USA - FCA US LLC announces a large investment and a significant number of new products for the Jeep brand.

FCA US Expands Jeep_® Product Lineup, Adding Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and a Jeep Pickup Truck; Makes Further Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing With $1 Billion in New Investment and 2,000 New Jobs

• Announcement is a continuation of the efforts already underway to increase production capacity in the U.S. on trucks and SUVs to match demand
• Confirms addition of new models to award-winning Jeep® lineup – a Jeep pickup truck and the storied Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
• Investment includes retooling and modernization at Warren, Michigan, and Toledo, Ohio, plants; creates additional 2,000 American jobs
• Total U.S. committed investment grows to more than $9.6 billion since 2009, with 25,000 jobs created to date
• Production moves solidify U.S. as the global manufacturing hub for the flagship Jeep products

FCA US today confirmed the next phase of its industrialization plan by announcing a total $1 billion investment in plants in Michigan and Ohio, and the addition of 2,000 new American jobs. 

Consistent and combined with previously announced investments, FCA US is further demonstrating its commitment to strengthening its U.S. manufacturing base, and aligning U.S. capacity to extend the Jeep_® product lineup. 

In total, FCA US has committed investments of more than $9.6 billion in its U.S. manufacturing facilities and created 25,000 new jobs to date since 2009.

EXISTING MODEL RANGE

Today’s announcement is the second phase of an industrialization plan announced in January 2016. The plan called for the realignment of the Company’s U.S. manufacturing operations to fully utilize available capacity to respond to a shift in market demand for trucks and SUVs, and to further expand the Jeep and Ram brands.

With the $1 billion investment, FCA US will retool and modernize the Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Michigan) to produce the all-new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, and the south plant of the Toledo Assembly Complex (Ohio) to build an all-new Jeep pickup truck. These actions are planned to be completed by 2020. More than 2,000 jobs also will be added to support production of these models. The added benefit of the investment in Warren is that it will enable the plant to produce the Ram heavy duty truck, which is currently produced in Mexico.

“The conversion of our industrial footprint completes this stage of our transformation as we respond to the shift in consumer tastes to trucks and SUVs, and as we continue to reinforce the U.S. as a global manufacturing hub for those vehicles at the heart of the SUV and truck market,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer of FCA N.V. “These moves, which have been under discussion with Dennis Williams and the rest of the UAW leadership for some time, expand our capacity in these key segments, enabling us to meet growing demand here in the U.S., but more importantly to increase exports of our mid-size and larger vehicles to international markets.

“The expansion of our Jeep lineup has been and continues to be the key pillar of our strategy. Our commitment to internationalize the Jeep brand is unwavering, and with these last moves, we will finally have the capacity to successfully penetrate markets other than the U.S. which have historically been denied product due to capacity constraints. In addition, these all-new products will reach new consumers, as well as those that have been part of the Jeep tradition,” said Marchionne.

The actions announced today are subject to the negotiation and final approval of incentives by state and local entities.

Previously Announced Actions

In July 2016, the Company made two announcements involving production shifts at three plants to gain additional capacity for the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee and Ram Light Duty Truck.

The first announcement confirmed a more than $1 billion investment and the addition of 1,000 jobs at its Illinois and Ohio plants. The Company will invest $350 million in the Belvidere Assembly Plant (Illinois) to produce the Jeep Cherokee, which will move from its current production location in Toledo, Ohio, in 2017. Approximately 300 new jobs would be created.

Following the move of Cherokee to Belvidere, the Company will invest $700 million in the Toledo Assembly Complex (Ohio) to retool the North plant to produce the next generation Jeep Wrangler. Approximately 700 new jobs will be added.

In the second announcement, FCA US announced that it will invest nearly $1.5 billion in its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Michigan) to retool it to build the next generation Ram 1500. In September, the Company committed to adding 700 new jobs to support production.

USA - General Motors will begin testing Bolt EV's for autonomous driving on public roads.

On the heels of the signing of the SAVE Act legislation to support autonomous vehicle testing and deployment in Michigan, General Motors will immediately begin testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. GM also announced it will produce the next generation of its autonomous test vehicles at its Orion Township assembly plant beginning in early 2017. 

“Revolutionizing transportation for our customers while improving safety on roads is the goal of our autonomous vehicle technology, and today’s announcement gets us one step closer to making this vision a reality,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. 

“Our autonomous technology will be reliable and safe, as customers have come to expect from any of our vehicles.”

