Car Blog

With six-cylinder fuel efficiency delivering 25 highway mpg and an adaptive five-speed automatic with Auto Stick — new Challenger SE Rallye builds on the excitement of the new Challenger R/T Classic

• Dodge Challenger SE Rallye features unique design cues including dual body stripes, chromed ‘FUEL’ door, deck lid spoiler, 18-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets and Micro Carbon interior accents

• Fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V-6 now features a responsive five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick

• Best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room provides spacious rear seat for up to three adults

• Best-in-class trunk space (16.2 cu. ft.) equal to the Dodge Charger

The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics — unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye adds even more pony car excitement with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission and bold accented exterior enhancements. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye starts at $26,490 (including $725 destination) and is available for ordering now at Dodge dealerships nationwide.

“Featuring the transmission from our HEMI-powered Challenger models, the new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye earns its stripes with a five-speed automatic delivering an exhilarating driving experience and 25 miles per gallon fuel-efficiency,” said Mike Accavitti, Director-Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “And with eye-grabbing details including 18-inch wheels with black painted pockets, deck lid spoiler, and heritage-inspired chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door–Dodge Challenger SE shows off its pony car bloodlines.”

Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is a unique breed and offers more than head-turning good looks. With its throw-back hood and deck lid dual stripes with accent color outer stripes, chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door, 18-inch rallye wheels with all-season performance tires, body-color deck lid spoiler and Micro Carbon interior accents — the new Challenger SE Rallye builds on the Dodge DNA.

The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is the first six-cylinder Challenger model to offer accented dual stripes, and the first Challenger model to offer deck lid stripes. With seven exterior paint colors and two-color stripe combinations, Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers even more muscle-car excitement to the Challenger lineup.

Exterior paint colors and dual-stripe combinations on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye include:

• Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes

• Bright Silver Metallic — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes

• Deep Water Blue Metallic — with White dual stripes and Red accent stripes

• Inferno Red Crystal Pearl — with Black and Dark Gray accent stripes

• TorRed — with Black dual stripes and Dark Gray accent stripes

• Dark Titanium Metallic — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes

• Stone White — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye model features an aluminum block 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. With 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (339 N*m), this 24-valve engine delivers efficiency and performance.

The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye marks the introduction of the five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick for all Dodge Challenger SE models. With more responsiveness than the previous four-speed transmission, and an aggressive first-gear ratio, the five-speed automatic transmission provides outstanding launch performance and smoothness at any speed.

On the interior, the trapezoidal theme of the door-panel cove and gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted shifter console are inspired by the original Dodge Challenger. Inspiration from the past continues with a “four bomb” gauge cluster with deep easy-to-read white faces. Premium cloth bucket seats are well bolstered. For a more comforting and luxurious feel, heated leather seats finished with French-seamed stitching are available. The advanced uconnect gps with voice recognition, navigation with real-time traffic and Universal Customer Interface (UCI) for iPod connectivity is available on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared with the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.) — equal to the Dodge Charger — the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers comfort and functionality.

2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye Production

Production of the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye will start in April of 2009 at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the award-winning and quality-proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

All-new 2009 Dodge Challenger

The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger merges the best American muscle-car characteristics — unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology — to delight driving enthusiasts across several generations. The Dodge Challenger accommodates five passengers in a two-door coupe produced from the company’s proven rear-wheel-drive platform. With three models of head-turning styling, two legendary HEMI(R) V-8 engines choices, more than 25 safety and security features and modern amenities including uconnect gps with voice-activated navigation system and real-time traffic available — the 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the brand’s “bold, powerful and capable” credo.

Dodge Brand

With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Dodge brand continues to offer a full line of cars, trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and sales-leading, fifth-generation minivans in 2009. This year, Dodge will add to the award-winning Ram lineup with the introduction of the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and 3500 Chassis Cab.

Dodge introduced several new vehicles in 2008, including the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Dodge Ram. Dodge also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in minivan value with more than 40 new or improved features from the previous generation, including unsurpassed 17 city / 25 highway mpg fuel economy. The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is also the first minivan in the segment to feature the all-new Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advance safety systems.

Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008.

Source: Chrysler LLC

Detroit Electric to produce and market full line of innovative Pure Electric vehicles in US, UK, EU and China beginning 2010

Detroit Electric Holdings Ltd and PROTON Holdings Berhad announced a strategic partnership to mass produce Pure Electric Vehicles. Detroit Electric will integrate its patented electric drive systems into the vehicles.

Under the agreement, Detroit Electric will license two Proton vehicle platforms and contract the company to assemble the electric vehicles that will be marketed under Detroit Electric’s brand.

This agreement will provide Detroit Electric with its first manufacturing base. The announcement came at a signing ceremony officiated by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“Today’s agreement with Proton will put Detroit Electric on the fast track to bring a full line of innovative, practical and affordable pure electric vehicles to the global market,” said Albert Lam, Detroit Electric’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We chose Proton due to its state-of-the-art production facility, commitment to research and development, cost efficiency, and stable, high-quality workforce.”

By 2012, Detroit Electric plans to sell more than 270,000 Pure Electric Vehicles in Europe, UK, China and the United States. The vehicles will be priced between USD 23,000 and USD 26,000 for the city range model and between USD 28,000 and USD 33,000 for the extended range model. Styling changes will distinguish Detroit Electric’s vehicles from Proton’s existing line-up.

The vehicles will be based on Detroit Electric’s unique, patented electric drive system that greatly reduces the electric motor’s size and weight. The underlying Magnetic Flux Motor Technology and well-proven Lithium Polymer Battery Technology allow pure electric vehicles to achieve a single-charge range of 180km (111 miles) for the city range model and 325km (200 miles) for the extended range model.

Detroit Electric is in the final stage of setting up two subsidiaries: Detroit Electric Energy, which will produce the battery technology, and Detroit Electric Advanced Propulsion Lab, which will manufacture the motor and controller.

The Detroit Electric Advanced Propulsion Lab and Manufacturing Plant is targeted to be in Malaysia close to the vehicle assembly facilities of Proton. By 2012, the two production plants will produce more than 400,000 electric drive systems, creating thousands of jobs and supporting Detroit Electric’s internal demands as well as third-party OEM’s needs.

Proton, which currently produces a total of 270,000 vehicles of various models in Malaysia, edged out a host of international brands when its popular Persona was named Malaysia’s Best Model of the Year in the 2008 Frost & Sullivan ASEAN Automotive Awards. The company is also Malaysia’s largest investor in research and development, spending USD 1.2 billion (RM4.6 billion) between 1993 and 2003.

“We are proud to be able to integrate our electric drive systems upon one of the best cars out of Asia. Our customers around the world will enjoy the level of quality and comfort offered by Proton, an award-winning manufacturer,” said Lam.

Detroit Electric will be responsible for the homologation of the vehicles and for vehicle certification in the U.S. and European markets, where models are targeted to be sold in the first quarter of 2010 EU, UK, China and closely followed the US. Detroit Electric will assume all warranty and liabilities for the Electric Vehicles, while Proton will warranty the vehicle’s build and standard components.

“Our vehicles will be reliable, meet all quality and safety requirements, and quite simply outperform internal combustion engine vehicles of the same class. They will be affordable as we look at the competitive market and come without the polluting carbon emissions,” said Lam.

Today’s agreement also initiates the test and validation program in which Proton will evaluate Detroit Electric’s electric drive system with the intent to license the rights to distribute, market and sell vehicles under the Proton brand in Asia.

Detroit Electric is looking to repeat similar contract production partnerships with manufacturers in Europe and the United States. This will allow the company to extend its range of models very quickly to meet demand in the different automotive segments in these markets.

“When you are trying to redefine the automotive industry, you need to bring many partners along,” said Lam. “Our contract manufacturing business model will breathe new life into current manufacturers, leveraging existing unutilized global resources and accelerating the technological advancement of pure electric vehicles.”

