chrysler

Chrysler: America's Bimmer, Benz?

DETROIT -- If Chrysler LLC can survive its financial crisis, it will emerge as a boutique enterprise along the lines of Germany's premium carmakers, co-President Jim Press said in an interview last week.

He suggested that Chrysler could show the way to a sustainable model for a smaller U.S. auto industry.

"If there's one company in America that can build high-craftsmanship, innovative vehicles, it's Chrysler," Press said.

Chrysler will build vehicles that have premium features but are affordable to consumers. Press said the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup signals the company's direction.

"… Read more

94: LA Auto Show, highlights and doom!

LA Auto Show a mix of highlights and doom, Green Car of the Year, your cell phone becomes a traffic probe, Chrysler offers a "Web Edition".

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Full LA Auto Show coverage

• Nissan 370Z has rev-matching manual gearbox

• Billion dollar deal to create places for EV's to plug in?

• Chrysler "Web Edition" package debuts

• Nokia and Navteq turn cell phones into traffic probes

Chrysler unveils 'Web Edition' cars

Our eyes eventually glaze over at all of the car industry's "limited editions," "value editions," and "sport editions." But Chrysler has just announced a "Web edition." OK, now we're awake.

It's not so much a car but an option package comprising a bunch of tech toys all tied to the Net by an Autonet Mobile router branded as Chrysler uConnect Web. The gear includes a Dell Mini 9 Netbook, an 8GB iPod Touch, a Sony PSP, and a digital camera with an Eye-Fi Wi-Fi SD card. All in, $1,… Read more

93: Fighting back against yellow traffic lights

Hyundai is said to be sniffing around Chrysler, a new Web site blows whistle on short yellow lights, Porsche is more bank than car company, and a ride in the polarizing Ford Flex.

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Cooley's 2009 Ford Flex video

• Short yellow lights Web site

• Pioneer retail stores

• Green Car of the Year nominees

• How Porsche REALLY makes money!

91: Big hybrids dying an ugly death?

Big hybrids are dying an ugly death, GM and Chrysler not married yet, a look at the new Nissan Z, and a ride in the Lexus IS-F. Listen now: Download today's podcast

SHOW NOTES

• Lexus IS-F review & video

• The buttony madness of the Porsche Panamera

• Cheapest car in America. Period.

• Ford's SmartGauge brings dashboards to life

• Check out the new look of the new Z car

Buzz Out Loud 840: A box of evil

Hey, this sounds like a good idea! Create an artificial intelligence that's the incarnation of pure evil and immorality. You know, just to "study" it. It'll never get out. (Ugh.) So, that's happening today, along with Microsoft's announcement of its cloud OS, Azure; Chevy determines that hybrid SUVs won't make money no matter how you build them, and Wired tries to say the DMCA has been a good thing. Oh, and in addition to Oprah, Molly likes Martha.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 840

Microsoft's Azure cloud platform: A guide … Read more

Chrysler discontinues Durango and Aspen hybrids

Last week, we took a look at the Dodge Durango Hybrid and, surprisingly, we liked it. Its combination of hybrid tech and cabin tech had us thinking that Dodge/Chrysler had a winner on its hands. Perhaps, the bean counters at Chrysler didn't agree, because they've just pulled the plug on the Durango and Aspen Hybrids, a mere two months after the vehicles entered full-scale production.

The phrase "shooting yourself in the foot" comes to mind, but perhaps it's not that simple.

The news comes as part of a larger announcement that Chrysler is closing … Read more

89: New Prius unveiled--by accident?

Chrysler on the block again? New Prius unveiled by accident, cell phone technology blocks calls while you drive, and a run in the Challenger SRT8! Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• New Prius photos revealed

• Chrysler to be sold, broken up?

• DriveAssist kills your phone while you are driving

• New adapter makes latest iPods and iPhones work in your car

• New window tint film friendly to wireless devices

86: Chrysler goes electric CrAzayYy!

86: Chrylser goes electric CrAzayYy! Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Chrysler's three new electric cars • California bans texting while driving - crazy people up in arms!

• BMW hybrid 7 Series on the way

• Lincoln MKS reviewed

• The smart key cell phone

• Paris Auto Show preview

• Motorola offers WiMax kit for cars

Video: Chrysler shows off three electric cars

Chrysler surprised everyone with the announcement of three electric vehicle concepts. The company showed working versions of the all-electric Dodge EV sports car, plus a range-extended Chrysler minivan and Jeep Wrangler. The two range-extended models use powertrains similar to that found in the Chevy Volt, an electric motor and batteries to run the car, and an onboard gas engine generating electricity to extend the range.