Dodge, Stratus, Coupe, 2 Door, Automatic, Custom, Silver, Black, Se on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lackluster Dodge Dart sales trigger layoffs

Hidden amidst the overall very positive sales figures that Chrysler released earlier this week were a few disappointments, the biggest of which may be the Dodge Dart. While Dodge sales in general were down 11 percent from a year ago, the Dart's poor figures stood out from the rest - with 4,888 units sold, the Dart was down 37 percent in February.
It comes as little surprise, then, that the automaker has announced layoffs at its assembly plant in Belvidere, IL. According to The Daily Herald, Dodge will temporarily lay off 325 workers "to balance vehicle supply with current sales demand." Put more simply, there are more Darts than buyers at the moment...
We don't think the Dodge Dart is a bad car, but it's playing in a market that offers a few standout sellers, like the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. According to AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan, as quoted by The Daily Herald, "great incentives on the Dodge Avenger" are also partly to blame for the Dart's poor showing.

2014 Dodge Durango priced from $29,795*

With all the new updates the Dodge Durango is getting for 2014, one thing that Dodge isn't changing on its big SUV is the starting price. Just like the current model year, the 2014 Dodge Durango will be priced from $29,795 (*not including $995 for destination).
This price is for the base SXT model, but the 2014 Durango is also offered in a new Limited trim level (replacing the Crew) as well as the sporty R/T and the luxurious Citadel. The Durango Limited starts at $35,995 (an increase of $800 over the 2013 Crew), while the R/T now starts at $38,995 (up $2,500). The top-of-the-line Durango Citadel will start at $40,995 - an increase of $1,000.
The many improvements made to the 2014 Durango include revised exterior styling, added in-cabin tech and an eight-speed automatic transmission (expected to return better fuel economy). Dodge is saying that the V6 models will get 25 miles per gallon on the highway while V8 models are expected to score 23-mpg highway, but there are no official EPA numbers to report yet. Scroll down for the full press release.

Consumer Reports says these are the worst new cars of 2014

Consumer Reports has announced its annual list of worst vehicles, a cringe-inducing contrast to its list of top vehicles. Ignominiously leading the way in 2014 is Chrysler, which has a staggering seven models listed.
Jeep nearly sweeps the small SUV segment by itself, with its Compass, Patriot and 2.4-liter version of the new Cherokee, while the only midsize sedans listed by CR were the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger. The new Dodge Dart and the Dodge Journey round out CR's condemnation of Chrysler.
Ford is taking heat as well, with the Taurus, Edge and their counterparts from Lincoln all listed as the worst vehicles in their respective segments. Toyota doesn't fare much better, with its Lexus IS, Scion iQ and tC also making the list.