Testing is already underway on GM’s Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, and with the passage of the SAVE Act legislation will now expand to public roads on the facility’s outskirts. Within the next few months, testing will expand to metro Detroit, which will become GM’s main location for development of autonomous technology in winter climates. 

Workers at the Orion Township assembly plant will build test fleet Bolt EVs equipped with fully autonomous technology. The plant currently manufactures the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Sonic. The new equipment will include LIDAR, cameras, sensors and other hardware designed to ensure system safety, leveraging GM’s proven manufacturing quality standards. 

The test fleet vehicles will be used by GM engineers for continued testing and validation of GM’s autonomous technology already underway on public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as part of the Michigan testing fleet.

Since the beginning of 2016, GM has taken significant steps in its development of autonomous vehicle technology.

In January, the company announced the formation of a dedicated autonomous vehicle engineering team and a $500 million investment in Lyft to develop an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the U.S. In March, the company announced the acquisition of Cruise Automation to provide deep software talent and rapid development expertise to help speed development. 

In June, GM began testing autonomous Chevrolet Bolt EVs on the public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale. The company has more than 40 autonomous vehicles testing in the two cities.

USA - The BMW Flagship 7-Series has been awarded the Wards 10 Best “user experiences” accolade.

The award winning BMW 7 Series received today yet another accolade at the inaugural ceremony of Wards 10 Best “user experiences” award during the User Experience Conference at Novi, Michigan. 

The BMW 7 Series is one of three vehicles making both this winning list and 2016 Wards 10 Best Interiors last spring. 

Entrants from all over the globe were thoroughly examined by the editors evaluating performance such as how easily the vehicle connects with a smartphone, how user friendly and intuitive the controls are, how intelligent the advanced driver assistance technology is and how appealing the materials are as a component of the overall user experience.

“We’re paying close attention to touchscreens, navigation systems and infotainment, and we want to know if voice controls work well and if connecting your smartphone is simple,” says WardsAuto Senior Content Director Drew Winter in explaining the judging criteria. 

“We’re trying to quantify how easy it is overall to interact with a vehicle,” he says. “Are controls easy to understand, or do you have to consult the owner’s manual? 

Are the driver-assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, functioning reliably, and do the interior materials enhance the user experience?”

The BMW 7 Series sets a benchmark in innovation, driving dynamics, comfort, intelligent connectivity and intuitive operation all contributing to earn a winning spot at Wards 10 Best UX Awards. 

The judges enjoyed the 7 Series seamless connectivity for phone and music as well as the removable 7-inch BMW Touch Command tablet at the rear seat. The Touch Command Tablet can play external audio and video files, surfing the internet or be used as a games console. 

A WiFi hotspot built into the vehicle provides the necessary online connectivity. Selection made on the tablet will then play on one of the 10-inch screens of the Rear-seat entertainment system.

The BMW Connected app also made an impression in the judges, praising the information it provides to the user such as fuel level, range and last known location of the vehicle to name a few. 

The editors also noted that the level of user experience found in the 7 Series “...will outgun many exotics or luxury cruisers two or three times its price…”, and that with the help of the iDrive controller the “amount of information at the driver’s fingertips is staggering” with “one of the coolest fobs ever” concluded Tom Murphy, Executive Editor at WardsAuto.

“When we launched the latest BMW 7 Series our designers and engineers developed a vehicle that featured 25 innovations, most of which are not offered by our competitors, geared towards enhancing comfort and well-being,” said Kate Alini Product Manager for BMW 7 Series at the ceremony presentation. 

“The BMW 7 Series allows for intelligent communication between the driver and the vehicle. 

They can choose whether to use voice commands, the touch screen, the iconic iDrive controller or the World’s First BMW Gesture Control. With the latest BMW Flagship our customers will find a vehicle that truly offers a unique user experience.”

The BMW 7 Series start at $81,500 plus Destination and Handling, featuring BMWs newest and groundbreaking technologies such as Gesture Control, Wireless Charging and optional Display Key. 

The BMW 7 Series once again sets the standard for luxury performance, delivering the highest level of driving refinement in the premium class.

USA RECALL - Ford/Lincoln recalls nearly 900,000 units to replace side door latches.

Ford Motor Company is issuing a regional safety recall in North America for approximately 830,000 2013-15 Ford C-MAX, 2013-15 Ford Escape, 2012-15 Ford Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, and 2014-16 Ford Transit Connect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states to replace side door latches.