On the current global downturn in automotive markets, Lam expressed confidence that Pure Electric Vehicles will attract a diverse base of consumers despite the tightening credit market, lowered consumer confidence, unstable oil prices and stricter fuel economy regulations.

“Our target audience are those who purchase practical and affordable vehicles. This makes our products fit the pockets of a very wide audience – from professionals and executives, to mothers, students and small business owners.”

Source: Detroit Electric Holdings Ltd

Average length of ownership increases to 56.3 months, up from 49 months six years ago

One third of consumers plan to purchase another vehicle in the next 12 months; 26 percent predict a vehicle purchase within two years; pent up demand for vehicle sales prevalent

70 percent of consumers likely to consider used vs. new for next vehicle purchase

72 percent of consumers would consider a domestic brand as their next vehicle purchase

Today’s uncertain economy significantly impacts consumer vehicle buying decisions, according to the latest market study issued today by R. L. Polk & Co. In the study, Polk gathered consumer sentiment on the economy, and also about three key topics, including purchase horizon for next vehicles; new vs. used purchase plans; and an assessment of respondents’ willingness to consider a domestic vehicle purchase.

A complete copy of the report is available for download at: http://www.polk.com/TL/MS_200903_ConsumerSentiment.pdf

Overall, nearly half of those surveyed indicated they believe the U.S. economy will worsen in the next year, while just 31 percent are optimistic and think the economic situation will improve.

“A state of optimism for the economy was also reflected in the study,” said Lonnie Miller, director of industry analysis for Polk and co-author of the study. “Nearly one third of respondents plan to purchase a vehicle within twelve months.” This suggests there is pent-up demand for vehicles as some consumers have been putting off their next vehicle purchase for some time now, according to Polk. The drop in sales from 16.1 million units in 2007 to 13.2 million units in 2008 supports that assessment.

Economic Concerns Drive Longer Vehicle Ownership

Vehicle retention trends tracked by Polk indicate consumers are choosing to keep their vehicle longer than in the past. Stemming from a separate registration-based analysis, Polk reports the average length of ownership of a new car or truck in 2008 was more than 4.5 years (56.3 months), compared with 49 months just six years ago. Supporting this trend, only 11 percent of consumers surveyed projected the length of ownership of their vehicle would not be impacted by current economic conditions.

Used Vehicles Receiving Increased Consideration

The study also found that many Americans are more likely to consider a cost-effective used vehicle for their next purchase. Seventy percent of those surveyed indicated they were at least somewhat likely to consider a used, rather than a new vehicle for their next vehicle purchase. Reports of growing used vehicle prices and demand for vehicles at auto auction centers reinforce this mindset.

Domestics Remain Relevant Purchase Choices

More than two thirds (72 percent) of respondents indicated they would consider a domestic vehicle as their next vehicle purchase to help stimulate the U.S. economy and support the domestic auto industry. This is a positive sign, given the current long-term outlook for domestic manufacturers.

Recommendations to Weather the Storm

Given the consumer mindset and current business climate, it makes sense for OEMs to reconsider some of the basic tenets of long term business planning. “Product development for future models needs to factor in and recognize a heightened level of consumer anxiety,” said Bruce Giffin, corporate market research manager at Polk and co-author of the study. “OEMs should not emphasize consumers’ current economic views too much; but instead, focus on accurately mapping out the volume of cars and trucks that will meet future demand.”

In the U.S. market, Polk projects a return to the 14.2 million unit level by 2012. A growing number of loyalty teams have been formed within the manufacturing sector, providing a central focus on keeping customers once consumer confidence bounces back. “It’s important that these teams remain focused on future business even if marketing budgets are tight,” Giffin said.

Polk also has seen a shifting OEM attitude that places a stronger emphasis on the parts and service business. This strategy can be very profitable and can help minimize revenue shortfalls due to declining new vehicle sales. As consumers are holding on to their vehicles longer, now is the time for OEMs and dealers to foster new and even more relevant relationships with existing customers for potential business.

Source: R. L. Polk & Co.