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Detroit automakers mulling helping DIA avoid bankruptcy looting

It's not really a secret that the city of Detroit is in lots and lots of trouble. Even with an emergency manager working to guide it through bankruptcy, a number of the city's institutions remain in very serious danger. One of the most notable is the Detroit Institute of Arts, a 658,000-square-foot behemoth of art that counts works from Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin and Rembrandt (not to mention a version of Rodin's iconic "The Thinker," shown above) as part of its permanent collection.
Throughout the bankruptcy, the DIA has been under threat, with art enthusiasts, historians and fans of the museum concerned that its expansive collection - valued between $454 and $867 million by Christie's - could be sold by the city to help square its $18.5-billion debt.
Now, though, Detroit's hometown automakers could be set to step up and help save the renowned museum. According to a report from The Detroit News, the charitable arms of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler could be set to donate $25 million as part of a DIA-initiated campaign, called the "grand bargain." As part of the deal, the DIA would seek $100 million in corporate donations as part of a larger attempt at putting together an $816-million package that would be paid to city pension funds over 20 years. Such a move would protect the city's art collection from being sold off.

2023 Chrysler Pacifica gets a 'Road Tripper' package for spring

Chrysler, the car maker that helped to ignite the minivan craze more than four decades ago, will offer a 2023 Pacifica Road Tripper version to dress up a trio of their minivans next spring. Borrowing an adjective from a certain German brand, Chrysler has billed the Road Tripper as "the ultimate family travel vehicle.” The Road Trip package, which can be added to the Touring L and Pacifica Touring L Hybrid models, is mostly comprised of cosmetic features. It will cost from $1,495 to $2,395, depending on the model. Road Trippers will show off Luster Gray Road Tripper graphics, outlined in Brilliant Orange, on the front driver and passenger doors. The 20-inch wheels (18-inch wheels on the Hybrid) are also Luster Gray, as are the center caps, which carry a Brilliant Orange Chrysler wing badge logo. The package also includes semi-gloss Granite Crystal accents front and rear, as well as on door moldings, door handles and mirror caps. There's also a roof rack and all-weather floor mats. The optional Road Tripper package is to be available on gas-powered Pacifica Touring L and Pacifica Touring L Hybrid models, in a choice of three exterior colors: Bright White, Brilliant Black and Ceramic Gray. Ordering for the vans is scheduled to open in the first quarter of next year, with deliveries to dealers in the spring. The company says it had turned to social media to select a name for the package, with the final selection garnering the most votes in a poll on some social channels, including Instagram and Twitter. The idea, said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO, was to demonstrate “the Chrysler brandÂ’s commitment to customer collaboration moving forward.” Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. How to use the Stow 'N Go seats on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Best and worst car brands of 2022 according to Consumer Reports

It's that time again, Consumer Reports this morning lifting the curtain on its 2022 Annual Car Brand rankings and its 10 Top Picks in the car, crossover, and truck category. Drumroll, please: This year, Subaru climbs two spots to claim the winner's circle, having come third the last two years. Last year, Mazda climbed three spots from 2020 to take the crown. This year, Mazda slipped to second, BMW taking the last spot on the podium, also a one-spot drop from 2021. Six automakers in the top 10 hailed from Japan, which is one more than last year, and five luxury makers occupied the top 10, which is two more than last year. And South Korean representation didn't crack the top this year, after Hyundai managed tenth last year. The seven makes after BMW are: Honda, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Mini, Toyota, and Infiniti.  The magazine and testing concern says its Brand Report Card "[reveals] which automakers are producing the most well-performing, safe, and reliable vehicles based on CR’s independent testing and member surveys," and that "Brands that rise to the top tend to have the most consistent performance across their model lineups." The domestics also took steps back among the 32 OEMs ranked on the 2022 card. Chrysler and Buick were the domestic carmakers who made last year's top 10 in eighth and ninth, respectively. This year, Buick dropped to eleventh, Chrysler to thirteenth. Dodge went from fourteenth to sixteenth. CR continues to ding Tesla's yoke steerer, the not-exactly-natural handhold responsible for the electric carmaker going from sixteenth last year to twenty-third this year.