In the affected vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break. This condition typically will prevent the door from latching. In certain situations where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Because the rate of reports is higher for vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures and solar loading, this recall is focused primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

Ford has identified one reported accident and one reported injury that may be related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include those built:

• 2013-15 C-MAX – Michigan Assembly Plant, April 19, 2012 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2013-15 Escape – Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 19, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2012-15 Focus – Michigan Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Lincoln MKC – Louisville Assembly Plant, Dec. 4, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Mustang – Flat Rock Assembly Plant, May 28, 2014 to April 30, 2015
• 2014-16 Transit Connect – Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Feb. 1, 2016

The approximately 828,053 vehicles affected include 766,682 in the United States and federalized territories and 61,371 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace side door latches at no cost to the customer. In addition, Ford will launch a corresponding customer satisfaction program for vehicles outside the scope of this recall. If a vehicle exhibits a broken door latch, Ford will provide a one-time replacement at no charge for the life of the vehicle.

General Motors light-duty pickup production is going to shift to Flint, Mich., from Mexico, according to a report

Some General Motors light-duty pickup production is going to shift to Flint, Mich., from Mexico, according to a report.

The Detroit News reported Thursday that an undisclosed amount of production in GM’s Silao, Mexico, plant will move to the Flint Assembly Plant next year, according to a May 20 memo from UAW Local 598 to members. It’s unclear how just how much production is moving to Flint.

The paper reported that the union said Saturday schedules will be required for the additional work next year. The move could also lead to adding part-time temporary workers.

Messages to UAW Local 598 were not immediately returned.

A GM spokesman said the company is not confirming or speculating on anything in the memo.

Currently, the plant is on three shifts and has over 2,800 employees.

In August, GM announced plans to invest $877 million in the plant.

The Flint plant produced over 170,000 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras in 2015, most of them heavy-duty models, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Earlier this month, UAW President Dennis Williams,.criticized.Automakers  for moving production to Mexico.

Automotive News

Jack Walsworth

REPORT HERE

With over 2000 orders already taken for the new Mustang, How to the British spec their cars up !

Almost 2,000 Ford Mustang orders have been taken in the UK since January as the first right-hand drive cars begin to roll off the production line at Flatrock Assembly Plant in Michigan, North America.

The Ford Mustang – introduced in the U.S. more than 50 years ago – has excited fans across the globe, but has never been available to order with right-hand drive, until now. The first UK customer deliveries are expected from November, with extra supply secured to meet the greater than expected demand.

So far, 80 per cent of UK customers have opted for the fastback body style over the convertible and 70 per cent have specified the 416PS 5.0-litre V8 engine over the more fuel-efficient 317PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine. 

Mustang’s six-speed manual transmission is the slightly more popular choice (55 per cent) over the six-speed automatic, which comes with sporty SelectShift paddle control.

Over half of UK Mustangs have been specified with the Custom Pack which includes satellite navigation, a Shaker Pro 12-speaker audio system, heated and cooled front seats, a rear view camera, Luster Nickel silver alloy wheels and extra chrome detailing on fastback models.

Race Red is the most-popular exterior colour among UK buyers, with 23 per cent of Mustang orders. Magnetic Silver and Shadow Black are joint second choice with 16.1 per cent each and Deep Impact Blue (10.7 per cent) and Triple Yellow (8.6 per cent) complete the top five. Ebony Black is the top pick for interior colour, selected by more than 75 per cent of customers.

The right-hand drive Mustang is available to order in the UK from £29,995 (EcoBoost) and £33,995 (V8) and features a Thatcham Category One alarm as standard.

DODGE debuts Plum Crazy heritage hue for 2016 Challenger & Charger at Woodward Dream Cruise.

New 2016 Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker and Charger R/T Scat Pack Models in Plum Crazy Will Be Shown at the Dodge Display at 13 Mile and Woodward Ave in Royal Oak, Mich.

