Japanese Students craft a Dodge Ram Truck out of a Mazda MPV

We received some e-mails asking us if the green-colored Ram truck hiding behind the Chrysler-ized Prius 300C we showed you earlier today was a tricked out Dodge, or if, like many other project cars shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this too was a replica. The answer is it's a Ram Truck clone based on the Mazda Bongo Friendee, which is a Japanese domestic market MPV with seating for eight, offered between 1995 and 2005. Like the Prius 300C, the Ram Truck Friendee was built by a team of students from the Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology.

Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop

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Chrysler and EPA Working on Hydraulic Hybrid System for Passenger Cars [with Video]

Chrysler and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a new partnership to explore the possibility of adapting the EPA's hydraulic hybrid system for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. Developed by the EPA, the hydraulic hybrid system is currently used in industrial applications, including large delivery trucks and refuse trucks, but Chrysler, keen on developing a new portfolio of hybrid vehicles, wants to adopt it for use on passenger vehicles.

“The EPA and Chrysler are working together to explore the possibilities for making this technology affordable and accessible to drivers everywhere," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "This partnership is further proof that we can preserve our climate, protect our health and strengthen our economy all at the same time”.

The focus will be on adapting the technology to a Chrysler Town & Country minivan powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The hydraulic system includes a 117 cc engine pump, a 45 cc drive electric motor and 2-speed automatic transmission, with an additional 14.4-gallon high-pressure accumulator storing the fluid for the system.

Power is produced as the engine torque drives the hydraulic pump, which, in term, charges the accumulator up to 5,000 psi. The pressure energy is then directed through the axle hydraulic motor to the driven wheels. As long as there’s enough pressure, the thermal engine remains off, thus reducing fuel consumption.

“In this hydraulic hybrid project, the Chrysler Group and EPA will evaluate and, hopefully, validate fuel-efficiency gains and greenhouse gas reductions”, Marchionne said. “One of the aims of Chrysler Group’s integration efforts will be to meet driver expectations for smooth and quiet operation, so that Americans will want to buy and will enjoy driving vehicles with this technology”.

Chrysler and the EPA plan to have a running demonstration vehicle by 2012. The automaker also announced that it would introduce 150 Ram 1500 trucks with a plug-in hybrid system in the near future, as part of a project with the U. S. Department of Transportation.

The video below shows an industrial application of the hydraulic hybrid system.

By Csaba Daradics

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America's Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2010

The U.S. auto sales numbers for 2010 are out and once again, Ford's F-Series pickup truck has been crowned the best-selling vehicle of the year, a title which it has held for 34 years in a row. According to Autodata Corp., the Dearborn-based brand moved 528,349 units of its F-150 light-duty and F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty trucks in 2010, recording an impressive increase of 27,7 per cent over 2009.

The Chevrolet Silverado took second place with 370,135 units, or some 158,000 less than the F-Series. Sales of GM's pickup truck were up 16,9 per cent from the previous year.

Despite Toyota's recall debacle, the Camry finished third overall earning the title of the best-selling passenger car in the States with 327,804 units, posting an 8.1 per cent drop from 2009. The Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Overall, U.S. automakers had four vehicles on the Top 10 list, while Japanese carmakers took six spots. For more details check out the complete list below that includes percentage changes from 2009.

1. Ford F-Series------------- 528,349 (+27.7%)
2. Chevrolet Silverado ------370,135 (+16.9 %
3. Toyota Camry ------------327,804 (-8.1 %)
4. Honda Accord-------------282,530 (-1.7 %)
5. Toyota Corolla------------ 266,082 (-10.4 %)
6. Honda Civic---------------260,218 (+0.2 %)
7. Nissan Altima-------------229,263 (+12.6 %)
8. Ford Fusion---------------219,219 (+21.3 %)
9. Honda CR-V-------------- 203,714 (+6.5 %)
10. Dodge Ram-------------- 199,652 (+12.6 %)

Triple Recall for Dodge Affects Over 144,000 Journey and Ram Vehicles

The Chrysler Group is recalling certain Dodge Journey crossovers and Ram trucks in three separate actions to repair defective steering wheels, airbags and noisy rear axles.

The largest of Chrysler's recalls involves 65,180 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2007, through September 7, 2008. According to a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], the wires within the front door wire harnesses may fatigue and break. If this happens, the side-impact sensors may not work resulting in inoperative side airbags. Chrysler said it will replace the left and right door wiring harnesses free of charge.

The second recall affects a total of 22,274 Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks to address a problem with the steering system. NHSTA said these vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the left ball stud on the tie rod resulting in the potential loss of steering. The Detroit automaker will fix the aforementioned issue by replacing the left outer tie rod free of charge.

Finally, the Chrysler Group is recalling 56,611 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from September 2009 through December 2010 to fix components within the rear axle. "Some vehicles may experience a noise (growl, grind) coming from the rear axle bearing which could eventually seize," said the NHTSA posting.

All three recalls are expected to begin in February 2011.

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Chrysler and Dodge to Recall More than 26,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

A new recall announced by the Chrysler Group will affect 26,397 owners of Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles in the USA. The recall includes certain 2010MY Chrysler 300 and Sebring, and Dodge Charger, Avenger, Challenger and Journey, and some 2011MY Ram pickup trucks, because a power steering pressure hose may leak fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.

The U.S. automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before the end of the October 2010.

Owners may contact Chrysler for more information regarding the recall at 1-800-853-1403.

According to reports, 13,000 vehicles are also being recalled outside the U.S. for the same problem.

