Big 3 - 3 Big Comebacks
Posted: May 04, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: Automotive News
Since the bailout Chrysler, GM and Ford have revamped their approach to the automotive industry putting America back on top.
Now North America has become a money machine for the Detroit Three, which earned $4.5 billion there in the first quarter on surging U.S. sales. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC exceeded estimates with first quarter net income that totaled $3.2 billion. The most pleasant surprise was healthy North American operating margins of 11.5 percent at Ford, 7 percent at GM and 4.5 percent at Chrysler. Even combined losses of $405 million in Europe for GM and Ford were better than analysts anticipated from a region in an intractable financial crisis. Such pleasant surprises would have been unimaginable in 2009 as GM and Chrysler filed Chapter 11 and Ford was coming off $30 billion in losses in the three previous years. Now with gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon, U.S. car buyers are embracing fuel-efficient new offerings, such as the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Chrysler 200. And Chrysler and Ford predict better days ahead as they roll out more new models this year. "The indications for the remainder of the year continue to be absolutely positive," Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said on an April 26 conference call. Chrysler introduces the Dodge Dart compact car this quarter and the company is "expecting great volume" from that model through the rest of the year, he said. GM is introducing a redesigned version of its top selling car, the Chevy Malibu, which gets up to 37 miles (59.5 kilometers) per gallon in highway driving. And Ford has new versions of its Fusion family car and Escape small sport-utility vehicle about to debut. "Those two product launches are extremely important," Bob Shanks, Ford's chief financial officer, said in an April 27 interview. "By the way, they will be profitable as well, which is really important."
Chrysler Goes Huge in the 1st Quarter of 2012
Posted: April 27, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: The Detroit News
Chrysler has started off 2012 in a huge way. In the first three months of 2012 Chrysler has sold more units than almost of all 2011. "The indications for the remainder of the year continue to be absolutely positive," Sergio Marchionne, CEO Fiat-Chrysler.
Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said Thursday he is "incredibly satisfied" with Chrysler's first-quarter earnings - its best in 13 years - and standing by his prediction that the once-dying automaker will make $1.5 billion in 2012. Chrysler Group LLC posted a net profit of $473 million for the first three months of 2012. Chrysler's net revenue for January, February and March was up 25 percent to $16.4 billion as its global sales increased 33 percent to 523,000 units. Top sellers include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram pickup and Chrysler 200 and 300 sedans. Chrysler has revamped 16 of its vehicles in the past year. Chrysler is adding shifts at some of its U.S. factories, as are Ford and GM. Marchionne said that makes sense, given the increase in demand. Chrysler said it plans to ship between 2.3 million and 2.4 million cars and trucks in 2012. "The indications for the remainder of the year continue to be absolutely positive," Marchionne told reporters and automotive analysts on a conference call. "I have really no bad news to tell you." "We continue to focus on new product development," Marchionne said, adding that 2013 will be a big year for the company.
Pricing for the 2013 Dodge Dart
Posted: April 19, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: The Weekly Driver
The New Dodge Dart, remake of the popular 70's model, will debut this summer with 5 different trim levels.
The 2013 Dodge Dart, which will be available in five trims when it debuts in the summer of 2012, will be priced from $15,995 to $22,495, according to Chrysler. The entry level price for the Dodge is lower than some of its main competition in the compact market, which accounts for about 15 percent of new car sales. "The all-new Dodge Dart is a groundbreaking car, offering features and benefits never before found in a compact car," said Reid Bigland, Dodge President and CEO. With class-leading style, customization, safety, technology, and interior levels of roominess, the all-new Dart perfectly blends Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge passion and style into one all-new car that customers will be proud to own and look forward to driving." The base Dart SE ($15,995) offers a 2.0-liter, 160 horsepower inline-4 engine mated to either manual or automatic transmission, both six-speeds. Also standard are 10 airbags, ABS on all four disc brakes, LED tail lamps, MP3 capability and a 5-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty. The Dart SXT ($17,995) sports 17-inch aluminum wheels and interior features like security and a six-speaker sound system, while the Dart Rallye ($18,995) takes a sporty approach with an aggressive body kit, dual exhaust tips and the option of black wheels or the 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine. The Dart Limited ($19,995) standard features include a 8.4-inch touch screen and backup camera, 10-way power seats and premium accent stitching. Options include Nappa leather, Garmin navigation, rear cross path detection and polished aluminum wheels. The Dart R/T ($22,495) boasts a 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 2 4-cylinder engine with 184 hp and 171 lb.-ft of torque, plus 18-inch aluminum wheels and sport suspension, and a more aggressive design. Options include black wheels, HID headlamps, a 506-watt sound system.