• Back for a limited-production run, iconic Plum Crazy exterior paint will be made available on 2016 Dodge Challenger and Charger models, including the ultimate-in-performance, 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat models and 485 best-in-class naturally aspirated R/T Scat Pack models
• Originally debuting in 1970, Plum Crazy hue spans several generations of muscle-car collectors and enthusiasts and has been a signature Dodge muscle car color ever since
• Plum Crazy will open in September, one month early for sold orders only on 2016 Dodge Challenger or Charger models with production beginning this November
• Regular dealer orders for Plum Crazy are scheduled to open in October and will only be available for order until the end of the year
• Pulled from the archives: for the first time ever, Dodge brand provides its full production numbers of limited-edition and high-impact hues since Charger and Challenger’s return to market in 2006 and 2008, respectively
• Limited-edition models and limited-production paint colors add collectability, accounting for less than 11 percent of the entire global production of Dodge Charger and Challenger to date

August 11, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Beyond its rich muscle car legacy, which is highlighted today by the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models – the most powerful muscle cars ever, Dodge continues to produce some of the most recognizable high-impact and heritage hues that have ever hit the blacktop. And for this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise, Dodge will debut the next limited-edition color from its archive: Plum Crazy.

“Powerful muscle cars painted in impactful colors make Woodward Dream Cruise the perfect setting for Dodge to debut the newest generation Challenger and Charger models in Plum Crazy,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and SRT Brand, FCA – North America. “And with our strongest muscle-car arsenal ever, we knew it was time to reach into our Dodge paint code archive and offer our high-performance R/T Scat Pack and SRT Hellcat models in one of the most iconic exterior colors of all time.”

Plum Craziness: 46 years of Dodge brand’s iconic color

Since 1970, Plum Crazy has been one of the most desired paint colors for the Dodge Challenger and Charger. Today, the enthusiast demand for this heritage hue is stronger than ever – as the signature paint color is directly associated with high collectability and the famed “Mopar-or-no-car” legacy. Add in the widest performance range ever for the 2016 Challenger and Charger, and there hasn’t been a better time to paint the Dodge brand’s iconic muscle car arsenal in the nostalgic color.

“From the aggressive and in-your-face styling of the SRT Hellcat models, the reverberating black stripes on our Shaker models, to the nostalgic dual A-line side stripes in satin black or gloss white on the R/T Classic model – Plum Crazy further builds on Dodge brand’s muscle-car roots and adds to Challenger and Charger’s vibrant legacy,” said Mark Trostle, Head of Dodge and SRT Design, FCA US LLC.

Plum Power: up to 485 naturally aspirated, or 707 supercharged horsepower

Dodge dealers will take orders in September for the 2016 Dodge Challenger or Charger in Plum Crazy, with production beginning this November. Models available with Plum Crazy include:

2016 Dodge Challenger models:

• Challenger SXT Plus
  • 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 305 horsepower, standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and 30 mpg on the highway
• Challenger R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Classic, R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker
  • 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with up to 375 horsepower paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission, or available with the paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• Challenger R/T Scat Pack,  392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker and SRT 392
  • 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 485 best-in-class naturally aspirated horsepower paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission, or available with the paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• Challenger SRT Hellcat
  • 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V-8 engine with 707 horsepower – the most powerful power plant ever in a muscle car, mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, or available with the paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission

2016 Dodge Charger models

• Charger SXT (when equipped with 20-inch wheels)
  • 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 292 or 300 horsepower, paired to a standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• Charger R/T and R/T Road & Track
  • 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 370 horsepower and paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• Charger R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392
  • 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 485 best-in-class naturally aspirated horsepower and paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission
• Charger SRT Hellcat
  • 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V-8 engine with 707 horsepower – the most powerful power plant in a muscle car ever – and paddle-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission

Released for the first-time ever: production numbers for high-impact hues

Dodge Challenger and Charger owners are among the most loyal and performance-hungry automotive enthusiasts. These men and women have a deep appreciation for their rides and for the first time ever, the Dodge brand has reached in to its archive to provide these gearheads with the limited-edition and high-impact hues production numbers.

“For years, our Challenger and Charger owners have wanted to know just how unique their rides are, and the team at Dodge wants to further the collectability of these modern muscle machines with the actual production numbers,” added Kuniskis. “From limited-edition models like the Mopar ’10 and Challenger SRT8 Yellow Jacket, to limited-production Challenger and Charger models in high-impact paint colors such as Sublime, TorRed, Go Mango and Green With Envy, we’re excited to share our factory-backed production numbers to our current and future collectors and enthusiasts.”