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Chrysler Wraps Headquarters to Celebrate "Truck of the Year" Award

To celebrate the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty Motor Trend "Truck of the Year" win, Chrysler has put a dedicated 140-foot tall and 120-foot wide building wrap at its Pentastar Central headquarters in Auburn Hills.

Fred Diaz, President and CEO of the firm's newly formed Ram Truck division, had this to say about the wrap:

"The purpose [of the wrap] is to share our pride in the Ram Heavy Duty as well as the Ram 1500 with our employees that work hard each day to support this company as well as the communities that surround Chrysler Group. This display will be seen by approximately 200,000 drivers and passengers along the Interstate-75 in Auburn Hills, Mich., each day."

The company said that the building wrap is part of an overall marketing campaign for the Ram Heavy Duty that was recently launched nationwide.

Building Wrap Quick Facts

• The Ram Truck featured in the building wrap is approximately 100 feet long and 41 feet tall
  
  • Its headlamps are 18 feet wide and 9 feet tall
    
  • Its tires are 16 feet wide and 17 feet tall
    
  • Its windshield is 28 feet wide and 9 feet tall
    
  • The front grille is 27 feet wide and 12 feet tall
    
• The building wrap covers 14 stories of the Headquarters' tower
  
• It took three days to place the wrap on the tower
  
• The building wrap could stay on the tower up to 120 days.
  

Chrysler Group's Sales Numbers are More Confident than they Should Be

Despite all the negative publicity, it seems that Americans would still rather be driving a Toyota than a Chrysler product. According to Edmunds, Chrysler's consumer sales are down a HUGE 44% this year, versus Toyota's 14% drop.

Anyone quoting a 3% drop by Chrysler is factoring in fleet sales, and that isn't exactly fair. However, a Chrysler spokesperson says, "Fleet is part our businesses strategy...We have to rebuild consumers' confidence in the company...The fact that large companies are willing to buy our vehicles helps rebuild that confidence." Hopefully.

Here's what you can learn from some industry analysts:

Jesse Toprak, TrueCar: "You cannot viably survive with fleet and rental sales over 50%...The math just doesn't work."

Erich Merkle, President, Autoconomy.com: "The fact that [Chrysler's] losing share on the pickup side, it says to me that this goes beyond the product itself...I think Chrysler in the near term will be at the mercy of the market. They'll continue to lose market share, but they've got to hope that a rising tide will lift all boats."

Jeff Schuster, J.D. Power & Associates: "It really is survival mode for the next 18 months until they see product in the showroom...They're not finished with the turnaround yet. This is not something that can happen overnight."

If the Pentastar's lineup over the next couple years ends up being as promising as it looks, perhaps Chrysler won't have to keep leaning on fleet sales like an old man with a cane.

Maybe then, finally, we'll have a chance to see some legitimate, luxurious Chrysler compacts and small, sporty Dodges. And what if they try to pull another Sebring or Compass? I can't speak for anyone else here, but if that happens, take it easy guys. No tears shed on this side of the table.

- By Phil Alex

Via: CNN

Chrysler and Fiat Group Reveal 2010-2014 Product Plan, Many U.S. Models to be Based on Fiat Platforms

Today, the Chrysler Group LLC and it's Italian parent company partner Fiat presented the firm's long-awaited five-year business plan that's supposed to show how Fiat will turn the U.S. automaker's fate around and save the company from going down. Many interesting thing were said and shown at the eight-hour long press conference including Chrysler's new logo but in this post, we'll concentrate on the 2010-2014 product plan of the Chrysler Group's core division that comprises of the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Cars and Ram Truck brands.

The company's five-year product strategy that includes many new models based on Fiat platforms was unveiled by the Group's vice president of product planning, Joseph Veltri.

Starting off from Jeep, in 2010, aside from the market launch of the new Grand Cherokee, the Patriot, Compass, Wrangler and Liberty will be freshened. The following year, the Wrangler will receive another update including a new interior. 2013 will see the Jeep brand receiving three new models based on Fiat platforms including a small SUV, a common replacement for the Patriot and Compass, and a new Liberty. The Commander will most likely be dropped off in 2011.

Moving on the Chrysler, next year the brand will present the redesigned Sebring and 300 sedans while in 2012, a new Fiat-based compact sedan will join the range., In 2013, Chrysler will get three new products based on Fiat platforms, including a Fiat Group sourced small car (most likely the Punto), a successor to the Sebring and a new midsize crossover. An all-new Chrysler-developed Town and Country minivan will be presented in 2014.

In 2010, the Dodge Car brand will unveil refreshed versions of the Avenger and Journey, along with a fully redesigned Charger sedan and a new fullsize CUV. The Nitro will receive a facelift in 2011 as will the Challenger pony car while the Viper will be freshened up in 2012. The same year will see the introduction of a new Fiat-based compact sedan that will replace the Caliber which will be discontinued after 2012.

In 2013, Dodge will get yet two more Fiat-based models, a small car and a replacement for the Avenger sedan. The Grand Caravan will be replaced with a new model in 2014.

Finally, highlights of the newly-formed Ram Truck division's plans include the possible presentation of a new mid-size pickup truck based on a car platform in 2011, and the launch of Fiat-based small and large commercial vans in 2012. Furthermore, the company said that it will discontinue the production of the Dakota in mid-2011.

More details can be found in the presentation sheets below.

Chrysler LLC Group Product Plan 2010-2014

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Chrysler LLC Group Product Development