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Stellantis pledges $2.8 billion investment in Canadian plants

Stellantis has re-upped its commitment to two pivotal Canadian factories. The Brampton Assembly Plant, where the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are built, and the Windsor Assembly Plant, where the Chrysler Pacifica minivan is made, will receive a $2.8 million investment in the coming years.  The announcement came as welcome news for Brampton, as the plant's future was very much in doubt. The company had only promised to build the three models, sharing an aged platform, through 2023. Now the future is more clear. Stellantis will begin retooling the facility in 2024 once production of the muscle car trio winds down. When it comes back online in 2025, it will produce "at least one all-new electric model". It will also serve as the production facility for an all-new flexible architecture, but which models it will support were not disclosed. As for Windsor, retooling will begin in 2023. Stellantis didn't say when it would finish, but that it would be home to a "new multi-energy vehicle (MEV) architecture that will provide battery-electric (BEV) capability for multiple models." Both plants are expected to return to a three-shift schedule after layoffs at the plants dropped them down to two shifts. The reaffirmation of investment in Canada follows last month's announcement that Stellantis and LG Energy Solution would establish a $4.1 billion joint venture to make battery packs for electric vehicles. The project is being billed as Canada's first large-scale lithium-ion battery plant. In addition, Windsor's Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) will now become North America's first battery lab. Stellantis is expanding the site by 100,000 square feet, where engineers will conduct R&D into BEV, PHEV and HEV cells, modules and battery packs. Stellantis North America Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart said, "These investments reaffirm our long-term commitment to Canada and represent an important step as we move toward zero-emission vehicles that deliver on our customers’ desire for innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility.”  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Chrysler reportedly showed its dealers an electric 300 replacement

The Chrysler 300 is nearly ready to retire after almost 13 years in production. Details about its successor haven't been released, but a recent report claims that the Stellantis-owned brand privately showed some of its dealers an electric model that will take the sedan's torch. Citing anonymous dealer sources, enthusiast website Mopar Insiders wrote that the yet-unnamed model takes the form of a sedan with a fastback-like roof line. Some attendees drew a parallel between the EV and the prototype shown in renderings (pictured) in 2021; others pointed out its proportions and size are reminiscent of the Dodge Charger Daytona concept, which will reach production in the coming years. Nothing is official, but we wouldn't be surprised if the Charger Daytona spawns a Chrysler; the current-generation Charger shares its basic platform with the 300, after all, and building several vehicles on the same platform is a way for carmakers to reap economies of scale. One point worth noting is that Dodge executives have confirmed the architecture that will underpin the next Charger is compatible with the straight-six engine found in several Stellantis products. If it fits in the Dodge, it's reasonable to assume it fits in the Chrysler. Dodge hasn't announced plans to offer the Charger with the straight-six engine and neither has Chrysler; executives haven't revealed what comes after the 300, though company CEO Christine Fuell told Autoblog that there are "quite a bit of new products in our roadmap." The rumor echoes an earlier report that details an alleged 300 successor due out in 2026 with battery power, between 201 and 443 horsepower depending on the variant, and an 800-volt electrical architecture for faster charging. This hasn't been confirmed, however. As of writing, the only upcoming model that Chrysler has announced is a production version of the Airflow Vision we first saw as a very futuristic concept at CES 2020, as a more realistic design study at CES 2022, and with a black finish at the 2022 New York Auto Show. Regardless of whether the 300 gets replaced and what replaces it, at least Chrysler seemingly has a future — it was skating on perilously thin ice when Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Peugeot-Citroen merged to form Stellantis in 2021. Greg Migliore, Autoblog's editor-in-chief, argued in favor of keeping the brand alive, and dealers pleaded that letting the 97-year-old carmaker die wasn't an option.

Chrysler shows off new 'Synthesis' cockpit demonstrator at CES

As auto enthusiasts, we get used to seeing vehicle exteriors teased endlessly while interiors often remain under wraps until the very last second. And then once a year, CES happens and our focus shifts briefly to glimpses of arguably the single most important part of a car for most drivers: the many touch points between man and machine. Chrysler will be among those offering in-person demonstrations of its vision for future tech, and in this case, a little bit more.  Chrysler says it will be the standard-bearer for the company's forthcoming AI-based technologies that can both adapt to driver preferences and automate certain functions — up to and including driving. Chrysler is calling it "Advanced Technology For Real Life" and says it will "create smooth, efficient and connected experiences between the customer and the vehicle." This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator at CES 2023 The demonstrator itself shows off the next generation of interior materials ("vegetable-tanned, suspended seats wrapped with an arctic upcycled chrome-free soft trim embellished by a unique constellation-style perforation") and design themes. Chrysler calls it "Harmony in Motion," but rest assured that it will remain stationary for all of its demonstrations. Its simulation is meant to represent a day in the life of a typical owner. It optimizes the day's drive routes, coordinates with other smart ecosystems (home, phone, etc.) and even takes the wheel to allow for multi-tasking (simulating level 3 self-driving).  Check it out at Chrysler's booth starting tomorrow, Jan. 5.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Chrysler Unveils Airflow Concept