STLA software chief replaced, Jeep Global now led by Bob Broderdorf

Bob Broderdorf

The head of Jeep North America, Bob Borderdorf, is now the head of Jeep globally as the North American and global positions are merged into one. That means Jeep’s European, Asian, and South American sales, operations, product, communications, and marketing groups will be run by a single global team. Mike Koval, head of Mopar North … Read more

Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge may all be crippled by Trump’s new 25% tariffs (updated)

Windsor plant

President Trump has levied tariffs of 25% on all goods coming to the United States from Mexico and Canada, effective Tuesday. Canada has been America’s top ally since the mid-1800s; the two countries have been sending massive amounts of material back and forth over the border since the 1960s. Stellantis has two major factories in … Read more

Ram, Jeep, Ford, GM, and other recalls

2022 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Limited

GM and Stellantis dominated last week’s recall list. First up is side-curtain airbags which may throw sharp metal fragments at passengers, on both the left and right; only 6,066 vehicles might be affected, all made from December 6, 2015, through October 19, 2019 (there are specific dates for each type of truck in this file). … Read more

Stellantis promises US dealers affordable Rams, predictable incentive programs

2024 Jeep Recon BEV

When Stellantis was eager for margins, it let dealership lots get clogged with high-margin cars while competitors cut their prices. When the company needed to sell its inventories quickly, the incentives were both massive and unpredictable, coming and going quickly. Some dealers took advantage of this to offer huge “discounts” including some rebates few may … Read more

STLA now making Punch hybrid-transmissions on its own

EP6 Peugeot engine for Stellantis STLA Medium 1.6 hybrids

Stellantis bet hard on Belgium’s Punch Powertrain, creating a joint venture to make their electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eDCTs) in Metz, France, and Turin, Italy. They are to be used in all Stellantis mild-hybrids (except Rams) and plug-in hybrids. The company said the move was intended to support Stellantis’ increased range of hybrid cars. Today, Stellantis … Read more

Ram 1500 remains Full Size Truck of Texas

2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten

The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA)’s annual truck rodeo finished up recently, after 262 drives. The Ram 1500 took home three awards, while the Ram 2500/3500 grabbed one: Full size pickup truck – 2025 Ram 1500 Luxury – 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten Powertrain – Ram 3.0 Hurricane HO Heavy duty – 2024 Ram Rebel The … Read more

New real-pricing rule is dead

feldman cdjr (jeep dealer)

To stop dealers from advertising fake price for cars on their web sites, as well as having mandatory fees such as $2,000 for paperwork, the Federal Trade Commission proposed requiring dealers to advertise actual selling prices (including all fees). The rules would also ban add-ons that provide no benefit, require online lists of prices for … Read more

Dealer selling Jeeps from $20,463

Cheap Jeeps

Did you want a Jeep Gladiator Sport for $27,471, which is less than the price of a Compass—or a Compass for $20,463? Joe Cooper Dodge of Shawnee is advertising both. The Gladiator has the V6, eight-speed automatic, adaptive cruise, keyless ignition, WiFi hotspot, and other features. This particular model has the automatic transmission, skid plate, … Read more

GM: EVs profitable, US more profitable, China brings loss

Chevrolet display

GM’s chief executive, Mary Barra, sent a letter to shareholders in advance of the shareholder meeting. She noted that the company increased its  full-year revenue by 9%, leading the United States in total, retail, and fleet deliveries alike. GM’s market share increased partly at the cost of Stellantis. The company’s market share in electric vehicles … Read more

Dodge is Looking for Official Brand Ambassadors or “Badassadors”

Dodge Badassador Program

Dodge is one of the most active automotive brands when it comes to engaging the target audience and the latest program from the horsepower-fueled brand looks to add brand ambassadors – called Badassadors. These enthusiasts will represent the Brotherhood of Muscle at all sorts of automotive events, including auto shows, vehicle launches, NHRA events and … Read more

New pickup, Durango back on track (corrected and updated)

uaw promise

Stellantis today committed to building a midsized pickup at Belvidere Assembly again, overriding Carlos Tavares’ decision to renege on the union contract at two factories by dropping both the pickup and the next-generation Dodge Durango. The move will result in the re-hire of 1,500 workers and having a pickup in a key segment. Originally the … Read more

EVs, STLA lose share in Europe for 2024

Peugeot E-3008

A last-minute burst of electric car sales brought their market share to 13.6% for the year, dropping their overall share from 15.7% in 2023. One reason was the rise of hybrid-electric vehicles, which gained by nearly 20 points, moving from 3.4 million to 4.1 million sales. Plug-in hybrids also suffered, dropping by a larger amount … Read more

Hal Sperlich, at 95

Hal Sperlich

Hal Sperlich, who rose from engineering into product planning to take charge of the Ford Mustang and later convinced Lee Iacocca to make the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan, has passed on at the age of 95. He was one of several members of the Chrysler Corporation “Dream Team,” which led the company’s many process … Read more

Stella returns to the Detroit Auto Show in force, with Ramcharger cutaway (updated)

Ramcharger display

Stellantis has brought Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat to the Detroit Auto Show with spacious displays, the Halcyon concept, and a brand new Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S. While Camp Jeep never left the car-show circuit, Stellantis essentially withdrew everything else from shows last year. At the same time, Ford brought out its … Read more