60 Minutes Segment on the Resurrection of Chrysler
Posted: March 27, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: CBS News
60 Minutes did a great piece Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler, and the resurrection of the brand.
F-150 Takes Home Work Truck of the Year
Posted: February 15, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: Ford.com
Cars.com has yet again name the Ford F-150 full-size pickup the Work Truck of the Year.
It may come as no surprise, but Cars.com has, again, named the Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck the Work Truck of the Year. Top cars for Commuters, Hard Workers and The Boss categories competed for this Lifestyle Awards title. According to the editors from Cars.com, "To be a hard worker, you have to be able to do a lot of different types of work. And probably no other vehicle reflects that spirit better than the Ford F-150. Like a multifunctional tool, the F-150 can be configured in an almost infinite number of ways to meet the needs of commercial, personal or family jobs. The F-150 comes in a staggering array of cab and bed sizes, with many engine and driveline choices, and in trim levels starting with a bare-bones work truck and climbing to a level of richness that rivals luxury sedans. If you need your work truck to do double duty, the F-150 has you covered." The F-150 tops its class with best-in-class 17 city/23 hwy/19 combined mpg. And since the auto market is constantly evolving, the truck has remained fresh with the powerful, capable and efficient EcoBoost turbocharged engine. "EcoBoost has the power to do real work and to accelerate with immediacy," say the Cars.com editors. "As the best-selling model in the U.S. for decades, the F-Series truly puts America to work."
KBB Recommends: Buy NOW
Posted: January 18, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: Market Watch
If you're in the market for a pre-owned vehicle now's the time to buy. Many consumers are eyeing the popular 2011 redesigns hoping to get them barley used for the half the price of new, which is driving up prices.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the leading provider of new car and used car information, today reports that buyers in the market for a used car should purchase sooner rather than later, as Kelley Blue Book anticipates used-car values to increase 3 to 5 percent in the first quarter of 2012, with gains continuing into the second quarter. Values have been flat through the first two weeks of January; although, a handful of segments have started to increase earlier than originally anticipated. Non-luxury cars and crossovers increased between $50 and $100 in the past week alone, and they will likely continue to rise in the weeks and months ahead. A lull in lease returns and an aging fleet of vehicles on the road are expected to keep prices high through most of this year; potentially higher than the record levels established in 2011. "Consumers eyeing one of the many highly acclaimed redesigned 2011 model-year vehicles for their next used car should be prepared to pay a significant premium," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. "For example, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Kia Optima currently maintain a premium higher than 40 percent versus the 2010 model-year counterpart, significantly outperforming the Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla, which weren't redesigned for model-year 2011." This type of premium is typical for vehicles that have recently undergone a major redesign, especially when the outgoing generation was an underperformer in its segment. No matter what vehicle a shopper may have in mind, higher prices are the reality of today's market and used vehicles will only become more expensive and difficult to come by as time goes on.
Big 3 With Stong Showing at Auto Show
Posted: January 16, 2012 | by: Blog Editor | source: Automotive News
Ford, GM, and Chrysler all came to the Detroit Auto show with guns blazing (or engines revving). Ford showed off their redesigned 2013 Fusion. Dodge is bringing back the Dart, a classic, and Chrysler stopped the show with a concept minivan.
