Chrysler Group to Boost Ad Budget by 70% to $2.9 Billion in 2011

As the Chrysler Group continues its product renaissance with new or facelifted models, the Auburn Hills automaker is now looking to boost its marketing presence in the United States by increasing its advertising budget nearly 70 percent this year, from $1.72 billion in 2010 to around $2.9 billion in 2011.

The increase is even greater when compared to 2009, when Chrysler had just come out of bankruptcy and joined forces with the Fiat Group. According to the SEC filing, the Detroit firm spent just $677 million on advertising in the second half of 2009.

However, promoting the firm�s new models isn�t the only reason behind Chrysler�s decision to boost its advertising expenditure as the automaker also wants to convince investors that the company is on the right track ahead of an initial public stock offering expected later this year

"No matter how good or bad the new products are, it is all about perception now," analyst Ricardo de la Blanca, chief executive of DLB Group in Miami, told Detroit News. "It is safer to buy a competitor's vehicles, so the challenge is to engage consumers. If they do it right, they will be able to create hype," he added. "It is critical because they also need to satisfy investors and the government."

Source: Detroit News

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Chrysler Group Recalling 248,000 Crossovers and Minivans Over Engine Shutoff Risk

More than 248,000 Dodge Journey crossovers and Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2010MY are being recalled because of a defect that could allow the ignition key to move from the run to accessory position while driving and cause the engine to shut off.

In a notice on the government safety agency's website, Chrysler said there are approximately 32 customer complaints and 465 warranty claims for the affected vehicles alleging inadvertent engine shutoff while driving, adding that the company is aware of 2 alleged rear-end collisions related to this problem.

The recall affects 2010 Dodge Journey and Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country vehicles manufactured from August 3, 2009, through June 17, 2010.

The safety recall is expected to begin during in April.

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Aussie Valiant Charger R/T Turns Up Stateside

Pop quiz: what�s the greatest sports car ever built in the Australia? Well, there are a few potential candidates. There�s the short-lived 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO nee Holden Monaro, for one. Then there�s the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 4, the Holden Torana A9X hatchback and the then-futuristic Holden Commodore SS Group A. They�re all good cars, and all highly collectible.

Personally, I�ve always been a fan of the Chrysler Group's Valiant Charger R/T E49. The Valiant Charger was the short wheelbase version of the unremarkable Valiant coupe and the R/T�s homologation specials of their motorsport cousins.

The E49 was the last of the R/T�s, built primarily to win the 12 hour Bathurst endurance race. There were 149 of these legendary cars made, in colourfully named shades such as �Hot Mustard� and �Bondi Bleach�.

Hemmings, the Walter Cronkite of classic car magazines, has recently blogged about a right-hand-drive �72 Valiant Charger R/T E49 in �Pink Panther� that has turned up stateside. With a straight six, 3spd manual tranny, auxiliary fuel tank and black leather interior, this particular Charger treads that fine line between �garish� and �ultra-cool�. Personally, I think it falls more on the �garish� side, but that�s just me. Check out the pics and leave your mark in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Hemmings

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Geneva Preshow: Fiat Publishes New Photos of Freemont Crossover

The star of Fiat's exhibition area at the Geneva Motor Show and the first Fiat-branded vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group is the new Freemont 7-seater crossover. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Freemont is a re-badged 2011 Dodge Journey, but if for whatever reason you weren't satisfied with the first batch of official photos, the Italians have just released a more comprehensive set that includes pictures of the interior as well.

We'll remind you that the Freemont is due to go on sale in Fiat dealerships across Europe from the second half of 2011. The Italian firm's newcomer will initially come with front-wheel drive and a Fiat-sourced 2.0-liter turbo with 140HP and 170HP, linked to a manual gearbox. By the end of the year, Fiat will also offer two four-wheel drive versions fitted with the 170HP 2.0 MultiJet diesel, and Chrysler's 276HP 3.6-liter V6 petrol unit. For more details on the Freemont, check out our previous story here.

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New Dodge Durango Heat gets the R/T�s Goods Sans the V8 Engine

Dodge doubled its new Durango offerings at the Chicago Auto Show with the launch of the Heat performance package that joins the R/T model. The two trim levels share most of their exterior and interior appointments as well as suspension tweaks, but whereas the R/T gets a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8, the Heat is fitted with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivering 295 ponies and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque for an improved fuel efficiency of 16/23 mpg for the rear-wheel-drive model and 16/22 mpg for the all-wheel-drive version.

From there on, the Durango Heat features the same color-matched bodykit and dual chrome exhaust tips on the outside and decorative trim inside as the R/T. The Heat will come equipped with a Uconnect Voice Command and 506-watt Alpine audio system with 10 speakers, including subwoofer, as standard

The five-passenger Heat also shares R/T�s more aggressive suspension tuning, performance steering, unique 20-inch wheels with all-season performance tires, a 20-mm lower ride height, and tuned exhaust system.

The Durango Heat has a starting U.S. Manufacturer�s Suggested Retail Price of $30,295 (excluding destination charges), which represents a $5,170 saving over the V8-powered R/T.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Breaks Cover at the Chicago Auto Show

Dodge�s rejuvenation under Fiat's umbrella continues at the Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the range-topping Charger SRT8. As with every SRT model, the highlight of the performance orientated version of the Charger is the new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 powerplant producing 465HP and 465 lb-ft (631 Nm) of torque. According to Dodge, the new engine is not only more powerful than the 6.1-liter HEMI unit it replaces, but also more frugal thanks the standard Fuel Saver technology, which cuts off four-cylinders in certain situations in order to improve fuel economy.

The HEMI is coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission that can also be operated via paddle-shifters � a first for any SRT model.

�We�re continuing the fast-paced rebuilding of Dodge as our performance brand, and the expansion of our SRT product lineup in 2012 is an important part of our rejuvenation�, said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand � Chrysler Group LLCs. �The new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 builds on the iconic four-door fastback coupe design of the all-new Charger and adds a much larger power band across the rpm range, along with intelligent performance attributes and safety and creature comforts for customers who are passionate about performance driving.�

The Charger SRT8 also comes with adaptive damping suspension, which can adapt to specific conditions by monitoring the vehicle speed, steering angle and speed, brake torque, throttle position and lateral acceleration. The refined, fully hydraulic steering system and oversized 4-pot caliper Brembo brakes round up the technical tour de force.

On the outside, the 2012 Charger SRT8 can be recognized due to its exclusive front and rear fascias, complemented by a new rear spoiler, �racetrack� LED tail lamp and split five-spoke, 20-inch lightweight forged and polished aluminum wheels.

Inside, the SRT-exclusive steering wheel with a flattened bottom, carbon and aluminum trim pieces, plus sport seats set this car apart from the standard Charger.

The new Dodge Charger SRT8 will go on sale in the U.S. this fall as a 2012 model.

2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8

Introduction Date: Fall 2011 as 2012 model

Engine: 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI V-8

Estimated Power: 465 bhp

Estimated Torque: 465 lb.-ft.

Estimated Handling: .88g on skidpad

Estimated Top Speed: 175 mph

Estimated 0-60 mph: High 4-second range

Estimated � mile: High 12-second range

By Csaba Daradics

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