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Google Waymo's self-driving car is a modified Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

For the time being, this is what Google's self-driving car project will look like: FCA is delivering 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids to Google's Waymo self-driving offshoot. According to FCA, the Pacificas are currently being outfitted with Waymo's autonomity equipment, and testing will commence early next year. The setup includes sensors and on-board telematics, and there will be changes made to the vehicle's powertrain and electrics to help it function better as an autonomous vehicle. It's closer to a Jurassic Park style Ford Explorer than something built completely from scratch, but using a minivan platform has helped the project advance rather rapidly. John Krafcik, the CEO of Waymo says that FCA's product development and manufacturing teams have helped them greatly: "FCA's product development and manufacturing teams have been agile partners, enabling us to go from program kickoff to full vehicle assembly in just six months", says Krafcik. In addition to Waymo's test facilities in California, the initial Pacificas have been tried and tested at FCA's proving grounds in Michigan and Arizona. The modifications have been tailored at a joint effort powerhouse in southeastern Michigan. The production Pacifica Hybrid is rated at 84 MPG3 by the EPA. The plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of a 3.6-liter Pentastar unit converted to an Atkinson cycle and a 16kWh Lithium-ion battery. Related Video: Featured Gallery Waymo/FCA Pacifica Image Credit: FCA Chrysler PHEV

Chrysler recalls 350k vehicles over ignition switches

Chrysler has announced a recall covering 349,442 vehicles due to ignition switches that can either become stuck or move without warning. All of the affected vehicles are from the 2008 model year, and were built before May 12, 2008.
The automaker has learned that ignition keys on some vehicles "may not fully return to the 'ON' position after rotation to the 'START' position during engine-startup," the company said in a statement. Additionally, "an ignition key may not fully return to the 'ON' position after rotation to the 'START' position and may inadvertently move through the 'ON' position to 'ACCESSORY' or 'OFF.'"
Chrysler says it is unaware of any related injuries, and notes that while reduced braking, engine or steering power is possible in such instances, the airbags are not affected. The later stands in contrast to General Motors' recent rash of high-profile recalls, and it's an important distinction that Chrysler (understandably) felt necessary to call out in bold print in its press release.

Move over Audi, now Chrysler has a beef with Tesla's claims

In the same week that Audi said "not so fast" to some claims from Tesla, Chrysler has responded to a new press release from the California-based EV-maker by saying "not exactly, Tesla." The statement, released through the company's blog, comes in response to Tesla claiming it was "the only American car company to have fully repaid the government." Chrysler notes that it, too, recently paid back Uncle Sam from its 2008 bailout. Similar to Audi's recent press release, which was eventually and mysteriously deleted from the German automaker's site, Chrysler is both right and wrong in its statement.
Tesla specifically said that it had paid back the Department of Energy loans that many automakers received - including Fisker and VPG Autos - while Chrysler's retort argues Tesla is "unmistakably incorrect" since it repaid the government in 2011 a full six years early. Technically, the statements from both automakers are correct, but Tesla's startup loan originated from the DoE, while Chrysler's loan came in bailout form from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Further, as The Detroit News notes, Chrysler's loan still cost taxpayers well over a billion dollars after all was said and done - those negative assets tied to "old Chrysler" in the bankruptcy did not require repayment.