Consumerist: Jeep

Chrysler: Want $2.99 Gas For 3 Years? Guaranteed?

Meg Marco — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:13 EDT

Chrysler is betting that you're worried about volatile gas prices. So worried, in fact, that you'll leap at the opportunity to "lock in" a price of less than $2.99 a gallon for 3 years by buying a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep.

ABCNews explains:

The automaker unveiled a "gas card" program, guaranteeing $2.99-a-gallon gasoline for three years to people who buy or lease new cars from Wednesday through June 2, 2008. Customers will be limited to 700 gallons each year and must buy one of 23 models. Chrysler will pay for the cost of gas exceeding $2.99 — an incentive with a psychological twist.

Are you interested?

The Chicago Tribune says:

Chrysler's major competitors, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors Corp., and Honda Motor Co. all said they would not follow with their own subsidies, but Suzuki Motor Corp. has made a similar offer in the U.S. with free gas for the summer.

Chrysler tries luring buyers with gas deal as sales drop [Chicago Tribune]
Want $2.99 Gas? Buy a Chrysler [ABCNews]
(Photo: greefus groinks )

Chrysler Totals The PT Cruiser, Pacifica, Crossfire, And Dodge Magnum

Meg Marco — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:37:51 EST

Chrysler's new CEO Robert "Big Bob" Nardelli, formerly of Home Depot, has started cutting costs at Chrysler. The first to go will be the popular PT Cruiser, says the WSJ.

Chrysler, which is facing sluggish U.S. sales because of housing-market weakness and high fuel prices, this month announced an expansion of a restructuring plan unveiled in February, saying it would cut its North American hourly work force almost in half by 2010. The company has also made several high-profile executive appointments since Cerberus took over.
Meantime, Chrysler executives have also now decided to kill the entire PT Cruiser line after the 2009 model year, according to a dealer who was told of the decision this past week. The move further expands the auto maker's push to eliminate slower-selling models. Chrysler, in announcing the expanded restructuring this month, said that it was dropping the PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Crossfire and Dodge Magnum.

Also in the works, a new plan that would eliminate all passenger vehicles from the Dodge and Jeep brands. With all these models being dropped, there could be some deals to be had.

Chrysler Considers Slashing Number of Car Dealers [WSJ]
(Photo:susiewrites)

Chrysler Recalls 300,000 Vehicles Due To Potential Braking Problem

Meg Marco — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:34:53 EDT

Chrysler has announced a recall of over 300,000 vehicles due to a potential problem with the car's ability to brake while coasting uphill.

Affected vehicles include: 156,796 model-year 2006-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs; 90,383 model year 2007 Jeep Wrangler SUVs; and 49,371 model year 2007 Dodge Nitro SUVs.

Chrysler says the defect may have caused one accident, but no injuries were reported. They're also recalling "72,333 model year 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring convertibles to ensure proper function of driver and passenger front door latches and locks," according to the Wall Street Journal.

Nobody managed to hurt themselves with the door latches either, just in case you were wondering.

Chrysler to Recall 300,000 Vehicles Over Potential Braking Problem [WSJ]

2006 Jeep Cherokee Is The Best Car Ever... To Run Over Little Kids

consumerist.com — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:16:13 EDT

It's debatable, the best automobile in the world. So many contenders. Do you go for gas efficiency? Sleek looks? The powerful throbbing of its engine? Whether or not it can transform into a giant robot?

But the worst car in the world? That isn't debatable. It's the 2006 Jeep Commander. Why? Because it's the worst "blind zone" offender, according to Consumer Reports' 2006 study of vehicle blind zones. And the kicker? Most of those killed by the blind zone are children.

According to Kids and Cars, more than one hundred children were killed by behicles like the Jeep Commander in 2006, because drivers couldn't see behind them. And from 2001 to 2003, nearly 7,500 children went to the emergency room after a blind spot caused a car to back over them.

Everyone who has ever seen The Toxic Avenger knows that backing over a small child is worth ten points. Of course, negative points if you didn't mean to hit them.

2006 Jeep Commander Named Worst "Blind Zone" Offender [Consumer Affairs]