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Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont engine-cover recall affects 350k CUVs

FCA is recalling 349,731 examples of the 2011-2015 Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont worldwide to better secure their engine covers. Of these affected vehicles, there are 144,416 in the US, 43,679 in Canada, 46,231 in Mexico, and 115,405 elsewhere. About 10 percent of them are also still at dealers, according to the automaker. Only models with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine are affected by this campaign. According to the company, the engine covers on these vehicles can be dislodged, and this can pose a fire risk if the loose part comes in contact with hot exhaust components. Warning signs of this happening include a noise under the hood, burning smell or a light on the instrument panel. The problem was discovered after three incidents on rough roads in Chile, and there was one minor injury there. According to FCA US spokesperson Eric Mayne to Autoblog, there have been eight occurrences of this issue reported in the US, but these were all related to "heat damage." There have been no reported injuries here. To fix the problem, dealers will install new engine-cover retainers on the affected models. These repairs will begin in August. As always for recall repairs, owners won't be charged. Statement: Engine Cover July 22, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 144,416 crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) in the U.S. to better secure their engine covers. Engine covers in certain vehicles may become dislodged. If they come in contact with exhaust components, it may pose a fire risk. This condition was discovered during an FCA US investigation of three incidents in Chile. In each case, the vehicle had been driven extensively on unpaved or uneven surfaces. The Company is aware of a single related injury, described as minor. Affected are 2011-2015 Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont CUVs equipped with 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engines. FCA US will install upgraded engine-cover retainers in these vehicles. The remedy will be available when customer notification begins next month; service will be performed free of charge. Vehicles equipped with six-cylinder engines are not affected. Additional Journey and Freemont populations also are subject to this campaign. They comprise an estimated 43,679 vehicles in Canada; 46,231 in Mexico; and 115,405 outside the NAFTA region. Of the 349,731 total vehicles subject to this campaign, approximately 10 percent remain in dealer hands.

Stellantis expects strike to cost it $795 million in third-quarter profits

MILAN — Automaker Stellantis said Tuesday that the autoworkers strike in North America is expected to cost the company around 750 million euros ($795 million) in profits — less than its North American competitors. The Europe-based maker of Jeep, Fiat and Peugeot reported a 7% boost in net revenues to 45.1 billion euros, with production halts caused by the strikes costing the company 3 billion euros in sales through October. The net revenue boost was due to higher volumes in all markets except Asia. Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight told journalists that StellantisÂ’ strike impact was lower than the other Big Three automakers due to its global profile as well as some high-profile cost-cutting measures, calculating the hit at around 750 million euros ($795 million.) GM, the last carmaker to reach a deal to end the strike, reported an $800 million strike hit. Ford has put its impact at $1.3 billion. “We continue to be in a very strong position globally and in the U.S. This is an important market for us, and weÂ’re highly profitable and we are very committed to our future," Knight said. “But mitigation is core to how we act, and how we proceed.” Stellantis has canceled appearances at the CES technology show in Las Vegas next year as well as the LA Auto Show, due to the strike impact. Stellantis on Saturday reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers Union to end a six-week strike by more than 14,000 workers at its assembly plants in Michigan and Ohio, and at parts warehouses across the nation. Stellantis does not report full earnings for the third quarter, instead providing shipments and revenues. It said that global sales of electric vehicles rose by 37% over a year earlier, powered by the Jeep Avenger and commercial vehicle sales. North America continued to be the revenue leader, contributing 21.5 billion euros, an increase of 2% over last year, and representing nearly half of global revenues. Europe, the next biggest performing region, saw revenues grow 5% to 14 billion euros, as sales rose 11%. Related video: Earnings/Financials UAW/Unions Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM

Dodge engineers trying to shoehorn Pentastar into Dart?

The fact that the Dart's launch has been a pretty dismal affair isn't what we'd call secret. Judging by its mounting inventories and poor critical reception, Dodge's successor to its unloved Caliber has struggled since it hit the market. And while both of those are difficult problems to address, at least their cause is well known - the powertrain.
Even Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has acknowledged that the powertrain options in the Dart are substandard, admitting at January's Detroit Auto Show that the powertrains are "less than ideal." Leading with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Fiat 500 Abarth left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers thanks to the laggy engine and dead throttle response (to say nothing of the manual and dual-clutch gearboxes that needed more refinement). The addition of the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark in the Dart GT has helped matters some, but apparently Auburn Hills doesn't think it's quite enough.
If rumors are to be believed - get that salt ready - a possible solution may be in the works. A report from Allpar is claiming that Dodge is considering fitting a Pentastar V6 into the Dart's engine bay. As the Mopar-obsessed website points out, the critically acclaimed Pentastar is available in three different sizes - 3.0 liters, 3.2 liters and the original 3.6 liters. We don't get the 3.0 here in the US, but the 3.2 can be found in the new Jeep Cherokee and the 3.6 has been seemingly fitted to every model Chrysler can shoehorn it into.