The Jefferson North Assembly Plant is already one of the auto makers’ busiest lines, with two shifts going at full capacity. In 2012, 1100 jobs will be created as part of an expansion, in order to tackle high demand for Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

These 1100 new workers join 150 jobs created by Chrysler’s Conner Avenue Plant.

“Our future, like the history of our brands, is interwoven with the City of Detroit,” said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

“Detroit long has been home to renowned innovators and craftsmen. So it is in the Motor City, home of our industrial heritage and a resilient people, that we are entrusting the manufacture not only of the ultimate American sports car, the SRT Viper, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – but also a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee for North American markets.”

Source: Torque News

Chrysler’s parent company bet big on their little automobile, last seen on US-soil in 1984. After sluggish sales, a huge decline of interest online (not to mention at dealer lots), and poor crash test ratings, Fiat may become Chrysler’s greatest disappointment.

A recent blow came from NHTSA Crash Test Results. Fiat 500 scored a three-star crash test rating, considered very poor in today’s world of high tech safety and futuristic metals:

Fiat 500 returned stateside with an uproar – JLo danced and sang around NYC in her drop-top variant, and newly erected Fiat dealerships reported high demand for the three door compact.

Unfortunately for Fiat, Chrysler is witnessing three consecutive months of declining sales figures for the 500.

The Italian auto maker’s original goal was set for 50,000 vehicle sold each year. However, less than 16,000 have sold in seven months. 29 of Fiat’s 130 dealers in the US “didn’t sell a single Fiat last month,” according to USA Today. The company has a six-month supply backed up, and is countering with $500 rebates on new vehicles.

For the sake of Chrysler’s renewal, Fiat’s survival, and the ability to market fuel efficient cars in North America, 2012 better improve the auto maker’s performance.

You’ve probably seen each already, but as a refresher feel free to review both commercials below. Which do you think is the better rep for these new cars?

The Fiat 500 Castagna Electric Vehicle is powered by a lithium-ion battery, producing 45 horsepower from its electric motor. This enables the car to reach a top speed of 99 mph, and travel up to an amazing 162 miles on a single charge. For $144,100 this Fiat vehicle is far from inexpensive. The car was also ordered by Gaddafi with a massive recharging system, allowing the battery to be recharged in only 10 minutes.

“Seized at the dictator’s bunker in Bab Al-Azizia, the bespoke convertible was ordered by Gaddafi – through an intermediary – in June 2009. He demanded the vehicle be delivered by September with a number of custom touches including a two-tone paint job, a cream leather interior, wood trim and numerous Libyan-themed accents.”

Source: WCF

The 2011 Chrysler 200 spot was created by Chrysler and advertising company Wideden+Kennedy of Portland, Oregon. In case you forgot, here’s the (now award winning) Super Bowl XLV ad:

“Born of Fire” aired during the 2011 Super Bowl back in February, and won five awards at the 58th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Over 24,000 entries from around the globe were entered in this competition. These included “Gold Lions” for Best Direction, Best Script, Best Use of Music, Best Automotive Commercial and Best Editing, as well as a “Bronze Lion” for Best Editing.

Chrysler’s additionally “Imported from Detroit” merchandise line submits a portion of the proceeds to the following four Detroit-based charities:

• The Marshall Mathers Foundation

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan

• Habitat for Humanity Detroit

• Think Detroit PAL

Source: CarScoop

It will be distinguished by special badges, a small rear spoiler and 15-inch alloy wheels. The interior is outfitted with two-tone sport seats, revised instrument cluster, and special floor mats.

According to official specifications, power will come from a 1.4-liter engine producing 100 hp and 97 lb-ft of torque. This enables the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just over 10 seconds, and hit a top speed of 113 mph. Production will be limited to 28 units.

Source: WorldCarFans

“I don’t think there’s a 100 percent guarantee of the fact that there is an IPO,” said Marchionne at a recent event in Windsor, Ontario.

It increasingly appears that Marchionne is more interested in complete ownership of Chrysler by Fiat Group rather than just having a controlling stake. “Fiat is effectively in a position to buy the whole company,” says Max Warburton, a senior analyst at Bernstein Research in London. “The previous assumption was that Chrysler would make an IPO, but this now looks unlikely and a full takeover by Fiat Auto seems more probable.”

For the record, by the end of 2011 Fiat will have a 57% share of Chrysler.

Source: wcf

This car is small, in fact it’s almost as small as Smart Car’s “fortwo” model. The Italian auto maker is betting that 130 dealerships in the nation will be selling these vehicles like hot cakes to American buyers.

As far as performance, 500 comes with a 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine. The 101 hp powerplant pushes the 2500 lb-ft of torque two-door with ease. 500 takes each turn like a little speed demon. Handling is smooth and responsive with this engine, though Fiat plans to introduce an Abarth 500 with more power sometime in 2012.

Fiat reports an EPA estimated gas mileage of 33 mpg combined in manual, 30 mpg with its automatic.

Fiat claims there are “more than half a million ways to configure the 500.” Pricing starts at $15,500 for the base Pop variant. This includes: Power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, and a CD stereo with an MP3 jack are all standard.

Add in other options to the Lounge or Sport models, including moon roof, portable TomTom GPS or fog lights, and a 2012 Fiat 500 still only tops off around $24,000.

(Interior shots and article source: Kelsey Mays | Cars.com)

The 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible was expected to make its first appearance at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – but the internetz ruined that. The Italian-American auto maker apparently leaked images of the 200 Convertible earlier in the week.

The 200 Convertible loses its roofline, and with that it looks even more like the Sebring in which it is supposed to be shying away from. Yes, the vehicle’s front end and interior looks much better, but it still looks like “Sebring Part Deux” as Motor Authority put it.

For exteriors, the Fiat 500 includes: chrome touches on side mirrors, fuel door and exhaust tips. You can add a window-mount rack on the rear, snowboard rack and double blue striped decals all over.

As for interiors, Fiat’s 500 adds door sills with ’500′ logos, leather finish and carbon fiber-esque hand brake and shift knobs. Another tuned 500 comes in all black along with glossy black wheels. Delicious!

Source – WCF