2002 Chrysler Prowler on 2040-cars

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Would you pay $17 a month to give your older Ford connectivity?

When it was first introduced in 2007, there was nothing like the original Ford Sync system, since it allowed car owners to connect and use a portable device better than anything that came before it. And because it was a brought-in/tethered and software-based system, Sync leveraged a device's connectivity and was easily updated. It took competitors awhile to catch up: Toyota Entune wasn't available until 2011, and Chevy MyLink didn't roll out until 2012. But now Ford is the one playing catchup since it stuck with the brought-in strategy while most other automakers were quicker to add connectivity via an embedded cellular modem. Ford initially installed 2G/3G modems in its small fleet of electric and plug-in electric vehicles starting in 2012 so that owners could keep tabs on charging. Embedded connectivity came to Lincoln in 2014, and Ford began adding onboard 4G LTE via Sync Connect to select cars starting with the Escape in 2015. To get more cars connected more quickly, last week the automaker rolled out its FordPass SmartLink solution that plugs into the OBD port of 2010 to 2017 model year vehicles. This lets owners retroactively get onboard Wi-Fi, set up a "geo-fence" to keep tabs on a car's location, receive vehicle health reports and allows remote engine starting and door locking/unlocking using a smartphone app, among other features. But to connect older Ford vehicles will cost owners $16.99 a month for two years, not including installation. Ford throws in 1 GB of data or a 30-day trial, whichever comes first, after which owners have to add the vehicle to their Verizon shared data plan, which supplies connectivity for SmartLink, or establish a new account. (Disclosure: Autoblog is owned by Verizon.) By comparison, GM's 4G LTE data plans start at $10 a month for 200 MB and goes up to $30 for 3 GB, and owners can also add a car to an AT&T shared-data plan. But OnStar doesn't have a separate monthly subscription for the embedded modem or an installation charge, and standard features via the RemoteLink Mobile App are free for the first five years of ownership. FCA's Uconnect Access service also uses an embedded modem to provide similar telematics features for $20 per month following a free one-year trial, while a la carte in-car Wi-Fi is offered for $10 per day, $20 per week or $35 per month.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 disaster endangers FCA's Magneti Marelli sale

Samsung's financial and public relations positions are going up faster than one of the company's Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, and that's bad news for Fiat Chrysler. FCA was in talks with the South Korean tech giant to sell all or a portion of Magneti Marelli, the enormous Italian parts supplier. The deal, estimated to be in the $3 billion range, was a big part of FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne's five-year plan to slash his company's ˆ5.5 billion ($6.07 billion at today's rates) debt. But Samsung's flaming phones may have stalled the deal, Automotive News reports. Samsung was hoping to acquire all or part of Magneti to gain access to its lighting, in-car entertainment, and telematics business, all in a bid to reduce its reliance on occasionally explosive consumer electronics, AN's sources report. This week alone, Samsung permanently ended production of the Note 7 and began recalling millions of devices, sending out flame-proof return boxes so owners can ship the device back in relative safety. The disaster has already caused Samsung to slash its third-quarter operating profit by $2.3 billion, and is leading the company to divert its attention away from big, blockbuster deals, people "who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private" told AN. According to the same sources, the two sides haven't even agreed on a valuation for Magneti Marelli. Neither company was willing to comment on the potential sale. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Andrew Zuis / AP Chrysler Fiat Technology Smartphone Sergio Marchionne FCA Samsung

78k Chrysler 200 sedans recalled for stalling

Chrysler has been at the top of our list of recalls lately, and is showing little sign of dropping down. The latest campaign announced from Auburn Hills affects nearly 80,000 units over a problem that could see the vehicle suddenly stall or shift into neutral unexpectedly. According to the automaker's statement below, the issue primarily affects the 2015 Chrysler 200. However it indicates that unspecified "additional vehicles are also included in the campaign." Of the 77,834 units affected by the recall, the vast majority – nearly 70k – are in the United States. Another 7,115 are located in Canada, 848 in Mexico, and another 19 outside of North America. The problem stems from some electrical connectors that may have been damaged by the supplier during post-production validation tests. FCA stresses, however, that it is "unaware of any related injuries or accidents" resulting from this issue, and that the glitch may or may not be "accompanied by a dashboard warning-light illumination." Airbag function is reportedly unaffected. Related Video: Statement: Electrical Connectors August 14, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to correct a condition in an estimated 77,834 U.S.-market sedans that may lead to engine stall or gearshift to neutral. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The condition, which may be accompanied by a dashboard warning-light illumination, does not affect air-bag function. An investigation by FCA US revealed some electrical connectors were damaged when the supplier conducted post-production validation tests. Affected are certain 2015 Chrysler 200 midsize sedans. Additional vehicles also are included in campaign. Of these, approximately 7,115 are in Canada; 848 are in Mexico; and 19 are outside the NAFTA region Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. Customers with questions or concerns may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.