2023 Dodge Challenger Srt Hellcat Widebody on 2040-cars

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Fiat/PSA's dominance in small vans hangs up EU's merger approval

BRUSSELS — EU antitrust regulators are concerned about Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot / PSA's combined high market share in small vans and may require concessions to clear their $50 billion merger, people familiar with the matter said. The companies, which are seeking to create the world's fourth biggest carmaker, were told of the European Commission's concerns last week. If Fiat and PSA fail to dispel the European Commission's doubts in the next two days and subsequently decline to offer concessions by Wednesday, the deadline for doing so, the deal would face a four-month-long investigation. The EU competition enforcer, which has set a June 17 deadline for its preliminary review, declined to comment. Fiat was not immediately available for comment while PSA had no immediate comment. Hiving off overlapping businesses, usually a regulatory demand to ensure more competition, could prove tricky for the carmakers because of the technicalities. Fiat and PSA are looking to merge to help offset slowing demand and shoulder the cost of making cleaner vehicles to meet tougher emissions regulations. The deal puts under one roof the Italian carmaker's brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Maserati and the French company's Peugeot, Opel and DS. Related Video: Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot

Dodge Demon priced at $84,995, or almost 20 grand more than a Hellcat

Ridiculousness has a price, and it is $84,995. That is the admission fee for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, or as most people call it: The Demon. The number includes a $1,700 gas guzzler tax and $1,095 destination fee. It does not include a number of options, may of which cost a dollar. Of those $1 options, a front passenger seat and rear seats are but two. Which is more of a reminder that, yes, Dodge will sell you car with only one seat if you want it that way. The other big $1 option is the Demon Crate, which includes skinny front tires for the drag strip, an impact wrench and jack, and a performance powertrain control module that bumps the power up to 840 hp on race gas. Dodge says the true value of the crate is $6,140. Don't let that fool you, as chances are they're just baking that cost in the $19,705 increase from the Challenger Hellcat. Did we mention you can get a sunroof. Yes, you can get a sunroof, for $4,995. Surely one of the 3,300 Demon buyers (3,000 in the US, 300 in Canada) will take pride in checking every option box. For posterity, here's the entire list verbatim from Dodge's press release: Demon Crate ($1): Exclusive Demon Crate offers components that unleash the car's 840 horsepower, 770 lb.-ft. of torque and full potential at the drag strip and is personalized with the buyer's name, VIN and serial number. The Demon Crate and the performance parts it holds are valued at $6,140, but Challenger SRT Demon owners can buy the entire package for $1.

Dodge Dart Registry helps you crowdsource money for your next ride [w/video]

To be honest, we're surprised something like this didn't pop up sooner. Chrysler is riffing on gift registries for couples getting married or expecting babies and cross-pollinating it with a social media funding website like Kickstarter to help customers buy its 2013 Dodge Dart. The Dodge Dart Registry allows people to build and customize a new Dart exactly how they want it, then let other people purchase some or all of the components as gifts.
The registry lets you add features like dark headlights, dual exhaust, various wheels and even interior options without choosing a specific trim level. This sounds a lot like the system Scion uses to let its customers configure cars, and this could be a great idea for Dodge. Of course, this system has the added benefit of being a social media affair for you to share with your friends... you know, so they can help pay for some of the parts, too.
The best thing about the registry is that you can configure your dream Dart from the comfort of your home computer, which strikes us as much better than walking around Bed, Bath and Beyond for the better part of an afternoon with an electronic scanner. The one thing that Dodge doesn't offer? "Thank You" cards. Those are on you.