US automakers are having a rough go of it. Many believe this is because of fuel prices. Most of the cars on the sales lots are SUVs, which are high profit items for manufacturers and dealers, but not desired by consumers presently. People want inexpensive cars to operate, ones, which use less fuel. This current paradigm is not too dissimilar to the last major down turn in US automaker problems when Japanese automakers seized the advantage by mass producing less expensive and more economical vehicles.

Ford has cut its next fiscal year earnings and is advising investors it is tightening its belts to offset the slow US vehicle sales. The last twelve months have seen a big decrease in sales for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Chrysler has not been as bad off as Ford and GM. Ford is cutting off bonuses and cutting its work force by huge numbers in the 20,000 range. Both Ford and GM have had their credit ratings cut to junk status and some wonder if this is also a sign of them reneging on their under funded pension obligations?

This week I was driving through whimsical countryside, with the leaves sweeping past my windscreen just as the road did the same and all was right with the world. Suddenly a shadow was cast over my beloved car and as I dared peak into my rear-view mirror I asked myself “What’s that coming over the hill?” It was indeed a monster, in the form of a Chelsea tractor, piloted by none other than a life sized Barbie that was just a plastic. As she applied her makeup - presumably for Ken, the thought of driving seemed like an added bonus, the hand stitched hide of what appeared to be a white tiger lavished over the empty child seat next her. And then she was gone.

This got me thinking. Barbie is your typical 4×4/SUV driver aka the school run mum that sees driving over a pebble as going off road. Well I hear you 4×4ers cry: “we’re not all like that”. I do believe there are those of you out of there that do need off-roaders and there is a simple way to show yourselves - buy a Jeep Wrangler. Oh yes, by purchasing Chrysler/Jeep’s Wrangler, you say to every other wannabe off-roader that you are the real deal and the school run is a thing of the past - unless the school is atop Everest.

Heritage is a key component to standing out from the crowd and the Jeep Wrangler has it in spades. So what heritage then - motor racing? No. Italian flair? No. Helping protect the world from evil? Um, yes actually.

Produced by Chrysler and marketed under the ‘Jeep’ moniker, the Wrangler is derived from the CJ (Civilian Jeep) the go anywhere, do anything utility vehicle made famous throughout World War II, as it helped allied troops immeasurably against German invaders. Launched in 1987, the first generation Wrangler featured four wheels (five if you count the steering wheel), a drop top, large ground clearance and a roll cage. I’m really not skimping on detail, that was about it. Put simply, the reason why the civilian production version was as-near-as-makes-no-difference the same as the army’s’ version was because, like the military version it was designed to go off road and off road alone.

Perhaps in a misguided move, Jeep launched the Schwarzenegger sounding ‘Renegade’ derivative of the Wrangler in 1991. However the company miss-read it’s key demographic and offered it’s hardcore, off road customer base ‘luxuries’ such as floor mats (front only), a locking glove box, engine lights and cup holders. If these features didn’t alienate their customers with uselessness, the extra $7,000 (

Satellite Radio has, in recent years, swept the nation. The unique programming offered by providers providers like XM Radio and Sirius Radio, combined with the no-commercial or little-commercial format, has people buzzing. It is taking hold so strongly that it is becoming one of the most popular options in new cars. In fact, the demand for Satellite Radio as an option for new cars has increased greatly, surpassing most other popular options. For example, from 2003 to 2005, the demand for these being equipped from the dealership rose by 300 percent, while the demand for side air bags increased only 16.8 percent.

There are good reasons why Satellite Radio is becoming a popular option in new cars. When they are equipped from the dealership, the customer doesn’t have to worry about positioning the antenna, running wires, or hooking it all into their existing stereo. For many people, this is good enough reason by itself to have XM or SIRUUS Radio installed at the dealer. In many ways, having this in a new car is like having FM radio in a new car so many years ago; it is a symbol of status, and in some circles, of taste.

XM Satellite Radio, while at times a more popular option for Satellite Radio listening, is a little bit more limited in terms of which new cars can come equipped with it from the dealership. General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Toyota, Audi, and Nissan all have models that have XM radio as an installation option in their new cars.

Electric vehicles are no longer a thing of futuristic sci-fi movies. The new Chrysler ENVI combines sleek design with electric performance that offers clean, economical solutions to transportation. The ENVI vehicles are slated to hit the market in 2010, just before they head over to Europe.

ENVI has a number of vehicles in its lineup - including fuel-less electric vehicles and fuel efficient range-extended electric vehicles. These vehicles are not only going to be Chrysler models, but also Dodge and Jeep models as well, ensuring that no matter what kind of car you’re looking for, you’ll find it in a fuel-efficient version as well.

Apr

29

The American People Are Being Taken For a Ride

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Apr

29

CAW says Fiat warns that Chrysler bankruptcy likely (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

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Alloy Steels and its Many Uses
In construction, alloy steels are used in the construction of gears, pipes, and other components. The addition of other elements makes the carbon and iron-based building material stronger. The ste…

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:36:03 EDT
Chrysler latest: Union eyes majority ownership - USATODAY.com
Daimler gives up stake in Chrysler - The Detroit News
Motor Report
Daimler gives up stake in Chrysler
The Detroit News, MI
UAW leaders late Monday unanimously agreed on the Chrysler contract modifications which among other changes could give a union-run trust 55 percent ownership of a restructured Chrysler and sent the pact to the rank and file for a vote.
Daimler agrees to unload remaining Chrysler stake Automotive News
Daimler agrees to give up remaining stake in Chrysler Autoblog
RPT-SCENARIOS-What’s next in Chrysler

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:47:17 GMT
Yuck: Chrysler May in Fact Sell Fiat Bravo?Rebadged as a Chrysler
Back in January when it first came to light that Chrysler and Fiat might hook up and make some really cute babies here in the U.S., we put together a list of some of the Fiat cars we wouldn?t mind seeing on our huge-ass American roads. On that list was the Fiat Bravo, which you can see in the above picture. Word on the street, however, is that if Chrysler & Fiat do bring the Bravo here, it?ll be engineered by Fiat like the original, but skinned by Chrysler to be sold as a Chrysler. No of

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:42:51 -0700
Doorlock Interface for Newer Chrysler Combo Transponders
Databus interface functions-door lock/unlock, drivers door priority unlock, panic, OEM Sec, arm/disarm & door trigger output.
:

Apr

28

What’s The Latest News Regarding Cash For Clunkers?

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Shadow of the Holy Book (Documentary)

Film is for HOME USE ONLY! Copies for public screenings or use in the classroom can be purchased from California Newsreel at www(dot)newsreel(dot)org. Why are some of the world’s biggest international companies translating the Ruhnama, an absurd government propaganda book from Turkmenistan, into their own languages? SHADOW OF THE HOLY BOOK exposes the immorality of international companies doing business with the dictatorship of oil-and-gas-rich Turkmenistan, thus helping to hide its human rights and free speech abuses - all in the name of profit and corporate greed.
Director:

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