The History of the Dodge Viper

Dodge Viper history

During the 1990s, Dodge made a concerted push to improve their standing within the performance sector of the domestic market. Called to action by then Chrysler President, Bob Lutz, the Chrysler design team jumped headlong into early developmental efforts. These efforts would ultimately yield one of the most tenacious performance … Read more

Summer Arrival for Dodge Hornet Utility Vehicle

  The long-rumored Dodge Hornet is now a reality, a compact SUV scheduled to roll out this summer. The Hornet is poised to become the volume model that the Dodge brand lacks, a vehicle that will share its architecture with the upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale. In the Hornet, we will … Read more

Will Ram Expand its Pickup Truck Line?

The Ram brand is in transition, even if it does not seem that way. Ever since the parent Fiat Chrysler merged with Peugeot Citroen to form Stellantis, it was identified as one of the most important and profitable of the 14 brands. But Ram’s identity has been skewed since its … Read more

Stellantis Unveils Roadmap to Electrification

voltage

Ram, Dodge, Fiat, and other Stellatis brands will field all-electric models starting in 2024. Nearly every major manufacturer has revealed their plans to electrify their fleets. With governments pushing for the end of or the severe restriction of the internal combustion engine, that transition is underway. In the U.S., the … Read more

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Review (the Beast)

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat review

Dodge brings an SRT Hellcat to the Durango line. The Dodge Durango needs little introduction, a three-row midsize utility vehicle with room for seven. In a sea of crossovers, the Durango supplies standard rear-wheel drive and a look that is about as aggressive as they come. Beyond its appearance, Dodge … Read more

What’s the Future for Chrysler and Dodge Under Stellantis?

Stellantis brands

Stellantis is here, which represents the new name for the newly merged Fiat Chrysler – PSA Groupe entity. Headquartered in the Netherlands, with regional headquarters in Michigan, Italy, and France, this automaker controls 14 brands. That’s two more than the Volkswagen Group, which previously had the largest portfolio. Although just … Read more

The 14 Brands of Stellantis

Stellantis brands

An all-new automotive brand is here and we can’t wait to learn what Stellantis will do as it manages 14 brands from two previously separate automakers. Stellantis, which roughly translates as “to brighten with stars,” is the fusion of Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The now-active company is trading … Read more

5 Forgettable Cars From the 1970s

1973 Ford Pinto

It was during the 1970s when automakers from Japan began to find a market among the big American cars of that era. As Toyota, Honda and Datsun (later Nissan) products began to take hold, American car manufacturers responded by producing several smaller models to counter the overseas invasion. Unfortunately, many … Read more

Rolling Classic: 2020 Dodge Charger Overview

2020 Dodge Charger

This 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody comes with a 6.4-liter V8 engine. No matter how you look at it, the 2020 Dodge Charger is an aged design. Its Mercedes-Benz-derived platform dates to the 1990s, with the Charger rolling out in 2006, then updated five years later. Thus, the current … Read more

2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Review

2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

The SRT Hellcat is in a league of its own. The Dodge Charger needs no introduction, its reputation carefully laid out and established when the sedan rolled out in 2006. Since then, the Charger has undergone numerous updates, including a major redesign in 2011. Today, the Charger is arguably America’s … Read more

The Rise and Fall of Mitsubishi

rise fall of Mitsubishi

Partnerships, recalls, financial problems, and scandals…oh my! I wrote this article several days before leaving on a business trip, so please forgive me if the Mitsubishi narrative has changed drastically over the past few days. That a change would occur is understandable — after Nissan exposed Mitsubishi for exaggerating the … Read more

New Products May Bolster Ram Brand

Where is Fiat Chrysler Automobile taking the Ram brand? A large SUV is under consideration, what could bring sales and big profits to this truck-based marque. Ever since Fiat Chrysler Automobiles separated Ram from Dodge to form a distinct brand, enthusiasts have wondered if additional products might eventually join the … Read more

Flagging Fiat Sales: No Easy Answer

The Fiat brand has this 500X crossover in its portfolio.   It must be tough sitting in a meeting of Fiat Chrysler brand heads, especially if your brand is underperforming. Sixty-eight straight months of year-over-year sales improvements puts an enormous pressure on executives to succeed. Sure, the streak will someday … Read more

5 Reasons Why Volkswagen Fiat Chrysler Makes Sense

Imagining Fiat Chrysler as part of the Volkswagen Collective. Speculation about a possible blockbuster Volkswagen Fiat Chrysler merger has come up again. Last summer, Volkswagen and Fiat flatly denied that they were discussing a merger, despite a high-level meeting between key executives. This week, former Hyundai CEO John Krafcik speculated … Read more

Ah, the Dodge Brand Rumors!

Dodge is R.I.P. At least that is the contention of some followers. Its also the rumor put forth by at least one of the seedier outposts on the Internet, something that SRT boss, Ralph Gilles, has declared will not happen. That being said, the Dodge brand is in transition as are the other … Read more

Chrysler Capital to Replace Ally Financial

Chrysler Capital

Say good-bye to Ally Financial and hello to Chrysler Capital. Earlier this week, the Chrysler Group forged an agreement with Santander Consumer USA Inc. to provide comprehensive financial services to all Chrysler Group and FIAT dealers. The agreement will yield the first loans under the newly minted Chrysler Capital brand … Read more

Chrysler Introduces Dodge Durango Special Service Vehicle

Durango model makes three police cruisers from Chrysler. Auto Trends has been keeping a sharp eye on the police pursuit market lately as several important changes have been made. Police Cruiser News Earlier this month we reported on the fortunes of Carbon Motors, a would-be developer of police-spec sedans. That Indiana-based … Read more