2008 Chrysler Sebring Lx Convertible 2-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen is not cool with a Fiat Chrysler merger

Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller shot down Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's overtures for a merger in blunt fashion this week. Mueller told Reuters at the Geneva Motor Show, "We are not ready for talks about anything ... we have other problems. I haven't seen Marchionne for months." The unusually candid – and icy – response from one chief executive to another comes after Marchionne similarly pursued General Motors (again) this week. The FCA boss suggested GM might be looking for a new European partner as it prepares to unload its troubled Opel and Vauxhall divisions to PSA. A GM spokesman told USA Today that the company is not interested. Marchionne has been openly suggesting a GM merger since at least 2015, despite GM never reciprocating interest. VW's "other problems," as Mueller notes, include legal proceedings, fines, recalls, and other issues related to its long-running diesel scandal. Marchionne has long sought industry consolidation, arguing that automakers don't get a proper return on their investments in technologies, some of which are relatively similar. He's suggested sharing chassis and powertrain components could be a benefit to the collective auto sector. Skeptics argue FCA, which is smaller than GM, VW, Toyota, and others, needs a partner to survive, while its rivals already have the necessary scale to remain competitive. Related Video:

Fiat-Chrysler shows its SEMA lineup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles already previewed its 2014 SEMA show lineup with some slick renders. Now, the automaker has finally showed us the actual cars, and among the group there are definitely some that stand out more than others.
Dodge is really showing off its muscle at this year's show with four concepts that all pump up the power of the brand's models. Perhaps most interesting among them is the Challenger T/A Concept (pictured above) in striking Sublime Green and matte black. It's meant to resemble the classic Trans Am racer from the '70s. Under the hood is a 6.4-liter V8, and to fit the vintage style there's a pistol-grip gearshift inside.
The Charger R/T also gets some attention with the Mopar concept that shows off what FCA's aftermarket performance arm can do. Mods include an updated body kit, cold-air intake for the 5.7-liter V8 and a coil-over suspension kit. Beyond that, the Dart R/T Concept looks a lot meaner with a black hood with duct work that leads straight to the air intake. The rest of the compact sedan is dolled up in O-So-Orange paint and is fitted with upgrades to improve handling like a coil-over suspension and big brake kit from the Mopar catalog.

Junkyard Gem: 1950 Chrysler Windsor Club Coupe

In 1950, shoppers in Chrysler showrooms had a choice between the low-end Royal, the midgrade Windsor, and the top-of-the-line New Yorker. This 1950 Windsor coupe managed to outlast nearly all of its contemporaries, finally coming to a halt in a wrecking yard just outside of Chicago. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. I stopped by this yard, Ashley's U-Pick-A-Part in Joliet, while I was working at the 24 Hours of Lemons Chicago race. When it comes to junkyard ambience, this one is nearly impossible to top (though Martin's Salvage in northeastern Colorado comes close), especially given its location: right across the street from the now-closed Joliet prison, best-known for its role in the opening sequence of " The Blues Brothers." Set on the grounds of an ancient, decaying factory, a large part of Ashley's inventory lives indoors in Rust Belt splendor. The star of the Chrysler section, this '50 Windsor has a place of honor and sits separate from your humdrum Avengers and Grand Cherokees. Because this is the Upper Midwest, the floors are more air than metal and big bites out of the rest of the car have been inflicted by the Rust Monster. Note the airbags inside the coil springs. The interior has long since been gutted, probably to live on in other, less rusty early-1950s Chrysler cars. The Windsor— and the body number makes it clear that this car did start life as a Windsor— came with a 251-cubic-inch Chrysler flathead six-cylinder engine. The New Yorker had a straight-eight flathead. V8s weren't available in Chryslers until the advent of the Hemi V8 the following year. This car may have had many engine swaps during its lifetime, but we have no way of knowing the details. Atop the rust and body filler, some lovingly applied stenciled-on flames. Someone felt proud of this car, even at the very end. Related Video: Featured Gallery Junked 1950 Chrysler Windsor in Illinois wrecking yard View 20 Photos Auto News Chrysler Automotive History Coupe 1950s