1981 Chrysler Imperial Base Hardtop 2-door 5.2l on 2040-cars

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2015 Chrysler 200 production gets underway [w/videos]

Chrysler announced recently that it has added some 800 new jobs at its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) to support the production of its all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan. Total employment at the Sterling Heights, MI plant grows to almost 2,800 with the hires, an impressive figure for a plant that was slated for closure in 2010.
Speaking to a crowd of employees and community leaders, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was on hand to celebrate the kick-off of 200 production last week. "We're making a big bet on its success," said Marchionne of the sedan, "we've invested nearly a billion dollars in this facility."
That billion-dollar bill has been used to construct a spanking new paint shop, install a new body shop and install "machinery, tooling and material-handling equipment" according to the Chrysler press release. The company says that SHAP now runs to nearly five million square feet of manufacturing space - loads of room for all the new employees to do their thing - and that the facility can handle multiple vehicles on two unique architectures.

Car technology I'm thankful and unthankful for

The past few years have seen a surge of tech features in new vehicles — everything from cloud-based content to semi-autonomous driving. While some of it makes the driving experience better, not all tech is useful or well thought out. Automakers who are adept at drivetrains, ride quality and in-cabin comforts often fail at infotainment interfaces and connectivity. From testing dozens of vehicles each year and in the spirit of gratitude, here are three car tech features I'm thankful — and a trio I could live without. Thanks Connected search: This seems like a no-brainer since everyone already has it on their smartphones, but not all automakers include it in the dashboard and as part of their nav systems. The best ones, such as Toyota Entune, leverage a driver's connected device to search for a range of services and don't charge a subscription or require a separate data plan for the car. I also like how systems like Chrysler Uconnect use Yelp or other apps to find everything from coffee to gas stations and allow searching via voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: It took two of the largest tech companies to get in-dash infotainment right. While they have their disadvantages (you're forced to use Apple Maps with CarPlay, for example), the two smartphone-integration platforms make it easier and safer to use their respective native apps for phoning, messaging, music and more behind the wheel by transferring a familiar UI to the dashboard — with no subscription required. Heated seats and steering wheels: I really appreciate these simple but pleasant features come wintertime. It's easy to get spoiled by bun-warmers on frosty mornings and using a heated steering wheel to warm the cold hands. I recently tested a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe that also had heated armrest that added to a cozy luxury experience. Bonus points for brands like Buick that allow setting seat heaters to turn on when the engine is remotely started. No thanks Automaker infotainment systems: Automakers have probably poured millions into creating their own infotainment systems, with the result largely being frustration on the part of most car owners. And Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming along to make them obsolete. While some automaker systems, such as Toyota Entune and FCA's Uconnect, are easy and intuitive to use, it seems that high-end systems (I'm looking at you BMW iDrive and Mercedes-Benz COMAND) are the most difficult.

2024 Chrysler Pacifica Review: Plug-In Hybrid is still the one to get

Pros: Unique plug-in hybrid; versatile Stow ‘n Go seats; great entertainment features; good looks Cons: No cheaper base trim; top trims and Hybrid are really expensive; less-comfy second-row Stow ‘n Go seats Wow, does time fly by. The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica represents the eighth(!) model year since ChryslerÂ’s iconic minivan lineup was reborn under a single newish name with handsome styling, state-of-the-art features and a plug-in hybrid powertrain that provided unrivaled fuel economy for a three-row family vehicle. Turns out Chrysler did a pretty bang-up job all those years ago, because for 2024, the Pacifica remains a fully competitive and appealing minivan that doesnÂ’t seem long in the tooth. True, the revolutionary Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid makes a more compelling case for itself since no competitor matches it. Even the excellent, hybrid-only Toyota Sienna doesnÂ’t offer the all-electric range of the Plug-In Pacifica. The superior fuel economy offered by both, however, is the key reason why they are our top minivan choices. We ultimately give the nod to the Toyota due to interior versatility and the Plug-InÂ’s hefty price increase last year (2024 pricing was not available at the time of this writing, but since when do cars get less expensive year to year?). As for the standard, V6-only Pacifica, it still stands out from the pack with its user-friendly technology (for those up front and in back), attractive interior style, well-mannered driving dynamics, and unique Stow ‘n Go second-row seats you canÂ’t get in the hybrid. ThereÂ’s a lot to like, but then the same can be said of the Sienna, Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey. The Pacifica may not be long in the tooth, but its competition has caught up or surpassed it in some respects, so cross-shopping is a must. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2024? The Pacifica Hybrid has been officially renamed the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, but itÂ’s always been a plug-in hybrid, so thereÂ’s nothing functionally new about it. Its trim levels do get reduced by one, with a new Select trim level joining the carry-over Pinnacle. Speaking of that trim level, it gets a new exclusive “Sepia” interior color, with quilted leather seats accented with “Light Diesel stitching and Sydney Gray piping.” Fancy.