USA - The Durango from Dodge gets a mild makeover with styling adjustments and more tech/Kit

• New for 2018, Durango R/T models now share the same front fascia, performance hood, lower valence, and LED fog lamps first seen on new 2018 Durango SRT that debuted at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show
• Functional performance hood that debuted on new 2018 Durango SRT is now available on Durango GT when equipped with Blacktop or Brass Monkey Appearance Package
• New hood features center air inlet duct flanked by heat extractors, as well as a lower valence to house new cold-air duct and LED fog lamps
• Front Park Assist joins ParkSense® Park Assist System is standard on Durango R/T models and features sensors in the front bumper to detect obstacles; includes a shut-off switch
• Durango GT models now feature standard power liftgate and Capri and suede bucket leather seats. Capri leather seats are also available. The Technology Group is now available as an option
• B5 Blue (available exclusively on Durango R/T and SRT models, late availability) debuts on Durango for the 2018 model year and is the first time it’s offered on Durango
• All Durango models now feature a backup camera, new sport steering wheel and driver oriented electronic T-shifter

Dodge took the wraps off its new 475-horsepower 2018 Dodge Durango SRT, introducing America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV with 475 horsepower at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

Now, new for 2018, all Durango R/T models share the all-new Durango SRT’s aggressive, functional performance hood and fascia as standard equipment. The performance hood features a center air inlet duct flanked by heat extractors, a front lower valence that houses a new cold-air duct system and LED fog lamps. Durango GT models equipped with the Blacktop or Brass Monkey appearance package now offer the performance hood, first seen on Durango SRT, as an available option. 

“Performance is more than stats, at Dodge performance is an attitude that permeates through everything we do,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “And new for 2018, Durango buyers can get SRT attitude with every Durango powertrain – from the 295 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 to the 360 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 to the new 475 horsepower 6.4-liter SRT – strengthening the brand’s promise to deliver performance vehicles with world-class power, technology and standout styling our customers have come to expect.”

In addition to the new front fascia, Durango R/T is one of only two models to be available in a B5 Blue exterior color (late availability); Durango SRT being the other. Front Park Assist, which uses sensors in the front bumper, is now included with ParkSense® Park Assist System and is now standard on Durango R/T models. New for 2018, Durango GT models now feature a standard power liftgate and Capri and suede bucket leather seats. Capri leather seats and the Technology Group are also available as standalone options, as well.

For 2018, all Durango models feature a backup camera, a new sport steering wheel and driver-oriented electronic T-shifter which provides the driver with intuitive gear selection and offers an Auto Stick selector gate for added control. Customers can also opt for the available hand wrapped instrument panel with accent stitching.

Dodge continues to deliver customization and features that its loyal Durango customers love. Durango R/T’s new look is standard with a BeatsAudio nine-speaker audio system that includes a subwoofer and a 506-watt amplifier. This BeatsAudio premium audio system offers studio quality sound in the customer’s vehicle, available on the Durango GT and Citadel, and standard on R/T. The Dodge Durango boasts class-leading towing and driving range, confident driving dynamics, advanced technology, aggressive styling, and with the addition of the new exterior performance fascia on R/T, now offers even more ways customers can stand out in a sea of sameness.

Dealers are currently able to place orders and vehicles will start arriving in dealerships in the third quarter of 2017. Pricing for the 2018 Dodge Durango will be announced closer to vehicles arriving at dealers.

USA - Dodge produces the fastest most powerful SUV available - and why not !

New Dodge Durango SRT starts at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $62,995 (excluding $1,095 destination)

• New 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is the most powerful three-row SUV with its 475-horsepower legendary 392-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 engine
• Fastest and most capable three-row SUV with a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)–certified quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds and capable of 0-60 miles per hour (mph) acceleration in 4.4 seconds
• Durango SRT out-hauls every three-row SUV on the road with best-in-class towing capability of 8,700 pounds
• New exterior performance features include widebody exterior design and functional SRT hood with center air inlet duct flanked by heat extractors, as well as a new front fascia and lower valence to house new cold-air duct and LED fog lamps
• Standard leather and suede, available high-performance Demonic Red Laguna leather seating and new carbon-fiber trim distinguish Durango SRT’s performance interior
• All customers who buy a new Durango SRT will receive one full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
• The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT will start arriving in Dodge dealerships during fourth quarter 2017

The Dodge and SRT brands are rocking the high-performance automotive world once again, bringing a huge burst of American power, acceleration and best-in-class tow capability to the three-row SUV segment with the new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT – the fastest SUV in its class.

