Chrysler Invests $52 Million In Michigan Plants

Dodge Dart - 01The news coming out of Michigan has been bleak of late. The looming bankruptcy and the freefall the state has been in for years have been headline news for so long. That’s why it’s such a refreshing moment to see the opposite of that, some good news about a company investing into the Michigan economy.

That company is Chrysler and that investment is $52 million into two of their plants in Michigan. The reason is to meet the increase of demand being placed on their four-cylinder engines.

The engine is the Tigershark, the one currently being used in the Dodge Dart and will probably be used in upcoming Chrysler vehicles.

$40.5 million goes to the factory in Dundee to convert the assembly line to make it capable of producing cranks, heads, and engine blocks for the Tigershark engine.

The rest of the money, the $11.5 remaining of the total sum, is for the Trenton North plant and will increase the plants workforce by 298 jobs. This new influx of workers will make increased production possible.

The Dart has been picking up popularity since it was first unveiled last summer. Chrysler seems to be getting ready for not only more and more Darts to be wanted by the driving public, but also for the engine to see use in many of their upcoming catalouge. One step closer to seeing what they have planned.

For more information on the Dodge Dart and other Chrysler products, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. We operate in the Bayside Queens area of New York. Be sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see more Chrysler news!

Chrysler Confirms New Midsize Car in the Works

exterior_14Change is in the air for Chrysler.  Executives with the company confirmed the auto maker is adding a mysterious new midsize car to their line-up before the first quarter of the upcoming year.

This all came to light while executives were showing off the factory at Sterling Heights, Michigan.  Currently, the 200 and Avenger are built in the plant.  The remark came while reporters were on a tour of the new paint shop.

The two vehicles on the chop block that Chrysler is looking to replace are its own 200 and the Dodge Avenger.  Both vehicles are having a tough time against the competition, in particular the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

The details as to what to expect on the new car are minimal.  It’s assumed at this point that Fiat will be an influence seeing as how the Italian automaker has already made an impact on the majority of new vehicles coming from Chrysler.  The last update on the current midsize cars were three years ago.  In fact, the design is the oldest in the midsize category.

The plant itself that this will all occur at has something of a miracle history.  It’s been slated to close multiple times, but somehow always manages to keep its head above water.  Now, Chrysler has invested a large sum of money to expand on the paint shop that will allow it to paint any Chrysler or Fiat vehicle, the large trucks and commercial vans included.  On top of that, another $165 million will be invested into a new body shop.

For more information on the Chrysler 200 and other Chrysler vehicles, contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  We operate in the Bayside Queens area and are the go-to place for high quality service for new, pre-owned, or vehicle maintenance through our service department.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Twitter for to see our monthly parts and service specials.

Are Electric Cars in Chrysler’s Future?

Gas prices are back on the rise and so the conversation has shifted once again to what needs to be done to get off the dependency we have on oil. The Toledo Blade is reporting that Chrysler believes that an answer may just lead in electric cars.

“We believe in electrification, sparingly and for the right kinds of targeted applications,” said Bob Lee, vice president and head of engine and electrified propulsion engineering. “We’re developing technology for commercialization, preparing for the shift when consumers start pulling them into the marketplace.”

Chrysler has been trailing behind its competitors with the production of electric and hybrid vehicles. Sergio Marchionne, the chief executive officer of Chrysler and Fiat, sees this as a new opportunity for the company. Chrysler already has some plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles in the form of Town & Country minivans, but they are only available in California, Arizona, North Carolina, and Michigan. Ram pickups are looking at the possibility of making a plug-in hybrid of their pickups.

The future of the auto industry is unwritten in terms of what will be fueling the next generation. It’s good to see, however, that many are starting to try to figure out ways of getting drivers out of oil and adapting new and cleaner technologies.

Go online to view the full line-up of Chrysler vehicles and even schedule a test drive. Don’t forget to give us a like on Facebook, and a follow on Twitter, to stay up to date on the latest car industry news.