2003 Dodge Viper Srt-10 Convertible 2-door 8.3l on 2040-cars

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The mad genius of killing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200

Sergio Marchionne isn't crazy. At least not with respect to the recent announcement that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will cease production of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200. Instead of crazy I'd call this CEO ruthlessly pragmatic, and perhaps short-sighted. The latest revisions to FCA's most recent five-year plan tell some truths about the company's finances. In other words, it can't afford to build mainstream sedans. With only 87,392 units sold in 2015, the Dart is an also-ran in the segment. The axe falls easily there - Chrysler hasn't had a compact-car hit since the second-generation Neon. The 200 isn't so cut and dried: Last year sales increased 52 percent, and the 177,889 total for 2015 is more than those for the Subaru Legacy and Kia Optima. But looking at the overall FCA picture the Chrysler 200 has to go, at least from a short-term perspective. The vehicles that make big money – Ram trucks; Jeep's Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler – can't be made fast enough. FCA can't afford to idle the 200's Sterling Heights, MI, assembly plant to cut back on inventory when other plants are running flat out. It seems crazy to throw away 265,000 sales, but FCA is leaving money on the table by not building more profitable vehicles. The Wirecutter's Senior Autos Editor (and former Autoblogger) John Neff agrees. "As bold as it looks from the outside, he's really making a safe bet that their money is better spent on designing better and building more crossovers and trucks. He's probably right about that." But according to Jessica Caldwell, Executive Director of Strategic Analytics at Edmunds, "FCA's strategy of eliminating the Dart and 200 might be short-sighted if gas prices were to rise and Americans, once again, flocked to small vehicles. FCA must have plans to expand the lineup of small SUVs and position them as small-car alternatives in terms of price and fuel efficiency for this strategy to make sense." FCA's latest announcement focuses mainly on the profitable brands and nameplates. There's hardly a mention of Chrysler, Dodge, or Fiat. And future planning is where the plot holes appear. This realignment cuts dead weight from the product portfolio, but FCA's latest announcement focuses mainly on the profitable brands and nameplates. There's hardly a mention of Chrysler, Dodge, or Fiat. So what's Sergio up to? David Sullivan of AutoPacific thinks Marchionne is still looking for another CEO to hug.

Stellantis mega-merger gets approval from FCA, PSA shareholders

MILAN — Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot decisively voted Monday to merge the U.S.-Italian and French carmakers to create worldÂ’s 4th-largest auto company. Addressing separate meetings, both PSA Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares and Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann spoke of the “historic” importance of the vote, which combines legacy car companies that helped write the industrial histories of the United States, France and Italy. Before the merger is finalized, shares in the new company, to be called Stellantis, must the launched. It will be traded in Milan, New York and Paris. The marriage of PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is built on the promise of cost-savings in the capital-hungry industry, but what remains to be seen is if it will be able to preserve jobs and heritage brands in a global market still suffering from the pandemic. The deal will create the worldÂ’s fourth-largest carmaker, with the capacity to produce 8.7 million cars a year, behind Volkswagen, Toyota and Renault-Nissan, and create 5 billion euros in annual synergies.  “We are fully aware of the fact that together we will be stronger than individually,'' PSA CEO Carlos Tavares told a virtual gathering of eligible shareholders. “The two companies are in good health. These two companies have strong positions in their markets.” The new company will put together under one roof French mass-market carmakers Peugeot and Citroen, top-selling Jeep and Italian luxury and sports brands Maserati and Alfa Romeo - pooling companies that have helped define the industry in the United States, France and Italy. While the tie-up is billed as a merger of equals, the power advantage goes to PSA, with Tavares running Stellantis and holding the tie-breaking vote on the 11-seat board. Tavares is set to take full control of the company early this year, possibly by the end of January. Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann, heir to the Fiat-founding Agnelli family and Fiat ChryslerÂ’s biggest shareholder, will be the Stellantis chairman. Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will head North American operations, which is key to Tavares' long-time goal of getting a U.S. foothold for the French carmaker he has run since 2014, and the clear money-maker for Fiat Chrysler. Such a deal was long wanted by Fiat ChryslerÂ’s long-time CEO Sergio Marchionne, who had predicted the necessity of consolidation in the industry. He was unable to find a deal before his sudden death in July 2018.

Subaru Impreza WRX, Dodge Charger police car from 'Baby Driver' are for sale

Fans of " Baby Driver," now is your chance to own some seriously cool bits of movie memorabilia. Allpro Subaru is currently selling two of the cars from the film. The first is one of the red Subaru Impreza WRXs that were used for some of the film's signature stunts, which made the red rally sedan the de facto hero car of the movie. There were a number of stunt cars used to represent the hero car, including a modified WRX and an STI with a WRX wing. This particular one, a 2006 model, is a little more interesting, as it was the one that was converted to rear-drive to make it easier to complete stunts with it. According to the description, it also has a turbocharger from a 2004 STI to make more power, which fits what stunt driver Jeremy Fry told us. The description reveals other interesting tidbits. The car does have a clean title and has 158,000 miles on it. Obviously some of those miles were a bit rough, and the description notes that the stunt driving has led to some cosmetic defects. The AutoCheck vehicle history report reveals more. Apparently this Impreza WRX led a rough life before filming, as it had four mild to moderate crashes reported. It also appears that it will need the Takata airbag replaced. But on the plus side, this car is a unique piece of car and film history, and its rear-drive layout should make it interesting to drive. On top of that, it also has a leather interior that appears to be in good shape. View 5 Photos You'd better have a healthy bank account before trying to buy this WRX. As of writing, the bidding has reached $40,300. If that's too pricey, though, Allpro Subaru has yet another car from the movie. It's a 2011 Dodge Charger police car in Atlanta, Ga. police livery, complete with a V8. It's also pretty thoroughly wrecked, though the description says that it is drivable. Based on the bullet holes in the windshield, the Charger appears to be the one used in the (mild spoiler alert) final showdown between Baby and Buddy. But because this car is much less famous and in far worse shape, it's also much cheaper. Bidding has only reached $3,000 at the time of writing. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2006 Subaru Impreza used in Baby Driver News Source: eBay / Allpro Subaru via JalopnikImage Credit: eBay / Allpro Subaru TV/Movies Dodge Subaru Auctions Police/Emergency Performance Sedan impreza wrx baby driver