 

With the proven 392-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 under its new functional SRT hood, the new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT delivers 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, and a wicked fast time on the drag strip – from 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 4.4 seconds, covering the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds as certified by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). 

“The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT – FCA North America. “This is what you get, when you take everything great about the Durango and combine it with the performance of the Charger SRT: a 12-second quarter mile, 8,700-pound-toy hauling, three-row muscle car.”

 

Vehicles will start arriving in Dodge dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2017 with a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $62,995 (excluding $1,095 destination).

 

The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is loaded with standard performance features, including:

• Proven 392-cubic-inch HEMI V-8 delivers 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque and 4.4-second 0-60 mph times
• New performance-tuned AWD system helps the Durango SRT set world-class performance marks
• Standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission specifically calibrated for the Dodge Durango SRT to optimize shift points and deliver maximum torque to all four wheels
• Massive new Brembo high-performance six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers and vented rotors at all four corners, measuring 15 inches (front-slotted) and 13.8 inches (rear)
• Bilstein active-damping high-performance suspension
• 20 in. x 10 in. Goliath wheel with Low Gloss Black Noise finish
• New Pirelli 295/45ZR20 Scorpion Verde all-season tires or available Pirelli P Zero three-season tires
• New widebody exterior brings the Durango SRT together as a true performance SUV
• Newly designed SRT hood with a functional cold-air duct and heat extractors to cool the engine and improve overall performance
• New front fascia and lower valence to house new cold-air duct and LED fog lamps
• New performance AWD badging on liftgate
• New interior appointments including SRT flat-bottom performance steering wheel with SRT paddle shifters, heated and ventilated front and heated second-row captain’s chairs with embroidered SRT logos
• New driver-oriented electronic T-shifter, standard on all 2018 Durango models, provides the driver with intuitive gear selection and offers an Auto Stick selector gate for added control
• Premium velour-bound floor mats with embroidered SRT logo
• New SRT rear body-color lower fascia with Gloss Black accent surrounds the 4-inch dual round exhaust tips finished in Nickel Chrome
• New 180-mph speedometer
• New SRT seven-mode drive system gives the driver the ability to precisely adjust drive settings to maximize performance or comfort
• New Sport Mode reduces shift times by up to 50 percent versus Auto Mode and delivers up to 65 percent of the 392 HEMI engine’s torque to the rear wheels
• New Track Mode delivers maximum performance track driving with 160-millisecond shifts and up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels for the most pronounced rear-wheel-drive experience
• Sophisticated Active Damping System opens and closes the Durango SRT’s suspension’s damper valves, according to which of the seven modes is chosen, giving the driver options for any driving style
• Stiffer front springs (3 percent), stiffer rear springs (16 percent) and stiffer rear sway bar (18 percent) give Durango SRT drivers outstanding high-speed cornering capability
• New exhaust system tuned to offer an unmistakably deep, high-performance Dodge SRT exhaust note modeled after the Dodge Charger SRT

Available options include 20 in. x 10 in. split-five spoke wheels with Low Gloss Black Noise finish, three-season tires, trailer tow, power sunroof, Demonic Red Laguna leather seating, rear DVD entertainment and technology group. Durango SRT also has an available premium interior, which includes suede-wrapped headliner and A-pillars, true carbon-fiber instrument panel and door bezels (late availability), and a hand-wrapped instrument panel with live black and silver accent stitch.

The 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is available in seven exterior colors, including B5 Blue (late availability), Billet Clear Coat, Bruiser Grey Clear Coat, DB Black Clear Coat, Granite Clear Coat, Octane Red Pearl Coat and White Knuckle Clear Coat.  

USA- FCA US LLC takes a hand full of extra wards as the silly season of awards gets into full swing.