With nearly 1.5 million Dodge Charger and Challenger models produced since both nameplates returned to market in 2006 and 2008 model years respectively, these limited-edition models and limited-production colors are highly collectable and represent less than 11 percent of the entire global production. Furthermore, each model year is detailed below:

Dodge Charger Limited Edition Paint and Model Production (Global: 2006 to 2015MY)

MODEL YEAR	PAINT DESCRIPTION	PAINT CODE	MODELS	VOLUME
2006MY	Go ManGo	PVE	R/T Daytona	4,210
	Top Banana	PYH	R/T Daytona	4,295
	TorRed	PR3	R/T Daytona	2,326
2007MY	Plum Crazy	PHG	SRT8	300
	Plum Crazy	PHG	R/T Daytona	1,520
	Detonator Yellow	PYB	SRT8	1,000
	Sublime	PFB	R/T Daytona	1,650
	TorRed	PR3	All	6,519
2008MY	B5 Blue	PQD	SRT8	1,000
	Hemi Orange	PLC	R/T Daytona	1,750
	TorRed	PR3	All	8,190
2009MY	Hemi Orange	PLC	SRT8 Super Bee	425
	TorRed	PR3	All	4,516
2010MY	TorRed	PR3	All	6,030
2011MY	Pitch Black	PX8	Mopar '11	1,500
	Toxic Orange	PVG	All	5,205
2012MY	Blue Streak	PCL	All (Exclude SE)	963
	Stinger Yellow	PYV	SRT8 Super Bee	711
2013MY	Daytona Blue	PB6	R/T Daytona	1,229
	Plum Crazy	PHG	SRT8 and SRT8 Super Bee	152
	Hemi Orange	PLC	SRT8 and SRT8 Super Bee	48
	Copperhead	PLB	SXT and R/T	728
	TorRed	PR3	All (Exclude SE)	667
2014MY	Plum Crazy	PHG	R/T and SRT	658
	Header Orange	PL4	All (Exclude SE/AWD)	1,638
	Header Orange	PL4	SRT Super Bee	74
	TorRed	PR3	All (Exclude 100th)	7,724
	High Octane Red	PRR	100th Anniversary Edition	1,490
2015MY**	B5 Blue	PQD	SXT, R/T and SRT	2,978
	TorRed	PR3	SXT, R/T and SRT	2,272
Total Dodge Charger limited-edition models and paint colors				71,768

Dodge Challenger Limited Edition Paint and Model Production (Global: 2008 to 2015MY)

MODEL YEAR	PAINT DESCRIPTION	PAINT CODE	MODELS	VOLUME
2008MY	Hemi Orange	PLC	SRT8	4,092
2009MY	Hemi Orange	PLC	R/T & SRT8	6,029
	B5 Blue	PQD	R/T Classic & SRT8	1,419
	TorRed	PR3	All	4,677
2010MY	Hemi Orange	PLC	R/T & SRT8	3,514
	Plum Crazy	PHG	R/T Classic & SRT8	2,741
	B5 Blue	PQD	R/T Classic & SRT8	2,031
	Furious Fuchsia	PHP	R/T Classic & SRT8	1,527
	Detonator Yellow	PYB	R/T Classic & SRT8	1,483
	TorRed	PR3	All	6,694
	Brilliant Black	PXR	Mopar '10	601
2011MY	Deep Water Blue	PBS	SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition	863
	Bright White	PW7	SRT8 392 Inaugural Edition	731
	Green with Envy	PGE	R/T Classic & SRT8	1,532
	Toxic Orange	PVG	All	4,683
2012MY	Header Orange	PL4	SXT, R/T and SRT8	2,225
	Blue Streak	PCL	All	2,154
	Stinger Yellow	PYV	R/T Classic & SRT Superbee	1,819
2013MY	Plum Crazy	PHG	R/T Classic & SRT	1,769
	Hemi Orange	PLC	R/T & SRT	1,103
	TorRed	PR3	R/T & SRT	377
2014MY	Plum Crazy	PHG	R/T Classic/Shaker & SRT	1,320
	Header Orange	PL4	All	3,178
	High Octane Red	PRR	100th Anniversary Edition	1,715
	TorRed	PR3	All (Exclude 100th)	4,966
	Pitch Black	PX8	Mopar '14 Shaker	60
	Bright White	PW7	Mopar '14 Shaker	51
2015MY**	Sublime	PFB	All (Exclude SXT, SXT PLUS)	6,208
	B5 Blue	PQD	All (Exclude SXT)	3,152
	TorRed	PR3	All	6,747
Total Dodge Challenger limited-edition models and paint colors				79,461
** 2015 MY volume is actual built units thru 7/31/2015