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Chrysler shows creative side with employee art exhibit

The United Auto Workers and Chrysler recently sponsored 92 works of art created by 50 of the automaker's unionized and salaried employees for the 2013-14 Artists at Work Exhibition, the ninth such show, which recognizes the creative process required to make art and manufacture vehicles. Chrysler says the event is "the country's only juried art show sponsored by a major corporation and a labor union." Unfortunately, the exhibit is not open to the public, but we have images to share of the winning pieces as well as other interesting exhibits in the gallery above.
"Art and manufacturing have more in common than you might think," says Keith Mickens, Chrysler-UAW National Training Center co-director from the UAW. "The creative process involved in producing a memorable image on a canvas can be used to help build quality vehicles on an assembly line."
A diverse range of art forms are showcased, from metal sculptures to ceramics to photography to paintings and more. Four Detroit-area professional artists narrowed down over 600 submissions to the 92 works of art that were shown at the exhibit, then awarded "Best of Show" prizes to three employees for their work (the first three images in our gallery) and selected 11 employees for honorable mentions. The overall winner is the sculpture above by Joseph Aiuto, titled "Childhood Anxiety."

Killing the Dart and 200 might lower FCA's fuel economy burden

Killing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 could allow FCA US to take advantage of an intriguing quirk in the next decade's fuel economy regulations. By increasing its ratio of trucks versus cars, the automaker might not need to worry so much about hitting the more stringent efficiency rules. At first thought, it might seem harder for an automaker with a ton of trucks to meet the government's mandated 54.5 mile per gallon corporate average fuel economy for 2025. However, every company doesn't need to hit that lofty figure, according to The Detroit Free Press. The exact target varies by the product mix between trucks and cars. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target," Brandon Schoettle, Project Manager Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, told Autoblog. "While passenger car and light truck categories have separate CAFE targets, it's still true that more trucks versus cars in a company lineup means a lower combined CAFE target." FCA US' current product blend has 80 percent pickups and CUVs, which means the company stands to benefit from a lower fuel economy target. It might not seem entirely fair environmentally, but this is a great move from a business perspective. The new CAFE rules aren't set in stone, according to The Detroit Free Press, but potentially taking advantage of the regulation is just one more reason to cut the Dart and 200. Modern crossovers also aren't gas guzzlers like older SUVs, which could make it easier to hit the fuel economy target. "Utilities offer practicality and versatility that cars do not, and now, built on car architectures, they do not penalize consumers on fuel economy as they once did," AutoTrader Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs told Autoblog. Schoettle warns that FCA is still making a gamble by killing the small sedans. "Depending on the previous sales volumes and how much these vehicles might have exceeded their specific CAFE targets, it's possible that these cars helped earn CAFE credits for FCA that they could bank for future use," he said. "Future sales breakdowns [car vs.

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Red S Edition demands plenty of green

Chrysler has added a Red S Edition package to the Pacifica range for the 2020 model year. The equipment group is available on the gasoline-powered and hybrid variants of the minivan, and the package punts Chrysler's family-hauler into luxury-car territory. On sale now, the Pacifica Red S Edition commands a $3,995 premium over the Limited trim it's based on. In other words, buyers need to spend at least $49,935 once a mandatory $1,495 destination charge enters the equation, while selecting the hybrid powertrain likely pushes the bottom line beyond the $50,000 threshold (the package has not yet been priced for the hybrid model). This figure makes the Pacifica Red S Edition one of the most expensive minivans available in the United States. Chrysler rewards buyers willing to spend luxury-car money on one of its minivans with two-tone, Rodeo Red and black Nappa leather upholstery with Light Diesel Grey contrast stitching and piping (diesel fuel is not grey, if you're wondering), S logos stitched into the seat backs, and silver trim on the dashboard and the door panels. Outside, the Red S Edition builds on the S Appearance package with black and red emblems, a red S logo on the tailgate, and 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black, though note the Pacifica Hybrid settles for 18-inchers in the name of maximizing fuel economy. Buyers have six colors to choose from, including one called Ceramic Grey Clear Coat that joins the range for 2020. The Red S-spec Pacifica also comes standard with a Harman Kardon sound system that plays through 20 speakers, KeySense (which is essentially a teen driver key), and Advanced SafetyTec, which includes features such as a 360-degree-view camera, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, automatic high beams, park assist, and rain-sensing wipers, among other items. There are no mechanical changes to report, nor does the Pacifica Red S channel its inner Testarossa with a red valve cover. It carries on with Chrysler's venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 rated at a stout 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The six spins the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.