With the redesigned 2013 Fusion it unveiled at the Detroit auto show, Ford Motor Co. is taking dead aim at a broad swath of competitors in the hard-fought mid-sized sedan segment. The car's sweeping sculptural new look is geared for customers bored by the blandness of the perennial segment leaders, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. With a plug-in hybrid version of the five-passenger sedan that Ford says will achieve 100 mpg on the highway. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, says the Fusion gives Ford an opportunity to "grow this part of our business." Some journalists and analysts who saw the Fusion during a media preview said the car appeared to have taken cues from Aston Martin, an English sports luxury brand Ford once owned. At a Detroit Auto Show press conference earlier this week, Chrysler rolled out its upcoming 2013 Dodge Dart and slotting right along more mainstream compact sedans like the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda Civic, the new Dart looks like a return to form, picking up where the Neon left off-or, perhaps more appropriately, promising us what the Neon only teased. Based on what we see in the cabin of the Dart models shown at Detroit the new Tigershark engines that are standard under the hood of all Dart models (2.0-liter, or 2.4-liter in the R/T, although a Fiat 1.4T is optional) what of noise, vibration, and harshness? That's what we asked Dart chief engineer Mike Merlo at the show this week. And if the revised Charger and Journey aren't evidence enough, it sounds like much has changed in the way that Chrysler engineers vehicles. Proving that not every concept vehicle is leaked weeks ahead of its show debut,Chrysler surprised the media with Monday's reveal of its 700C minivan concept. Built as a styling exercise, the 700C's primary mission is to gather feedback from show attendees. The 700C sports some unusual design elements, such as blended front and rear door handles that looks like a solitary trim piece. Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's senior VP of product design (and the head of its SRT division), confirms that the 700C is a pure concept and not likely to see production. By gauging customer reaction to the futuristic three-row minivan, Chrysler can get a feel for what the public likes and what they don't.
The Return of the Dart
Posted: December 07, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Detriot Free Press
Dodge's sturdy and reliable Dart will be reborn in 2013. The Dart is one of Chrysler's more impressive portfolio pieces and will be manufactured right here in Belvidere,IL.
Dodge reached back into its history books to revive the name Dart for a compact sedan that symbolizes the future of Chrysler and Fiat. On Tuesday, Dodge said the 2013 Dodge Dart, which will be unveiled next month at the North American International Auto Show, will not be a reinterpretation of the original Dart. "From what we have seen from the teaser pictures, it looks smoking hot," said Aaron Bragman, automotive analyst for IHS Automotive. The original Dart was sold from 1960 to 1976 with a variety of options, including the high-performance "swinger" version. The Dart gained a reputation as a sturdy and reliable car. "The Dart is one of the more positive names in Chrysler's brand-portfolio history," Bragman said. "Also, anybody under 40 isn't going to remember Dart and that helps them because they are about to create something new." The 2013 Dart will be Chrysler's first vehicle based on Fiat engineering, a decision meant to illustrate the technology-sharing benefits of merging the Italian and Auburn Hills automakers. The Dart will be longer and wider than Fiat's Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Joe Veltri, Chrysler's vice president of product planning, said in June that the new Dodge would be a sporty, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient car. The sedan will be built in Belvidere, Ill. Buyers can choose one of three four-cylinder engines: a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir engine. The Dart should make Dodge more competitive in the compact segment that includes the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. "There has been a lot of activity in that segment and a lot of investment," Ralph Gilles, senior vice president of product design for all Chrysler brands, said in June. "We are ready for that."
Big 3 November Sales Up Up Up
Posted: December 02, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Blooberg Business Week
GM Up 7%, Ford up 13% & Chrysler up 45%
The Big 3 combined to help U.S. light vehicle sales jump 14 percent in November and produce the strongest selling rate of the year.
Ford Helps WWII Vets Get to National Memorial
Posted: November 08, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Detriot News
Ford has a long tradition of supporting veterans. And they're keeping that tradition a live by sending 35 veterans to the national WWII memorial.
Ford Motor Co. flew 35 World War II veterans from Michigan to the nation's capital Friday to see the National World War II memorial - paying tribute to the "greatest generation." Some 16 million Americans served in World War II and more than 400,000 were killed. The memorial features 56 granite pillars, fountains, a memorial plaza - and a field of 4,000 stars to honor those killed. The veterans got a rousing sendoff early Friday morning from Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally and other company officials at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. They were on a Southwest Airlines flight and were returning Friday evening. The Ford Motor Company Fund is sponsoring two flights for World War II veterans with Friday's just one week before Veterans' Day. Ford has provided more than $6 million in support of veterans since 1974, including providing more than 150 vehicles to the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network. The veterans will spend the day in Washington. A second flight for Kentucky veterans will take place on D-Day on June 6, 2012. In September, Ford received the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for its assistance to Ford employees in the National Guard and Reserve. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Department of Defense for America's employers who provide support to their employees. The Ford Veterans Network Group, one of Ford's corporately supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities throughout the year in support of its veterans, military personnel and their families.
