up 1.6%, Volkswagen up 0.7%, Chrysler down 9.4%, Toyota down 11.4%, Honda down 17.3%, GM down 18.9%, and Nissan down 24.6%.
Questions about the California Lemon Law? Call the Law Firm of Delsack and Associates at 888-Ex-Lemon (888-395-3666).