• 2017 Chrysler Pacifica wins both Minivan and Family Vehicle Best Buy Awards
• 2017 Dodge Durango continues as Large SUV Best Buy for fifth consecutive year
• 2017 Jeep® Renegade named Subcompact SUV Best Buy for second consecutive year
• 2017 Ram 1500 named Large Pickup Truck Best Buy every year since 2008
• 2017 Fiat 124 Spider captures Sporty Performance Car Best Buy award for first time
The automotive editors at Consumer Guide® Automotive awarded five FCA US LLC vehicles the 2017 Best Buy distinction.


In its inaugural year, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica captures both the Minivan and Family Vehicle Best Buy Awards. Another first-time entrant – the Fiat 124 Spider – also takes home a Best Buy Award, this one in the Sporty Performance Car category.







Dodge Durango earns the Best Buy Award in the Large SUV segment for the fifth consecutive year, the Jeep® Renegade secures the Best Buy Award among Subcompact SUVs for the second consecutive year and Ram 1500 captures the Best Buy Award for Large Pickup Trucks for the ninth straight year.
“We congratulate FCA for introducing two new products worthy of 2017 Consumer Guide® Best Buy recognition. 
Consumer Guide Automotive editors analyze, compare and evaluate numerous vehicles by extensively testing all major models available in the United States. 


The all-new family-friendly Chrysler Pacifica caps years of minivan evolution and refinement, and the Fiat 124 represents an impressive amount of fun for the money,” said Tom Appel, Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive. 


“Consumer Guide Automotive editors thoroughly evaluate more than 150 new cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs sold in America and select the top ones in each class as Best Buys.”


According to Consumer Guide Automotive, a vehicle does not become a Best Buy based solely on objective ratings; Best Buys also distinguish themselves as good values compared to other vehicles in their class

USA - Strategic Vision has named four FCA US LLC vehicles to its “Most Loved Vehicles in America”

• Dodge Charger and Durango "most loved" in their respective segments for third consecutive year
• Dodge Challenger captures Specialty Coupe segment
• Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited wins Entry SUV segment in 2016 "Most Loved Vehicles in America" survey by Strategic Vision

Strategic Vision has named four FCA US LLC vehicles to its “Most Loved Vehicles in America” list:

• Dodge Challenger (Specialty coupe)
• Dodge Charger (Full-size car) – third consecutive year
• Dodge Durango (Mid-size SUV) – third consecutive year
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (Entry SUV)

“Challenger, Charger, Durango and Wrangler Unlimited are four vehicles that symbolize what drives customer love,” said Christopher Chaney, senior vice president – Strategic Vision. “As segment leaders, they are creating the strongest emotional experiences and giving owners the individuality and pride of top-performing new vehicles.”

Strategic Vision’s research shows that true advocacy and brand loyalty begin not when buyers are simply “satisfied,” but when they truly love their experience. With this in mind, Strategic Vision has created the Customer Love Index (CLI). This metric continues the company’s rich tradition of cutting-edge research, and reveals in their most recent automotive research which vehicles are doing the best at creating love, and shows why they can be more successful than their competition.

Based on Strategic Vision's quantitative New Vehicle Experience Study (NVES) of more than 44,000 owners, the CLI results represent the Most Loved Vehicles in their segments as rated by new vehicle buyers

USA - 39 Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are running a “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion for the The Hollywood Vampires/

Test Drive a Dodge Vehicle, Get Two Tickets to 'Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires – Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp' at DTE Energy Music Theatre, July 16

• Nearly 40 Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are participating in "Tickets for Test Drive" promotion
• Take a test drive by July 11 and receive a voucher for two lawn tickets to the much anticipated July 16 Hollywood Vampires concert featuring Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp
• Ticket giveaway open to Michigan residents 18 years or older with valid U.S. driver’s license
• Additional details available at 
• www.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires

Thirty-nine Metro Detroit Dodge dealers are running a “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion, now until July 11, giving away up to 4,000 tickets to the “Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires” concert on Saturday, July 16 at DTE Energy Music Theatre to consumers who test drive a new Dodge vehicle. The Hollywood Vampires show features Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp.

The ticket giveaway is open to Michigan residents, 18 years of age or older with a valid U.S. driver’s license at the time of the dealer visit. Each participant receives a voucher for two lawn tickets to the “Dodge Presents The Hollywood Vampires” concert, a total face value of $50. 

DTE Energy Music Theatre fees of $8.50 per ticket will still apply. Vouchers must be redeemed online for printed tickets atwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires. Limit one voucher per person, household or address.