Top 10 Movie Cars of All time
Posted: October 10, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Yahoo! Autos
3 Fords and 3 Dodges make the top 10. Including Steve McQueen's 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, Bullitt and the 1970 Dodge Charger from The Fast and the Furious
Ford Pledges 2000 Local Jobs
Posted: October 05, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Suntimes.com
Chicago will be the big winner if the UAW approves tentative contract with Ford Motor Co.
The 3rd Shift added to Ford's Chicago assembly plant will be primarily to build Ford Police Interceptors. The official vehicle launch date is February 2012 but UAW officials expect hiring to begin much before that. Chicago plant also builds the Ford Taurus & Ford Explorer.
Chevy Sonic & Ford Focus Named Top Safety Picks
Posted: September 19, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Yahoo! Autos
IIHS Named the New 2012 Chevy Sonic & New 2012 Ford Focus Top Safety Picks. Both in Stock now at Hawkauto.com
To get a Top Safety Pick rating, cars must get the highest possible score in front, side, rear and rollover tests. Interesting to note both vehicles get 40 MPG!
Chrysler LLC Sales Soar in July
Posted: August 03, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Chrysler.com
Chrysler LLC is up across the board for all three brands. They saw a 20% growth in sales last month compared to June. Jeep brand seeing the biggest increase at 46%.
Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 112,026, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in July 2010 (93,313 units), and the best July sales since 2007. All Jeep brand models contributed to the 20 percent July sales increase, including the iconic 2011 Jeep Wrangler, which set an all-time sales record, and the new 2011 Jeep Compass compact SUV with a 240 percent sales increase, the largest year-over-year sales gain of any Chrysler Group model. All five Jeep brand models posted a sales increase in July compared with the same month a year ago. All Jeep models currently in production have posted year-over-year sales gains every month this year. Also contributing significantly to the July sales gain were the new 2012 Fiat 500 city car, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango three-row sport utility, and the 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan. In a market that remains tougher than a cheap steak, we were able to produce our highest retail sales in more than three years, said Reid Bigland, President and CEO Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. I think that statistic is the ultimate testament to the progress we have made with our product in the areas of fuel economy, quality and design.
Consumer Reports Knocks Civic Off Recommended list
Posted: August 02, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: AOL Autos
How the mighty can fall. Consumer Reports today said Monday the redesigned Honda Civic which recently hit showrooms scored too low in its critique to be recommended by the respected magazine.
This opens up a big hole of opportunity for, Ford with its new Focus and Chevy with its new Cruze.
Win Free DMB Tickets!
Posted: June 24, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Hawkjeep.com
Stop by Hawk Jeep in Forest Park between now and July 2nd to Win Dave Matthews Band Caravan Tickets.
The Dave Matthews Band Caravan is preforming on Chicago's lakefront July 8th, 9th & 10th and Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Forest Park is giving away 5 pair of tickets. Stop by Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep between now and July 2nd for your chance to enter. Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep is also giving away $25 gas cards to the first twenty people to enter.
10 Fastest American Cars
Posted: June 17, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: Yahoo! Autos
Corvette, Mustang & Viper Top the List
Really fast cars, like in three times the legal speed limit. The kind you loved in Smokey and the Bandit and Two-Lane Blacktop. Traditional Detroit iron.
2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Chevrolet Volt
Posted: June 17, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: motortrend.com
Say hello to the Volt, Chevrolet's new electric vehicle that can use gas (but only if you need to).
Imported from Detroit
Posted: June 17, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: youtube
Chrysler 200 - Two minute commercial
2012 Ford Focus - 40 MPG
Posted: June 17, 2011 | by: Blog Editor | source: ford.com
The all-new Ford Focus is certified by the EPA at 40 mpg highway with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is overwhelmingly preferred by American drivers
The all-new Focus meets that demand with great fuel economy, class-leading technologies and features, exceptional standards of craftsmanship and driving dynamics typically reserved for larger, more expensive vehicles.
