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Detroit's new emergency city manager worked on Chrysler bankruptcy [w/video]

Kevyn Orr, the new emergency city manager of Detroit, has a history with one of Michigan's most famous residents: Chrysler. Governor Rick Snyder (at right) appointed Orr to the position yesterday with the belief that Detroit needs outside assistance to right the city's mounting financial woes. Orr (at left), a partner with the Jones Day law firm, will begin work on March 25 and receive $275,000 a year for his work. While state officials believe the new city manager will be able to complete his duties in 18 months, the contract is technically open-ended.
The 54-year-old attorney helped steer Chrysler through its 2009 bankruptcy, earning $700 per hour for his efforts. He was also instrumental in convincing the courts to allow Chrysler to shutter 789 dealerships in a single month. Orr says he's aware that his efforts won't have made him any friends in Southern Michigan.

Chrysler's completely redesigned 200 caught totally uncovered

Preparing for a big debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 was out for a late-night photo shoot fully undisguised, and our spy shooters were there to capture its all-new design completely uncovered. While there's no camouflage, the cover of darkness proved to be almost as effective, but we still get a good idea of what this former sore spot in the brand's lineup will look like after its clean-sheet redesign.
The first thing we notice is the stylish four-door-coupe roofline doing its best to impersonate something like the Audi A7, or maybe the Volkswagen CC. The front-end styling is a departure from recent Chrysler designs with narrow headlights and an equally short, chrome-trimmed grille. In profile, the bullet-nosed 200 is somewhat reminiscent of the Tesla Model S. This new design language should definitely help the 200 get noticed in a segment filled with hot sellers like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, as well as more stylish offerings like the Ford Fusion and Mazda6.
Our spies also caught up with the 200 testing in daylight and got some good shots of the interior. The instrument panel design looks similar to what is found in the Dodge Dart, including the oversized instrument gauges and possibly even the LED accent lighting. We would have to assume - and hope - this prototype is a test model due to its small touchscreen display, as Chrysler's 8.4-inch screen would look much better in its place. The center stack and console are clean with minimal buttons and knobs, but we do see a rotary gear selector, which may confirm reports from last year that suggested the 200 will use a nine-speed automatic transmission to help hit 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

Ralph Gilles responds to Dodge rumors, says brand is 'here to stay'

This is why we love Ralph Gilles. While in Italy hanging out with a group of Viper Club members in Europe, the SRT boss took the time to respond to a question directed at him on Instagram in regards to the future of Dodge.
Recent reports have painted a bleak picture for Dodge, but Gilles defended Chrysler's full-line brand by stating that the rumors are, "all rumors, Dodge is here to stay! It may get more focused going forward but not killed!" The idea of a "more focused" Dodge brand could lend some credibility to reports that the Grand Caravan and Durango are on their way out, which would leave Dodge solely as a car, or car-based, automaker.