“We encourage Dodge fans and Hollywood Vampires fans to visit a Metro Detroit Dodge dealership to test drive a Dodge vehicle and walk away with a pair of lawn tickets on us,” said Jeff Hines, Director, Great Lakes Business Center, FCA US. “We’re all excited to see Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp together live and want our local Dodge fans to be a part of the action.”

For full “Tickets for Test Drive” promotion details, participating dealerships and program rules, visitwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires.

To participate:

• Visit one of 39 participating Metro Detroit Dodge dealers in Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties
• Test drive a new Dodge vehicle
• Receive one concert ticket voucher, redeemable for two lawn seats atwww.palacenet.com/hollywoodvampires
• Tickets must be redeemed online and printed. Voucher is not valid for entry. Face value for each ticket is $25. A facility fee of $8.50 per ticket will still apply.

Earlier this year, the FCA US Great Lakes Business Center, the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment announced a partnership that includes exclusive naming rights to the West Atrium at The Palace of Auburn Hills and naming rights to the Ivy Lounge at DTE Energy Music Theatre.

About Hollywood Vampires

Following their wildly successful concerts at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, in front of 100,000 screaming fans at the Rock in Rio festival, and their spectacular worldwide television debut on the 2016 Grammy Awards® reaching a global audience of almost 25 million people, fans worldwide demanded more. 

The Hollywood Vampires – Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp – always deliver and arranged their schedules to give their fans what they want. The Hollywood Vampires will perform at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is exclusively sponsored by Dodge, the performance brand of FCA US LLC.

USA RECALL - FCA - The Jeep grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango for inspection/replacement brake calipers.

FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 14,769 SUVs in the U.S. to inspect and replace, as necessary, left-front brake calipers from a shipment not manufactured to the Company’s specifications.

FCA US launched an investigation after a supplier advised the Company that its normal manufacturing process was not followed during the production of a small number of brake calipers. It was determined the calipers may not function as intended in an extreme braking event.

Eight such calipers may have been installed on vehicles. The scope of this campaign is designed to account for these components.

The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or complaints.

Affected are certain 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs. An additional 396 vehicles are being recalled in Canada, along with 287 in markets outside the NAFTA region.

Customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will entail an inspection and possible brake-caliper replacement. FCA US urges customers to follow the instructions on their recall notices.

Those with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.

Shareablee Inc. blog ranks Dodge 1st from Jan-March 2016 after holding the same position throughout 2015

• New Shareablee Inc. blog ranks Dodge first from Jan. to March 2016 after holding the same position throughout 2015

The Dodge brand was named the number one mass-market auto brand on social media by Shareablee Inc, a social media analytics company. Shareablee announced in its recent blog that it determined the top 10 ranking brands by measuring the total social actions captured on automakers' posts across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Dodge brand held this lead position throughout 2015 and continues the trend into 2016.

From Jan. 1 to March 15, 2016, Dodge generated the most social actions, 5.2 million, of all mass-market automakers, nearly double the actions received by the second-ranked automaker.

“It is great to see Dodge recognized as a fast riser on social media,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA – Global. “Having a strong social presence is an important part of our marketing strategy for all our brands. We strive to deliver content that is true to each individual brand persona, is relevant and evokes a reaction from our followers.”

“Dodge and SRT vehicles have passionate fans who are not just customers, but real brand advocates,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “The fact that Dodge generated 5.2 million social interactions so far this year, nearly double that of the second-ranked automaker in the study, really reinforces our belief that when the information you share is authentic and organic, people engage and share the content.” 

The Dodge brand’s success in the social space is in part due to a strong fostered community and a strategy that leverages culturally relevant moments in time. Frequent calls to action to submit user-generated content via the hashtag #ThatsMyDodge and integrating holidays and current events into social content provides fans authentic opportunities to engage with the brand.  

Of the achievement, Founder and CEO of Shareablee Tania Yuki said, “Dodge has seen nearly five times the growth (373 percent) in social engagement compared to the mass-market automotive industry (78 percent) so far this year. Particularly on Instagram, Dodge's creative use of user-generated content has given a platform for its most loyal enthusiasts to contribute and engage with the brand."

Mediabrands Publishing is the social media agency-of-record for Dodge and FCA US LLC.