2014 Chrysler 300 S on 2040-cars

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Macron and Le Pen decry 'shocking' Stellantis CEO pay

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right challenger in the French presidential vote, Marine Le Pen, on Friday both decried as “shocking” the multimillion euro payout to the CEO of carmaker Stellantis. Stellantis CEO Carlos TavaresÂ’ remuneration package of 19.15 million euros just a year after the company was formed became an issue as Macron and Le Pen campaigned ahead of the April 24 runoff vote. Polls show purchasing power and inflation are a top voter concern. Stellantis was formed last year through the merger of PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Centrist President Emmanuel Macron, perceived by many voters as being too pro-business, called the pay package “astronomical” and pushed for a Europe-wide effort to set ceilings on “abusive” executive pay. “ItÂ’s shocking, itÂ’s excessive,” he said Friday on broadcaster France-Info. “People canÂ’t have problems with purchasing power, difficulties, the anguish theyÂ’re living with, and see these sums. Otherwise, society will explode.” Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who enjoys support from many working-class voters, called for bringing in more workers as shareholders. “Of course itÂ’s shocking, and itÂ’s even more shocking when it is the CEOs who have pushed their society into difficulty,” she said Friday on BFM television. “One of the ways to diminish this pay, which is often out of proportion with economic life, is perhaps to allow workers in as shareholders.” Stellantis continued to back the package despite a 52.1% to 47.9% vote rejecting it at an annual shareholders' meeting chaired from the Netherlands, where the company is legally based, on Wednesday. The company, citing Dutch civil code, noted that the vote is advisory and not binding. The company later said in a statement that it took note of the vote, and will explain in an upcoming 2022 remuneration report “how this vote has been taken into account.” In the 2021 report, the company identified peer group companies that it used as a salary benchmark, including U.S. companies like Boeing, Exxon Mobile, General Electric as well as carmakers Ford and General Motors. Stellantis, whose brands include Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep, Opel and Maserati, reported net profits last year had tripled to 13.4 billion euros ($15.2 billion). The French government is the third-largest shareholder in Stellantis, with a 6.15% stake through the Bpifrance Participations S.A. French public investment bank.

Fiat Chrysler's third-quarter operating profit exceeds expectations

MILAN — Fiat Chrysler on Thursday posted higher than expected operating earnings in the third quarter, lifted by record profitability in North America, as the carmaker heads to a merger with French rival PSA. The strong results led Fiat Chrysler (FCA) to reiterate its full-year guidance of adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) over 6.7 billion euros ($7.5 billion). It also expects a further improvement of its financial performance in 2020. FCA and PSA said earlier on Thursday they planned to join forces through a 50-50 share swap to create the worldÂ’s fourth-largest automaker, triggering a new wave of consolidation in the car industry. Earnings/Financials Chrysler Fiat

2017 Chrysler Pacifica will start at $29,590

Early reports suggested the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica would be more expensive than the outgoing model, but that's not entirely the case. The new minivan's base LX trim starts at $29,590 (after $995 destination) versus $30,990 for the 2016 Town & Country. The latest vehicle's prices are also in line with its competitors. All Pacificas have amenities like Active Noise Cancellation and the model's famous Stow 'n Go seats. For $31,490, customers can upgrade to the Touring trim to get SiriusXM satellite radio, power sliding doors, and automatic headlights. The Touring-L adds a little more luxury for $35,490 with features like rear parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and leather seats, which are heated for the front row. The Touring-L Plus at $38,80 includes even more useful items like a seven-inch driver display, 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and an upgraded stereo. The top of the Pacifica range is the Limited trim for $43,490, which piles on even more luxuries to haul the family around in style. The amenities include Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, an integrated vacuum, 3D navigation, HID headlights, LED foglights, panoramic sunroof, and hands-free doors and liftgate. It seems perfect for a road trip. Compared to the competition, the Pacifica has good fuel economy and similar pricing (all of which include destination). For example, the 2016 Honda Odyssey starts at $30,300 and can go up to $45,775 for the top Touring Elite model. The situation is similar with the Toyota Sienna, which ranges between $29,750 and $46,170 for the most expensive two-wheel drive version. The rapidly aging Nissan Quest starts out cheaper at $27,480 but tops out at $44,130. However, the Kia Sedona is significantly cheaper than the Pacifica, starting at $27,295 and going to $40,795 for the highest trim. The only potential downside to the Pacifica's pricing is FCA's discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan. The model started at just $23,090 and topped out at $31,990, which gave the automaker a range of less expensive trims to lure price conscious customers. The company has lost that market advantage. We look forward to spending more time with the 2017 Pacifica when it arrives at dealers this spring. The Hybrid joins the lineup in the second half of the year.