2011 Dodge Journey Crew on 2040-cars

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Marchionne may stay with FCA until 2020

We might get to see Sergio Marchionne and his vast array of sweaters in the auto industry for even longer than expected. The FCA CEO suggested last year that he would retire from the automaker when its current five-year plan was complete in 2018. Now, he has tentatively extended that point out to at least 2020. "I can do this for another five years if you push me, right? Beyond that, I ain't gonna do it, and I don't want to," he said to Automotive News. That would give Marchionne a 16-year career at the top from joining Fiat in 2004 to possibly leaving FCA in 2020. Although, take the CEO's statement with a grain of salt because he has made multiple statements about the timing for his retirement. In 2012, Marchionne said he would only remain in charge until 2015, which is, well, now. Those five years might also go quite quickly because Marchionne is a busy guy with the Ferrari IPO, the attempted merger with General Motors, implementing FCA's five-year plan, and many other projects. He's already considering the next CEO, though. "My purpose in life is to find the Kuniskises of the world, the Manleys, the Biglands, the Palmers," Marchionne said to Automotive News, referencing the heads at Dodge, Jeep, FCA North America, and the company's chief financial officer, respectively. "I told them, 'One of you is going to do what I do one day. I don't know who that is, but one of you is going to do it.'" News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Paul Sancya / AP Photo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Sergio Marchionne FCA fca us Mike Manley reid bigland tim kuniskis

Dodge whips covers off 2013 Blacktop series

Dodge introduced us to its Blacktop model lineup a year ago with the 2012 Charger and followed up with more recently with the 2013 Challenger and 2013 Avenger. Now the automaker will be applying this ominous-looking treatment to the Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey models for 2013 as well. These models will be unveiled next week at the Detroit Auto Show, but Dodge has released most of the details for these new products including pricing and availability.
If the Grand Caravan R/T (aka, the Man Van) wasn't aggressive enough for you or its $30,000 starting price was a little too pricey, then the 2013 Grand Caravan Blacktop could be the ticket. Starting with the SXT trim level (which stickers at $19,995), the Blacktop package costs only $595, and adds unique features such as blacked-out headlights, grille and fog lights bezels and an all-black interior. The van rides on black-accented, 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Grand Caravan Blacktop is only available in monochromatic paint schemes limited to Billet Silver, Brilliant Black, Maximum Steel, Redline Red and Stone White
Likewise, the 2013 Journey Blacktop is offered only on the SXT model (starting at $18,995) with all of the crossover's normal options such as four- and six-cylinder engines, five- or seven-passenger seating and front- or all-wheel drive. The Blacktop package adds $995 to the Journey SXT's price and features many of the same black accents as the Grand Caravan like the headlights, grille, door mirrors and lower fascia. Exterior colors are limited to Bright Silver, Bright Red, Brilliant Black, Brilliant Red Tri-Coat, White, Pearl White Tri-Coat and Storm Grey, and the package's 19-inch wheels come in Gloss Black. Inside, the Journey Blacktop comes standard with black cloth seats and Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen, but black leather is also available as an option.

Dodge Durango SRT is much cheaper than Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Dodge has finally announced availability and pricing for the 475-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT. The Detroit-built SUV will start at $64,090 and hit dealer lots toward the end of the year. It's not a cheap SUV by any means, but you get a lot for the money: including 470 pound-feet of torque, and all-wheel-drive. Plus it has three rows of seats and can tow 8,600 pounds. Not only that, but it's basically the best performance SUV deal from the Fiat-Chrysler group. The Grand Cherokee SRT, with the same engine, costs almost $4,000 more at $67,990. The Durango SRT outperforms the Grand Cherokee in several key areas, too. It's 0.4 seconds quicker to 60 mph and manages to break into the 12s in the quarter-mile whereas the Grand Cherokee is stuck in the mid-13-second range. The Durango can also tow an extra 1,400 pounds, has an extra row of seats, and has more maximum cargo space with the seats. So unless you just really love the Jeep look and brand, the Durango SRT seems like the logical choice. And if either still isn't potent enough, just wait for the upcoming Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Regardless of your choice of SRT vehicle, you'll still come away with a really powerful SUV, as well as a day of instruction at the Bob Bondurant driving school in Arizona. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Dodge Durango SRT View 32 Photos Image Credit: Dodge Dodge Crossover SUV Performance